bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Strata Analysis of First Division Unrounded Finals of Xiè Rhyme Group in Proto Min and Related Issues
Authors: Wu Rui-wen
Published: March 2019

This paper analyses the different phonological strata of first division unrounded finals of the Xiè Rhyme Group （蟹攝），specifically the Xai rhyme and Tài rhyme, in the finals system of proto-Min and explores the distinction between double rhymes in old Jiangdong dialects. Norman (1981) reconstructed five finals for Xai rhyme and Tài rhyme. They are:

*əi for Xai 菜咍栽咍來咍

*oi for Xai 袋咍

*ɑi for Tài 帶泰蔡泰蓋泰

*uəi for Xai 改咍

*yəi for Xai 開咍

According to Norman’s reconstruction, there are four finals for the Xai rhyme but there is only one final for the Tài rhyme. Therefore, some issues need to be clarified. To begin with, what is the time sequence of those four forms of Xai? Additionally, three forms are reconstructed by one cognate in proto-Min. It is highly doubtful to regard those forms as a single stratum individually. Furthermore, the double rhymes, Xai and Tài, could be distinct in the Qieyun system but merged in most modern Chinese dialects. However, some southern dialects retain the distinction (refer to Cao et al. 2000, Wang 2004 and Wu 2005). How is the distinction of double rhymes expressed in proto-Min? It is worth examining those questions in depth.

The methodology of this paper is the comparative method. We would like to expand Min dialectal material and find more reliable cognates to reexamine Norman’s finals of Xai and Tài. From the perspective of historical development, proto-Min has several different phonological strata. After thoughtful and cautious analysis, those strata could be an important reference for the reconstruction of both Middle Chinese and Old Chinese. An important aim of this paper is to reconstruct the Jiangdong dialect, a southern Chinese dialect used in the Six Dynasties period, using proto-Min and related common dialect systems.

In conclusion: 1. both Xai and Tài could be reconstructed as two forms in the finals system of Proto-Min. In brief, *-əi and *-oi are for Xai; *-ɑi and *-ai are for Tài. 2. from a diachronic development viewpoint,the pattern *-oi: *-ai reveals the distinction of Xai and Tài, i.e. double rhyme, in the Six Dynasties Jiangdong dialect. 3. Relatedly, the pattern *-əi: *-ɑi could be traced to differences between the Zhi group （之部） and Jì group （祭部） in Old Chinese.
Types of Lexicalization in Motion Events in Early Ningpo Dialect
Authors: Su’e Lin
Published: March 2019

Our statistical work on data in early Ningpo dialect shows us that Ningpo dialect is a kind of typical satellite-framed language in motion events. Non-agentive motion events and agentive motion events are more likely to encode the information of motion events as satellite-framed languages than self-agentive motion events. Although self-agentive motion events can encode it according as verb-framed and satellite-framed languages, compared to early Shanghai dialect and Mandarin, self-agentive motion events are less likely to encode it in the way of verb-framed languages. There is a strong correlation between the type of lexicalization in motion events in early Ningpo dialect and its topicalization, which prove that topicalization plays a critical role in evolution of motion events in Chinese from a verb-framed language and an equipollently-framed language to a satellite-framed language.
A Study on a Group of Grammatical Features across Western Yue Dialects: Perspectives from Contact-induced Grammaticalization and Semantic Map Model
Authors: Huayong Lin , Xueyu Wu , Zhiling Liu
Published: March 2019

The theory of contact-induced grammaticalization has been proposed to examine language contact and grammatical change, and was introduced into Chinese linguistic circles over 10 years ago. It contributes to a series of developments and breakthroughs in the domain of contact between Chinese and other languages as well as contact among Chinese dialects. Recent approaches to Chinese linguistics combine the theory with Semantic Map Model. In this paper, we focus on the Chinese linguistic studies benefitting from the theory and discuss a group of regional grammatical features which have provided the linguistic basis for cultural regionalization in Guangdong Province.
Proto-Ong-Be Initials and Finals
Authors: Chen Yen-ling
Published: March 2019

This study is the first to provide a bottom-up reconstruction of Proto-Ong-Be initials and finals using the comparative method. Thirty-four initials (labelled with tone series) and nine finals that can be reconstructed with confidence are postulated. This paper shows that the early voicing contrast associated with initials cannot be directly reconstructed based on the internal evidence, although the loss of the contrast is compensated for at the suprasegmental level. This study also demonstrates that Proto-Ong-Be finals remain intact in modern Ong-Be varieties. In addition, this paper serves as a testing ground and a demonstration for doing linguistic reconstruction from different angles.
Situation Aspects and Their Transformation in Gexi Horpa
Authors: Tian Qianzi
Published: March 2019

