bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surviving in a Hostile World: Plant Strategies to Resist Pests and Diseases
Authors: Wilkinson Samuel W. , Magerøy Melissa H. , López Sánchez Ana , Smith Lisa M. , Furci Leonardo , Cotton T.E. Anne , Krokene Paal , Ton Jurriaan
Published: August 2019

As primary producers, plants are under constant pressure to defend themselves against potentially deadly pathogens and herbivores. In this review, we describe short- and long-term strategies that enable plants to cope with these stresses. Apart from internal immunological strategies that involve physiological and (epi)genetic modifications at the cellular level, plants also employ external strategies that rely on recruitment of beneficial organisms. We discuss these strategies along a gradient of increasing timescales, ranging from rapid immune responses that are initiated within seconds to (epi)genetic adaptations that occur over multiple plant generations. We cover the latest insights into the mechanistic and evolutionary underpinnings of these strategies and present explanatory models. Finally, we discuss how knowledge from short-lived model species can be translated to economically and ecologically important perennials to exploit adaptive plant strategies and mitigate future impacts of pests and diseases in an increasingly interconnected and changing world.
A Vehicle Route Planning Method of Two‐Phase Large‐Scale Crowd Evacuation in Typhoon Relief Activities
Authors: Zhan Sha-lei , Chen Liang , Chen Ping-Kuo , Ye Yong
Published: August 2019

Large‐scale crowd evacuation is an important measure guaranteeing the safety of disaster‐stricken victims in typhoon relief activities. Decision‐making related to antityphoon crowd evacuation must take full consideration of the destructive effect of typhoons and their secondary disasters, time urgency, and resource limitation. To give full play to limited vehicle resources, the influence of a typhoon and its secondary disasters on antityphoon evacuation are mainly manifested during the execution of evacuation tasks in this article. The shortest time spent in completing all evacuation tasks was taken as the objective. Then, a vehicle route selection model for two‐phase large‐scale antityphoon crowd evacuation was built under an uncertain environment, and a matrix encoding–based genetic algorithm was designed to solve the model. Under the background of Super Typhoon Meranti in 2016, the model and algorithm were applied to crowd evacuation in a typhoon in Xiamen for a simulated analysis. Results indicate that in typhoon relief activities, emergency decision makers can use the proposed method to acquire a scientific and reasonable route selection scheme for antityphoon crowd evacuation according to related typhoon disaster data.
Avitourism opportunities as a contribution to conservation and rural livelihoods in the Hindu Kush Himalaya - a field perspective
Authors: Gupta Nishikant , Everard Mark , Kochhar Ishaan , Belwal Vinod Kumar
Published: August 2019

The Hindu Kush Himalaya is a biodiversity hotspot subject to multiple anthropogenic stressors, including hydropower plants, pollution, deforestation and wildlife poaching, in addition to changing climate.  Bird photography tourism, as a locally important element of avitourism, has the potential to integrate sustainable development and wildlife conservation.  We conducted field surveys around the reaches of four Indian Himalayan rivers—the Kosi, western Ramganga, Khoh, and Song—outside of protected national parks (the Corbett and Rajaji tiger reserves) to ascertain the distribution of bird species along river corridors that could be sites of avitourism. Species richness along the surveyed reaches were: Kosi (79), western Ramganga (91), Khoh (52), and Song (79). This study contributes critical data to the existing baseline information on the avifaunal species of Uttarakhand.  It further discusses the possibility of developing avitourism for knowledge generation on species distribution and innovative livelihood options for local communities in Uttarakhand, reinforcing local vested interest in bird conservation.  The findings have generic applicability worldwide.
Effects of Mobile Text Messaging on Glycemic Control in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Huo Xiqian , Krumholz Harlan M. , Bai Xueke , Spatz Erica S. , Ding Qinglan , Horak Paul , Zhao Weigang , Gong Qiuhong , Zhang Haibo , Yan Xiaofang , Sun Ying , Liu Jiamin , Wu Xuekun , Guan Wenchi , Wang Xiuling , Li Jing , Li Xi , Spertus John A. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Zheng Xin
Published: August 2019

Background:

Mobile health interventions may support risk factor management and are readily scalable in healthcare systems. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of a text messaging–based intervention to improve glycemic control in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus in China.

Methods and Results:

The CHAT-DM study (Cardiovascular Health and Texting-Diabetes Mellitus) was a parallel-group, single-blind, randomized clinical trial that included 502 patients with both coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus from 34 hospitals in China. The intervention group (n=251) received 6 text messages per week for 6 months in addition to usual care. Messages were theory driven and culturally tailored to provide educational and motivational information on glucose monitoring, blood pressure control, medication adherence, physical activity, and lifestyle. The control group (n=251) received usual care and 2 thank you messages per month. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA
1C
[hemoglobin A
1C
]) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes were change in proportion of patients achieving HbA
1C
<7%, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, body mass index, and physical activity from baseline to 6 months. The end points were assessed using analyses of covariance. The follow-up rate was 99%. When compared with control group at 6 months, the intervention group had a greater reduction in HbA
1C
(−0.2% versus 0.1%;
P
=0.003) and a greater proportion of participants who achieved HbA
1C
<7% (69.3% versus 52.6%;
P
=0.004). Change in fasting blood glucose was larger in the intervention group (between-group difference: −0.6 mmol/L; 95% CI, −1.1 to −0.2;
P
=0.011), but no other outcome differences were observed. Nearly all participants reported that messages were easy to understand (97.1%) and useful (94.1%).

