bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An innovative method to quantitate tissue integration of hyaluronic acid‐based dermal fillers
Authors: Dugaret A. S. , Bertino B. , Gauthier B. , Gamboa B. , Motte M. , Rival Y. , Piwnica D. , Osman‐Ponchet H. , Bourdès V. , Voegel J. J.
Published: February 2018

Background/purpose

Following intradermal injection, hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based fillers tend to spread within the reticular dermis and to distribute between the dermal fibers. This biointegration is commonly measured qualitatively using histological methods. We developed a “toolbox” consisting of a visual scoring and a semi‐automatic image analysis method using internal developed algorithm to quantitate the biointegration of Restylane® in histological sections.

Methods

Restylane® was injected intradermally in the abdominal skin of 10 healthy human subjects scheduled for abdominoplasty. The injections were performed either in vivo before surgery or ex vivo on samples taken post‐surgery at different time points. The samples were processed for histology by visual scoring and image analysis using algorithms developed in Definiens to assess biointegration.

Results

The image analysis segmentation was accurate with <5% manual changes. Furthermore, the results calculated with the semi‐automatic method were consistent with the visual scores obtained on injected human skin samples by means of a 5‐grade photographic scale. A modified hematoxylin‐eosin staining was found adequate to visualize both, the filler and the general morphology, on the same section. An excellent correlation was observed between the integration results obtained with PAS/Alcian Blue and HE‐stained slides, allowing for a single staining in future studies.

Conclusion

We developed a modified HE staining histological method and a new histomorphometric image analysis tool to quantitate biointegration of HA‐based fillers in human skin. The results obtained in this study confirmed the known intermediate biointegration properties of Restylane®, thus validating these innovative methods.
A new discussion of the cutaneous vascular reactivity in sensitive skin: A sub‐group of SS?
Authors: Chen S. Y. , Yin J. , Wang X. M. , Liu Y. Q. , Gao Y. R. , Liu X. P.
Published: February 2018

Background

Sensitive skin (SS) seems not to be a one‐dimensional condition and many scholars concentrate on skin barrier disruption or sensorineural change, but few focus on its increased vascular reactivity. This study explored the possibility of using the different selection methods and measurement methods to verify a high vascular reactivity in SS without an impaired cutaneous barrier function.

Methods

Sixty “self‐perceived sensitive skin” volunteers were enlisted and each one completed three kinds of screening tests: assess cutaneous sensory using questionnaire survey and Lactic Acid Sting Test (LAST); assess barrier function using Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) skin irritation test and assess cutaneous vascular reactivity using 98% DMSO test and non‐invasive measurement. Volunteers were divided into different groups based on response to SLS. The DMSO clinical score and the biophysical parameters obtained by non‐invasive measurement were subsequently analysed.

Results

(1) The positive correlations could be seen between sum LAST score and sum DMSO score regardless of the observation time; (2) The biological parameters (CBF、a*values and L* values) are all keeping with DMSO score; (3) If the participants were divided into SLS reactors and non‐reactors, a composition ratio of DMSO score was significant difference in these two groups and in SLS non‐reactors, there were still seven participants showed high reaction to DMSO.

Conclusions

There is a sub‐group of SS for characteristics of a high vascular reactivity without an impaired cutaneous barrier function. The DMSO test and novel non‐invasive measurements which are conducive to assess cutaneous vascular reactivity, combined with SLS skin irritation test could help us to screen this kind of SS.
RAF2 is a RuBisCO assembly factor in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Fristedt Rikard , Hu Chen , Wheatley Nicole , Roy Laura M. , Wachter Rebekka M. , Savage Linda , Harbinson Jeremy , Kramer David M. , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Yeates Todd , Croce Roberta
Published: February 2018

Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) catalyzes the reaction between gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate. Although it is one of the most studied enzymes, the assembly mechanisms of the large hexadecameric RuBisCO is still emerging. In bacteria and in the C4 plant Zea mays, a protein with distant homology to pterin‐4α‐carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) has recently been shown to be involved in RuBisCO assembly. However, studies of the homologous PCD‐like protein (RAF2, RuBisCO assembly factor 2) in the C3 plant Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) have so far focused on its role in hormone and stress signaling. We investigated whether A. thalianaRAF2 is also involved in RuBisCO assembly. We localized RAF2 to the soluble chloroplast stroma and demonstrated that raf2 A. thaliana mutant plants display a severe pale green phenotype with reduced levels of stromal RuBisCO. We concluded that the RAF2 protein is probably involved in RuBisCO assembly in the C3 plant A. thaliana.
Four Arabidopsis berberine bridge enzyme‐like proteins are specific oxidases that inactivate the elicitor‐active oligogalacturonides
Authors: Benedetti Manuel , Verrascina Ilaria , Pontiggia Daniela , Locci Federica , Mattei Benedetta , De Lorenzo Giulia , Cervone Felice
Published: February 2018