Horpa is a relatively obscure Sino-Tibetan language group with an abundance of noteworthy grammatical phenomena, among which are those related to situation aspect, or Aktionsart and lexical aspect. Situation aspect can be divided into five types—state, activity, accomplishment, achievement and semelfactive, according to dynamicity, telicity, and durability. This paper analyzes situation aspect distinctions in the Gexi dialect of Central Horpa, based on first-hand fieldwork data. Semantic features and morpho-syntactic encoding of the situation aspect are explored and illustrated, focusing on the rules and mechanisms by which the situation aspect categories are derived from one another. In this process the conditioning factors of lexical versus morphosyntactic realization of situation aspect are recognized, and several important morpho-syntactic innovations are discovered. The concrete contributions in this work include the elucidation of the typological properties of verbal situation aspect in Gexi Horpa grammar and their interconnections with grammatical aspect, and an account of the way the language transitions in morphology.
New combinations in the tribe Urgineeae (Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae) with comments on contrasting taxonomic treatments
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN MARIO , CRESPO MANUEL B. , ALONSO-VARGAS MARÍA Á. , DOLD ANTHONY P. , CROUCH NEIL R. , PFOSSER MARTIN , MUCINA LADISLAV , PINTER MICHAEL , WETSCHNIG WOLFGANG
Published: March 2019

As part of a taxonomic revision of tribe Urgineeae, and informed by morphological and phylogenetic evidence obtained in the last decade, we present 17 new combinations in Austronea, Indurgia, Schizobasis, Tenicroa, Thuranthos, Urgineopsis, and Vera-duthiea. These are for taxa recently described in Drimia sensu latissimo or otherwise named during the past century. We include type information for all considered taxa and designate lectotypes for Drimia pauciflora, Urginea salmonea and U. sebirii. We discuss recent analytic and synthetic approaches to taxonomic arrangements for the Urgineeae and reinforce the support of an analytic treatment that recognises several genera characterised by distinct syndromes of morphological characters, biogeography and molecular evidence.
o3o3: A Variant of Spectral Elements with a Regular Collocation Grid
Authors: Steppeler J. , Li J. , Fang F. , Zhu J. , Ullrich P. A.
Published: March 2019

In this study, an alternative local Galerkin method (LGM), the o3o3 scheme, is proposed. o3o3 is a variant or generalization of the third-order spectral element method (SEM3). It uses third-order piecewise polynomials for the representation of a field and piecewise third-degree polynomials for fluxes. For the discretization, SEM3 uses the irregular Legendre–Gauss–Lobatto grid while o3o3 uses a regular collocation grid. o3o3 can be regarded as an inhomogeneous finite-difference scheme on a uniform grid, which means that the finite-difference equations are different for each group with three points. A particular version of o3o3 is set as an example of many possibilities to construct LGM schemes on piecewise polynomial spaces in which the basis functions used are continuous at corner points and function spaces having continuous derivatives are shortly discussed. We propose a standard o3o3 scheme and a spectral o3o3 scheme as alternatives to the standard method of using the quadrature approximation. These two particular schemes selected were chosen for ease of implementation rather than optimal performance. In one dimension, compared to standard SEM3, o3o3 has a larger CFL condition benefiting from the use of a regular collocation grid. While SEM3 uses the irregular Legendre–Gauss–Lobatto collocation grid, o3o3 uses a regular grid. This is considered an advantage for physical parameterizations. The shortest resolved wave is marginally smaller than that with SEM3. In two dimensions, o3o3 is implemented on a sparse grid where only a part of the points on the underlying regular grid are used for forecasting.
A collective sigh of relief: Local reactions to the establishment of new asylum centers in Norway
Authors: Bygnes Susanne
Published: March 2019

This article investigates a mood change in local communities where new asylum seeker facilities were established in the wake of the “refugee crisis” in 2015. Whereas opinions in flux are often studied using quantitative data, this analysis takes advantage of in-depth qualitative interviews with inhabitants in selected Norwegian local communities after new temporary asylum reception centers were established. Qualitative data collected at this particular time provide the opportunity to gain insight into social processes occurring in the wake of a sudden influx of immigrants. A key feature of the material is statements reflecting fear or nervous anticipation in relation to the period before the newcomers arrived, followed by descriptions of diminishing concern afterwards. Several studies have engaged with the issue of changes in public mood during this particular period, but few have analyzed changes at the local level. The study concludes that while the backdrop of impactful events that led to shifts in public mood at the national and regional levels played a role in informants’ imagined encounters with the newcomers, experiencing the presence of the newcomers resulted in a subtle mood change of increased acceptance.
Backtalk: The social costs of proliferating charter schools
Authors: Rotberg Iris C.
Published: March 2019

A wide range of research shows the impact of charter schools on segregation by race, ethnicity, income, disability, language, culture, or religion — or a combination of these variables. The segregation plays out in different situations and in different ways. Iris Rotberg describes how the competition for resources and students creates conditions where public schools have fewer resources to educate the students with the greatest need.
My unexpectedly militant bots: A case for Programming-as-Social-Science
Authors: Brooker Phillip
Published: March 2019

