bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurodegenerative Patterns of Cognitive Clusters of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Subjects: Evidence for Disease Heterogeneity
Authors: Phillips Meredith L. , Stage, Jr. Eddie C. , Lane Kathleen A. , Gao Sujuan , Risacher Shannon L. , Goukasian Naira , Saykin Andrew J. , Carrillo Maria C. , Dickerson Bradford C. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Apostolova Liana G. ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: January 2020

Background/Aims: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with onset before 65 (early-onset AD [EOAD]) occurs in approximately 6% of cases and can affect nonmemory domains. Here, we analyze patterns of impairment in amnestic EOAD individuals using data-driven statistical analyses. Methods: Cognitive data of 146 EOAD subjects were Z-normalized to 395 cognitively normal (CN) individuals. Domain-averaged Z-scores were adjusted for age, sex, and education followed by Wald cluster analysis of residuals. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography comparisons of EOAD clusters to age-matched CN were done using Statistic Parametric Mapping 8. Cluster-level-family-wise error (p < 0.05) correction was applied. Mixed-effect models were used to compute longitudinal change across clusters. Results: Scree plot using the pseudo-T-squared suggested a 4-cluster solution. Cluster 1 (memory-predominant impairment) showed atrophy/hypometabolism in medial/lateral temporal, lateral parietal, and posterior cingulate regions. Cluster 2 (memory/visuospatial-predominant) showed atrophy/hypometabolism of medial temporal, temporoparietal, and frontal cortices. Cluster 3 (memory, language, and executive function) and Cluster 4 (globally impaired) manifested atrophy and hypometabolism throughout the brain. Longitudinally between-cluster differences in the visuospatial and language/executive domains were significant, suggesting phenotypic variation. Conclusion: We observed significant heterogeneity in cognitive presentation among amnestic EOAD subjects and patterns of atrophy/hypometabolism in each cluster in agreement with the observed cognitive phenotype.
Levodopa-Responsive Primary Slow Orthostatic Tremor: A Premotor Sign of Parkinson’s Disease?
Authors: Yoshii Fumihito , Takahashi Wakoh , Aono Koji
Published: January 2020

We present a case of primary orthostatic tremor (OT) responsive to dopaminergic medication. The patient was a 62-year-old woman, who had leg tremor on standing for 2 years. No parkinsonian or other neurological signs were observed. Surface electromyography of the quadriceps muscles showed regular 5–6 Hz muscle discharges. [123I]-FP-CIT DAT-SPECT imaging revealed decreased specific binding ratio values in the striatum compared with age-matched controls. Her leg tremor almost completely disappeared following administration of levodopa 200 mg and pramipexole 0.75 mg. Since her OT with low-frequency discharge was responsive to dopaminergic medication, we speculate that it may be a premotor sign of Parkinson’s disease.
Microspherophakia in a 47, XYY Syndrome Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Rubalcava-Soberanis Maria Lourdes , Antonio-Aguirre Bani , Mendoza Velásquez Cristina , Perez-Ortiz Andric Christopher , Palacio-Pastrana Claudia
Published: January 2020

47, XYY syndrome affects males with variable phenotypic expression. Around 80–99% of affected individuals present low-set ears, malar flattening, motor delay, and tall stature. Yet, some cases lack signs or symptoms or are barely noticeable. There are four reports of ocular involvement among these individuals – one with unusual multiple retinal atrophic holes in the posterior pole, other with coloboma, an association with morning glory syndrome, and a case of congenital cataract. Here, we describe a plausible new ocular sign in a 4-year-old male with 47, XYY syndrome who was brought to the outpatient clinic for vision loss. After a complete assessment, we diagnosed a right-sided phacomorphic glaucoma and microspherophakia treated with phacoemulsification and aspiration with posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy, followed by an Ahmed valve implant for intraocular pressure control. Even though there is a low prevalence of ocular involvement in 47, XYY syndrome cases, this might reflect the rarity of the full expression of the disease leading to an underdiagnosis, added to the scarcity of cases. Microspherophakia and phacomorphic glaucoma among four others previously reported ocular findings could be looked for in 47, XYY syndrome patients.
Agricultura urbana e Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional
Authors: Daufenback Vanessa , Machado Letícia , Bógus Claudia Maria
Published: January 2020

Nas últimas décadas, instituições como a FAO [Organização das Nações Unidas para a Alimentação e a Agricultura] vêm justificando a prática da agricultura urbana (AU) como uma atividade fundamental para superação da fome e da miséria. No Brasil foi elaborado um Panorama sobre Agricultura Urbana e Periurbana, no qual a prática é vinculada com obtenção da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN).

O estudo possui natureza de revisão sistemática, no qual foi utilizada a base de dados Scielo, devido à sua maior abrangência e interdisciplinaridade de publicações e temas. Optou-se por fazer uma busca por artigos latino-americanos, pensando no pioneirismo de Cuba nas ações de AU. Primeiramente, foi feita uma busca utilizando a palavra-chave “agricultura urbana”, através da qual foram encontrados 156 artigos. No segundo momento, foi realizada outra seleção pensando nos títulos e nas palavras-chaves disponíveis nos documentos, chegando ao final de 32 artigos. Após o descarte de artigos que não eram latino-americanos, chegou-se a 26 artigos que faziam correlação, mesmo que primária entre AU e SAN.