Conclusions:

A text message intervention resulted in better glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. While the mechanism of this benefit remains to be determined, the results suggest that a simple, culturally sensitive mobile text messaging program may provide an effective and feasible way to improve disease self-management.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02883842.
Role of Sex in Determining Treatment Type for Patients Undergoing Endovascular Lower Extremity Revascularization
Authors: Ramkumar Niveditta , Suckow Bjoern D. , Brown Jeremiah R. , Sedrakyan Art , MacKenzie Todd , Stone David H. , Cronenwett Jack L. , Goodney Philip P.
Published: August 2019

Background

Limited data exist to describe factors that influence the use of different endovascular treatments for peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, we studied sex differences in the utilization of endovascular treatment modalities and their impact on arterial patency.

Methods and Results

We analyzed procedures from 2010 to 2016 in the Vascular Quality Initiative for arteries treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (
PTA
) alone, stenting (with/without
PTA
), and atherectomy (with/without
PTA
). We explored sex differences in treatment modality by arterial segment (iliac, femoropopliteal, and tibial) with multivariable logistic regression. We used Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression to study sex differences in arterial reintervention and occlusion. In this cohort, patients (n=58 247, mean age 68 years, 41% women,) had 106 073 arteries treated (median=2 arteries, interquartile range=1–3). Half (50%) of these arteries were treated with stents, 39% with
PTA
alone, and 11% with atherectomy. After risk adjustment, women were less likely to undergo stenting or atherectomy (versus
PTA
alone) in the femoropopliteal (stent risk ratio=0.78 [0.74–0.82]; atherectomy risk ratio=0.69 [0.58–0.82]) and tibial arteries (stent risk ratio=0.70 [0.55–0.89]; atherectomy risk ratio=0.87 [0.70–1.07]). In the iliac arteries there was no sex difference in stenting, and atherectomy was rarely used (0.2%). Women underwent reintervention in the femoropopliteal arteries (hazard ratio=1.28 [1.17–1.40]) or developed an occlusion in the iliac (hazard ratio=1.42 [1.12–1.81]) and femoropopliteal arteries (hazard ratio=1.19 [1.06–1.34]) more frequently than men.

Conclusions

Women were less likely to undergo stenting or atherectomy and had higher rates of occlusion and reintervention, especially in the femoropopliteal arteries. Evidence‐based guidelines are needed to guide optimal use of endovascular treatments for men and women.
The Ever‐Humbling Challenge of Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment Seen Across the Sexes
Authors: Braun Jonathan D. , Kougias Panos
Published: August 2019

See Article
Ramkumar et al
“And the Name of the City from That Day on: ‘YHWH’ is There” (Ezek. 48:35): A New Interpretation
Authors: Ganzel Tova
Published: August 2019

The names of Mesopotamian cities and the cuneiform signs used to write them can shed light on the phrase “YHWH is There” (Ezek. 48:35) in its biblical context.
Reproductive cycle and sperm storage of female coral snakes, Micrurus corallinus and Micrurus frontalis
Authors: Bassi Erick Augusto , Coeti Rafaela Zani , de Almeida-Santos Selma Maria
Published: August 2019

We analyzed the hypothesis that the lack of synchronization between the mating and ovulation period of Micrurus frontalis (BRT clade) is indicative of the capacity of females to store sperm. Conversely, since these reproductive events occur in the same season for Micrurus corallinus (BRM clade), sperm storage is not expected. Thus, we analyzed the reproductive cycle of female M. corallinus and M. frontalis, and investigated the occurrence of sperm storage. Our results showed that these two species of coral snakes (clades BRM and BRT) possess different reproductive cycles. Micrurus frontalis exhibits an extensive reproductive period encompassing three seasons (summer, autumn and winter), while M. corallinus directs secondary vitellogenesis and ovulation to the hottest period of the year (spring and summer). We confirm, for the first time, the strategy of sperm storage (SSr) in females of the genus Micrurus. We observed sperm storage receptacles located in the non-glandular uterus in all seasons of the year for M. corallinus and in spring, summer and autumn in M. frontalis. Furthermore, the presence of SSr in females in the non-reproductive (post-ovulatory) period, the verification of myoid cells around the receptacles and secretion of neutral carbohydrates in the lumina of SSrs may indicates a long-term storage. The posterior infundibulum is another possible region of sperm storage by the presence of tubular ciliated gland; however, reproductive studies with other species of the genus are necessary for a better understanding of the reproductive strategies of the BRT and BRM clades.
“She is My Sister”: Sarai as Lady Wisdom in the Genesis Apocryphon
Authors: Lipscomb Anthony I.
Published: August 2019