This article examines bots – software applications that automate web-based tasks, and which often mimic human interaction and communication – to consider sociological responses to software design and computer programming. Leveraging design methodologies for critical sociological purposes (a) allows us to envision programming as a means of opening up ‘black boxes’ by engaging more directly with the code through which software applications are executed, and (b) indicates the potential for sociology practitioners to design software ourselves – to build applications that fulfil the radical promise of sociology by intervening in social processes. To concretise these ideas, this article presents two stories about social media bots developed by the author: ‘Philbot’ (a Facebook random status generator) and ‘ @_Zen_Bot_ ’ (a Twitter service that provides mock lifestyle advice to users). On the basis of this demonstration, the article proposes a near-future vision of sociology where Programming-as-Social-Science features as a core research method/skill/tool.
Book review: Vikas Bajpai and Anoop Saraya, Health Beyond Medicine: Some Reflections on the Politics and Sociology of Health in India
Authors: Verma C. S.
Published: March 2019

Vikas Bajpai and Anoop Saraya, Health Beyond Medicine: Some Reflections on the Politics and Sociology of Health in India. Delhi: Aakar Books, 2018, 310 pp., ₹995, ISBN: 9789350025277 (Hardbound).
Book review: Ghazala Jamil, Muslim Women Speak: Of Dreams and Shackles
Authors: Jha Shefali
Published: March 2019

Ghazala Jamil, Muslim Women Speak: Of Dreams and Shackles. New Delhi: Sage Yoda Press, 2018, 190 pp., ₹595, ISBN 9789352805006.
All Bad? Experiences of Aging Among LGBT Elders in South Africa
Authors: Reygan Finn , Henderson Neil
Published: March 2019

There is an almost complete dearth of research on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders in South Africa. This study was a qualitative exploration through focus group discussions of the lived experiences of 22 LGBT people over 50 years of age in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces of South Africa. Given high levels of poverty and inequality in South Africa, findings from a thematic analysis of participants’ narratives foregrounded surprisingly strong themes of inclusion and belonging despite the structural challenges faced by many in South Africa. While narratives of marginalization and exclusion were present, these were juxtaposed with reports of belonging and inclusion in families, communities, through friendship networks, and in health care. Findings indicate that, while experiences of homophobia and transphobia are real among LGBT elders in South Africa, participants experience agency, support, and relatively high reported levels of social belonging as they age.
An investigation of preferences and choices of students with vision impairments on literacy medium for studying
Authors: Argyropoulos Vassilios , Padeliadu Susana , Avramidis Elias , Tsiakali Thomai , Nikolaraizi Magda
Published: March 2019

This article presents the outcomes of a national survey set in Greece examining the preferences and choices of students with vision impairments on literacy medium for studying. In brief, this study explored (a) the students’ preferences regarding literacy medium for studying, (b) the students’ opinions regarding the best performance medium for their studying, and (c) the relationship between the students’ literacy medium preferences and choices in terms of their age, type of vision loss, and onset of vision impairment. Seventy-five primary and secondary students with vision impairments participated in the study. Relevant data were obtained through questionnaires, and the results showed that braille and large print were the preferred mediums for studying regardless of gender, age, type of vision loss, and onset of blindness. Yet, the majority of the participants chose the medium of listening (‘aural reading’) as the best performance medium for their studying. The discussion highlights issues such as literacy skills, usage of technological advances, and teachers’ training and stresses the need for developing evidence-based practices and educational programmes through organized interdisciplinary teams and networks.
Implicit knowledge and memory for musical stimuli in musicians and non-musicians
Authors: Thorpe Lisa , Cousins Margaret , Bramwell Ros
Published: March 2019

The phoneme monitoring task is a musical priming paradigm that demonstrates that both musicians and non-musicians have gained implicit understanding of prevalent harmonic structures. Little research has focused on implicit music learning in musicians and non-musicians. This current study aimed to investigate whether the phoneme monitoring task would identify any implicit memory differences between musicians and non-musicians. It focuses on both implicit knowledge of musical structure and implicit memory for specific musical sequences. Thirty-two musicians and non-musicians (19 female and 13 male) were asked to listen to a seven-chord sequence and decide as quickly as possible whether the final chord ended on the syllable /di/ or /du/. Overall, musicians were faster at the task, though non-musicians made more gains through the blocks of trials. Implicit memory for musical sequence was evident in both musicians and non-musicians. Both groups of participants reacted quicker to sequences that they had heard more than once but showed no explicit knowledge of the familiar sequences.
Exploring Identity-Safety Cues and Allyship Among Black Women Students in STEM Environments
Authors: Johnson India R. , Pietri Evava S. , Fullilove Felicia , Mowrer Samantha
Published: March 2019

