bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A mobilidade presente no processo de segregação residencial: o caso da Região Noroeste de Goiânia/GO
Authors: Oliveira Erika Munique de , Mello Marcelo de
Published: November 2018

Resumo

O presente artigo analisa o deslocamento e o rearranjo espacial de áreas segregadas na Região Noroeste de Goiânia. Nessa região, esse movimento foi orquestrado por forças políticas-partidárias juntamente com agentes empresariais. Esses atores materializaram no interior dos espaços segregados infraestrutura viária, serviços públicos e privados que deram curso a centralidades forjadas. Essas centralidades alteraram o endereço de pessoas que habitavam bairros da Região Noroeste de Goiânia, produzindo uma nova espacialização da segregação e um novo sentido aos bairros agora servidos por serviços públicos e privados. A partir dessa premissa, a pesquisa analisou as ações desempenhadas pelos agentes produtores do espaço urbano que deram curso à mobilidade da segregação residencial na Região Noroeste de Goiânia.

Palavras-chave: Segregação Residencial. Mobilidade da Segregação Residencial. Região Noroeste de Goiânia.

 

Abstract

The present article analyzes dislocation and spatial rearrangement in segregated areas in in the Northwest area in Goiânia. In this region, such movement stems to political and partisan powers along with businesspeople. Those agents materialized land transportation network, public and private services within segregated spaces which triggered forged centralization. Such centralization shifted people´s addresses, yielding a new specialization of segregation and a new meaning to neighborhoods with public and private services. With this premise, the research analyzed initiatives performed by urban space producing agents who enabled residential segregation mobility in the Northwest area in Goiânia.

Keywords: Residential Segregation. Mobility of Residential Segregation. Northwest area in Goiânia.

 

Resumen

El presente trabajo analisa el desplazamiento y la nueva disposición espacial de areas segregadas en la Región Noroeste de Goiânia. En esa región, ese movimiento fue hecho por fuerzas político-partidarias, junto a agentes empresariales. Eses actores materializaron en interior de los espacios segregados infraestructura vial, servicios públicos y privados que dieron curso a centralidades forjadas. Esas centralidades alteraron la dirección de las personas que vivian en barrios de la Región Noroeste de Goiânia y producieron una nueva espacialización y un nuevo sentido a los barrios ahora servidos por servicios públicos y privados. Bajo esa premisa, la pesquisa analisó las acciones desarrolladas por los agentes productores del espacio urbano que oportunizaron la mobilidad de la segregación residencial en la Región Noroeste de Goiânia.

Palabras clave: Segregación Residencial. Mobilidad de la Segregación Residencial. Región Noroeste de Goiânia.
O direito constitucional pátrio: as implicações da utilização da teoria da reserva do possível
Authors: Paulo Guilherme Barbon , Machado Edinilson Donisete
Published: November 2018

A Constituição da República do Brasil de 1988 incluiu normas valorativas e elencou extenso rol de direitos fundamentais que ampliou os limites do constitucionalismo tradicional. Entretanto, a consolidação legal das garantias basilares não é suficiente para a diminuição das desigualdades que afetam a sociedade. Nesse sentido, o artigo abordou a utilização da reserva do possível no Brasil pela pesquisa em duas esferas: a conceituação da teoria e a análise da atuação do Poder Judiciário na concretização de políticas públicas elaboradas pelo Poder Executivo. O artigo examinou a partir dos posicionamentos dissonantes os pontos positivos e negativos da aplicação da teoria no Direito pátrio e sua influência para a materialização das garantias sociais positivadas no Texto Supremo.Concluiu-se que a reserva do possível define-se pela certificação de um mínimo existencial de direitos de cumprimento obrigatório conforme o orçamento público. O Poder Judiciário auxilia na efetivação das garantias formais por meio da promulgação de sentenças que impelem a atuação do Poder Público na atenuação dos problemas sociais do país. A intervenção judicial deve respeito aos limites constitucionais, à razoabilidade e proporcionalidade e a tripartição de poderes. As referências bibliográficas utilizadas foram artigos científicos, doutrinas jurídicas e livros sobre a temática exposta.
Pre-commercial Procurement and the Marketing of Innovation: A New Innovation Policy Instrument or “Old Wine in New Bottles”?
Authors: Bonis Valeria De , Gandolfo Alessandro
Published: November 2018