The Aramaic text from Qumran known to scholars as the Genesis Apocryphon (1Q20) stands out as one the earliest and most innovative examples of the retelling of Abram and Sarai’s sojourn in Egypt (Gen 12:10-20). To be sure, the terse nature of the Genesis account invited creative storytellers to fill in the gaps, but brevity yielded only half the impetus. Ancient storytellers were no less bothered by the inglorious portrayal of Abram and Sarai, for which there is no shortage of attempts to rescue their reputations. The Apocryphon shares several of the same recharacterization strategies as other ancient retellings, but it is nevertheless unique in its engagement with the tradition of personified wisdom. This article imagines the composer of the Apocryphon’s sojourn account in dialogue with ancient Jewish wisdom traditions and discerns an effort to redeem Sarai’s reputation from Genesis 12 by recasting her as an embodiment of Lady Wisdom.
Through a Glass Darkly: The icc, the unsc and the Quest for Justice in International Law
Authors: Ali Nada
Published: August 2019

Despite the aspirations of the International Criminal Court (icc), it is unlikely to achieve an end to impunity for crimes of concern to the international community without acknowledgement of and due engagement with the politics of international criminal law. A major threat to the legitimacy of the Court is its relationship with the United Nations Security Council (unsc). unsc referrals of conflict situations under Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute remain subject to geo-political considerations. The exercise is thus arbitrary at best, and may render the icc an instrument of political coercion at worst. An apolitical approach to conflicts given this context is almost antithetical to justice and has already given rise to tensions between the Court and some affected member states. Managing the asymmetry created by unsc referrals and rethinking its seemingly unjustified encroachment in the affairs of less influential states should become the priority for the Court.
Walter Benjamin at the City Library of Berlin: The New Library as Incident Room
Authors: Bordo Jonathan
Published: August 2019

This article pairs Bibliothek, a memorial in Berlin against the Nazi book-burning of May 10, 1933, with the library in Wim Wenders’ film Der Himmel über Berlin (1987) as sites to reflect on loss with the disappearance of material books from the library and the conversion of libraries into information centers in the era of the internet and digital reproduction. It explores loss by taking up arguments of Walter Benjamin concerning artworks and by applying his theory of loss to books that exist, unlike works of art, only because of mass technical reproduction. It then examines how to argue for loss in ontological and even civilizational terms, especially when the rational justification for the massive clearance of books is justified by the short-term utilitarian calculus of benefit and gain that determines that there is no loss at all. By way of conclusion, it offers a sketch of the new library as having heightened responsibilities in the pursuit of truth as a center for documentation akin to an incident room at the scene of a crime. In this regard, the Topography of Terror Documentation Center on Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin on the site of the former Gestapo Headquarters is both a paradigm and a beacon.
The Dynamic Double Flash Illusion: Auditory Triggered Replay of Illusory Visual Expansion
Authors: Stiles Noelle R. B. , Tanguay Armand R. , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: August 2019

In the original double flash illusion, a visual flash (e.g., a sharp-edged disk, or uniformly filled circle) presented with two short auditory tones (beeps) is often followed by an illusory flash. The illusory flash has been previously shown to be triggered by the second auditory beep. The current study extends the double flash illusion by showing that this paradigm can not only create the illusory repeat of an on-off flash, but also trigger an illusory expansion (and in some cases a subsequent contraction) that is induced by the flash of a circular brightness gradient (gradient disk) to replay as well. The perception of the dynamic double flash illusion further supports the interpretation of the illusory flash (in the double flash illusion) as similar in its spatial and temporal properties to the perception of the real visual flash, likely by replicating the neural processes underlying the illusory expansion of the real flash. We show further that if a gradient disk (generating an illusory expansion) and a sharp-edged disk are presented simultaneously side by side with two sequential beeps, often only one visual stimulus or the other will be perceived to double flash. This indicates selectivity in auditory–visual binding, suggesting the usefulness of this paradigm as a psychophysical tool for investigating crossmodal binding phenomena.
Female Patrons of Monasticism in the Late Medieval Balkans (13th-14th Centuries)
Authors: Leber Taisiya
Published: August 2019

This article focuses on the role of women as patrons of monastic institutions, monks and church hierarchs in the late medieval Balkans. Two case studies from medieval Serbia are examined to demonstrate the peculiarities of the relationship between female rulers and bishops, as well as of the different forms and aspects of female patronage of monasticism, like founding and donating to monasteries or commissioning liturgical books. One of the most important questions concerns the motivation of women for patronizing monks. It is suggested that there was some interplay in cooperation between female patrons and monks. The question is posed whether prayers, commemoration, spiritual guidance and even the composing of a vita (i.e. contributing to the veneration of a new saint) may be understood as a form of compensation on the part of the monks towards female patrons.
Critique and Reinterpretation of Foundations in the Period of the Reformation
Authors: Schneider-Ludorff Gury
Published: August 2019