Black women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and report feeling unwelcome in STEM. A successful scientist exemplar or role model may signal to Black women they are valued in STEM environments. We investigated who acts as an identity-safety cue for Black women. In Study 1, Black women students who learned about a Black man or a Black woman professor in a hypothetical School of Science and Engineering reported greater anticipated belonging and trust, relative to those learning about a White man or a White woman professor. In Study 2, we recruited Black women STEM majors from a predominantly White institution and a women-only historically Black college. We examined how both groups identified role models in STEM and assessed how perceptions that role models were allies related to belonging in the institution and belonging in STEM. Across both educational environments, having Black women and Black men role models, and perceiving role models who lacked a common racial identity as allies, positively related to belonging in the institution. We encourage the use of Black exemplars and role models, as well as allies, in interventions geared toward increasing belonging among Black women in STEM. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319830926 and a podcast for instructors who want to use this article for teaching is available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/page/pwq/suppl/index
Leading and sustaining Zimbabwe’s private schools: Matching vision with economic reality
Authors: Bush Tony , Chingarande Dominica , Glover Derek , Muchabaiwa Wonder , Simango Jubadheya , Thondhlana Juliet
Published: March 2019

The political, economic and social challenges in Zimbabwe are well documented. Public schools have been damaged by a shortage of resources, and by a brain drain of teachers. This has led many parents to seek private education for their children but the country’s economic problems mean that they often cannot afford to pay the fees. This demanding context informed the authors’ study of leadership in 12 private schools in Harare and the surrounding area. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with 19 leaders in these schools. The findings show that most of the schools have experienced significant falls in student numbers, despite cutting fees. This creates a severe management challenge for principals, other leaders and school owners. There have been redundancies at several of the schools, which the leaders find stressful, while salary levels remain modest although still higher than those in the public sector. The infrastructure and facilities are generally good compared to those in the public sector but leaders lament that they cannot be enhanced in the current financial climate. Most of the schools have a distinctive Christian ethos, and a vision to provide the best possible education for their children, but the leaders’ ambitious plans are thwarted by Zimbabwe’s harsh economic realities.
Feature-based process parameter variation in continuous paths to improve dimensional accuracy in three-dimensional printing via material extrusion
Authors: Papazetis George , Vosniakos George-Christopher
Published: March 2019

Dimensional accuracy in additive manufacturing and especially for parts produced via material extrusion has been actively investigated in an effort to proceed from a prototyping process to a mature technology capable of manufacturing functional parts. Typically, accuracy in material extrusion is not the same along the different printing directions or it may vary according to the geometric feature that is fabricated. Therefore, it is considered as a problem with multiple responses and is typically tackled with multiple-objective optimization strategies in order to achieve optimal parameter settings that simultaneously satisfy contradicting requirements. In this work, response surface methodology is applied on the part, in order to obtain feature-specific models that predict dimensional accuracy. According to the proposed methodology, dimensional accuracy on every included feature and along the different printing directions is separately optimized with enhanced flexibility regarding the derived optimal solution. Optimal settings are fed directly to the material extrusion system as modified machine instructions. Different parameter settings for different regions of the same layer, or even varying material extrusion rate and feed rate along continuous trajectory, are validated. A specific part is used for demonstration purposes. The efficiency of this novel approach is compared with multiple-objective optimization based on the desirability method. The results exhibit enhanced dimensional accuracy of the part when adaptive settings are adopted for every feature.
Artificial and convolutional neural networks for assessing functional connectivity in resting-state functional near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Behboodi Bahareh , Lim Sung-Ho , Luna Miguel , Jeon Hyeon-Ae , Choi Ji-Woong
Published: March 2019

Functional connectivity derived from resting-state functional near infrared spectroscopy has gained attention of recent scholars because of its capability in providing valuable insight into intrinsic networks and various neurological disorders in a human brain. Several progressive methodologies in detecting resting-state functional connectivity patterns in functional near infrared spectroscopy, such as seed-based correlation analysis and independent component analysis as the most widely used methods, were adopted in previous studies. Although these two methods provide complementary information each other, the conventional seed-based method shows degraded performance compared to the independent component analysis-based scheme in terms of the sensitivity and specificity. In this study, artificial neural network and convolutional neural network were utilized in order to overcome the performance degradation of the conventional seed-based method. First of all, the results of artificial neural network- and convolutional neural network-based method illustrated the superior performance in terms of specificity and sensitivity compared to both conventional approaches. Second, artificial neural network, convolutional neural network, and independent component analysis methods showed more robustness compared to seed-based method. Moreover, resting-state functional connectivity patterns derived from artificial neural network- and convolutional neural network-based methods in sensorimotor and motor areas were consistent with the previous findings. The main contribution of the present work is to emphasize that artificial neural network as well as convolutional neural network can be exploited for a high-performance seed-based method to estimate the temporal relation among brain networks during resting state.
Monetary Policy Shocks and Effectiveness of Channels of Transmission in Nigeria: A Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Approach
Authors: Enisan Akinlo Anthony , Tolulope Apanisile Olumuyiwa
Published: March 2019