Recognition of endogenous molecules acting as ‘damage‐associated molecular patterns’ (DAMPs) is a key feature of immunity in both animals and plants. Oligogalacturonides (OGs), i.e. fragments derived from the hydrolysis of homogalacturonan, a major component of pectin are a well known class of DAMPs that activate immunity and protect plants against several microbes. However, hyper‐accumulation of OGs severely affects growth, eventually leading to cell death and clearly pointing to OGs as players in the growth‐defence trade‐off. Here we report a mechanism that may control the homeostasis of OGs avoiding their deleterious hyper‐accumulation. By combining affinity chromatography on acrylamide‐trapped OGs and other procedures, an Arabidopsis thaliana enzyme that specifically oxidizes OGs was purified and identified. The enzyme was named OG OXIDASE 1 (OGOX1) and shown to be encoded by the gene At4g20830. As a typical flavo‐protein, OGOX1 is a sulphite‐sensitive H2O2‐producing enzyme that displays maximal activity on OGs with a degree of polymerization >4. OGOX1 belongs to a large gene family of mainly apoplastic putative FAD‐binding proteins [Berberine Bridge Enzyme‐like (BBE‐like); 27 members], whose biochemical and biological function is largely unexplored. We have found that at least four BBE‐like enzymes in Arabidopsis are OG oxidases (OGOX1–4). Oxidized OGs display a reduced capability of activating the immune responses and are less hydrolysable by fungal polygalacturonases. Plants overexpressing OGOX1 are more resistant to Botrytis cinerea, pointing to a crucial role of OGOX enzymes in plant immunity.
Finite element based hybrid techniques for advection-diffusion-reaction processes
Authors: Sari Murat , Tunc Huseyin
Published: February 2018

In this paper, numerical solutions of the advection-diffusion-reaction (ADR) equation are investigated using the Galerkin, collocation and Taylor-Galerkin cubic B-spline finite element method in strong form of spatial elements using an ?-family optimization approach for time variation. The main objective of this article is to capture effective results of the finite element techniques with B-spline basis functions under the consideration of the ADR processes. All produced results are compared with the exact solution and the literature for various versions of problems including pure advection, pure diffusion, advection-diffusion, and advection-diffusion-reaction equations. It is proved that the present methods have good agreement with the exact solution and the literature.
An Improved Reactive Power MRAS Speed Estimator With Optimization for a Hybrid Electric Vehicles Application
Authors: Aymen Flah , Novak Martin , Lassaad Sbita
Published: February 2018

This paper presents an improved speed estimator for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). It focuses on hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The speed estimator is based on reactive power model reference adaptive system (Q-MRAS). The MRAS parameters are tuned using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The proposed method has been experimentally verified with a 100 kW, 5000 rpm PMSM, and a good agreement between the measured speed and the estimated speed is found. It is shown that the proposed method is able to handle the transition into the flux weakening mode without any problem.
Magnetohydrodynamics Natural Convection in a Triangular Cavity Filled With a Cu-Al2O3/Water Hybrid Nanofluid With Localized Heating From Below and Internal Heat Generation
Authors: Rashad A. M. , Chamkha Ali J. , Ismael Muneer A. , Salah Taha
Published: February 2018

This study investigates the convective heat transfer of a hybrid nanofluid filled in a triangular cavity subjected to a constant magnetic field and heated by a constant heat flux element from below. The inclined side of the cavity is cooled isothermally while the remaining sides are thermally insulated. The finite difference method with the stream function-vorticity formulation of the governing equations has been utilized in the numerical solution. The problem is governed by several pertinent parameters namely, the size and position of the heater element, B = 0.2–0.8 and D = 0.3–0.7, respectively, the Rayleigh number, Ra = 102–106, the Hartmann number, Ha = 0–100, the volume fraction of the suspended nanoparticles, ϕ = 0–0.2, and the heat generation parameter Q = 0–6. The results show significant effect of increasing the volume fraction of the hybrid nanofluid when the natural convection is very small. Moreover, the hybrid nanofluid composed of equal quantities of Cu and Al2O3 nanoparticles dispersed in water base fluid has no significant enhancement on the mean Nusselt number compared with the regular nanofluid.
Solar Selective Volumetric Receivers for Harnessing Solar Thermal Energy
Authors: Khullar Vikrant , Tyagi Himanshu , Otanicar Todd P. , Hewakuruppu Yasitha L. , Taylor Robert A.
Published: February 2018