Apenas 5 trabalhos fazem uma relação direta entre SAN e AU, sendo que os demais artigos apenas exploraram alguma dimensão presente neste conceito. De forma geral, os trabalhos mostraram que existe uma multiplicidade nas experiências de AU nos países latino-americanos, com destaque para o debate da sustentabilidade. Notou-se que ainda não existe uma definição concreta ao redor do que seja AU; a maioria dos estudos traz definições amplas que vão da produção de alimentos à questão ambiental. Poucos estudos levantam a problemática do agricultor urbano e da escala de produção enquanto elemento central à promoção da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, apesar de promover o princípio da Soberania Alimentar e Nutricional (troca de sementes, preservação de tradições de plantio). Apesar de representar uma atividade com valor simbólico-afetiva, de formação de laços comunitários e promoção de saúde, a maioria dos estudos aponta algumas problemáticas importantes: contaminação do cultivo por metais pesados, dificuldades para atingir sustentabilidade ambiental, social e econômica, principalmente para agricultores, que acabam por trabalhar em outros setores; ausência de assistência técnica permanente e de inclusão social dos agricultores, em sua maioria migrantes vulneráveis de regiões rurais, residindo em áreas de grande vulnerabilidade. Essa amplitude pode explicar a não formalização de um conceito para agricultura urbana, que é entendido como um conceito aberto que pode trazer vários significados. Conclui-se que poucos estudos analisam a vinculação entre AU e SAN, mesmo no Brasil, onde o direito humano à alimentação adequada é um direito constitucional. Em geral, a agricultura urbana é vinculada à sustentabilidade ambiental, na criação de cidades mais verdes melhorando a qualidade de vida de seus habitantes.
Aspectos da cultura de consumo de álcool dos grupos escravizados
Authors: Avelar Lucas Endrigo Brunozi
Published: January 2020

No século XVIII a ideologia religiosa associava a ingestão de álcool pelos escravizados com a fonte dos pecados e no século XIX com a origem de males morais. Exemplo desta ideologia aparece quando, ao descrever as senzalas que observou, o viajante Ribeyrolles refere-se a elas como sendo “antros, onde reinam às vezes as distrações e prazeres bestiais da embriaguez, em que jamais se fala do passado, porque é a dor, nem do futuro porque está cerrado”. A senzala então seria o espaço dominado pelo prazer bestial da embriaguez escrava, por sua vez, momento de negação completa (“jamais”) do trabalho de memória marcado pelo sofrimento e negação completa do planejamento do porvir. Ademais, o consumo de álcool parecia apenas acontecer em excesso, como se não houvesse uso regulado e socialmente aceito entre os grupos escravizados.

Estudando a “macumba paulista”, Roger Bastide encontra relato de que naquele ritual faziam “‘um feitiço’ diante da imagem de Cristo, ao pé do qual puseram pinga e mandioca”. Câmara Cascudo informa que a aguardente penetrou o cerimonial religioso e se integrou ao “patrimônio oblacional africano”. Uma série de outras referências dão notícia da presença do álcool destilado presente nas experiências religiosas dos grupos escravizados. Nas festividades do cachambu e do jongo, por exemplo, a pinga é usada para molhar o couro dos tambores e afiná-los na fogueira, não apenas para ingestão. Por sua vez, ao estudar a vida cotidiana dos escravizados no Rio de Janeiro do século XIX, Mary Karash acrescentou outras razões do lugar da cachaça entre os africanos e seus descendentes: baixo preço, gênero básico da dieta, complemento alimentar (carência de alimentos nutritivos), socialmente aceitável entre os próprios escravizados e provoca embriaguez.

Tomando como horizonte conceitual as noções de gramática profunda (Mintz e Price) e memória subterrânea (Michael Pollak), pretendo nesta apresentação expor os resultados parciais do significado do consumo do álcool destilado durante a escravidão brasileira do período imperial, com destaque para a dimensão religiosa e embriagante da ingestão alcoólica. A proposta é fazer a crítica desta ideologia racista da embriaguez escrava identificando traços de uma cultura etílica afro-orientada, forjada no Sudeste escravista e que ainda guarda reminiscências nas práticas contemporâneas. Deste modo pretendemos investigar em que medida esta cultura de consumo alcoólico foi elemento de resistência ao cativeiro.
Taxonomy of the genus Medhiama Bordoni, 2002 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini) with descriptions of three new species
Authors: ZHOU YU-LINGZI , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: January 2020