This study examines the effect of anticipated and unanticipated monetary policy shocks on the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission mechanism in Nigeria by estimating a sticky-price dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model using Bayesian estimation approach. Four major transmission channels (exchange rate, interest rate, credit and expectation) are considered due to the economic and financial conditions of Nigeria. The study employs quarterly data from 1986:1 to 2013:4 and data are sourced from World Development Indicator (online version). Results show that unanticipated monetary policy shock has short-run impact on monetary policy transmission channels, while anticipated monetary policy shock has long-run impact on the monetary policy transmission channels. The study, therefore, concluded that efforts should be directed at reducing the unanticipated monetary policy by announcing government policy at the beginning of the year so as to reduce people’s expectation.
Delayed injuries in the emergency department in hospitalised trauma patients
Authors: Orun Serhat , Akoz Ayhan , Duman Ali , Ahmet Turkdogan Kenan , Türe Mevlüt , Unlu Derya
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Busy emergency departments are associated with medical errors in care and evaluation for unstable trauma patients. Our study aimed to determine the extent, causes and adverse clinical consequences of missed injuries and delayed diagnoses in patients hospitalised with trauma in a Turkish Level 3 emergency department, and provide recommendations for emergency service workers and supervisors to help them reduce the number of injury diagnoses that are delayed.

Methods

In our prospective study, a total of 515 emergency department patients presenting with trauma between 1 July 2014 and 1 July 2015 were examined by an emergency physician and by a consultant, if necessary. Identified injuries were recorded using case forms, and hospitalised patients were discharged when their treatment was completed. After the patients were discharged their files were reviewed again and new injuries, different from those recorded in the case forms, were investigated.

Results

Of the 515 patients included, it was shown that an injury diagnosis had been delayed in 21 (3.9%). Of these injuries, 65% were related to the musculoskeletal system. Insufficient clinical evaluation of 95% of the patients who had a missed injury was identified, and, in 70% of missed injuries, the radiology reports had been delayed or incorrectly completed.

Conclusion

We believe that the delayed injury rate can be reduced in trauma patients with the use of fast and reliable radiological support and the intervention of a multidisciplinary trauma team.
Interaction of intermediates with transition metal surfaces in the dehydrogenation of ethanol to ethyl acetate: A theoretical investigation
Authors: Boualouache Adel , Boucenna Ali , Otmanine Ghazi
Published: March 2019

By employing a combined approach of the unity bond index–quadratic exponential potential method and density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation, we have studied the interaction of intermediates in the ethanol dehydrogenation process to ethyl acetate on Cu, Ag, Ni, Pd, Pt, Co, Au and Ir(111) transition metal surfaces. Binding energies and geometries were optimized for the main intermediates of this process. Electronic structures were computed for some intermediates/transition metal systems. We also calculated the activation energies for the elementary steps of the reactions. The results show that amid the studied surfaces, Cu(111) stabilizes ethoxy and acetyl species, preventing their dissociation. Inducing the η2 binding mode of acetaldehyde by alloying Cu with Ni, Co, Pd, Pt or Ir can enhance the catalytic proprieties of the Cu(111) clean surface.
The nexus between globalization and ethnic identity: A view from below
Authors: Ariely Gal
Published: March 2019

While some studies have examined the impact of globalization on national identity ‘from below’, their findings are inconclusive, some arguing that national identity is less important for people in more globalized countries, others finding evidence to the contrary. Addressing and resolving some of the previous studies limitations, this article investigates the relationship between globalization and national identity with four cross-national surveys, using 149 national samples across 74 countries, inspecting whether country level of globalization impacts ethnic identity and whether globalization moderates between patriotism and ethnic identity. The findings indicate that although ethnic identity levels are lower in the more globalized than the less globalized countries, globalization has no differential effect on the strong and positive link between patriotism and ethnic identity.
Raising the achievement of immigrant students: Towards a multi-layered framework for enhanced student outcomes
Authors: Volante Louis , Klinger Don A , Siegel Melissa , Yahia Leena
Published: March 2019