Given the largely untapped solar energy resource, there has been an ongoing international effort to engineer improved solar-harvesting technologies. Toward this, the possibility of engineering a solar selective volumetric receiver (SSVR) has been explored in the present study. Common heat transfer liquids (HTLs) typically have high transmissivity in the visible-near infrared (VIS-NIR) region and high emission in the midinfrared region, due to the presence of intramolecular vibration bands. This precludes them from being solar absorbers. In fact, they have nearly the opposite properties from selective surfaces such as cermet, TiNOX, and black chrome. However, liquid receivers which approach the radiative properties of selective surfaces can be realized through a combination of anisotropic geometries of metal nanoparticles (or broad band absorption multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) and transparent heat mirrors. SSVRs represent a paradigm shift in the manner in which solar thermal energy is harnessed and promise higher thermal efficiencies (and lower material requirements) than their surface absorption-based counterparts. In the present work, the “effective” solar absorption to infrared emission ratio has been evaluated for a representative SSVR employing copper nanospheroids/MWCNTs and Sn-In2O3 based heat mirrors. It has been found that a solar selectivity comparable to (or even higher than) cermet-based Schott receiver is achievable through control of the cut-off solar selective wavelength. Theoretical calculations show that the thermal efficiency of Sn-In2O3 based SSVR is 6–7% higher than the cermet-based Schott receiver. Furthermore, stagnation temperature experiments have been conducted on a laboratory-scale SSVR to validate the theoretical results. It has been found that higher stagnation temperatures (and hence higher thermal efficiencies) compared to conventional surface absorption-based collectors are achievable through proper control of nanoparticle concentration.
Analysis of Entropy Generation of a Magneto-Hydrodynamic Flow Through the Operation of an Unlooped Pulsating Heat Pipe
Authors: Farrokh Mobadersani , Goodarz Toolabi , Samad Jafarmadar , Javid Nasiri , Amin Habibzadeh
Published: February 2018

The aim of the study is the analysis of a uniform magnetic field effect on fluid flow, heat transfer, and entropy generation through the operation of a pulsating heat pipe (PHP). An open loop PHP with three neighboring vapor plugs and two liquid slugs has been considered. The governing equations such as momentum, energy, and mass equations are solved using an explicit method except for the energy equation of liquid slugs. For each case study, Bejan number has been derived to find the heat transfer share in entropy generation. According to the results, the performance of the oscillating heat pipe decreases by applying uniform magnetic field. Moreover, the obtained results illustrate the effects of the applied magnetic field position on the heat transfer and the entropy generation. The latent and sensible heat transfer into the PHP enhance as a result of increase in the pipe diameter, so that the liquid slugs oscillate with high amplitudes. In addition, the entropy generation value increases with an augmentation in the value of the pipe diameter. The evaluated Bejan numbers indicate that the viscous effects in entropy generation decrease as the pipe diameter increases. Furthermore, the results depict that the heat transfer performance of PHP improves by increasing temperature difference between evaporator and condenser sections. With an increase in the value of the evaporator temperature, the Bejan number will increase, as a result, this phenomenon reveals the inconsiderable role of viscous impacts in high evaporator temperatures. In order to validate the calculations, the calculated results have been compared with the previous studies which show good agreement.
A Predictive Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Electric Powertrain With a Turbocharged Diesel Engine
Authors: Huo Yi , Yan Fengjun
Published: February 2018

This paper proposes an energy management strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) with a turbocharged diesel engine. By introducing turbocharger to the HEV powertrain, air path dynamics of engine becomes extremely complex and critical to engine torque response during transient processes. Traditional strategy that adopts steady-state-map based engine model may not work properly in this situation as a result of its incapability of accurately capturing torque response. Thus, in this paper, a physical-law based air path model is utilized to simulate turbo “lag” phenomenon and predict air charge in cylinder. Meanwhile, engine torque boundaries are obtained on the basis of predicted air charge. A receding horizon structure is then implemented in optimal supervisory controller to generate torque split strategy for the HEV. Simulations are conducted for three cases: the first one is rule-based torque-split energy management strategy without optimization; the second one is online optimal control strategy using map-based engine model; and the third one is online optimal control strategy combining air path loop model. The comparison of the results shows that the proposed third method has the best fuel economy of all and demonstrates considerable improvements of fuel saving on the other two methods.
Design and Preliminary Field Validation of a Fully Passive Prosthetic Knee Mechanism for Users With Transfemoral Amputation in India
Authors: Murthy Arelekatti V. N. , Winter Amos G.
Published: February 2018