We analyse the peculiarities of pre-commercial procurement (PCP) within the EU innovation policy kit, interpreting it as a risk-shifting mechanism. While most studies assume the point of view of the public procurer, we take the suppliers’ one, with a focus on SMEs. We conclude that PCP, operating in the phase of the specification of technical requirements, has the peculiar role of favouring a better match between supply and demand as for innovative goods and can allow exploiting the competitive advantages that SMEs display in the early phases of the technological process, if interpreted as an innovation-leaking process.
Investigating the Relationship Between Corporate Entrepreneurship and Customer Loyalty with Customer Satisfaction Mediating Role
Authors: Hasanin Iman Abdel Hamid
Published: November 2018

The study aims to identify the nature of the relationship between the dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship and loyalty of customers. It intends to do that through the mediating role of customer satisfaction, by identifying the extent to which these dimensions apply according to the study the study, as well as the knowledge of the relationship quality. In order to meet the objectives of the study, a regular sample of 384 individuals was selected. These individuals were clients of the selected commercial banks, selected by customers who frequented the banks within a specified period of time.

The study also found that there was a statistically significant correlation between corporate entrepreneurship and customer loyalty, which means that the greater the application of corporate entrepreneurship, the higher the effect of internal and external factors. The study suggests a set of recommendations to encourage banks in the study to apply CE to enhance customer loyalty.
Redes sociales, apoyo social y salud
Authors: Fernández Peña Roser
Published: November 2018

En los últimos años, el ambiente social ha sido reconocido como un complejo sistema estructural, cultural, interpersonal y psicológico con propiedades adaptativas y de ajuste frente a determinadas situaciones relacionadas con los procesos de salud-enfermedad y también como un sistema contenedor de elementos estresares y/o amortiguadores del mismo. Ello justifica un creciente interés hacia los recursos derivados de los vínculos sociales de los individuos así como la relación existente entre las relaciones interpersonales y la salud de las personas. De este modo, conceptos como ";redes sociales,";, ";sistemas de apoyo comunitario";, ";apoyo social"; (social support), o ";recursos del entorno";, han sido conceptos clave para el desarrollo de las líneas teóricas que han guiado las investigaciones que relacionan las redes sociales y la salud. Este artículo bibliográfico elaborado a partir de un trabajo de curso en el marco de los estudios de doctorado pretende ser una aproximación al desarrollo conceptual y empírico existente tanto desde el punto de vista antropológico como sanitario.
Inclusion of Students with Intellectual Disability in Higher Education .
Authors: Wilczenski Felicia L. , D’Avignon Aimee C.
Published: November 2018

Students with intellectual disability (ID) are increasingly seeking higher education opportunities. High school to higher education transition presents challenges for all students, including students with ID. Special educators are uniquely positioned to assist students with ID navigate the transition process. This chapter recommends roles for special educators in transition planning and suggests strategies that can prepare students with ID for inclusion in higher education.
Społeczne aspekty przymusowego leczenia w Polsce
Authors: Stradomska Marlena , Słapczyński Tomasz
Published: November 2018