The taxonomy of the genus Medhiama Bordoni, 2002 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini) wasstudied in this paper, with the descriptions of three new species: Medhiama xiaolongmenensis sp. n. from Beijing andSichuan, M. liupanshanensis sp. n. from Ningxia and M. nigromagna sp. n. from Sichuan. The number of species of thegenus Medhiama therefore increased to 16. Five existing species are redescribed and/or their female diagnosticcharacteristics are also added. A key to 13 species is provided, not including the three which are known from singlefemales. The geographical distributions of the species are shown on maps. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZ-CAS).
A taxonomic review of the genus Neptosternus Sharp of China with the description of a new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Laccophilinae)
Authors: ZHAO SHUANG , HÁJEK JIŘÍ , JIA FENGLONG , PANG HONG
Published: January 2020

Chinese species of Neptosternus Sharp, 1882 are reviewed. Neptosternus punctatus sp. nov. from Guangdong is describedand illustrated. Neptosternus yanbini Bian & Ji, 2009, described from Hainan, is shown to be a junior subjective synonymof the widely distributed Oriental Neptosternus hydaticoides (Régimbart, 1877) (syn. nov.). Neptosternus strnadi Hendrich& Balke, 1997 and N. maculatus Hendrich & Balke, 1997 are recorded from China for the first time. Anotherspecies—Neptosternus wewalkai Balke, Hendrich & Yang, 1997, known previously only from a single female from northernVietnam—is re-described based on male and female specimens from Guangxi, and also recorded from China for the firsttime. Neptosternus pocsi Satô, 1972 is removed from the Chinese fauna. A key to the six Neptosternus occurring in mainland China is presented.
The Hydraenidae of Cuba (Insecta: Coleoptera) I: Contribution to the fauna of eastern Cuba
Authors: DELER-HERNÁNDEZ ALBERT , DELGADO JUAN A.
Published: January 2020

Beginning in eastern Cuba, a systematic survey on the aquatic beetle fauna of that country is presently being carried out.We present a comprehensive account of the six species of the family Hydraenidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) so far collectedin this region. A new species, Hydraena franklyni is described. Detailed data on the new record of H. guadelupensis andthe four previously known Cuban species are also included. Remarks on their external morphology, descriptions of somemorphological features not previously described, distributional maps, and notes on their ecology are given for all sixspecies. In order to facilitate their identification, a simple key to adults of the six species is provided. Although the faunaof Hydraenidae in eastern Cuba may not include further species, the total Cuban fauna of this family is not yet completely known.
Pupae of Mesozoic Jurochlus Kalugina, 1985 (Diptera: Chironomidae), with description of four new species
Authors: LUKASHEVICH ELENA D. , PRZHIBORO ANDREY A.
Published: January 2020

The Mesozoic chironomid genus Jurochlus Kalugina, 1985, known only as pupae, is reviewed. Four new species ofJurochlus are described from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits of Mongolia, viz. J. trivittatus sp. nov.,J. limbatus sp. nov., J. lineatus sp. nov. (Shar Teg, J 3 ) and J. adustus sp. nov. (Khutel Khara, J 3 /K 1 ). Both previouslydescribed species, J. sibiricus Kalugina, 1985 and J. rigor Kalugina, 1985, are re-described in detail based on re-examination of the holotypes. The diagnosis of the genus Jurochlus is emended and its systematic position (probably Podonominae or Tanypodinae) is discussed.
The new genus Acrocephalomyia, and a new species of Ropalomera from Costa Rica, with additional records for other Mesoamerican species (Diptera: Ropalomeridae)
Authors: IBÁÑEZ-BERNAL SERGIO , HERNÁNDEZ-ORTIZ VICENTE
Published: January 2020

New taxa of the family Ropalomeridae from Costa Rica are described, and additional records of ropalomerid flies fromMexico and Central America are provided. The new genus and species Acrocephalomyia zumbadoi can be easily distin-guished from all other ropalomerid genera by the following combination of characters: angular forward projection of head,absence of ocelli, flat face, bare arista, long scutum, and scutellum triangular-shaped and dorsally flattened with only onepair of apical bristles with bases approximated. The new species Ropalomera aterrima can be recognized from congenersby remarkable differences of the head, the shape of the scutellum, the absence of scutal vittae, fumose wings, and by theblack coloration of the body, ocellar bristles large, one postpronotal bristle, scutum without pollinose vittae and flat scutellum. Lenkokroeberia chryserea Prado and Kroeberia fuliginosa Lindner are newly confirmed for Costa Rica.
Treatment of Femoral Traumatic Fractures with a Custom Bridge Combined Fixation System
Authors: Wu Yipeng , Wang Yi , Li Yang , He Xiaoqing , Wei Mingjie , Li Yancunxin , Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Yongqing
Published: January 2020