An estimated 230,000 above-knee amputees in India are currently in need of prosthetic devices, a majority of them facing severe socio-economic constraints. However, only a few passive prosthetic knee devices in the market have been designed for facilitation of normative gait kinematics and for meeting the specific daily life needs of above-knee amputees in the developing world. Based on the results of our past studies, this paper establishes a framework for designing a potentially low-cost, fully passive prosthetic knee device, which aims to facilitate able-bodied kinematics at a low metabolic cost. Based on a comprehensive set of functional requirements and biomechanical analysis from our past work, we present an early prototype mechanism for the prosthetic knee joint that is primarily focused on enabling able-bodied kinematics. The mechanism is implemented using two functional modules: an automatic early stance lock for stability and a differential friction damping system for late stance and swing control. For preliminary, qualitative validation of the knee mechanism, we carried out a field trial on four above-knee amputees in India, which showed satisfactory performance of the early stance lock. The prototype enabled smooth stance-to-swing transition by timely initiation of late stance flexion. Possible methods of incorporating an additional spring module for further refinement of the design are also discussed, which can enable flexion-extension during the early-stance phase of the gait cycle and potentially reduce the metabolic energy expenditure of the user further.
A General Approach to the Large Deflection Problems of Spatial Flexible Rods Using Principal Axes Decomposition of Compliance Matrices
Authors: Chen Genliang , Zhang Zhuang , Wang Hao
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a general discretization-based approach to the large deflection problems of spatial flexible links in compliant mechanisms. Based on the principal axes decomposition of structural compliance matrices, a particular type of elements, which relate to spatial six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) serial mechanisms with passive elastic joints, is developed to characterize the force-deflection behavior of the discretized small segments. Hence, the large deflection problems of spatial flexible rods can be transformed to the determination of static equilibrium configurations of their equivalent hyper-redundant mechanisms. The main advantage of the proposed method comes from the use of robot kinematics/statics, rather than structural mechanics. Thus, a closed-form solution to the system overall stiffness can be derived straightforwardly for efficient gradient-based searching algorithms. Two kinds of typical equilibrium problems are intensively discussed and the correctness has been verified by means of physical experiments. In addition, a 2DOF planar compliant parallel manipulator is provided as a case study to demonstrate the potential applications.
Effect of Blade Cambering on Dynamic Stall in View of Designing Vertical Axis Turbines
Authors: Ouro Pablo , Stoesser Thorsten , Ramírez Luis
Published: February 2018

This paper presents large eddy simulations (LESs) of symmetric and asymmetric (cambered) airfoils forced to undergo deep dynamic stall due to a prescribed pitching motion. Experimental data in terms of lift, drag, and moment coefficients are available for the symmetric NACA 0012 airfoil and these are used to validate the LESs. Good agreement between computed and experimentally observed coefficients is found confirming the accuracy of the method. The influence of foil asymmetry on the aerodynamic coefficients is analyzed by subjecting a NACA 4412 airfoil to the same flow and pitching motion conditions. Flow visualizations and analysis of aerodynamic forces allow an understanding and quantification of dynamic stall on both straight and cambered foils. The results confirm that cambered airfoils provide an increased lift-to-drag ratio and a decreased force hysteresis cycle in comparison to their symmetric counterparts. This may translate into increased performance and lower fatigue loads when using cambered airfoils in the design of vertical axis turbines (VATs) operating at low tip-speed ratios.
Experimental Investigation of the Aerodynamics and Flowfield of a NACA 0015 Airfoil Over a Wavy Ground
Authors: Lee T. , Tremblay-Dionne V.
Published: February 2018

The aerodynamic properties and flowfield of a NACA 0015 airfoil over a wavy ground were investigated experimentally via surface pressure and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Flat-surface results were also obtained to be served as a comparison. For the wavy ground, there exhibited a cyclic variation in the sectional lift coefficient Cl over an entire wavelength. The maximum Cl observed at the wave peak (produced by the wavy ground-induced RAM pressure) and minimum Cl occurred at the wave valley (resulting from the unusual suction pressure developed on the airfoil's lower surface due to the converging-diverging flow passage developed underneath it) reduced with increasing ground distance. By contrast, the pitching-moment coefficient showed an opposite trend to the variation in Cl and had an almost all-negative value. Meanwhile, two peak values in the drag coefficient over each wavelength were observed. The wavy ground effect-produced gains in the mean Cl and lift-to-drag ratio were at the expense of longitudinal stability. Additional measurements considering different wavelengths and amplitudes are needed to further quantify the impact of wavy ground on wing-in-ground effect (WIG) airfoils and wings.
Immunosuppression by a subconjunctival implant releasing dexamethasone in a rabbit model of penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Crouzet Emmanuel , Garcin Thibaud , Gauthier Anne-Sophie , He Zhiguo , Perrache Chantal , Delavenne Xavier , Basset Thierry , Peoc’h Michel , Gain Philippe , Thuret Gilles
Published: February 2018

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy of a subconjunctival dexamethasone-releasing implant in preventing rejection of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in an animal model.

Methods

Twenty-two rabbits underwent allogenic PK. After randomisation, they received either a 700 µg dexamethasone implant under the conjunctiva at the end of surgery (n=10), one dexamethasone 1 mg/mL eye-drop thrice daily (n=6) or a placebo thrice daily (n=6). The suture was left in place. Animals were observed weekly by slit-lamp and optical coherence tomography with quantification of transparency, neovascularisation and central corneal thickness (CCT). At 5–6 weeks, they were euthanised for histology. The residual dexamethasone concentration in ocular tissues was measured with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer.

Results

Placebo group: early neovascularisation was systematic, penetrating the graft by 270–360° at 5–6 weeks. Rejection occurred in 50% of cases. Eye-drop and implant groups: similar course without rejection at 6 weeks and normal CCT. Neovascularisation was observed in 5/6 rabbits in the eye-drop group and in 6/8 in the implant group, with two cases of new vessels penetrating the graft from week 3. Neovascularisation scores did not differ significantly between the two treatments and were significantly lower than for the placebo. Histology was in agreement in all cases. Implants disappeared after 3–5 weeks. No local side effect was observed. Tissue concentrations were all higher at day 8 (n=2) in the implant group than in the eye drop group and lower at 6 weeks (n=8).