Artykuł ma stanowić konkluzję rozważań prawno-psychologicznych dotyczących kwestii związanych z przymusowym leczeniem osób chorych psychicznie i uzależnionych. Przedstawiona tematyka ma interdyscyplinarne konotacje, które interpretowane są w wielowymiarowy sposób. Wymienione grupy osób narażone są na trudności związane ze środowiskiem zawodowym, interpersonalnym czy rodzinnym. Przymusowe leczenie wiąże się z wieloma ograniczeniami, deficytami, samokontrolą w zakresie opanowywania pobudzenia emocjonalnego, regularnym przyjmowaniem leków oraz odczuwaniem możliwych skutków ubocznych terapii. Trudności pojawiają się także w obrębie samego planowania podejmowanych działań oraz ich realizacji. W niektórych przypadkach następuje konieczność przymusowego leczenia osób, które mogą być niebezpieczne dla siebie oraz otoczenia. Uregulowania prawne są niezbędne do podejmowania odpowiednich działań. Zwrócenie uwagi na proponowaną tematykę może nakreślić drogę postępowania oraz przybliżyć zasady działania dla osób i instytucji zajmujących się tym zagadnieniem.
Sublimacja popędu na twórczość jako forma samorealizacji osoby z zaburzeniami psychicznymi
Authors: Steliga Anna
Published: November 2018

Wizerunek osób z zaburzeniami psychicznymi w świadomości tzw. zdrowego społeczeństwa powinien ulec poprawie. Sztuka może być jednym ze sposobów przybliżenia ich świata myśli i wyobrażeń osobom pełnosprawnym. Dodatkowo twórczość artystyczna jest zaznaczeniem swojej obecności w świecie, a może też być przełamaniem bariery społecznej izolacji. Artykuł omawia wyzwalanie potencjału rozwojowego człowieka z zaburzeniami psychicznymi i ukazuje samorealizowanie się tej osoby poprzez kontrowersyjną działalność artystyczną.
Issue covers
Authors: Scandinavica Mathematica
Published: November 2018

Issue covers
Time arrow in published clinical studies/trials indexed in MEDLINE: a systematic analysis of Retrospective vs Prospective study design, from 1960 to 2017.
Authors: Ciulla Michele M , Vivona Patrizia
Published: November 2018

Clinical studies/trials are experiments or observations on human subjects considered by the scientific community the most appropriate instrument to answer specific research questions on interventions on health outcomes. The time-line of the observations might be focused on a single time point or to follow time, backward or forward, in the so called, respectively, retrospective and prospective study design. Since the retrospective approach has been criticized for the possible sources of errors due to bias and confounding, we aimed this study to assess if there is a prevalence of retrospective vs prospective design in the clinical studies/trials by querying MEDLINE. Our results on a sample of 1,438,872 studies/trials, (yrs 1960-2017), support a prevalence of retrospective, respectively 55% vs 45%. To explain this result, arandom sub-sample of studies where the country of origin was reported (n=1576) was categorized in high and low-income based onthe nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and matched with the topic of the research. As expected, the absolute majority of studies/trials are carried on by high-income countries, respectively 86% vs 14%; even if a slight prevalence of retrospective was recorded in both income groups, nonetheless the most part of prospective studies are carried out by high-GDP countries, 85% vs 15%. Finally the differences in the design of the study are understandable when considering the topic of the research.
Masculinity and Conversion in Old English Guthlac A
Authors: Olesiejko Jacek
Published: November 2018

The article turns to Judith Butler’s writings on abjection to elucidate the Christian subjectivity that emerges from the Old English poetic life of Guthlac of Crowland, known as Guthlac A. The abject is defined as the other within the subject who is in the process of conversion from secular values and the Germanic past. Guthlac’s conversion from his secular and ancestral values informs a notion of masculinity nascent in his subjectivity, masculinity that results from the abjection of ancestral secular identity by transposing it onto the demonic other, the destruction of which transforms and sanitizes ancestral landscape.
Nicholas Urfe’s Masculine Trap or the Construction of Manhood, its Ambivalences and Limitations in John Fowles’s The Magus
Authors: Strout Irina
Published: November 2018

