bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feminist foreign policy as ethical foreign policy? A care ethics perspective
Authors: Robinson Fiona
Published: February 2019

This article argues that a liberal cosmopolitan approach to feminist foreign policy reproduces existing relations of power, including gender power relations and Western liberal modes of domination. I suggest that a critical feminist ethic of care offers a potentially radical and transformative account of ethics as a basis for a transnational feminism – one that reveals and troubles the binary gender norms that constitute the international and which exposes the ways in which patriarchal orders uphold political hierarchies that obstruct the building of empathy and repairing of relationship. To illustrate this argument, I address the recent diplomatic crises faced by Sweden and Canada in their relationships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Policymakers and diplomats must aim to build understanding by recognizing the material and discursive factors that have constructed, over time, the relationships between Saudi Arabia and Sweden/Canada, as well as the ways in which patriarchal structures – across the globe and at multiple scales – hinder the possibility of attentive listening and connection across borders. It is only through the prism of this relationship – where difference takes on meaning – that the more complex role of Western states in the contemporary system of transnational militarism is revealed.
Stability improvement and characterization of bioprinted pectin-based scaffold
Authors: Stealey Samuel , Guo Xiaoru , Ren Lixia , Bryant Elizabeth , Kaltchev Matey , Chen Junhong , Kumpaty Subha , Hua Xiaolin , Zhang Wujie
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Bioprinting is an alternative method for constructing tissues/organs for transplantation. This study investigated the cross-linker influence and post-printing modification using oligochitosan and chitosan for stability improvement.

Methods:

Oligochitosan was tested as a novel cross-linker to replace Ca2+ for pectin-based bio-ink. Oligochitosan (2 kD) and different molecular weight of chitosan were used to modify the bioprinted scaffold. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the scaffolds.

Results:

Oligochitosan failed to serve as a viable cross-linker. Successful post-printing modification was confirmed by FTIR and SEM analyses.

Conclusion:

Regarding post-modification, chitosan-treated scaffolds showed enhanced stability compared to untreated scaffolds. In particular, scaffolds modified with 150 kD chitosan exhibited the highest stability.
Evaluation of the light transmission of chairside polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramics in different shades and thicknesses
Authors: Duran İbrahim , Kaleli Necati , Ural Çağrı , Kavut İdris
Published: February 2019

Background:

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the amount of polymerizing light passing through hybrid ceramic specimens in different shades and thicknesses.

Methods:

Rectangular-shaped feldspathic ceramic computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) blocks and translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic CAD-CAM blocks in four different shades (1M1, 1M2, 2M2, and 3M2) were sectioned in four different thicknesses (0.8, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm), and a total of 48 groups ( n = 10) were obtained. Feldspathic ceramic specimens served as the control group. The light transmission of each ceramic specimen was measured three times by using a light-emitting diode and a radiometer. Data were statistically analyzed by using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey honest significant difference, and Tamhane T2 tests (α = 0.05).

Results:

Translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens exhibited significantly ( p < 0.001) lower light transmission values than high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic and feldspathic ceramic specimens, whereas feldspathic ceramic specimens exhibited significantly ( p < 0.001) higher light transmission than translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens. The amount of light transmission significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased when the shade value decreased and the thickness increased.

Conclusions:

Polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens showed lower light transmission values than feldspathic ceramic specimens, and the amount of light transmission was affected by the ceramic shade and thickness.
Preparation of Chitosan Microcapsules Containing Red Ginger Oleoresin Using Emulsion Crosslinking Method
Authors: Jayanudin  , Fahrurrozi Moh. , Wirawan Sang Kompiang , Rochmadi
Published: February 2019

Background:

Encapsulation is one of the methods used to trap active ingredients in the wall material of microparticles.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the encapsulation of red ginger oleoresin using an emulsion crosslinking method with chitosan as the wall material.

Methods:

Emulsions were formed of red ginger oleoresin with chitosan in concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% (w/v), respectively. The emulsions were then mixed with corn oil and stirred for one hour to obtain a second set of emulsions, and glutaraldehyde saturated toluene (GST) was added dropwise in quantities of 20, 10, 6.7, and 5 ml, respectively. This was followed by the addition of 2 ml of 25% glutaraldehyde and the emulsions were stirred for two hours. The resulting microcapsules were washed with petroleum ether followed by hexane and then dried in an oven at 70oC.

Results:

The emulsion crosslinking method used to trap the red ginger oleoresin in chitosan produced microcapsules of good spherical geometry with the mean diameter ranging from 75.61 ± 11.8 µm to 178.65 ± 40.7 µm. The highest yield was 98.93% and encapsulation efficiency was 83.1%. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis showed that the melting point was at a temperature between 120 and 130oC.