Conclusions

In this PK model characterised by a high rejection rate, a subconjunctival dexamethasone implant was for 6 weeks as effective as the topical form in preventing allograft rejection.
Impact of varying the definition of myopia on estimates of prevalence and associations with risk factors: time for an approach that serves research, practice and policy
Authors: Cumberland Phillippa M , Bountziouka Vasiliki , Rahi Jugnoo S
Published: February 2018

Background

Refractive error is an increasing global public health concern that requires robust and reliable research to identify modifiable risk factors and provide accurate estimates of population burden. We investigated the impact of reclassification of individuals when using different threshold values of spherical equivalent (SE) to define myopia, on estimates of frequency, distribution and associations with risk factors, to inform current international initiatives to standardise definitions.

Methods

A random sample of 1985 individuals from the 1958 British birth cohort, at age 44, had autorefraction and self-reported on educational attainment and social class.

Refraction status assigned in three different models using SE: (A) moderate to high myopia −3 diopters (D) or more extreme (≤−3.00D), (B) hypermetropia +1.00D or more extreme (≥+1.00D) and (C) mild myopia using three different thresholds: −1.00D, −0.75D or −0.50D, hence reciprocal changes in definition of emmetropia.

Results

Frequency estimates and associations with risk factors altered significantly as the threshold value for myopia moved towards SE 0.0D: prevalence of mild myopia increased from 28% to 47%, the association with highest educational attainment attenuated and with higher social class strengthened, with changes in risk ratios of approximately 20%.

Conclusion

Even small changes in the threshold definition of myopia (±0.25D) can significantly affect the conclusions of epidemiological studies, creating both false-positive and false-negative associations for specific risk factors. An international classification for refractive error, empirically evidenced and cognisant of the question(s) being addressed and the population(s) being studied, is needed to serve better translational research, practice and policy.
Smoking cessation support for regular smokers in Hungarian primary care: a nationwide representative cross-sectional study
Authors: Sipos Valéria , Pálinkás Anita , Kovács Nóra , Csenteri Karola Orsolya , Vincze Ferenc , Szőllősi József Gergő , Jenei Tibor , Papp Magor , Ádány Róza , Sándor János
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of general practitioners’ (GPs’) smoking cessation support (SCS).

Study design

We carried out a cross-sectional study between February and April 2016.

Setting and participant

A sample of 2904 regular smokers aged 18 years or older was selected randomly from 18 general medical practices involved in a national representative, general medical practice-based morbidity monitoring system. The GPs surveyed the selected adults and identified 708 regular smokers.

Main outcome measures

Multivariate logistic regression models have been applied to evaluate the determinants (age, gender, education, smoking-related comorbidity, smoking intensity, intention to quit smoking and nicotine dependence) of provision of GP-mediated SCS such as brief intervention, pharmacological and non-pharmacological programmatic support.

Results

According to the survey, 24.4% of the adults were regular smokers, 30% of them showed high nicotine dependence and 38.2% willing to quit smoking. Most of the smokers were not participated in SCS by GPs: brief intervention, programmatic non-pharmacological support and pharmacotherapy were provided for 25%, 7% and 2% of smokers, respectively. Low-nicotine-dependence individuals were less (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.75), patients with intention to quit were more (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.22) likely to receive a brief intervention. Vocational (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.59) and high school education (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.31 to 3.31), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.04 to 10.68; OR 3.91, 95% CI 2.33 to 6.54) increased the probability to receive support by GP.

Conclusions

Although there are differences among smokers’ subgroups, the SCS in Hungarian primary care is generally insufficient, compared with guidelines. Practically, the pharmacological support is not included in Hungarian GPs’ practice. GPs should increase substantially the working time devoted to SCS, and the organisation of primary healthcare should support GPs in improving SCS services.
Modern diagnosis of GERD: the Lyon Consensus
Authors: Gyawali C Prakash , Kahrilas Peter J , Savarino Edoardo , Zerbib Frank , Mion Francois , Smout André J P M , Vaezi Michael , Sifrim Daniel , Fox Mark R , Vela Marcelo F , Tutuian Radu , Tack Jan , Bredenoord Albert J , Pandolfino John , Roman Sabine
Published: February 2018