Western society and its fiction faces the overwhelming problem of masculinity and its modeling. The era of war, capitalism, the challenges of feminism affect the ideology within which men are constructed both as individuals and as a social group. John Fowles’s fi ction tackles the crucial issue of male power and control as masculinity is put to test and trial in his 1965 novel The Magus. The defi nition of manhood, male virility and social respectability of the period shape the 20th century male characters in Fowles’s fi ction. This paper aims to explore how John Fowles investigates the role of masculinity and power myths on the personal level of relationship and a wider scale of war and capitalism in The Magus. Notions of masculinity off er the protagonist, Nicholas Urfe, a sense of a superiority and power over women in the course of the novel. Among the goals of the project is to examine the mythical journey of Nicholas, which becomes a testing ground of his masculinity and maturity, as well his trial and ‘disintoxication,’ which is intended to help him to reevaluate his life and his relationships with women. One of the issues posed is whether Nicholas Urfe is reborn as a new man at the end of his search for redemption or if he remains the same egotistic, ‘lone wolf’ as he appears in the beginning of the novel.
The Use of Anglicisms in Various Thematic Fields: An Analysis Based on the Corpus de Referencia del Español Actual
Authors: Núñez Nogueroles Eugenia Esperanza
Published: November 2018

This piece of research presents an analysis of the use of anglicisms in the Spanish press at the beginning of the 21st century. Specifically, it concentrates on their distribution in texts belonging to different thematic domains. Thus, the purpose of this study is to establish a ranking of specialised fields in terms of the frequency with which anglicisms are employed in them. In order to do so, the Corpus de Referencia del Español Actual (CREA), compiled by the Real Academia Española, is used as the source for texts, which supports the reliability and representativeness of the present work.
Caricature Images for Religious Profiling: A Multimodal Analysis of Islamophobia in Selected Press Images
Authors: Zaytoon Heba Ahmed Ragai
Published: November 2018

The problem of religious profiling and the increase of animosity, exclusion and maltreatment of Muslim minorities in the West have reached an unprecedented level in a community where racism and segregation are usually denounced. The paper investigates the concept of Islamophobia as presented in 25 selected caricature images, along with their accompanying texts, chosen from magazines and specialized cartoon websites. Multimodality and its related analytic tools are utilized for making explicit the interactive messages encoded within these caricature images. The theoretical framework upon which this study is conducted incorporates Halliday’s (1978) three metafunctions, and Kress and Van Leeuwen’s (1996) adaptation of them for the analysis of images and their captions.
Practitioner from Instrument: Metonymy in Names for Physicians in the History of English
Authors: Toupin Fabienne
Published: November 2018

I focus here on several names for the physician in the history of English, which I suggest have metonymically evolved from names of medical instruments. I will first briefly discuss the importance of metonymy in semantic change, and indicate the theoretical background of my analysis (section 2). The lexical items will be reviewed, and their use in context exemplified (section 3). I will look into the reasons for metonymization, and make a case for pejoration, a downward move in evaluative attitude on the part of a speech community. To substantiate this claim, cultural arguments will be put forward, and the types of contexts which first made the meaning ‘physician’ accessible will be suggested (section 4).
Augmented reality powers a cognitive assistant for the blind
Authors: Liu Yang , Stiles Noelle RB , Meister Markus
Published: November 2018

To restore vision for the blind, several prosthetic approaches have been explored that convey raw images to the brain. So far, these schemes all suffer from a lack of bandwidth. An alternate approach would restore vision at the cognitive level, bypassing the need to convey sensory data. A wearable computer captures video and other data, extracts important scene knowledge, and conveys that to the user in compact form. Here, we implement an intuitive user interface for such a device using augmented reality: each object in the environment has a voice and communicates with the user on command. With minimal training, this system supports many aspects of visual cognition: obstacle avoidance, scene understanding, formation and recall of spatial memories, navigation. Blind subjects can traverse an unfamiliar multi-story building on their first attempt. To spur further development in this domain, we developed an open-source environment for standardized benchmarking of visual assistive devices.
Variance adaptation in navigational decision making
Authors: Gepner Ruben , Wolk Jason , Wadekar Digvijay Shivaji , Dvali Sophie , Gershow Marc
Published: November 2018