Conclusion:

Chitosan concentration has little effect on encapsulation yield, whereas the amount of GST tends to strengthen the crosslinking bonds of chitosan and reduces the mean diameter of microspheres.
Synthetic hydroxyapatite and its use in bioactive coatings
Authors: Guillen-Romero Luis Daniel , Oropeza-Guzmán Mercedes Teresita , López-Maldonado Eduardo Alberto , Iglesias Ana Leticia , Paz-González Juan Antonio , Ng Theodore , Serena-Gómez Eduardo , Villarreal-Gómez Luis Jesús
Published: February 2019

An approach to solve the limitations of autologous bone grafting procedures in bone injury treatment is to develop bioactive coatings in the implantation system. The objective of this work is to compare the temperature effect on the stability of hydroxyapatite, graphene, and collagen colloidal suspensions to be used as biocompatible and bioactive coatings on a carbon fiber composite surface. Synthesized hydroxyapatite was assessed by X-ray diffraction. Zeta potential at different temperatures was evaluated. Specimens were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Raman analysis. The results showed that the best hydroxyapatite/graphene ratio was 85/15, while those of the hydroxyapatite/collagen mixtures were 85/15. A hydroxyapatite/graphene/collagen mixture was synthesized based on these results.
Effect of strontium doping on the biocompatibility of calcium phosphate-coated titanium substrates
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Duong Thi , Jang Yong-Seok , Lee Min-Ho , Bae Tae-Sung
Published: February 2019

Background:

Titanium biomedical devices coated with strontium-doped calcium phosphate ceramics can support desirable bone regeneration through anabolic and anti-catabolic effects of strontium and the compositions close to that of natural mineral tissue.

Methods:

Strontium was doped into the calcium phosphate coating using the cyclic pre-calcification method on the anodized titanium plate. The effects of the different concentration of strontium in treatment solution and cycle numbers of the pre-calcification treatment on the biocompatibility were investigated in terms of the changes in morphology and chemical composition of coating, ion release pattern and cytocompatibility in vitro.

Results:

At a high substitution ratio of strontium in the calcium phosphate coating, the size of precipitated particles was decreased and the solubility of the coating was increased. ASH55 group, which was coated by pre-calcification treatment of 20 cycles in coating solution with Sr:Ca molar ratio of 5:5, exhibited superior cellular attachment at 1 day and proliferation after 7 days of culturing in comparison with the non-doped surface and other doped surfaces.

Conclusion:

Sufficient strontium doping concentrations in calcium phosphate coating can enhance cell adhesion and proliferation on the titanium biomedical devices for bone regeneration.
Visualizing Police Exposure by Race, Gender, and Age in New York City
Authors: Figures Kalisha Dessources , Legewie Joscha
Published: February 2019

This figure depicts the disparities in average police stops in New York City from 2004 to 2012, disaggregated by race, gender, and age. Composed of six bar charts, each graph in the figure provides data for a particular population at the intersection of race and gender, focusing on black, white, and Hispanic men and women. Each graph also has a comparative backdrop of the data on police stops for black males. All graphs take a similar parabolic shape, showing that across each race-gender group, pedestrian stops increase in adolescence and peek in young adulthood, then taper off across the adult life course. However, the heights of these parabolic representations are vastly different. There are clear disparities in police exposure based on race and gender, with black men and women being more likely than their peers to be policed and with black men being policed significantly more than their female counterparts.
Blinded Ultrasound Examination of the Subscapularis Following Anatomic Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: O’Malley Michael P , Kia Cameron , Dukas Alex G , Cote Mark , Stock Harlan , Savoy Lawrence , Tinsley Brian A , Alaee Farhang , Mazzocca Augustus D , Shea Kevin P
Published: February 2019

Background

The subscapularis tendon is commonly released during shoulder arthroplasty, and its integrity and repair postoperatively have been shown important to help maximize patient function. However, diagnosing subscapular tendon failure can be difficult with magnetic resonance imaging secondary to metal artifact as well as very costly.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of ultrasound imaging in evaluating subscapularis integrity at specific time points following shoulder arthroplasty, in a blinded fashion. Secondarily, we report on the correlation between the condition of the subscapularis and quality-of-life outcome measures.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Methods

Ultrasounds were completed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week as well as at 1, 3, and 6 months. Each was read by a single musculoskeletal radiologist and categorized as “intact,” “torn,” or “unclear.” Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) index at these same time points.

Results

The final study group consisted of 35 procedures in 33 patients (19 females and 14 males, mean age 66 ± 9 years). Three patients had postoperative subscapularis failures that were confirmed in the operating room at the time of repair. Of 24 sonographs categorized as “unclear” in the postoperative period, the majority (n = 12, 50%) were taken at 1 week. Compared to preoperative scores, patients had lower WOOS scores at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively ( P < .001). Correlation analysis did not reveal an association between the ultrasound readings and the WOOS scores postoperatively.