Clinical history, questionnaire data and response to antisecretory therapy are insufficient to make a conclusive diagnosis of GERD in isolation, but are of value in determining need for further investigation. Conclusive evidence for reflux on oesophageal testing include advanced grade erosive oesophagitis (LA grades C and D), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal oesophageal acid exposure time (AET) >6% on ambulatory pH or pH-impedance monitoring. A normal endoscopy does not exclude GERD, but provides supportive evidence refuting GERD in conjunction with distal AET <4% and <40 reflux episodes on pH-impedance monitoring off proton pump inhibitors. Reflux-symptom association on ambulatory reflux monitoring provides supportive evidence for reflux triggered symptoms, and may predict a better treatment outcome when present. When endoscopy and pH or pH-impedance monitoring are inconclusive, adjunctive evidence from biopsy findings (histopathology scores, dilated intercellular spaces), motor evaluation (hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter, hiatus hernia and oesophageal body hypomotility on high-resolution manometry) and novel impedance metrics (baseline impedance, postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index) can add confidence for a GERD diagnosis; however, diagnosis cannot be based on these findings alone. An assessment of anatomy, motor function, reflux burden and symptomatic phenotype will therefore help direct management. Future GERD management strategies should focus on defining individual patient phenotypes based on the level of refluxate exposure, mechanism of reflux, efficacy of clearance, underlying anatomy of the oesophagogastric junction and psychometrics defining symptomatic presentations.
Effect of dietary fermented corn in different energy dense diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, ileal microorganisms, and fecal noxious gas emission of growing pigs
Authors: Park J.W. , Kim I.H.
Published: February 2018

This study evaluated the efficacy of fermented corn (FC) in growing pigs. One hundred twenty-eight growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc)] with an initial body weight of 29.59 ± 1.34 kg were used in a 6 wk experiment. Pigs were assigned into one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of nutrient density (high energy: 3.37 Mcal kg−1, or low energy: 3.29 Mcal kg−1) and FC (0% or 20% substitute for corn). Pigs fed diets with FC increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) overall. Pigs fed with high-density (HD) diets increased (P < 0.05) ADG and gain to feed (G/F) ratio overall. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and nitrogen (N) increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with FC diets compared with pigs fed the diets without FC. In addition, pigs fed with HD diets increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE compared with low-density (LD) diets. Furthermore, pigs fed with HD diets had a higher (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than those fed with LD diets. Both LD and FC supplementation led to lower (P < 0.05) fecal gas emission content. Pigs fed FC diets increased ileal Lactobacillus concentration and decreased Escherichia coli concentration. An interactive effect between nutrient density diet and FC was observed on the G/F, Lactobacillus on ileal microorganisms, and nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary supplementation of HD diets and FC improved performance in growing pigs.
Impact of rare earth element-enriched yeast on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microflora in finishing pigs
Authors: Cai L. , Nyachoti C.M. , Kim I.H.
Published: February 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of rare earth element-enriched yeast (RY) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microbial flora in finishing pigs. A total of 100 finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were used in a two-phase feeding trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to five treatments according to their initial body weight (five pens per treatment, two gilts and two barrows per pen). Treatments were basal diets, free of antibiotics [negative control (NC)]; NC + 500, 1000, and 1500 mg kg−1, respectively, of RY; antibiotics diets, NC + 500 mg kg−1 of tiamulin [positive control (PC)]. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly with increasing level of RY in diets. At the end of the experiment, blood lymphocyte concentration and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and gross energy increased linearly in pigs fed the increasing level of RY in diets. The better ADG, G:F, and fecal Lactobacillus counts were observed in both RY and PC groups compared with the NC group. In conclusion, diets with RY improved growth performance, digestibility, blood lymphocyte counts, and fecal Lactobacillus counts in finishing pigs, and RY may be considered as an alternative to antibiotics.
It’s Personal: The Big Five Personality Traits and Negative Partisan Affect in Polarized U.S. Politics
Authors: Webster Steven W.
Published: February 2018

One of the most important developments within the American electorate in recent years has been the rise of affective polarization. Whether this is due to notions of group-based conflict or ideological disagreement, Americans increasingly dislike the opposing political party and its supporters. I contribute to this growing literature on affective polarization by showing how differences in individuals’ Big Five personality traits are predictive of both whether an individual dislikes the opposing party and the degree to which they express this hostility. Modeling negative affect toward the opposing party as a two-stage process, I find that Extraverted individuals are less likely to have negative affective evaluations of the opposing party. Additionally, conditional on disliking the opposing party, my results indicate that higher levels of Agreeableness lowers the degree to which individuals dislike the out-party. Moreover, these relationships are substantively stronger than common sociodemographic predictors such as age, race, and educational attainment.
Go South, Young Planner, Go South!
Authors: Carolini Gabriella Y.
Published: February 2018

This commentary calls for the deeper institutionalization of urban experiences in the global South into PAB-accredited planning programs in North America. While international “development” planning has been effectively questioned by the rise of the BRICS, transnational planning practice, and recent research emphasizing a relational accounting of international urban development, I urge that development studies—and critiques therein—remain an important backdrop to international planning education for one key reason. Knowledge of development’s trajectory as an idea and as a problematized practice in the global South facilitates a critical resistance to the (re-)technocratization of global planning education and practice. Three approaches to incorporating voices and experiences from the global South into North American planning curricula are suggested: harnessing case studies, practitioner networks, and examples of thought-leaders from the global South to enrich the diversity of references on which our students can call.
10-Year Study of Christian Church Support for Domestic Violence Victims: 2005-2015
Authors: Zust Barbara , Flicek Breanna , Moses Katie , Schubert Courtney , Timmerman Jessica
Published: February 2018

Religious beliefs play a significant role in the lives of victims of domestic violence. Victims find strength in their faith and would rather endure the violence at all costs to keep a family or a marriage together, than to compromise their faith by leaving.