Background: With the development of transportation in modern China, the incidence of traumatic fracture and the global degree of fracture complexity are increasing. This study explored the use and curative effect of a novel custom-manufactured bridge combined fixation system
for traumatic fractures of the femur. The bridge combined fixation system can be tailored to the specific patient's requirements by bending the rods and sliding the attachment modules. Methods: From May 2013 to August 2017, 14 patients with traumatic femur fractures were managed with
the bridge combined fixation system. The operation was conducted according to the routine incision approach of femur fracture. The patients were given early postoperative functional rehabilitation exercise. The curative effect was evaluated according to clinical manifestations, postoperative
imaging, and a self-developed standard for bone healing. Results: All patients were followed for 12–24 (median: 12.5) months. Fracture healing was assessed based on clinical symptoms and postoperative X-ray. After 3 months, complete weight-bearing on the affected leg was painless.
X-ray showed that the fracture line had disappeared by 6–9 months postoperatively and showed bone healing. According to the self-developed standard for bone healing, 13/14 (92.8%) patients achieved excellent/good clinical outcomes. Bone union was achieved in all patients within 2 years.
Conclusion: The custommanufactured bridge combined fixation system is simple and can effectively achieve tailored reduction of the fracture. The fixation was stable, with few complications after surgery and with good treatment effect for traumatic fractures.
A Comparison Study of Primary Care Utilization and Mental Health Disorder Diagnoses Among Children In and Out of Foster Care on Medicaid
Authors: Keefe Rachael J. , Van Horne Bethanie S. , Cain Cary M. , Budolfson Katherine , Thompson Richard , Greeley Christopher S.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the utilization of primary care services and presence of mental health disorder diagnoses among children in foster care to children on Medicaid not in foster care in a large health system. The data for this study were analyzed from a clinical database of a multipractice pediatric health system in Houston, Texas. The sample included more than 95 000 children covered by Medicaid who had at least one primary care visit during the 2-year study period. The results of the study demonstrated that children not in foster care had a greater number of primary care visits and the odds of having >3 visits were significantly lower for children in foster care with a mental health disorder diagnosis. Additionally, more than a quarter of children in foster care had a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, compared with 15% of children not in foster care.
Testing the Status-Legitimacy Hypothesis in China: Objective and Subjective Socioeconomic Status Divergently Predict System Justification
Authors: Li Wenqi , Yang Ying , Wu Junhui , Kou Yu
Published: January 2020

The status-legitimacy hypothesis proposes that people with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to justify the social system than those with higher SES. However, empirical studies found inconsistent findings. In the present research, we argue that at least part of the confusion stems from the possibility that objective and subjective SES are differently related to system justification. On one hand, subjective SES is more related to status maintenance motivation and may increase system justification. On the other hand, objective SES is more related to access to information about the social reality, which may increase criticism about the system and lead to lower system justification. These hypotheses were supported by evidence from five studies (total N = 26,134) involving both adult and adolescent samples in China. We recommend that future research on status-related issues needs to distinguish the potential divergent roles of objective and subjective SES.
Communicating Commitment: A Relationship-Protection Account of Dyadic Displays on Social Media
Authors: Krueger Kori L. , Forest Amanda L.
Published: January 2020

People often make their romantic relationships visible to others through dyadic displays (DDs). Yet, their reasons for doing so are not well-understood. We proposed and tested a relationship-protection account of DD use, focusing on a social media environment. We predicted that relationship-protection motivation would predict DDs and that DDs would serve a relationship-protective function. In Study 1, a correlational study of romantically involved Facebook users, relationship-protection motivation positively predicted DD use on Facebook even when controlling for feelings of interconnectedness. Relationship-protection motivation also mediated effects of relationship satisfaction and commitment on DD use. In Study 2, participants perceived a target whose Facebook profile we experimentally manipulated to include DDs (vs. not) as more likely to be in a high-quality relationship and less receptive to romantic advances from others, with implications for participants’ interest in affiliating with the target. Our findings support a relationship-protection account of DD use on social media.
Artificial Life
Authors: Belk Russell , Humayun Mariam , Gopaldas Ahir
Published: January 2020

In this article, we explore how the history and myths about Artificial Life (AL) inform the pursuit and reception of contemporary AL technologies. First, we show that long before the contemporary fields of robotics and genomics, ancient civilizations attempted to create AL in the magical and religious pursuits of automata and alchemy. Next, we explore four persistent cultural myths surrounding AL—namely, those of Pygmalion, Golem, Frankenstein, and Metropolis. These myths offer several insights into why humanity is both fascinated with and fearful of AL. Thereafter, we distinguish contemporary approaches to AL, including biochemical or “wet” approaches (e.g., artificial organs), electromechanical or “hard” approaches (e.g., robot companions), and software-based or “soft” approaches (e.g., digital voice assistants). We also outline an emerging approach to AL that combines all three of the preceding approaches in pursuit of “transhumanism.” We then map out how the four historical myths surrounding AL shape modern society’s reception of the four contemporary AL pursuits. Doing so reveals the enduring human fears that must be addressed through careful development of ethical guidelines for public policy that ensure human safety, dignity, and morality. We end with two sets of questions for future research: one supportive of AL and one more skeptical and cautious.
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Anti-Aquaporin 4 Channel Immunoglobulin in an Australian Pediatric Demyelination Cohort
Authors: Dahan Ariel , Brilot Fabienne , Leventer Richard , Kornberg Andrew J. , Dale Russell C. , Yiu Eppie M.
Published: January 2020