Results of international achievement surveys such as the Programme in International Student Assessment have consistently reported an achievement gap between immigrant and non-immigrant student populations around the world. This paper unpacks this persistent achievement gap by examining key characteristics that influence the performance of first- and second-generation immigrant students as well as the policies and practices that are associated with enhanced educational outcomes. A multi-layered framework is proposed to help policymakers juxtapose key characteristics of their immigrant students’ achievement against individual, family, school, community, and host society characteristics and policies. The discussion also underscores the importance of connecting this multi-layered framework with other important sectors within governments such as those responsible for the economy, health, social protection, and immigration. This paper also examines limitations with current large-scale data sets and the implications for research and policy analysis.
Chimney Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using Endurant Stent-Grafts With Bare Balloon-Expandable Stents for Patients With Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Morikage Noriyasu , Mizoguchi Takahiro , Takeuchi Yuriko , Nagase Takashi , Samura Makoto , Ueda Koshiro , Suehiro Kotaro , Hamano Kimikazu
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the advantages of chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (chEVAR) using an Endurant stent-graft with uncovered balloon-expandable stents (BES) for patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients (mean age 78.5±9.0 years; 13 men) who underwent chEVAR using Endurant and uncovered BES between January 2014 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The maximum aneurysm diameter was 59.1±11.9 mm, and the proximal neck length was 5.2±2.9 mm. Of the 22 cases, 9 (40%) involved proximal neck angulation and 9 (40%) had a conical neck. Single and double chimneys were performed using BES in 19 and 3 cases, respectively. In 2 cases, an additional self-expanding covered stent was used inside the uncovered BES. Results: The technical success was 91% (20/22) as 2 (9%) cases showed minor type Ia endoleak. No postoperative systemic complications or acute renal dysfunction (Acute Kidney Injury Network classification stage 2 or higher) were observed. The mean radiologic observation period was 16.1±9.6 months, and no aneurysm expansion (>5 mm) was observed during this time. The mean maximum aneurysm diameter decreased to 52.9±10.2 mm (p<0.001 vs preoperative), with an individual mean sac regression of 6.2±5.9 mm. Overall primary chimney stent patency was 100%. One of the 2 cases of intraoperative type Ia endoleak resolved at the 6-month imaging, and no new type Ia endoleaks developed in any cases at follow-up. No additional treatment- or aneurysm-related events were observed. Conclusion: Short-term outcomes of chEVAR using Endurant with uncovered BES have been favorable when covered stents were unavailable, and it can be useful for high-risk patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms.
Surgery and Conservative Management of Camptodactyly in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Annie M. Q. , Kim Min , Ho Emily S. , Davidge Kristen M.
Published: March 2019

Camptodactyly is a pediatric hand condition, the treatment of which remains controversial. The authors’ aim was to improve patient care through clarifying the definition of camptodactyly and indications for surgical and/or conservative management, summarizing outcomes, and defining risks. A systematic review was conducted of articles in all languages on outcomes following surgical and/or conservative management of idiopathic camptodactyly in children using MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database), AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature) (until January 2017). The primary outcome was posttreatment flexion contracture, and the secondary outcomes were indications for surgery, complications, and patient satisfaction. Database searching generated 16 final articles, with 7 case series and 9 retrospective cohort studies. There was a lack of consistency on the definition of camptodactyly and in outcome reporting. All 16 studies received a “Weak” global rating and demonstrated low-quality evidence, suggesting that treatment of camptodactyly with operative or nonoperative measures reduces the degree of flexion contracture in most patients (from pretreatment averages of 20°-85° to posttreatment averages of 5°-37°). There was general agreement that surgery should be reserved for contracture >30° or failure to respond to conservative management. Surgery generally led to more complications compared with conservative management. Only one study reported on functional limitations, and another reported on patient-reported outcomes. Current evidence of the effectiveness of camptodactyly treatment in addressing both joint-specific deformity and patient-perceived function and appearance is insufficient to guide patient care. Future research may consider the development of decision aids to guide patients and families through selecting management strategies and to promote shared decision making.
Streets of the ‘spice zombies’: Dependence and poverty stigma in times of austerity
Authors: Alexandrescu Liviu
Published: March 2019

Following the 2016 general ban on new psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoids (‘spice’-type drugs) have moved into unregulated street markets and have become popular among homeless populations in the United Kingdom. Images of so-called ‘spice zombies’, rough sleepers in public spaces experiencing severe substance-induced fits, have been used by local and national media to suggest the growing scale of the problem. This article proposes that such depictions should be read through a cultural analysis rooted in the political economy of austerity policies, where the twofold stigma of substance and welfare dependencies directs guilt at the poor, concealing the systemic cruelty of benefits reforms. Through the circulation of such tropes and the ridiculing of a superfluous abject underclass that embodies them, media and political discourses of the ‘broken society’ highlight an evident need for welfare reduction and more generally for the austerity project.
Acetyl-cholinesterase Inhibition by Extracts and Isolated Flavones from Linaria reflexa Desf. (Scrophulariaceae)
Authors: Loizzo Monica Rosa , Tundis Rosa , Menichini Federica , Bonesi Marco , Statti Giancarlo Antonio , Deguin Brigitte , Tillequin François , Menichini Francesco , Houghton Peter J
Published: March 2019

Extracts, linariin, isolinariin A and B obtained from Linaria reflexa Desf. (Scrophulariaceae) were tested for acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity using Ellman's method. A dose-response relationship was observed for all extracts and isolated compounds. Flavones exhibited IC50 values ranging from 0.27 μM to 0.30 μM. The structure-activity relationship was briefly discussed.
Two New Sulfated Sterols from the Marine Sponge Lendenfeldia dendyi
Authors: Radwan Mohamed M. , Manly Susan P. , Ross Samir A.
Published: March 2019