Purpose:

This 10 –year study explored the climate of support for victims of domestic violence among Christian clergy and church members between 2005 and 2015.

Method:

Using a convenience sample, surveys were sent out to congregations in the Upper Midwest in 2005 and 2015. The survey included demographics; two items measuring perception of domestic violence in the congregation andcommunity; six Likert Scale items regarding agreement with statements concerning leaving an abusive marriage; four ‘Yes-No’ items regarding the impact of faith in leaving, support of the congregation, community resources,and clergy as counselors. The clergy’s survey had the same questions, plus open-ended questions about their skills in counseling victims, their congregation’s support for victims, community resources, and beliefs that could impact a victim’s choice in leaving.

Analysis:

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple frequencies, and bivariate correlations. Narrative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results:

The results of this study indicated that change is slow. Members want their clergy to become more educated in counseling and in speaking about domestic violence from the pulpit. Clergy felt comfortable in making referrals for professional counseling, while the majority of members would prefer counseling with their pastor if they were in a violent relationship. Both clergy and members want to create a safe and supportive environment for victims/survivors of violent relationships. Findings from this study exemplify the need for pastors to remove the silence about domestic violence in their congregations and address the misunderstood social religious beliefs that may bind a victim to the violence.
Does Educational Success Mitigate the Effect of Child Maltreatment on Later Offending Patterns?
Authors: Jung Hyunzee , Herrenkohl Todd I. , Skinner Martie L. , Rousson Ashley N.
Published: February 2018

Analyses examined offending patterns during adolescence and adulthood and their relation to child maltreatment subtypes and education factors measured during adolescence and adulthood. A total of 356 participants were followed from preschool to adulthood in a prospective longitudinal study. Child maltreatment subtypes include physical-emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Offending patterns were analyzed as latent classes of (a) chronic offending, (b) desistence, and (c) stable low-level or non-offending. Physical-emotional and sexual abuse were associated with a higher likelihood of chronic offending relative to stable low-level offending. Education variables, including high educational engagement and good academic performance, predicted a higher likelihood of low-level offending relative to desistence, but not desistence relative to chronic offending. Only educational attainment predicted desistence relative to chronic offending. There was no moderating effect of education variables on the association between child maltreatment subtypes and later offending patterns. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Instructional Practices, Priorities, and Preparedness for Educating Students With Autism and Intellectual Disability
Authors: Knight Victoria F. , Huber Heartley B. , Kuntz Emily M. , Carter Erik W. , Juarez A. Pablo
Published: February 2018

Improving educational outcomes for students with autism and intellectual disability requires delivering services and supports marked by evidence-based practices. We surveyed 535 special educators of students with autism and/or intellectual disability about (a) their implementation of 26 instructional practices, (b) their recent access to training and resources on those practices, (c) the factors they consider when deciding which practices to use, (d) the importance they place on various instructional areas (e.g., social skills, reading), and (e) their preparedness to provide that instruction. Although teachers reported implementing a wide range of evidence-based instructional practices, their recent access to training and resources was fairly limited. Special educators identified a constellation of factors informing their instructional decision making, placing emphasis on student needs and professional judgment. When considering instructional areas, a gap was evident between ratings of importance and preparedness. We address implications for strengthening professional development pathways and offer recommendations for future research.
“In my home nobody spoke about religion, politics or football”: Communicative silences among generations in Argentina and Chile
Authors: Frei Raimundo
Published: February 2018

Social silence has been one of the poignant concepts of memory studies, although one predominantly encapsulated by “traumatic” and “denying” approaches. In contrast, this article focuses on broader daily life dynamics of narrating silence to understand mnemonic cultures. By denoting practices of silence, individuals connote underlying regulations about what can be brought to the fore or left “under the carpet.” Based on biographical narratives of members of two post-dictatorial generations in Argentina and Chile, I identify five mechanisms which produce silence among generations: fear of talking, a collective template of reconciliation, a lack of repertoires of justification, the control of symbolic boundaries, and patterns of conflict management. Finally, I claim that these mechanisms—or varieties of silence—act more efficiently in Chilean than Argentinean political culture. This might be as a result not only of opposed transitional justice paths but also of different communicative patterns historically rooted.
Complicated pantaloon umbilical hernia
Authors: Asuquo Maurice , Akpan Samuel , Marwa Adams , Nwagbara Victor , Ashindoitiang John
Published: February 2018