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is uncommon in children, and often seronegative for aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG). We conducted a retrospective study of 67 children presenting to a single Australian center with acquired demyelinating syndromes over a 7-year period. All patients were tested for AQP4-IgG. Five children (7.5%) had neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. One child was seropositive for AQP4-IgG (1.5%) and had a relapsing disease course with mild residual deficits. She also had a concomitant motor axonal neuropathy that improved with immunosuppressive therapy. Of the remaining 4 children, 3 had a monophasic course and 1 a relapsing course. Two were tested for anti–myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) antibody and both were seropositive. This study confirms that neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is uncommon in children, and that AQP4-IgG seropositivity is rare. Anti-MOG antibodies should be tested in children with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Modified acellular porcine corneal matrix in deep lamellar transplantation of rabbit cornea
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhou Hang , Sun Yongqiang , Cao Chengbo , Pang Kunpeng
Published: January 2020

This study presents to develop a modified acellular porcine corneal matrix (MAPCM) to maintain high transparency, stability and biocompatibility as a rabbit deep cornea replacement using 1-ethyl-3–(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide crosslinking and a mild decellularization technique. Scaffolds are translucent and remain higher amount of glycosaminoglycans after decellularization than acellular porcine corneal matrix (APCM). Enzymatic degradation kinetics and mechanical properties of scaffolds are regulated by 1-ethyl-3–(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide -crosslinking density. The porous structure and ultrastructure of collagenous lamellae are maintained, and the pore size of MAPCM crosslinked with 0.5% (w/v) 1-ethyl-3–(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide is 13.26 ± 1.65 µm, similar to that of normal porcine cornea. The transmittance of MAPCM gets 79.1 ± 0.45 to 92.7 ± 1.4% in the visible light range. Results from a CCK-8 assay indicate that MAPCM gets higher cell proliferation rate of rabbit corneal stroma cells than APCM. Since collagen fibres structural integrity and regularity of MAPCM are retained after crosslinking, the opacity and stability of MAPCM are better than those of APCM within 4 weeks of animal implantation. In addition, there is no indication of an immune response or neovascularization in or around the transplanted disc. These results reveal that MAPCM may be a more suitable scaffold for corneal substitute construction.
Using Motivational Interviewing to Support the Coming Out Process
Authors: McGeough Briana
Published: January 2020

Despite the significance of coming out for many sexual minority individuals, the literature contains few resources for service providers who are attempting to support clients with decisions of if, when, and how to come out. Given the focus of motivational interviewing on resolving ambivalence, motivational interviewing is uniquely situated among clinical interventions to support individuals who are making these decisions. This study aims to (a) summarize the mental health needs of coming out individuals, (b) describe existing adaptations of motivational interviewing to support sexual minority individuals, and (c) apply motivational interviewing tools and strategies to the coming out process, with the intention of improving the quality of services that sexual minority therapy clients receive as they navigate decisions about whether or how to come out.
The Influence of Intuition on Human Resource Officers’ Perspectives on Hiring Teachers of Color
Authors: Goings Ramon B. , Walker Larry J. , Wade Keah L.
Published: January 2020

There has been growing scholarly discourse on the topic of diversifying the teacher workforce. However, the perspectives of human resource officers (HROs), who are often involved in the hiring of teachers, are excluded. As a result, this qualitative study explores 12 school district HROs’ perspectives on diversifying the teacher workforce and how intuition specifically influences their hiring decisions of teachers of color. Findings suggest HROs use intuition in determining a candidate’s fit for the organization, but they have conflicting perspectives on whether intuition should be used in hiring decisions. The participants admit teacher diversity is not always their primary goal in hiring decisions while also acknowledging the importance of a diversified teacher workforce. These findings first point to the importance of including HROs in the scholarly discourse on diversifying the teaching profession as in many ways they operate as gatekeepers for teacher candidates. Moreover, given that participants earned their advanced degrees in educational leadership, findings from this study signal the importance of educational leadership programs being intentional in providing coursework on equitable hiring practices, so hiring decisions are not based only on intuitive hunches, but rather on data.
Multiple Perpetrator Rape Committed by Female Offenders: A Comparison of Solo, Duo, and 3+ Group Offenders
Authors: Wijkman Miriam D. S. , da Silva Teresa
Published: January 2020

Previous studies on multiple perpetrator rapes have shown that male sexual offenders who commit their offense alone differ on offender, offense, and victim characteristics from those who commit their offense in duos and 3+ groups. For the current study, 246 female sexual offenders have been studied regarding their co-offending pattern and the differences in offender, offense, and victim characteristics. Significant differences between solo ( n = 73), duos ( n = 146), and 3+ group offenders ( n = 27) were found for the age at the first conviction, age at the time of the index offense, performed sexual acts, physical and verbal violence, victim gender, victim relationship, victim age, and location where the abuse took place. There were four indicators that could predict the assault type. Co-offenders were more likely than solo offenders to perform penetration on a female, intrafamilial victim who they assaulted indoors. These results have implications for interventions with offenders and criminal justice authorities.
A threat in the network: STEM women in less powerful network positions avoid integrating stereotypically feminine peers
Authors: Bergsieker Hilary B. , Wilmot Matthew O. , Cyr Emily N. , Grey Charnel B.
Published: January 2020