Conclusion

The utility of ultrasound examination of the subscapularis tendon following shoulder arthroplasty is limited by timing and may be most useful when used by the physician within clinical context. Significant improvement was noted in disease-specific quality-of-life scores regardless of the status of the subscapularis tendon as read on ultrasound.
Dyslexia in the Music Classroom: A Review of Literature
Authors: Reifinger James L.
Published: February 2019

Developmental dyslexia, or specific reading disorder, is a reading impairment characterized by persistent difficulty in word recognition, decoding, and spelling skills in children despite having average or above academic performance in other areas. To increase an understanding of the nature of dyslexia and its relationship to music, this article first discusses the process of typical reading development and how researchers believe this process is impaired for individuals with dyslexia. Dyslexia identification and interventions are then explained. Next, research that shows how music skills may differ for students with dyslexia is presented. Experimental studies have shown that music training has been an effective way to improve reading skills in children with dyslexia. To understand why music training might improve reading ability, the precise auditory timing hypothesis proposed by Tierney and Kraus is discussed, along with implications for music education.
Parsaclisib, a potent and highly selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies
Authors: Forero-Torres Andres , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Yacoub Abdulraheem , Wertheim Michael S. , Edenfield William J. , Caimi Paolo , Gutierrez Martin , Akard Luke , Escobar Carolina , Call Justin , Persky Daniel , Iyer Swaminathan , DeMarini Douglas J. , Zhou Li , Chen Xuejun , Dawkins Fitzroy , Phillips Tycel J.
Published: February 2019

This phase 1/2 study assessed parsaclisib (INCB050465), a next-generation, potent, and highly selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, alone or in combination with a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor (itacitinib) or chemotherapy (rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide). Seventy-two patients received parsaclisib monotherapy (5-45 mg once daily). Expansion doses were 20 and 30 mg once daily; intermittent dosing at 20 mg (once daily for 9 weeks, then once weekly) was explored. No dose-limiting toxicities were identified, and maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Most common nonhematologic treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were diarrhea/colitis (36%), nausea (36%), fatigue (31%), and rash (31%). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 19% of patients. Serious TEAEs (>2 patients) were diarrhea/colitis (n = 9), pyrexia (n = 4), hypotension (n = 3), and sepsis (n = 3). Aspartate and alanine transaminase elevations occurring before treatment discontinuation were grade 1, except 1 grade 3 event each, secondary to sepsis. Two patients experienced 3 fatal parsaclisib-unrelated TEAEs (respiratory failure; respiratory failure and sepsis). In non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), objective response rates to monotherapy were 71% in follicular lymphoma, 78% in marginal zone lymphoma, 67% in mantle cell lymphoma, and 30% in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; 93% of responses occurred at first assessment (∼9 weeks). Parsaclisib has demonstrated antitumor activity in relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL with the potential for improved long-term patient outcomes. Phase 2 studies in relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL subtypes are ongoing. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02018861.
Clinical presentation, management, and biomarkers of neurotoxicity after adoptive immunotherapy with CAR T cells
Authors: Karschnia Philipp , Jordan Justin T. , Forst Deborah A. , Arrillaga-Romany Isabel C. , Batchelor Tracy T. , Baehring Joachim M. , Clement Nathan F. , Gonzalez Castro L. Nicolas , Herlopian Aline , Maus Marcela V. , Schwaiblmair Michaela H. , Soumerai Jacob D. , Takvorian Ronald W. , Hochberg Ephraim P. , Barnes Jeffrey A. , Abramson Jeremy S. , Frigault Matthew J. , Dietrich Jorg
Published: February 2019

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have emerged as a promising class of cell-based immunotherapy in refractory malignancies. Neurotoxicity represents a common and potentially life-threatening adverse effect of CAR T cells, and clinical experience is limited. Here, we describe the clinical presentation and management of 25 adult patients who presented with neurotoxic syndromes after CAR T-cell therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital. This cohort includes 24 patients treated with CD19-directed CAR T cells for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 23) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 1), and 1 patient treated with α-fetoprotein–directed CAR T cells for hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1). Twelve of the 25 patients (48%) developed grade 1-2 neurotoxicity and 13 patients (52%) presented with grade 3-4 neurotoxicity. We found that lower platelet counts at time of CAR T-cell infusion were associated with more severe neurotoxicity (P = .030). Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 24 of 25 patients (96%). Serum levels of ferritin peaked with onset of neurologic symptoms, and higher ferritin levels were associated with higher neurotoxicity grade. Grade 3-4 neurotoxicity correlated negatively with overall survival (OS) (P = .013). Median OS of the entire cohort was 54.7 weeks. Eight patients (32%) with grade 3-4 neurotoxicity were deceased at database closure, whereas none died with neurotoxicity grade 1-2. High pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase was frequently encountered in lymphoma patients with grade 3-4 neurotoxicity and correlated negatively with progression-free survival (P = .048). We did not find evidence that steroid use ≥7 days altered the patient’s outcome when compared with <7 days of steroids. Management of CAR T cell–mediated neurotoxicity warrants evaluation in prospective clinical trials.
Recent Research in Science Teaching and Learning
Authors: Eddy Sarah L.
Published: February 2019

The Current Insights feature is designed to introduce life science educators and researchers to current articles of interest in other social science and education journals. In this installment, I highlight three diverse research studies: one addresses the relationships between active learning and teaching evaluations; one presents an observation tool for documenting metacognition in the classroom; and the last explores things teachers can say to encourage students to employ scientific reasoning during class discussions.
Lung cancer incidence in patients with schizophrenia: meta-analysis
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Zhuang Hongqing , Gao Xiangyang , Triplett Patrick Todd
Published: February 2019

Background

Lung cancer risk factors, like tobacco smoking, are highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. Whether these patients have a higher risk of lung cancer remains unknown.