The Reformation transformed the relationship between the living and dead, as well as gift-giving and founding. The foundation’s purpose was redefined and understood as a gift to one’s neighbor, as gratitude for God’s anticipatory act and his unconditional assumption of sinful persons as a good work and true caritas. The deceased founders became models, who by their confession pointed the way to salvation through the realization of “true faith”. This self-understanding likewise offered the basis and legitimation to temporal leaders and sovereign princes to undertake political changes and remodeling in the Early Modern Protestant imperial cities and territories.
Legitimation Strategies as Valuable Signals in Nonfinancial Reporting? Effects on Investor Decision-Making
Authors: Hahn Rüdiger , Reimsbach Daniel , Kotzian Peter , Feder Madeleine , Weißenberger Barbara E.
Published: August 2019

Companies disclosing negative aspects in sustainability reports often employ legitimation strategies to present mishaps in a favorable light. In incentivized experiments, we find that nonprofessional investors divest from companies with a negative sustainability-related incident, and that symbolic legitimation (which only evasively explains a negative incident) is not a strong enough signal to counter this divestment behavior. Even substantial legitimation (which reports on measures and behavioral change) mitigates the divestment decisions only if the company reports on concrete remediation actions in morally charged situations, such as social or environmental incidents. We elaborate these results in light of signaling and screening theory, and suggest the conceptual extension of “costly signals” to what we call “valuable signals.” We argue that valuable signals need be not only costly for the sender from an economic perspective but also perceived as appropriate by the receiver from a noneconomic perspective.
Stigma, Loss of Face, and Help-Seeking Attitudes Among South Korean College Students
Authors: Kim Paul Youngbin , Yon Kyu Jin
Published: August 2019

In this study, we investigated empirical associations between others’ stigma regarding seeking psychological help (predictor), self-stigma regarding seeking help (mediator), loss of face concerns (moderator), and professional help-seeking attitudes (outcome) among 485 South Korean college students. We also explored the dimensionality of close others’ stigma and public stigma using a bifactor analysis. We recruited participants from several universities in South Korea. They completed an online survey containing demographic questions and study measures. Bifactor analysis results indicated that close others’ stigma and public stigma may be better treated as a unidimensional construct (i.e., others’ stigma). Mediation and moderated mediation analyses indicated that others’ stigma predicted self-stigma, which in turn predicted help-seeking attitudes. Furthermore, this mediation model was moderated by loss of face, in that as loss of face increased, the negative indirect effect of others’ stigma on help-seeking attitudes through self-stigma became weaker. We discuss implications for research and practice.
Impact of an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Student-Run “Meds 2 Beds” and Discharge Counseling Program on Quality of Care
Authors: Conliffe Brette , VanOpdorp Jocelyn , Weant Kyle , VanArsdale Vanessa , Wiedmar Jennifer , Morgan Jessie
Published: August 2019

Purpose: As health care progresses toward pay for performance reimbursement models and focus is placed on the patient as a consumer, health care systems must adapt by initiating new programs and services. This institution responded by implementing a “Meds 2 Beds” program integrating clinical services with dispensing and medication delivery during transitions of care. This study evaluates outcomes relevant to patients, health care providers, pharmacists, and administrators. Methods: This observational chart review evaluated the effectiveness of a “Meds 2 Beds” program from May 1, 2014, through December 1, 2015. Patients who participated in this program were matched 1:1 with controls who did not. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital readmission. Secondary outcomes included 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, patient satisfaction, and financial impact. Results: In this sample, 185 “Meds 2 Beds” patients were matched to 185 controls. Thirty day readmission occurred in 16 (8.7%) “Meds 2 Beds” cases and 19 (10.3%) controls ( P = .71). Rates of 30-day ED visits were nonsignificantly reduced in cases (22 [11.9%] vs 33 [18.1%]; odds ratio = 0.62, P = .11) and occurred significantly later (11 vs 7 days, P = .03). Conclusions: This study showcases a creative medication delivery and discharge counseling program. The program provides financial benefit to the institution creating a direct revenue stream from prescription dispensing while highlighting a potential for reduced readmissions and ED visits (although a statistically significant difference was not demonstrated in this analysis). A similar model can be adopted by other health care institutions to improve the quality of patient care.
Developing the Spirituality in Recovery Framework: The Function of Spirituality in 12-Step Substance Use Disorder Recovery
Authors: Brown Austin M. , McDaniel Jessica M. , Austin Kelsey L. , Ashford Robert D.
Published: August 2019