Integrating social identity threat and structural hole theories, this work examines how social network positions affect group-based identity threats. For individuals less well positioned to bridge (or “broker”) relations between unconnected friends, stigma-by-association concerns may constrain affiliation with stereotypic targets. Three experiments ( Ns = 280, 232, 553) test whether women (vs. men) in male-dominated STEM (vs. female-dominated) majors avoid befriending a female target with feminine-stereotypic (vs. STEM-stereotypic) interests. Only STEM women with less brokerage (i.e., less ability to manage introductions to unconnected friends) in their existing friendship networks avoided befriending (pilot experiment) and socially integrating (Experiments 1 and 2) feminine- (vs. STEM-) stereotypic targets, despite standardized target similarity and competence. STEM women in particular anticipated steeper reputational penalties for befriending stereotypically feminine peers (Experiment 2). Social identity threat may lead women in STEM—especially those lacking brokerage—to exclude stereotypically feminine women from social networks, reinforcing stereotypes of women and STEM fields.
A Mosque-Based Qualitative Study on American Muslim Women’s Organ Donation Beliefs
Authors: Duivenbode Rosie , Hall Stephen , Padela Aasim I.
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

Detailed studies on the associations between religious beliefs and organ donation attitudes among religious minorities remain wanting. Although Muslims appear to have low rates of support for donation, how these behaviors relate to religious frameworks requires further investigation.

Methods:

We sought to explore the relationship between religious beliefs (Islam) and organ donation attitudes through focus groups with 43 Muslim women from 5 Chicago-area mosques. Purposive selection of mosques generated near-equal representation of Arabs, South Asians, and African Americans, as well as diversity in education and income. Using the theory of planned behavior as our conceptual framework, we expanded the traditional normative domain to include religiously informed beliefs.

Findings:

We found that the relationship between religious beliefs and Muslim attitudes toward organ donation is more complex than commonly perceived. Regarding the Islamic ethicolegal permissibility of organ donation, participants expressed a range of normative beliefs. Furthermore, participants voiced concerns beyond religious permissibility, including anxieties over modesty violations during the donation process, as well as concerns about purported black market organ trade and medical risks to donors.

Discussion:

Given that participants raised religious, societal, and biomedical concerns regarding organ donation, our findings suggest that effective educational programs should involve nuanced curricula that teach to the plurality of Islamic ethicolegal opinions and discuss transplantation processes within the United States.
End-user practices in equine movement analysis: The potential of objective analysis tools to meet their needs
Authors: Egan Sonja , Brama Pieter AJ , McGrath Denise
Published: January 2020

The use of objective gait analysis tools is becoming increasingly popular in equine research. The advancement of these technologies seeks to promote objective, mobile solutions which can be applied in equine training, monitoring or clinical contexts. This has led to the introduction of various tools in the commercial sphere. However, there has been slow adoption of objective technologies in the applied field. The purpose of this study was to understand existing equine movement analysis processes. We undertook qualitative interviews with industry stakeholders in the elite field to understand what key information they gather through their own, subjective analysis of the horse. We then mapped this information onto the capabilities of existing technologies to see what opportunities exist for user-driven technology solutions in this area. Our study highlights the need for knowledge exchange in the development and deployment of technologies within the equine industry. Commonalities in the important movement features identified by the stakeholders are presented that could be usefully considered and interpreted by future technology developers and researchers with respect to the underpinning biomechanical parameters. Objective technologies designed to capture and integrate these user-based parameters could be developed to augment the current subjective practices in equine analysis and monitoring.
In Vitro Susceptibility of Multidrug Resistant Strains of Salmonella to Essential Oils
Authors: Listorti Valeria , Battistini Roberta , Ercolini Carlo , Tramuta Clara , Razzuoli Elisabetta , Vencia Walter , Decastelli Lucia , Gallina Silvia , Masotti Chiara , Serracca Laura
Published: January 2020

Antimicrobial resistance has become a global threat to public health. There is a critical need to find new antimicrobial substances from natural sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from Origanum vulgare, Thymus serpyllum, Thymus vulgaris, and Melaleuca alternifolia against multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella isolated from samples of diverse animal origin. The strains were biochemically identified, serotyped, and characterized for their antimicrobial resistance profiles. The antimicrobial activity of the EOs against the strains was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method, followed by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentrations. The EOs of T. serpyllum and O. vulgare, which contain carvacrol as the main compound, show excellent antimicrobial activity.
Who is the state? Infrastructural power and everyday water governance in Delhi
Authors: Truelove Yaffa
Published: January 2020