Aims

We aimed to investigate whether patients with schizophrenia have a higher incidence of lung cancer compared with general population, in a meta-analysis.

Method

Eligible studies were searched from PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify cases of lung cancer in patients with schizophrenia and the general population. This meta-analysis utilised the random-effects model and prediction interval was used to calculate the heterogeneity of these eligible studies. We assessed the quality of evidence with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

There were 12 studies, totalling 496 265 patients, included in this meta-analysis. The data showed that the baseline schizophrenia diagnosis was not associated with any changes in lung cancer incidence in the overall population, with a standardised incidence ratio of 1.11 (95% CI 0.90–1.37; P = 0.31), although there was a significant heterogeneity among these studies (I2 = 94%). Moreover, there was also a substantial between-study variance with wide prediction interval values (0.47–2.64). The data were consistent for both males and females.

Conclusions

Up-to-date evidence from epidemiological studies indicates the lack of certainty about the association between schizophrenia diagnosis and lung cancer incidence.
Mechanism-Based Modeling of Tumor Growth and Treatment Response Constrained by Multiparametric Imaging Data
Authors: Hormuth David A. , Jarrett Angela M. , Lima Ernesto A.B.F. , McKenna Matthew T. , Fuentes David T. , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: February 2019

Multiparametric imaging is a critical tool in the noninvasive study and assessment of cancer. Imaging methods have evolved over the past several decades to provide quantitative measures of tumor and healthy tissue characteristics related to, for example, cell number, blood volume fraction, blood flow, hypoxia, and metabolism. Mechanistic models of tumor growth also have matured to a point where the incorporation of patient-specific measures could provide clinically relevant predictions of tumor growth and response. In this review, we identify and discuss approaches that use multiparametric imaging data, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and [18F]fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography to initialize and calibrate mechanistic models of tumor growth and response. We focus the discussion on brain and breast cancers; however, we also identify three emerging areas of application in kidney, pancreatic, and lung cancers. We conclude with a discussion of the future directions for incorporating multiparametric imaging data and mechanistic modeling into clinical decision making for patients with cancer.
Classification of Background Parenchymal Uptake on Molecular Breast Imaging Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Carter Rickey E. , Attia Zachi I. , Geske Jennifer R. , Conners Amy Lynn , Whaley Dana H. , Hunt Katie N. , O’Connor Michael K. , Rhodes Deborah J. , Hruska Carrie B.
Published: February 2019

PURPOSE

Background parenchymal uptake (BPU), which describes the level of radiotracer uptake in normal fibroglandular tissue on molecular breast imaging (MBI), has been identified as a breast cancer risk factor. Our objective was to develop and validate a deep learning model using image convolution to automatically categorize BPU on MBI.

METHODS

MBI examinations obtained for clinical and research purposes from 2004 to 2015 were reviewed to classify the BPU pattern using a standardized five-category scale. Two expert radiologists provided interpretations that were used as the reference standard for modeling. The modeling consisted of training and validating a convolutional neural network to predict BPU. Model performance was summarized in data reserved to test the performance of the algorithm at the per-image and per-breast levels.

RESULTS

Training was performed on 24,639 images from 3,133 unique patients. The model performance on the withheld testing data (6,172 images; 786 patients) was evaluated. Using direct matching on the predicted classification resulted in an accuracy of 69.4% (95% CI, 67.4% to 71.3%), and if prediction within one category was considered, accuracy increased to 96.0% (95% CI, 95.2% to 96.7%). When considering the breast-level prediction of BPU, the accuracy remained strong, with 70.3% (95% CI, 68.0% to 72.6%) and 96.2% (95% CI, 95.3% to 97.2%) for the direct match and allowance for one category, respectively.

CONCLUSION

BPU provided a robust target for training a convolutional neural network. A validated computer algorithm will allow for objective, reproducible encoding of BPU to foster its integration into risk-stratification algorithms.
Cyclin E1 Expression and Palbociclib Efficacy in Previously Treated Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Turner Nicholas C. , Liu Yuan , Zhu Zhou , Loi Sherene , Colleoni Marco , Loibl Sibylle , DeMichele Angela , Harbeck Nadia , André Fabrice , Bayar Mohamed Amine , Michiels Stefan , Zhang Zhe , Giorgetti Carla , Arnedos Monica , Huang Bartlett Cynthia , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: February 2019

PURPOSE

A large-panel gene expression analysis was conducted to identify biomarkers associated with the effectiveness of adding palbociclib to fulvestrant.