A large portion of substance use disorder recovery research has incorporated the study of mutual-aid 12-Step programs and faith-based programs. However, spirituality as a centerpiece of substance use disorder recovery, as an actionable or operationalized means of transformative change, is not well studied. As many individuals in recovery point to spirituality as the chief means by which they have overcome their substance use disorder, this represents a significant gap in the current literature. Though spirituality is difficult to operationalize and measure, several previous studies have examined aspects of the role of spirituality in the recovery process. This current article puts forth a theoretical framework in which leading articles involving spirituality in recovery are synthesized in order to inform a functional, theoretical model of change that can be utilized in future research design.
Large-Scale Cross-Category Analysis of Consumer Review Content on Sales Conversion Leveraging Deep Learning
Authors: Liu Xiao , Lee Dokyun , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: August 2019

How consumers use review content has remained opaque due to the unstructured nature of text and the lack of review-reading behavior data. The authors overcome this challenge by applying deep learning–based natural language processing on data that tracks individual-level review reading, searching, and purchasing behaviors on an e-commerce site to investigate how consumers use review content. They extract quality and price content from 500,000 reviews of 600 product categories and achieve two objectives. First, the authors describe consumers’ review-content-reading behaviors. Although consumers do not read review content all the time, they do rely on it for products that are expensive or of uncertain quality. Second, the authors quantify the causal impact of read-review content on sales by using supervised deep learning to tag six theory-driven content dimensions and applying a regression discontinuity in time design. They find that aesthetics and price content significantly increase conversion across almost all product categories. Review content has a higher impact on sales when the average rating is higher, ratings variance is lower, the market is more competitive or immature, or brand information is not accessible. A counterfactual simulation suggests that reordering reviews based on content can have the same effect as a 1.6% price cut for boosting conversion.
Depression Following Major Life Transitions in Women: A Review and Theory
Authors: Moustafa Ahmed A. , Crouse Jacob J. , Herzallah Mohammad M. , Salama Mohamed , Mohamed Wael , Misiak Błażej , Frydecka Dorota , Al-Dosari Nasser F. , Megreya Ahmed M. , Mattock Karen
Published: August 2019

Depression can occur due to common major life transitions, such as giving birth, menopause, retirement, empty-nest transition, and midlife crisis. Although some of these transitions are perceived as positive (e.g., giving birth), they may still lead to depression. We conducted a systematic literature review of the factors underlying the occurrence of depression following major life transition in some individuals. This review shows that major common life transitions can cause depression if they are sudden, major, and lead to loss (or change) of life roles (e.g., no longer doing motherly or fatherly chores after children leave family home). Accordingly, we provide a theoretical framework that explains depression caused by transitions in women. One of the most potential therapeutic methods of ameliorating depression associated with life transitions is either helping individuals accept their new roles (e.g., accepting new role as a mother to ameliorate postpartum depression symptoms) or providing them with novel life roles (e.g., volunteering after retirement or children leave family home) may help them overcome their illness.
Fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a non-immunocompromised patient with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hadfield Nicholas J , Selvendran Subothini , Johnston Michael P
Published: August 2019

This report presents the fatal case of a 63-year-old man with a new presentation of liver cirrhosis, presumed concurrent acute alcoholic hepatitis and development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. The patient had none of the traditional immunosuppressing risk factors associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia such as corticosteroid use, haematological malignancy or HIV infection. In the literature, there are two case reports and a case series of two patients which describe the development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in acute alcoholic hepatitis. However, all of these previously described cases include identifiable risk factors – namely corticosteroid use and HIV infection. This case suggests that special consideration should be given to Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia as a cause of opportunistic infection in acute alcoholic hepatitis.
“It’s OK. She Doesn’t Even Speak English”: Narratives of Language, Culture, and Identity Negotiation by Immigrant High School Students
Authors: Kiramba Lydiah Kananu , Oloo James Alan
Published: August 2019

This study employs narrative inquiry to explore the experiences of two female, first-generation immigrant- and refugee-background students from West Africa. Using interview as conversation for guiding open-ended research questions and Yosso’s community cultural wealth (CCW) framework, we present participant narratives that speak to both similar and divergent experiences, which demonstrate a deep understanding of complex social issues presenting both tensions and opportunities for African immigrant and refugee student educational success in the United States. The study draws implications for rephrasing normative thinking about emerging multilingual students of African descent and developing a culturally responsive pedagogy for all students.
Neonatal tetanus in eastern Uganda: improved outcome following the implementation of a neonatal tetanus protocol
Authors: Burgoine Kathy , Egiru Emma , Ikiror Juliet , Acom Linda , Akol Sylivia , Olupot-Olupot Peter
Published: August 2019

Neonatal tetanus remains a significant, yet avoidable, cause of neonatal death. Despite the 34,000 deaths that occur globally from neonatal tetanus every year, there has been little research into the management of neonatal tetanus. Until worldwide elimination of neonatal tetanus is achieved, the case management of this devastating illness needs to be improved. We describe an improved outcome of neonatal tetanus following the introduction of a neonatal tetanus protocol including diazepam, magnesium sulphate, bubble continuous positive airway pressure and broad-spectrum antibiotics in a low-resource setting in eastern Uganda.
Relative prevalence of 10 types of pharmacodynamic interactions in psychiatric treatment
Authors: Zarkowski Paul A
Published: August 2019

Objective

To assess the relative prevalence and factors affecting the prescription of medication combinations with a theoretical efficacy limiting pharmacodynamic interaction, defined as two medications with opposing indications and side effects or antagonistic action at the primary receptor of mechanism of action.