Umbilical hernia is an abnormal protrusion of a whole viscus or part through the umbilical ring. Paraumbilical hernia is commonly found in adults protrude above or below the umbilicus. The occurrence of both types concurrently is described as pantaloon or saddle bag umbilical hernia. Complicated pantaloon umbilical hernia is rare. Presented was a case of complicated pantaloon umbilical hernia in a 55 year old multiparous female. Preoperative diagnosis was difficult especially in the setting of complication. Clinicians are urged to consider pantaloon umbilical hernia as a differential diagnosis of umbilical swellings.
DAKWAH ISLAM DI KALANGAN ANAK MUDA DI KOTA SAMARINDA: SEBUAH EKSPLORASI AWAL
Authors: Tahir M
Published: February 2018

This paper aims at mapping out models of Da’wa movement involving youths as a social group in Samarinda and understanding how such social group constructing a perceived ideal da’wa movement in the society. Exploratory research combined with qualitative technique is applied to analyse data gathered through indepth interview, documentation, and focussed group discussion. Findings suggest that there are at leas three models of da’wa movement involving youths in Samarinda. First, syntetic da’wa movement that combine profane popular culture and cultural practice deemed sacred hence Islamic by the society. Secondly, da’wa movement oriented towards moral puricication of its activists in the form of tasawwuf-thariqa. Thirdly, structural da’wa that deeply orients its activity towards the idea of enjoining good and forbidding eveil. Ideal da’wa movement as it is perceived by youths in Samarinda, therefore, can be seen as a continuum where the syncretic model lies in one point and a structural and noncompromistic model lies in another point. [Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui model-model gerakan dakwah yang melibatkan kelompok sosial anak muda di Kota Samarinda serta untuk mengetahui bagaimana pandangan kelompok sosial tersebut mengenai konsep gerakan dakwah yang ideal di tengah masyarakat. Teknik penelitian eksploratif dengan model kualitatif diterapkan untuk menganalisis data yang diperoleh melalui wawancara, dokumentasi dan diskusi kelompok terbatas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat setidaknya tiga model gerakan dakwah yang melibatkan kalangan anak muda di Kota Samarinda. Pertama, gerakan dakwah sintetik yang menggabungkan antara budaya popular yang profane dengan tradisi popular yang dianggap Islami di tengah masyarakat. Kedua, gerakan dakwah yang berorientasi pada pembenahan internal dari actor-aktor dakwah dalam bentuk keterlibatan anak-anak muda dalam pengajian-pengajian bergenre tasawwuf-tarekat. Ketiga, model gerakan dakwah melalui jalur structural yang menitik-beratkan pada konsep ‘amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar’. Konsep gerakan dakwah yang ideal sebagaimana dipersepsikan oleh kalangan anak muda dari ketiga model gerakan dakwah di atas dapat dilihat sebagai garis rentang di mana terdapat gerakan dakwah yang sintetik di satu titik dan gerakan dakwah sebagai sebuah gerakan yang murni religious dan bersifat nonkompromistik di titik yang lain.]
GERAKAN SOSIAL DAN NALAR ISLAM PROGRESIF: MENCARI TITIK TEMU KERANGKA METATEORI
Authors: Izudin Ahmad
Published: February 2018

This article will examine how progressive Islam’s reasoning can be a reference to free human beings from the exploitation and domination of social class? So what social movements can we do in the midst of crush the nation’s problems related to the exploitation of natural resources that increasingly vine? From this point on, I hope to get a meta-theory regulation that can be implied entirely for the benefit of society, in order to be free from exploitation and domination. To answer this important position, the discourse of social movements can be mapped into two, namely old social movement and new social movement. While Islam as a universal religion, there is no need to discuss theological-transcendental issues, but how the theology should create a new, more applicable avenue of dialectics to answer the question the rulers of powers domination. In the hope of a progressive, inclusive, open-minded, and pluralist theological doctrine. The results of this study may contribute to the development of science and the movement that became a turning point and reference in social change.[Artikel ini hendak mengkaji bagaimana nalar Islam progresif yang dapat menjadi acuan untuk membebaskan manusia dari eksploitasi dan dominasi kelas sosial? Lantas gerakan sosial apa yang dapat kita lakukan di tengah himpitan persoalan bangsa terkait eksploitasi sumber daya alam yang kian menggurita? Dari titik ini, maka saya berharap mendapat satu regulasi metateori yang bisa diimplikasikan sepenuhnya untuk kepentingan masyarakat, agar bisa terbebas dari ekspolitasi dan dominasi. Untuk menjawab posisi penting ini, maka diskursus gerakan sosial dapat dipetakan menjadi dua, yakni old social movement dan new social movement. Sementara Islam sebagai agama universal, tidak perlu lagi membahas persoalan teologis-transendental, tetapi bagaimana teologi itu harus menciptakan ruang dealektika baru yang lebih aplikatif menjawab persoalan dominasi kekuasaan para penguasa. Dengan harapan munculnya doktrin teologis yang progresif, inklusif, open-minded, dan pluralis. Hasil kajian ini semoga memberikan kontribusi bagi perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan dan gerakan yang menjadi titik balik dan acuan dalam perubahan sosial.]