METHODS

The PALOMA-3 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01942135 ) trial randomly assigned 521 endocrine-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer to receive palbociclib plus fulvestrant or placebo plus fulvestrant. Primary analysis was first conducted on 10 genes on the basis of pathway biology and evidence from previous studies followed by a systematic panel-wide search among 2,534 cancer-related genes. The association of gene expression with the effect of palbociclib on progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, with gene expression as a continuous variable or dichotomized by median. An independent breast cancer cohort from the Preoperative Palbociclib (POP) Clinical Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02008734 ) was used for validation, in 61 patients with primary breast cancer treated with 2 weeks of palbociclib.

RESULTS

In the PALOMA-3 trial, 302 patients had tumor tissue analyzed (palbociclib arm, 194 patients; placebo arm, 108 patients). Palbociclib efficacy was lower in patients with high versus low cyclin E1 ( CCNE1) mRNA expression (median PFS: palbociclib arm, 7.6 v 14.1 months; placebo arm, 4.0 v 4.8 months, respectively; interaction P unadjusted = .00238; false discovery rate–adjusted P = .0238). CCNE1 mRNA was more predictive in metastatic than in archival primary biopsy tissue samples. No significant interaction was found between treatment and expression levels of CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, and RB1. Palbociclib was efficacious in both luminal A and luminal B tumors. High CCNE1 mRNA expression was associated with poor antiproliferative activity of palbociclib in the POP trial ( P = .005).

CONCLUSION

Addition of palbociclib to fulvestrant demonstrated efficacy in all biomarker groups, although high CCNE1 mRNA expression was associated with relative resistance to palbociclib.
Anesthetic Management in an Adult Patient With Costello Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Ugata Kei , Imamachi Noritaka , Hashimoto Ai , Saito Yoji
Published: February 2019

Costello syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by mental and growth retardation and distinctive coarse facies. A significant proportion of patients with Costello syndrome have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, papillomata, and malignant tumors. General anesthesia practice, especially airway and cardiac management, in patients with Costello syndrome may be complicated by anatomical features and cardiac abnormalities. There have been several reports on the anesthetic management of children with Costello syndrome, but few have reported on the anesthetic management of adults with Costello syndrome. In adults, careful preoperative evaluation as well as preparation for adult-onset and previously unrecognized medical conditions are key for safe anesthetic management.
Grey value contrast sensitivity of dental practitioners in function of luminance and age
Authors: Jacquet Wolfgang , Cleymaet Roberto G. , Bottenberg Peter
Published: February 2019

Objectives:

Grey value perception is important in viewing and interpreting X-ray images. It is possible that ageing decreases the number of gray values that a person can distinguish. This hypothesis was tested in a group of dental practitioners from students to experienced dentists using a 12-bit grey scale.

Methods and materials:

A custom-made computer software was used based on the principle of the “just noticeable difference” (JND). Observers were shown a picture of an outer square with increasing grey value in which a smaller square of different grey value popped up in changing positions. As soon as the observers could see the difference, they clicked the inner square. The grey values were shown with a 12-bit depth in batches of 400 grey value steps. 59 dentists of 3 age groups (20–24, 25–45 and 46–70 years) participated in the study. A subgroup of 20 practitioners performed a validation test with test-retest and test in reversed grey value sequence (white to black). JND was calculated and plotted against grey value using a third-order polynomial function. These curves were compared statistically.

Results:

Test-retest, also in reversed order did not yield different curves (p values between 0.79 and 0.97). Curves between different age groups showed significant differences, with older practitioners needing more contrast to accomplish the task. Contrast sensitivity showed an optimum in the darker third of the grey scale (values around 1200).

Conclusion:

Age and grey value played a significant role in grey value perception by dental practitioners.
The floods in Greece: the case of Mandra in Attica
Authors: Soulios Georgios , Stournaras Georgios , Nikas Konstantinos , Mattas Christos
Published: February 2019

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters and are extremely dangerous in a global range since they can cause extensive damage to properties or losses in human lives. According to the opinion of many expert scientists, climate change has led to the increase of flooding phenomena over the last years worldwide, as well as in Greece. The aim of this paper is to examine the flooding event that occurred in Mandra area, Attica (Greece) on 14-15 November of 2017. The peak discharge of the Agia Ekaterini and Soures streams was calculated using the rational method (Giandotti) for return periods equal to 10, 100 and 1000 years. The stream characteristics were studied and their behavior during the flood was investigated. Many of the impacts were attributed to the human intervention in the streambeds.
Social impact and interpretation of the geological collections of Helmis Natural History Museum of Zakynthos
Authors: Stoupathis Konstantinos
Published: February 2019

The Helmis Natural History Museum is located in Zakynthos, in the village of Agia Marina Fagia, only twenty minutes distance from the centre of the city of Zakynthos. The enlargement of the private collection of Panagiotis Helmis, a collection of natural history that originally included natural history exhibits acquired by the collector to meet his needs, was a challenge for the exhibition of this collection in a museum environment. Moreover, the museum was founded to introduce to the visitors the value of nature, to present information on lesser known fauna and flora species of the island and to focus on geology exhibits.
Methods of conduct and reporting of living systematic reviews: a protocol for a living methodological survey
Authors: Khamis Assem M. , Kahale Lara A. , Pardo-Hernandez Hector , Schünemann Holger J. , Akl Elie A.
Published: February 2019

Background: The living systematic review (LSR) is an emerging approach for improved evidence synthesis that uses continual updating to include relevant new evidence as soon as it is published. The objectives of this study are to: 1) assess the methods of conduct and reporting of living systematic reviews using a living study approach; and 2) describe the life cycle of living systematic reviews, i.e., describe the changes over time to their methods and findings.