Method

One hundred sixteen combinations were identified for 10 types of pharmacodynamic interactions. PubMed was searched for each combination to assess the quality of evidence either supporting clinical use or verifying reduced efficacy. Micromedex was searched to determine the presence of warnings to prescribers of reduced efficacy. The prevalence in clinical practice was determined by computer review of the Genoa Healthcare database for all prescribers at 10 participating community mental health centers. The expected prevalence was calculated as the product of the probability of each medication prescribed alone and was compared with the actual prevalence of the combination using the test of proportions.

Results

The frequency of prescription of eight combinations met the Bonferroni corrected level of significance of p < 0.001. Four were combinations of amphetamine and D2 antagonists and each were prescribed less often than chance, p = 0.0001 consistent with epidemiological studies and multiple animal studies verifying an efficacy limiting interaction. Despite epidemiological studies indicating increased risk of accidents, alprazolam and amphetamine were prescribed more often than chance, p = 0.0001. Micromedex generated warnings for efficacy limiting interactions for five other combinations, but with no subsequent change in prescription frequency.

Conclusions

Neither presence of medical evidence nor warnings from Micromedex consistently affect the prescription of combinations with pharmacodynamic efficacy limiting interactions.
Cultural Values and Urban Planning in China: Evidence of Constraints and Agency in the Development of the Historic City of Yangzhou
Authors: Huang Xu , van Weesep Jan
Published: August 2019

Yangzhou, once a capital city of China, has been transformed into a post-Socialist city. This narrative of its urban development explains its evolution from “a city for the royal family to build its temporary palace” in Imperial China, through “a city as a tool to develop manufacturing industries” during the Socialist regime, to “an ecological garden and a city with an attractive living environment” in Transitional China. Changing value systems interact with economic and political constraints to explain the course of its urban history. The explanation rests on the premise that urban development ultimately depends on the investment potential of the local economy and local power constraints impinging upon adopted plans. This case study explores how political and economic constraints shape the ambitions of local policy makers and planners, thereby reflecting the evolution of those Chinese cultural values that as development imperatives have shaped urban planning practice in China.
The Negation Bias in Stereotype Maintenance: A Replication in Five Languages
Authors: Beukeboom Camiel J. , Burgers Christian , Szabó Zsolt P. , Cvejic Slavica , Lönnqvist Jan-Erik M. , Welbers Kasper
Published: August 2019

Research on linguistic biases shows that stereotypic expectancies are implicitly reflected in language and thereby subtly communicated to message recipients. Research on the Negation Bias shows that the use of negations (e.g., not stupid vs. smart) is more pronounced in descriptions of stereotype-inconsistent compared with stereotype-consistent behaviors. This article reports a replication study of the original research conducted in Dutch, using newly developed materials, and in five different languages: English, Dutch, Hungarian, Finnish, and Serbian. The results validate the existence of the Negation Bias in all five languages. This suggests that negation use serves a similar stereotype-maintaining function across language families.
Recognition of Deformed Familiar Faces: Contrast Negation and Nonglobal Stretching
Authors: Sandford Adam , Rego Skylar
Published: August 2019

Familiar face recognition is robust to subtle and drastic changes in appearance. Knowing which conditions harm our recognition highlights underlying processes that have prominent roles in face learning. Here, we focused on two image deformations that studies suggest independently harm recognition: contrast negation and stretching of top or bottom halves of a face orthogonal to the unstretched half (nonglobal stretching). Participants were asked to categorize self-reported familiar or unfamiliar faces presented in photographic positive and negative in a fully within-subjects design. In Experiments 1 and 2, recognition of contrast-positive faces was robust to global and nonglobal stretching, suggesting iso-dimension ratios do not have a role in familiar face recognition. However, performance was consistently impaired by contrast negation in all configurational conditions. Further reductions in categorization accuracy when top halves of contrast-negated faces are stretched suggest some limited role for configuration under these image conditions. In Experiment 3, presenting the top or bottom half of nonglobal stretch conditions suggested categorization of nonglobal stretch faces did not require perception of the whole face, in the research design reported here. These results highlight further limits to configurational accounts of face recognition and indicate a relatively important role for surface reflectance cues.
Using coprophilous fungi to reconstruct the history of pastoralism in the Qinghai Lake Basin, Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wei Hai-cheng , Hou Guang-liang , Fan Qi-shun , Madsen David B , Qin Zhan-jie , Du Yong-sheng , Sun Yong-juan , Gao Jing-yi , Shan Fa-shou
Published: August 2019