Sensory systems relay information about the world to the brain, which enacts behaviors through motor outputs. To maximize information transmission, sensory systems discard redundant information through adaptation to the mean and variance of the environment. The behavioral consequences of sensory adaptation to environmental variance have been largely unexplored. Here, we study how larval fruit flies adapt sensory-motor computations underlying navigation to changes in the variance of visual and olfactory inputs. We show that variance adaptation can be characterized by rescaling of the sensory input and that for both visual and olfactory inputs, the temporal dynamics of adaptation are consistent with optimal variance estimation. In multisensory contexts, larvae adapt independently to variance in each sense, and portions of the navigational pathway encoding mixed odor and light signals are also capable of variance adaptation. Our results suggest multiplication as a mechanism for odor-light integration.
Piezo’s membrane footprint and its contribution to mechanosensitivity
Authors: Haselwandter Christoph A , MacKinnon Roderick
Published: November 2018

Piezo1 is an ion channel that gates open when mechanical force is applied to a cell membrane, thus allowing cells to detect and respond to mechanical stimulation. Molecular structures of Piezo1 reveal a large ion channel with an unusually curved shape. This study analyzes how such a curved ion channel interacts energetically with the cell membrane. Through membrane mechanical calculations, we show that Piezo1 deforms the membrane shape outside the perimeter of the channel into a curved ‘membrane footprint’. This membrane footprint amplifies the sensitivity of Piezo1 to changes in membrane tension, rendering it exquisitely responsive. We assert that the shape of the Piezo channel is an elegant example of molecular form evolved to optimize a specific function, in this case tension sensitivity. Furthermore, the predicted influence of the membrane footprint on Piezo gating is consistent with the demonstrated importance of membrane-cytoskeletal attachments to Piezo gating.
Measuring clients’ experiences with antenatal care before or after childbirth: it matters
Authors: Scheerhagen Marisja , Birnie Erwin , Franx Arie , van Stel Henk F. , Bonsel Gouke J.
Published: November 2018

Background

When clients’ experiences with maternity care are measured for quality improvement, surveys are administered once, usually six weeks or more after childbirth. Most surveys conveniently cover pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care all in one. However, the validity of measuring the experiences during pregnancy (antenatal experiences) after childbirth is unknown. We explored the relation between the measurement of antenatal experiences late in pregnancy but prior to childbirth (‘test’ or gold standard) and its retrospective measurement after childbirth (retrospective test). Additionally, we explored the role of modifying determinants that explained the gap between these two measurements.

Methods and Findings

Client’s experiences were measured by the ReproQuestionnaire that consists of an antenatal and postnatal version, and covers the eight WHO Responsiveness domains. 462 clients responded to the antenatal and postnatal questionnaire, and additionally filled out the repeated survey on antenatal experiences after childbirth. First, we determined the association between the test and retrospective test using three scoring models: mean score, equal or above the median score and having a negative experience. The association was moderate for having any negative experience (absolute agreement = 68%), for the median (absolute agreement = 69%) and for the mean score (ICC = 0.59). Multiple linear and logistic regression analysis for all three scoring models revealed systematic modifiers. The gap between antenatal and postnatal measurement was (partly) associated with clients’ experiences during childbirth and postnatal care and by professional discontinuity during childbirth but unrelated to the perceived health outcome.

Conclusions

The antenatal experiences should be measured before and not after childbirth, as the association between the antenatal experiences measured before and after childbirth is moderate.
Differences in persistence between dogs and wolves in an unsolvable task in the absence of humans
Authors: Rao Akshay , Bernasconi Lara , Lazzaroni Martina , Marshall-Pescini Sarah , Range Friederike
Published: November 2018