Methods: For objective 1, we will begin by conducting a cross-sectional survey and then update its findings every 6 months by including newly published LSRs. For objective 2, we will conduct a prospective longitudinal follow-up of the cohort of included LSRs. To identify LSRs, we will continually search the following electronic databases: Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library. We will also contact groups conducting LSRs to identify eligible studies that we might have missed. We will follow the standard systematic review methodology for study selection and data abstraction. For each LSR update, we will abstract information on the following: 1) general characteristics, 2) systematic review methodology, 3) living approach methodology, 4) results, and 5) editorial and publication processes. We will update the findings of both the surveys and the longitudinal follow-up of included LSRs every 6 months. In addition, we will identify articles addressing LSR methods to be included in an ‘LSR methods repository’.

Conclusion: The proposed living methodological survey will allow us to monitor how the methods of conduct, and reporting as well as the findings of LSRs change over time. Ultimately this should help with ensuring the quality and transparency of LSRs.
Can we really prevent dementia?
Authors: Aubeeluck Aimee
Published: February 2019

What is the role of personal responsibility in sustainable healthcare provision?
Breeders' role and responsibilities in the long-term behavioural health of canines
Authors: Henley Elaine
Published: February 2019

The UK Government and other animal welfare agencies have recognised that many future behavioural problems in companion dogs are caused by poor breeding practices and environments, which do not prepare the dogs for a future life as pets in a home. The registered veterinary nurse (RVN) is ideally placed within veterinary practices to offer advice to breeders to ensure better breeding practices that will help each puppy cope with a future life as a pet. While breeders have exploited physical phenotypes to influence the appearance of dogs, it is less well known that puppies may inherit both desirable and undesirable behavioural traits. Breeders may also influence environmental factors, before and after the puppies are born, which have a greater impact on the dogs' future behaviour than genetic influences. From birth, puppies undergo key stages in behavioural development, which may be positively influenced by the breeder to ensure a robust behavioural development.

Special consideration should be given to those puppies that are hand reared, orphaned, rejected by their dam, or born by Caesarean section, as these puppies are more likely to develop behavioural issues associated with anxiety and stress. This paper highlights simple strategies that the author, who is an experienced breeder and a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, has utilised with puppies.
Clinical audit in veterinary practice — the role of the veterinary nurse
Authors: Mosedale Pamela
Published: February 2019

Clinical audit is about measuring clinical effectiveness, it is part of a quality improvement process with the goal of continuously improving the quality of patient care. Veterinary nurses play a crucial role in preparing for, setting up and running clinical audits, so it is essential that they have a good understanding of the audit process. Thorough preparation for the audit should ensure a successful outcome. This involves choosing a suitable subject which is relevant to the team and measureable, and then deciding whether an outcome, process or significant event audit is the best course of action. Planning how to collect the data, analysing the data once the practice has it and most importantly acting on the results and making any necessary changes are all vital to ensure the practice gets maximum benefit from the clinical audit. A re-audit once changes have been implemented is also a crucial part of the process. The use of audit to benchmark the practice performance against other practices is discussed and there are examples of both outcome and process audits. Introducing simple nursing audits can allow the team to rapidly see the value of the auditing process and real differences made to patient care.
Türkistanlı Hacıların Ziyaret Merkezi Olarak İstanbul
Authors: SARINAY Yusuf
Published: February 2019

Osmanlı Devleti ile Türkistan bölgesi arasındaki ilişkiler siyasi alandaki

kopukluklara rağmen, kültürel ve dini bağlar ile tarihi arka plandan dolayı

devam etmiştir. Bu ilişkilerin önemli bir göstergesini de Türkistan bölgesinden hac yolculuğuna çıkan Türklerin Hilafet merkezi olan İstanbul’u

ziyaret etmeleri ve dönüşlerinde de aynı güzergahı takip etmeleri oluşturmaktadır. Osmanlı Devleti de Türkistan bölgesinden gelen hacıların İran

ve Rusya faktörü sebebiyle yol güvenliklerinin sağlanması ile İstanbul’daki

konaklama ve hac yolculuğu sırasındaki masrafların karşılanmasını bir

devlet politikası haline getirmiştir.