Two new sulfated steroids, 3β, 5α, 6β- trihydroxy-24-methylene-cholesta-7-ene-3-sodium sulfate (1) and 3β, 5α, 6β-trihydroxy-23 E-24-methyl-cholesta-7,23-diene-3-sodium sulfate (2) have been isolated from the sponge, Lendenfeldia dendyi. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (IR, HRMS, 1H and 13C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, COSY and ROESY). The two metabolites lacked antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptococcus neoformans, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Aspergillus fumigatus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSa).
Identification of the Major Constituents in Shi-Quan-Da-Bu Decoction by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS
Authors: Tao Sijia , Chen Guangtong , Yang Min , Deng Shaosheng , Zhang Jinqiang , Guo De-an
Published: March 2019

An HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS method was established for the qualitative analysis of the major constituents in Shi-Quan-Da-Bu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal formula. Based on the chromatographic separation of most of the constituents of Shi-Quan-Da-Bu decoction on a Zorbax SB-C18 column with water-acetonitrile as the mobile phase, more than 150 components were detected by LC-MS. Among them, 36 major components, including flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins, iridoid glycosides, phathalides and phenylpropionic acids were either identified or tentatively characterized. Twenty one compounds were identified by ESI-MS and comparison of their retention times with those of reference standards. The other 15 compounds were deduced according to their MS and UV spectra and retention behaviors by comparing the results with those reported in the literature. Most of these compounds were derived mainly from Paeonia lactiflora, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Panax ginseng, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus.
Dihydrostilbenes from Indigofera Pulchra
Authors: Musa Aliyu , Haruna A. K. , Ilyas M. , Ahmadu Augustine , Gibbons Simon , Rahman M. Mukhlesur
Published: March 2019

A mixture of two new dihydrostilbenes, 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-4′- O-(2ξ,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-dihydrostilbene (1) and 3,5-dimethoxy-4′- O-(2ξ,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-dihydrostilbene (2), was isolated from Indigofera pulchra as an inseparable mixture. Several isolation strategies, including multiple preparative TLC, SPE and finally HPLC were undertaken in an attempt to separate these metabolites, but to no avail. Structure elucidation on the mixture was conducted and we were able to establish the structures of these compounds unambiguously by MS and a series of 1D and 2D-NMR analyses. The mixture of these dihydrostilbenes was analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and 1 and 2 were in a ratio of 52:48, respectively, and this was evaluated against a panel of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant variants of this organism, including a strain over-expressing the NorA efflux pump; weak activity was observed.
Chemotaxonomic Relationships in Celastraceae Inferred from Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS)
Authors: Cruz Ana V. Mello , Ferreira Marcelo J. P. , Scotti Marcus T. , Kaplan Maria A. C. , Emerenciano Vicente P.
Published: March 2019

This paper describes a chemotaxonomic analysis of a database of triterpenoid compounds from the Celastraceae family using principal component analysis (PCA). The numbers of occurrences of thirty types of triterpene skeleton in different tribes of the family were used as variables. The study shows that PCA applied to chemical data can contribute to an intrafamilial classification of Celastraceae, once some questionable taxa affinity was observed, from chemotaxonomic inferences about genera and they are in agreement with the phylogeny previously proposed. The inclusion of Hippocrateaceae within Celastraceae is supported by the triterpene chemistry.
Analgesic Properties of New Pyrrolidinomorphinane Derivatives: Revealing Potential Pathways
Authors: Morozova Ekaterina A. , Tolstikova Tatiana G. , Bolkunov Alexey V. , Dolgikh Margarita P. , Shul'ts Elvira E.
Published: March 2019

The pyrrolidinomorphinane derivatives have been found to be active in the writhing tests in mice with the analgesic effect being antagonized by naloxone. This suggests that analgesia is mediated by the opioid system. The compounds also displayed anti-inflammatory activity in formalin and histamine edema experimental models and the data may be evidence for anti-inflammatory activity involvement in the inhibition of pain reaction.
A Chemical Marker Proposal for the Lantana genus: Composition of the Essential Oils from the Leaves of Lantana radula and L. canescens
Authors: Filho José G. Sena , Xavier Haroudo S. , Filho José M. Barbosa , Duringer Jennifer M.
Published: March 2019

Essential oil extracts from the leaves of two Lantana species ( L. radula Sw. and L. canescens Kunth), for which no prior analysis has been reported, were analyzed by GC-MS. This information was utilized to propose chemical markers for Lantana species so that identification between physically similar plant species can be achieved through chemical analysis. Results showed 33 constituents for L. canescens, among which β-caryophyllene (43.9%), β-cubebene (10.1%), elixene (8.6%), β-phellandrene (6.1%), α-caryophyllene (2.6%) and dehydro-aromadendrene (2.6%) were the principle components. L. radula revealed the presence of 21 compounds, the most abundant of which were β-cubebene (31.0%), β-caryophyllene (20.8%), elixene (10.0%), α-salinene (6.4%), β-phellandrene (6.1%), copaene (4.9%) cadinene (1.4%) and psi-limonene (1.4%). The high concentration of β-caryophyllene in the samples tested here and those in the literature make it a good candidate for a chemical marker for Lantana species, with β-cubebene, elixene and β-phellandrene following as minor compounds identified more sporadically in this genus. On the other hand, Lippia species, which are morphologically similar to those from the Lantana genus, would contain limonene, citral, carvacrol, β-myrcene, camphor and thymol as the main chemical markers. These chemical markers would be a powerful tool for maintaining quality control in the extraction of essential oils for use in medicinal applications, as well as in identification of plant specimens to a taxonomist.
Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Gentiana Species
Authors: Yang Jun-Li , Liu Lei-Lei , Shi Yan-Ping
Published: March 2019