The history of permanent human settlement in the high-altitude regions (>3000 m above sea level [masl]) of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is important in understanding human adaptation to this cold “Third Pole” region. The Qinghai Lake Basin was an important corridor used by prehistoric humans migrating to the inner QTP. Pastoralism is currently the most important means of sustaining permanent human settlement in the high-altitude regions of the QTP. However, the lack of reliable proxy measures reflecting prehistoric pastoral activities impedes our understanding of how pastoralism developed. The identification of coprophilous fungi in prehistoric cultural deposits may help refine the history of pastoralism. We collected 21 modern domesticated herbivore dung samples and 66 surface soil samples from the Qinghai Lake Basin for fungal spore analyses. We then evaluated how useful such analyses are for identifying grazing activities. Fifty-three samples were also collected from the JXG2 stratigraphic profile (∼10.0–0 ka; 3312 masl) for fungal spore analysis. Results indicate that low and stable values of the total concentration of coprophilous fungi were present from ∼10.0 to ∼5.5 ka. Concentrations gradually increased from ∼5.5 to ∼4.2 ka, significantly increased from ∼4.2 to ∼2.6 ka, and then increased dramatically after ∼2.6 ka. By combining these results with charcoal concentrations (>50 µm), lithic artifacts, bones and potsherds recovered from the JXG2 site, we infer that early pastoralism in Qinghai Lake Basin appeared between ∼6.0 to ∼5.5 ka and gradually intensified throughout the remainder of the Holocene as herding and farming gradually replaced hunting–gathering as the primary subsistence strategies. These results are supported by pollen records, archeological remains and historical records in the northeastern QTP.
Exploring the effects of extracranial injections of botulinum toxin type A on prolonged intracranial meningeal nociceptors responses to cortical spreading depression in female rats
Authors: Melo-Carrillo Agustin , Strassman Andrew M , Schain Aaron J , Noseda Rodrigo , Ashina Sait , Adams Aubrey , Brin Mitchell F , Burstein Rami
Published: August 2019

Background

Botulinum neurotoxin type A, an FDA-approved prophylactic drug for chronic migraine, is thought to achieve its therapeutic effect through blocking activation of unmyelinated meningeal nociceptors and their downstream communications with myelinated nociceptors and potentially the vasculature and immune cells. Prior investigations to determine botulinum neurotoxin type A effects on meningeal nociceptors were carried out in male rats and tested with stimuli that act outside the blood brain barrier. Here, we sought to explore the effects of extracranial injections of botulinum neurotoxin type A on activation of meningeal nociceptors by cortical spreading depression, an event which occurs inside the blood brain barrier, in female rats.

Material and methods

Using single-unit recording, we studied myelinated C- and unmyelinated Aδ-meningeal nociceptors' responses to cortical spreading depression 7–14 days after injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A or saline along calvarial sutures.

Results

In female rats, responses to cortical spreading depression were typically more prolonged and, in some cases, began at relatively longer latencies post-cortical spreading depression, than had been observed in previous studies in male rats. Extracranial administration of botulinum neurotoxin type A reduced significantly the prolonged firing of the meningeal nociceptors, in the combined sample of Aδ- and C-fiber, but not their response probability.

Discussion

The findings suggest that the mechanism of action by which botulinum neurotoxin type A prevents migraine differ from the one by which calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies prevent migraine and that even when the origin of migraine is central (i.e. in the cortex), a peripherally acting drug can intercept/prevent the headache.
Influence of volcanic ash, rice husk ash, and solid residue of catalytic pyrolysis on the flame-retardant properties of polypropylene composites
Authors: Almirón Jonathan , Roudet Francine , Duquesne Sophie
Published: August 2019

This research determines whether the materials of volcanic ash (CV), rice husk ash (CR), and thermally treated solid waste (RS-T), coming from the pyrolysis of plastics, have some flame-retardant effect when added to polypropylene flame-retardant additives (such as ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol). These materials were characterized by specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption analysis (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction methods. It was determined that SiO2 and Al2O3 are considered as flame-retardant minerals. Composites composed of polypropylene, ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and these materials at several concentrations, from 1% to 9%, were prepared. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of the composites synthesized were investigated based on the limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimetry. It was determined that these materials have a synergistic action with flame-retardant additives by increasing the fireproof properties of polypropylene. Mechanical properties were determined by tensile tests.
Tipping the Scales: Effects of Gender, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Anti-Fat Attitudes on Judgments of Sexual Coercion Scenarios
Authors: Zidenberg Alexandra M. , Sparks Brandon , Harkins Leigh , Lidstone Sara K.
Published: August 2019