In Indian cities, a variety of state and non-state political actors and institutions play a role in regulating infrastructures in the everyday. Anthropological approaches to the everyday state have demonstrated how residents experience and discursively construct the state in relation to key services and amenities. However, less is known and theorized regarding how city-dwellers and public authorities understand and experience political space and power related to urban infrastructure that includes a variety of actors operating in tandem with, or even outside the bureaucracies and purview of, the state. This article partially addresses this lacuna through ethnographic research on (1) residents’ experiences and narrations of the everyday infrastructural governance of water and (2) the practices of key political actors who engage in regulating urban water infrastructures in Delhi’s neighborhoods. This research demonstrates that political actors’ and residents’ narratives and practices related to the infrastructural governance of water sharply contest both singular and dichotomous (state/non-state) readings of state power, instead revealing nuanced and situated understandings of hybrid and negotiated forms of “infrastructural power.” In particular, the practices and narratives of both residents and political authorities bring attention to the ways social and political power is decentered in the everyday and the porosity of the institutions of everyday infrastructural governance. My findings show the complex ways that infrastructures are tied to differing experiences, understandings, and articulations of power in relation to urban environments.
Conserved genomic neighborhood is a strong but no perfect indicator for a direct interaction of microbial gene products
Authors: Esch Robert , Merkl Rainer
Published: January 2020

Background

The order of genes in bacterial genomes is not random; for example, the products of genes belonging to an operon work together in the same pathway. The cotranslational assembly of protein complexes is deemed to conserve genomic neighborhoods even stronger than a common function. This is why a conserved genomic neighborhood can be utilized to predict, whether gene products form protein complexes.

Results

We were interested to assess the performance of a neighborhood-based classifier that analyzes a large number of genomes. Thus, we determined for the genes encoding the subunits of 494 experimentally verified hetero-dimers their local genomic context. In order to generate phylogenetically comprehensive genomic neighborhoods, we utilized the tools offered by the Enzyme Function Initiative. For each subunit, a sequence similarity network was generated and the corresponding genome neighborhood network was analyzed to deduce the most frequent gene product. This was predicted as interaction partner, if its abundance exceeded a threshold, which was the frequency giving rise to the maximal Matthews correlation coefficient. For the threshold of 16%, the true positive rate was 45%, the false positive rate 0.06%, and the precision 55%. For approximately 20% of the subunits, the interaction partner was not found in a neighborhood of ± 10 genes.

Conclusions

Our phylogenetically comprehensive analysis confirmed that complex formation is a strong evolutionary factor that conserves genome neighborhoods. On the other hand, for 55% of the cases analyzed here, classification failed. Either, the interaction partner was not present in a ± 10 gene window or was not the most frequent gene product.
The application of enhanced recovery after surgery for upper gastrointestinal surgery: Meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Zhen-Dong , Gu Hui-Yun , Zhu Jie , Luo Jie , Shen Xian-Feng , Deng Qi-Feng , Zhang Chao , Li Yan-Bing
Published: January 2020

Background

Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has made great progress in the field of surgery, the guidelines point to the lack of high-quality evidence in upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials in four electronic databases that involved ERAS protocols for upper gastrointestinal surgery were searched through December 12, 2018. The primary endpoints were lung infection, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, postoperative anastomotic leakage and ileus. The secondary endpoints were postoperative length of stay, the time from end of surgery to first flatus and defecation, and readmission rates. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the type of surgery.

Results

A total of 17 studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that there was a decrease in rates of lung infection (RR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.75), postoperative length of stay (MD = -2.53, 95%CI: − 3.42 to − 1.65), time until first postoperative flatus (MD = -0.64, 95%CI: − 0.84 to − 0.45) and time until first postoperative defecation (MD = -1.10, 95%CI: − 1.74 to − 0.47) in patients who received ERAS, compared to conventional care. However, other outcomes were not significant difference. There was no significant difference between ERAS and conventional care in rates of urinary tract infection (P = 0.10), surgical site infection (P = 0.42), postoperative anastomotic leakage (P = 0.45), readmissions (P = 0.31) and ileus (P = 0.25).

Conclusions

ERAS protocols can reduce the risk of postoperative lung infection and accelerating patient recovery time. Nevertheless, we should also consider further research ERAS should be performed undergoing gastrectomy and esophagectomy.
A rapid positive influence of S-ketamine on the anxiety of patients in palliative care: a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Falk Eduard , Schlieper Daniel , van Caster Patrick , Lutterbeck Matthias J. , Schwartz Jacqueline , Cordes Joachim , Grau Ina , Kienbaum Peter , Neukirchen Martin
Published: January 2020

Background

Patients in palliative care need rapid-acting pharmacological options for psychological distress. N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine is known to have a fast onset of anti-depressant and anxiolytic action. Its S-enantiomer S-ketamine (or esketamine) is an analgesic used as a routine treatment for refractory pain as an intravenous infusion (0.25 mg/kg over 45 min). This study investigates whether S-ketamine pain therapy has a positive impact on psychological distress caused by anxiety and depression in palliative care.