Makalede Türkistan bölgesinden gelen hacıların İstanbul üzerinden

Hicaz’a gitmeleri ve bu konuda Osmanlı Devleti’nin politikası arşiv

belgelerine dayanılarak değerlendirilmektedir.  
El procesamiento cognitivo de la autorregulación publicitaria de los juegos de azar online en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Cuesta-Cambra Ubaldo , Mañas-Viniegra Luis , Niño-González José-Ignacio , Martínez-Martínez Luz
Published: February 2019

El constante crecimiento del sector de los juegos de azar online en España ha provocado el auge de su comunicación publicitaria, presentando incumplimientos de su código de autorregulación a pesar de los riesgos que para la salud, las relaciones y el patrimonio pueden derivarse de una práctica irresponsable o compulsiva. La presente investigación analiza el procesamiento cognitivo que los jóvenes universitarios realizan sobre la publicidad en relación con el cumplimiento del código de autorregulación. Para ello, se recurre a una metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa basada en las técnicas del eye tracking, las emociones faciales y los focus groups. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que los operadores del juego online aparecen claramente identificados y que hay una elevada interacción de los públicos con los bonos de bienvenida y la exhibición de las supuestas habilidades del jugador de éxito, una banalización del juego compulsivo, un desconocimiento de los elementos visuales de concienciación y un tratamiento sexista de la mujer que capta la atención. También existe una actitud positiva de los públicos hacia el juego presentado como forma de ocio saludable y compatible con las relaciones sociales.
A vénember lábnyoma
Authors: Gyuris Norbert
Published: February 2019

A vénember lábnyoma – metafikció, szimuláció, hipertextualitás és szerzőség három szempontból vizsgálja meg a szerzőség kérdését. A hipertextualitást Italo Calvino Ha egy téli éjszakán az utazó című regényében, a szimulációelméletet J.R.R. Tolkien és Umberto Eco műveiben, a narratológiai szempontokat több amerikai és angol szerző könyvében (Alasdair Gray, Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Twain, Bret Easton Ellis, Jonathan Swift, John Fowles, Vladimir Nabokov, Edgar Allen Poe stb.) elemzi.
Isten engem úgy segélyen!
Authors: Ross Ian
Published: February 2019

It’s getting tense on the Partridge Crop Reserve. The Chief is in Las Vegas (again), the band is in receivership, and the Reserve is unilaterally declaring self-government. As if things weren’t bad enough already, the welfare cheques don’t arrive and the people of this fictional First Nation are forced to take control of their lives.
Having Said That
Authors: Roberts Jack
Published: February 2019

This new book contains a previously unpublished short story (Re: Bright Goddess, At Your Rising) and a collection of twenty-nine poems (including “River Blindness,” “Dream Fox,” and “Margitszigeten”) by Jack Roberts, author of A Life Less Damnable.
Eclogues
Authors: Radnóti Miklós
Published: February 2019

This new book contains new translations of a selection of poems by the modern magyar poet Radnóti Miklós, a 1935 graduate of the University of Szeged. Born in Budapest in 1909, Radnóti began publishing his poems and translations while still a university student. By the late 1930’s, he had established himself as a major new voice in magyar poetry. His life ended in 1944 not far from the village of Abda, where, a short distance from the banks of the Rába, he was slain by his captors near the end of a forced march that had begun in the mountains of Serbia months before. Many of the poems included here were composed during his captivity in the labor camp whose name appears at the end of several eclogues and other poems.
The Agronomy of Mauka (Mirabilis expansa (Ruíz & Pav.) Standl.) - A Review
Authors: Seminario Juan F. , Chalampuente-Flores Doris , Gendall Harriet , Sørensen Marten
Published: February 2019

The Andean region is the centre of origin and domestication of at least 9 species of native root and tuber crops in addition to several species of native potatoes. Within this group, Mauka – also known as Miso or Taso ‒ (Mirabilis expansa Ruíz & Pav.) Standl. ‒ Nyctaginaceae) is one of the least well known, despite having much potential. It is cultivated at high altitudes (2300 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is thought to be of pre-Inca origin. Mauka is characterized by its high nutritional value due to substantial levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus, as well as secondary metabolites with nutraceutical properties of varied application. It also has good potential as a forage plant. Based on ethnobotanical knowledge and scientific investigations, this review presents advances in the agronomic understanding of Mauka since its discovery five decades ago in several isolated rural Bolivian communities. The information presented covers both Andean and non-Andean countries. It includes results from journals on natural resources, botany, agronomy, and the congress minutes from botanical, agronomic and phytogenetic resources conferences. Theses on Mauka specifically and on phytogenetic resources in general were also reviewed. Books and manuals were reviewed in the libraries of the International Potato Center, INIAP-Ecuador, INIA-Peru and universities. The plant is described with emphasis on its agronomic traits and according to its propagation forms (seed or vegetative); in terms of its agroecology, phenology, growth dynamics and their indices, crop management, harvest and post-harvest processes. It is concluded that important advances in the understanding of the agronomy of Mauka have been accomplished. Furthermore, the review highlights aspects requiring further research, in order to develop improved production technologies to ensure its future use and conservation.
Grupos de Estudio Dirigido en la educación veterinaria: una propuesta estudiantil para fortalecer la comunicación de los futuros profesionales
Authors: CADOCHE Lilian , BÁEZ María Ludmila , GIMENEZ Sol , SCAGLIONE María Cristina
Published: February 2019