A damaging belief exists that to become a victim of sexual violence, victims must be deemed sexually desirable. As a result, sexual violations where the victims are individuals whom society may deem as less attractive—such as overweight women—may elicit less empathy for the victim or minimize the likelihood they are believed. Yet, there is some evidence that overweight women actually report higher rates of sexual violence than women of other weight categories. Although there has been some research implicating weight biases in sexual assault cases, this has not been extended to cases of sexual coercion despite their growing share of police reports. A sample of 168 participants were recruited from Canada via social media ( n = 82) and through a midsized university in Ontario, Canada ( n = 86). Using a mock jury paradigm, participants responded to a vignette depicting the sexual coercion of a thin or overweight woman. Participants reported their opinions on the sexual coercion scenario, and prejudicial attitudes, using two standardized scales. Men reported greater rape myth acceptance, anti-fat attitudes, and victim responsibility and endorsed significantly more perpetrator mitigating factors and expressed more negative affect toward the victim. Participants in the overweight condition also expressed greater perpetrator sympathy, greater perpetrator mitigation, and less negative affect toward the perpetrator. These results suggest that overweight women may face additional barriers when reporting their experiences of sexual coercion, particularly to men.
Does Patient Preference for Mode of Intervention Delivery Impact Intervention Efficacy and Attrition?
Authors: Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Stacey Fiona G. , Jansson Anna K. , Ewald Benjamin , Johnson Natalie A. , Brown Wendy J. , Holliday Elizabeth G. , Barker Daniel , James Erica L.
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

To explore whether there was a difference in objectively measured physical activity and study participation between people who received their preferred study group allocation (matched) and those who did not receive their preferred study group (mismatched).

Design:

Secondary data from the NewCOACH randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Insufficiently active patients in the primary care settings in Sydney and Newcastle, Australia.

Participants:

One hundred seventy-two adults aged 20 to 81 years.

Intervention:

Participants indicated their intervention preference at baseline for (1) five face-to-face visits with an exercise specialist, (2) one face-to-face visit and 4 telephone follow-ups with an exercise specialist, (3) written material, or (4) slight-to-no preference. Participants were then allocated to an intervention group and categorized as either “matched” or “mismatched” based on their indications. Participants who reported a slight-to-no preference was categorized as “matched.”

Measures:

Daily step count as measured by pedometers and study participation.

Analysis:

Mean differences between groups in daily step count at 3 and 12 months (multiple linear regression models) and study participation at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months (χ2 tests).

Results:

Preference for an intervention group prior to randomization did not significantly (all P’s > .05 using 95% confidence interval) impact step counts (differences of <600 steps/day between groups) or study participation.

Conclusion:

Future research should continue to address whether the strength of preferences influence study outcome and participation and whether the study preferences change over time.
PEEK composites with polyimide sizing SCF as reinforcement: Preparation, characterization, and mechanical properties
Authors: Wang Tao , Jiao Yongsheng , Mi Zhiming , Li Jiantang , Wang Daming , Zhao Xiaogang , Zhou Hongwei , Chen Chunhai
Published: August 2019

In this work, the surface modification of short carbon fibers (SCFs) using polyimide (PI) as a sizing agent was conducted and fully characterized, and SCF-reinforced polyether ether ketone (PEEK) composites were obtained by extrusion and injection molding. The surface characteristics of the PI-coated SCFs were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that a uniform PI sizing layer was formed on the surfaces of the SCFs. Thermogravimetric analysis results demonstrated that PI-coated SCFs had better thermal stability than commercial SCFs. The tensile strength and flexural strength of the PI-coated SCF/PEEK composites showed improvements of 11.8% and 16.6% compared with the commercial cases, which were attributed to the PI sizing treatment effectively improving the interfacial adhesion between the SCF and the PEEK matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis and the morphologies of tensile fracture surfaces suggested better interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the PEEK matrix, which were in good agreement with the mechanical properties. Due to the convenient processing of PI sizing as well as the effectively improved mechanical properties of the composites, the PI-sizing methodology has great potential application in the field of fiber-reinforced high-temperature engineering plastics composites.
Microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviors of equal channel angular pressed copper
Authors: Pourhamid Reza , Shirazi Ali
Published: August 2019

The mechanical properties including Vickers hardness, tensile properties, fracture toughness, impact toughness and also, the microstructure of copper severely deformed by equal channel angular pressing through route C after two, four, and eight passes at ambient temperature, were studied in the present work. The results indicated that the grains size reduced from 16.7 to 4.8 µm after two and to 2.1 µm after eight passes. This study cleared that because of the recrystallization phenomenon and reducing the effect of stress concentration and increasing the number of grain boundaries, the values of the fracture toughness can increase significantly. For example, fracture toughness increases by 58.4% relative to base metal after eight passes equal channel angular pressing. Also, it was found that the major improvement in tensile properties is achieved after two passes and due to the applied simple shear to the copper, all the equal channel angular pressed specimens have demonstrated an enhanced hardness and impact toughness, in accordance with their number of equal channel angular pressing passes. For example, the Vickers hardness is increased by a factor of 1.98 and impact toughness 58.4% for the extruded material after eight passes.