Gentiana, a cosmopolitan and important genus of the Gentianaceae family, comprises over 300 species distributed among the world. Phytochemical investigations on the title genus have led to characterization of almost two hundred secondary metabolites. Some of them have shown promising bioactivities. Herein, we have summarized the phytochemical and pharmacological progress of this genus. This review covers the period 1960-June, 2009.
Antioxidants from the Leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense
Authors: Cheng Kuo-Chen , Hsueh Man-Chun , Chang Hou-Chien , Lee Alan Yueh-Luen , Wang Hui-Min , Chen Chung-Yi
Published: March 2019

Two novel antioxidants, obtusilactone A (1) and (-)-sesamin (2) have been identified in Cinnamomum kotoense Kanehira. Both showed effective 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity compared with vitamin C, and reducing power compared with BHA. These results suggest that these constituents of C. kotoense act as natural antioxidants and play a potential role in cancer prevention.
Four New Eremophilane-Type Alcohols from Cremanthodium Helianthus Collected in China
Authors: Saito Yoshinori , Ichihara Mayu , Okamoto Yasuko , Gong Xun , Kuroda Chiaki , Tori Motoo
Published: March 2019

Four new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid alcohols were isolated from Cremanthodium helianthus collected in China and their structures established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. All of them had 9-en-8-one partial structures with one more double bond either Δ11, Δ11(13), or Δ7(11). Two of them had a hydroxy group at C-1 position.
Culcitiolides A-D, Four New Eremophilane-Type Sesquiterpene Derivatives from Senecio Culcitioides
Authors: Nozaki Hiroshi , Hayashi Ken-ichiro , Kawai Mikiko , Mitsui Taichi , Kido Masahiro , Tani Hiroyuki , Takaoka Daisuke , Uno Hidemitsu , Ohira Susumu , Kuboki Atsuto , Matsuura Nobuyasu
Published: March 2019

Four new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, culcitiolides A-D, were isolated from the stem of Senecio culcitioides Sch. Bip (Asteraceae). Their structures were established by detailed 2D NMR spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray experiments. These compounds were assessed for inhibitory activity against nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Culcitiolides C and D at 20 μM showed 97 and 100% inhibition of NF-κB activity, respectively.
Identification of the Plant Origin of the Botanical Biomarkers of Mediterranean type Propolis
Authors: Popova Milena , Trusheva Boryana , Cutajar Simone , Antonova Daniela , Mifsud David , Farrugia Claude , Bankova Vassya
Published: March 2019

Propolis is a honeybee product which bees produce by collecting resins from various botanical sources. The chemical composition of propolis is directly dependant on the availability of resinous plant materials in different geographic regions. This study was undertaken to evaluate the resinous plant sources used by bees to produce Mediterranean type propolis. Although this propolis type has already been the subject of numerous studies, its major botanical source had not yet been identified. In this study, using GC-MS analysis, we identify the resin of the common cypress, Cupressus sempervirens, as the major plant source of the characteristic diterpene fingerprint profile of Mediterranean propolis.
Chemical Composition, Olfactory Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Thymus vulgaris Chemotypes Geraniol, 4-Thujanol/Terpinen-4-ol, Thymol and Linalool Cultivated in Southern France
Authors: Schmidt Erich , Wanner Jürgen , Höferl Martina , Jirovetz Leopold , Buchbauer Gerhard , Gochev Velizar , Girova Tania , Stoyanova Albena , Geissler Margit
Published: March 2019

The essential oils of four chemotypes of Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) were analyzed for their composition and antibacterial activity to assess their different properties. GC-MS and GC-FID analyses revealed that the essentials oils can be classified into the chemotypes thymol (41.0% thymol), geraniol (26.4% geraniol), linalool (72.5% linalool) and 4-thujanol/terpinen-4-ol (42.2% cis- and 7.3% trans-sabinene hydrate, 6.5 % terpinen-4-ol). The olfactory examination confirmed the explicit differences between these chemotypes. Furthermore, antibacterial activity was investigated against several strains of two Gram-positive ( Brochothrix thermosphacta and Staphylococcus aureus) and four Gram-negative food-borne bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella abony, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. fragi). All essential oil samples were demonstrated to be highly effective against Gram-positive strains, whereas the impact on Gramnegative microorganisms was significantly smaller, but still considerable. The results obtained indicate that, despite their different properties, the essential oils of selected T. vulgaris chemotypes are potent antimicrobials to be employed as useful additives in food products as well as for therapeutic applications.