De la lectura de solicitudes laborales para cualquier empresa, y en particular las relacionadas con la labor del Médico Veterinario, al mismo nivel que los conocimientos científico-técnicos se solicita que éste posea “espíritu proactivo”, “capacidad de liderazgo”  “competencias para trabajar en equipo”, entre otras habilidades sociales importantes. Ya no alcanza con saberes “sabios” ni experiencia “técnica”, hoy se necesitan sujetos hábiles para la comunicación, con confianza en sí mismos y en los demás, solidarios, empáticos con su entorno y capaces de integrarse con éxito a equipos de trabajo. En el currículo oficial de la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, la habilidad de trabajar en equipo no forma parte de los contenidos específicos que el estudiante debe aprender. Los Grupos de Estudios Dirigidos (GED), son grupos de alumnos de distintos niveles de la carrera, que motivados por un tema en común gestionan tareas de profundización en temáticas específicas, investigación y/o extensión para fortalecerse en esa área. Para ellos aprender a trabajar en equipo implica aprender a comunicarse eficazmente, a ser solidario, a comprometerse con el logro de metas comunes, habilidades que no deben descuidarse y que son fundamentales para hablar de un profesional con una formación integral.
High-resolution headlamps – technology analysis and system design
Authors: Knöchelmann Marvin , Held Marcel Philipp , Kloppenburg Gerolf , Lachmayer Roland
Published: February 2019

High-resolution vehicle headlamps are the technological way to intelligently illuminate the traffic area to increase safety and comfort. For the technical realization of these headlamps, different technologies come into question, which are the subject of intensive research at universities and among the manufacturers. We present an overview of the possible technologies and analyze their potential for use in high-resolution headlamps. Furthermore, we explain how the design of the optical system for the different technologies can be made. Another part of this paper is the comparison of published prototypes of high-resolution headlamps and the compilation of key properties.
Nahkämpfe
Authors: Tschachtli Sarina
Published: February 2019

The article explores scenes of violence in Sibote’s ›der vrouwen zuht‹ and ›La Dame escoillee‹, arguing that the texts do not stage male dominance as a natural order (as one might assume), but rather illustrate a shift from violent acts (violentia) to a staging of potential violence that constitutes power (potentia). Whereas acts of violence are immediately visible, the staging of power is more complex, demanding indirect and symbolic forms of force that suggest an unlimited potential for violence. Both texts show these scenes to be effective, attesting to male dominance and thus affirming contemporary gender discourses; at the same time, they uncover just how constructed and staged this position of male power is, thus exposing an artificial rather than a natural order of genders.
On a family of 0/1-polytopes with an NP-complete criterion for vertex nonadjacency relation
Authors: Maksimenko Aleksandr N.
Published: February 2019

In 1995 T. Matsui considered a special family of 0/1-polytopes with an NP-complete criterion for vertex nonadjacency relation. In 2012 the author demonstrated that all polytopes of this family appear as faces of polytopes associated with the following NP-complete problems: the travelling salesman problem, the 3-satisfiability problem, the knapsack problem, the set covering problem, the partial ordering problem, the cube subgraph problem, and some others. Here it is shown that none of the polytopes of the aforementioned special family (with the exception of the one-dimensional segment) can appear as a face in a polytope associated with the problem of the maximum independent set, the set packing problem, the set partitioning problem, and the problem of 3-assignments.
Is it a Chasm? Is it a Canyon? No, it is the Gender Gap
Authors: Ondercin Heather L.
Published: February 2019

Many speculated that we would observe a gender gap in vote choice of historic proportions in the 2018 midterm elections. However, the 2018 gender gap was similar to gender gaps in previous elections. I argue that the gender gap is not about a specific candidate or election but is driven by gender differences in partisan attachments. Variation in the gender gap in Senate and gubernatorial elections highlight that the gender gap does not advantage a particular candidate or party and that women candidates do not increase the size of the gender gap. Race and class intersect with gender to shape the partisan attachments and vote choice of men and women. Finally, while the candidates and events surrounding the 2018 election likely did not impact the gender gap in 2018, I discuss how the 2018 election will shape the gender gap in future elections.
TP-internal focus and dialectal variation: the case of the Focalizing Ser
Authors: Mendez Vallejo Dunia Catalina
Published: February 2019

This study examines patterns of variation in the perception of the Focalizing Ser (FS) structure by speakers of Colombian Spanish. The FS occurs alongside the standard pseudo-cleft construction and it has been reported in only a few Spanish dialects. We discuss data collected from 371 participants living in five Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, and Medellín). The results of two acceptability judgment tests (128 sentences tested in both audio and written formats) confirm that FS is an acceptable structure and indicate similar acceptability tendencies across the country: Prepositional Phrases, Complementizer/Inflectional Phrases, and Complex Verbal Phrases are the most accepted FS-focused sentence types, whereas Sentence-Final FS is the least accepted. A comparison of these results with those obtained from our previous study in the Dominican Republic [Méndez Vallejo, D. Catalina. 2015a. Changing the focus: An empirical study of “Focalizing ser” (‘to be’) in Dominican Spanish. Isogloss 1/1. 67–93.] show some analogous tendencies even across macro-varieties.