Methods

Patient routine data from a palliative care unit of a tertiary care hospital were used in a retrospective analysis after positive ethics approval. Eight patients, who received analgesic S-ketamine treatment, were compared to a control group matched by gender and age. The main analysis was conducted using three-way mixed MANOVA followed by two-way mixed ANOVA. Target variables were the values for anxiety and depression in the state-trait anxiety-depression inventory STADI. The predictor variables were the time of measurement before (T1) and after (T2) S-ketamine application and group membership.

Results

Comparison of the S-ketamine group (n = 8; 4 male, 4 female; average age 52 years) with the control group (n = 8; 3 male, 5 female; average age 55 years) revealed a significant multivariate effect on anxiety and depression F(1, 14) = 4.78; p = 0.046; r = 0.50. The univariate comparisons showed a significant reduction of the anxiety scores from T1 to T2 in the S-ketamine group compared to the control group F(1, 14) = 10.14; p = 0.007; r = 0.65. With regard to depression, there was no significant reduction from T1 to T2 in the group comparison F(1, 14) = 1.60; p = 0.23; r = 0.32. No long-lasting effects on pain were found.

Conclusions

Our findings show that psychological distress of patients in palliative care may improve after a single administration of S-ketamine, which mainly alleviates anxiety in those patients. Limitations of this study arise from non-randomization, retrospective analysis and low sample size. Therefore, further prospective and ideally randomized studies are necessary.
Task shifting of cardiovascular risk assessment and communication by nurses for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in a tertiary health care setting of Northern India
Authors: Kavita  , Thakur J. S. , Vijayvergiya R. , Ghai S.
Published: January 2020

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India. CVDs are to a large extent preventable with the availability of wide range of interventions focusing on primary and secondary prevention. However human resource deficit is the biggest challenge for implementing these prevention programs. Task shifting of the cardiovascular risk assessment and communication to nurses can be one of the most viable and sustainable option to run prevention programs.

Methods

The study was quasi experimental in nature with 1 year follow up to determine the effect of CVD risk assessment and communication by nurses with the help of risk communication package on primary and secondary prevention of CVDs. The study was done in the outpatient departments of a tertiary health care center of Northern India. All the nurses (n = 16) working in selected OPDs were trained in CVD risk assessment and communication of risk to the patients. A total of 402 patients aged 40 years and above with hypertension (HTN) were recruited for primary prevention of CVDs from medicine and allied OPDs, whereas 500 patients who had undergone CABG/PTCA were recruited from cardiology OPDs for secondary prevention of CVDs and were randomized to intervention (n = 250) and comparison group (n = 250) by using block randomization. CVD risk modification and medication adherence were the outcomes of interest for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs respectively.

Results

The results revealed high level of agreement (k = 0.84) between the risk scores generated by nurses with that of investigator. In the primary prevention group, there were significantly higher proportion of participants in the low risk category (70%) as compared to baseline assessment (60.6%) at 1 year follow up. Whereas in secondary prevention group the mean medication adherence score among intervention group participants (7.60) was significantly higher than that of the comparison group (5.96) with a large effect size of 1.1.(p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Nurse led intervention was effective in risk modification and improving medication adherence among subjects for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs respectively.

Trial registration

Trial registration noCTRI/2018/01/011372[Registered on: 16/01/2018] Trial Registered Retrospectively.
Different spinal subtypes with varying characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration at specific level with age: a study based on an asymptomatic population
Authors: Chen Shao-qing , Li Qing-ping , Huang Ying-ying , Guo An-na , Zhang Rui-fang , Ye Pei-pei , Yan Zhi-han , He Jia-wei
Published: January 2020

Background

The relationship between spinal sagittal subtypes and lumbar disc degeneration is unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and age in asymptomatic healthy individuals with different sagittal alignments.

Methods

In this cross-sectional observational study, we examined 209 asymptomatic young and middle-aged volunteers (123 women and 86 men) who were divided into the following three groups according to age: groups A (20–30 years), B (31–40 years), and C (41–50 years). The volunteers underwent full-spine standing lateral radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3.0 T) of the lumbar spine. Based on panoramic radiography, two observers measured the spinopelvic parameters and classified the spine into Roussouly subtypes. The degree of disc degeneration was assessed based on T2-weighted images according to the Pfirrmann classification.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in the degree of degeneration of type I spine between groups B and C at L4-L5 (P < 0.03) and L5-S1 (P < 0.01) and between groups A and C at L1-L2 (P < 0.04) and L4-L5 (P < 0.01). The degeneration degree of type II spine at all levels were significantly different between groups A and C. No statistically significant difference was found between groups A and B in all subtypes except for type II spine at L1-L2 (P < 0.04). A significant difference was found at four levels between groups B and C in type III spine (P < 0.05) and between groups A and C. For type IV spine, there was a significant difference in the degree of degeneration at L4-L5 (P < 0.02) between groups A and C. Moreover, almost all single parameters were not strongly correlated with the degree of disc degeneration.

Conclusion

The different spinal subtypes have characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration at specific levels with age. We considered that spinal classification could be used as a predictor of lumbar disc degeneration. Our data may be helpful to increase awareness of the relationship between spinal subtypes and lumbar disc degeneration.

Level of evidence

3