Despite being closely related, dogs perform worse than wolves in independent problem-solving tasks. These differences in problem-solving performance have been attributed to dogs’ greater reliance on humans, who are usually present when problem-solving tasks are presented. However, more fundamental motivational factors or behavioural traits such as persistence, motor diversity and neophobia may also be responsible for differences in task performance. Hence, to better understand what drives the differences between dogs’ and wolves’ problem-solving performance, it is essential to test them in the absence of humans. Here, we tested equally raised and kept dogs and wolves with two unsolvable tasks, a commonly used paradigm to study problem-solving behaviour in these species. Differently from previous studies, we ensured no humans were present in the testing situation. We also ensured that the task was unsolvable from the start, which eliminated the possibility that specific manipulative behaviours were reinforced. This allowed us to measure both persistence and motor diversity more accurately. In line with previous studies, we found wolves to be more persistent than dogs. We also found motor diversity to be linked to persistence and persistence to be linked to contact latency. Finally, subjects were consistent in their performance between the two tasks. These results suggest that fundamental differences in motivation to interact with objects drive the differences in the performance of dogs and wolves in problem-solving tasks. Since correlates of problem-solving success, that is persistence, neophobia, and motor diversity are influenced by a species’ ecology, our results support the socioecological hypothesis, which postulates that the different ecological niches of the two species (dogs have evolved to primarily be scavengers and thrive on and around human refuse, while wolves have evolved to primarily be group hunters and have a low hunting success rate) have, at least partly, shaped their behaviours.
A ghost fence-gap: surprising wildlife usage of an obsolete fence crossing
Authors: Dupuis-Desormeaux Marc , Kaaria Timothy N. , Mwololo Mary , Davidson Zeke , MacDonald Suzanne E.
Published: November 2018

Wildlife fencing has become more prevalent throughout Africa, although it has come with a price of increased habitat fragmentation and loss of habitat connectivity. In an effort to increase connectivity, managers of fenced conservancies can place strategic gaps along the fences to allow wildlife access to outside habitat, permitting exploration, dispersal and seasonal migration. Wildlife can become accustomed to certain movement pathways and can show fidelity to these routes over many years, even at the path level. Our study site has three dedicated wildlife crossings (fence-gaps) in its 142 km perimeter fence, and we continuously monitor these fence-gaps with camera-traps. We monitored one fence-gap before and after a 1.49 km fence section was completely removed and 6.8 km was reconfigured to leave only a two-strand electric fence meant to exclude elephant and giraffe, all other species being able to cross under the exclusionary fence. The removal and reconfiguration of the fence effectively rendered this fence-gap (which was left in place structurally) as a “ghost” fence-gap, as wildlife now had many options along the 8.29 km shared border to cross into the neighboring habitat. Although we documented some decline in the number of crossing events at the ghost-gap, surprisingly, 19 months after the total removal of the fence, we continued to document the usage of this crossing location by wildlife including by species that had not been previously detected at this location. We discuss potential drivers of this persistent and counterintuitive behavior as well as management implications.
Fast cyclic stimulus flashing modulates perception of bi-stable figure
Authors: Vaitkevicius Henrikas , Vanagas Vygandas , Soliunas Alvydas , Svegzda Algimantas , Bliumas Remigijus , Stanikunas Rytis , Kulikowski Janus J.
Published: November 2018

Many experiments have demonstrated that the rhythms in the brain influence the initial perceptual information processing. We investigated whether the alternation rate of the perception of a Necker cube depends on the frequency and duration of a flashing Necker cube. We hypothesize that synchronization between the external rhythm of a flashing stimulus and the internal rhythm of neuronal processing should change the alternation rate of a Necker cube. Knowing how a flickering stimulus with a given frequency and duration affects the alternation rate of bistable perception, we could estimate the frequency of the internal neuronal processing. Our results show that the perception time of the dominant stimulus depends on the frequency or duration of the flashing stimuli. The duration of the stimuli, at which the duration of the perceived image was maximal, was repeated periodically at 4 ms intervals. We suppose that such results could be explained by the existence of an internal rhythm of 125 cycles/s for bistable visual perception. We can also suppose that it is not the stimulus duration but the precise timing of the moments of switching on of external stimuli to match the internal stimuli which explains our experimental results. Similarity between the effects of flashing frequency on alternation rate of stimuli perception in present and previously performed experiment on binocular rivalry support the existence of a common mechanism for binocular rivalry and monocular perception of ambiguous figures.
Assessment of scatter radiation dose and absorbed doses in eye lens and thyroid gland during digital breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Chusin Thunyarat , Matsubara Kosuke , Takemura Akihiro , Okubo Rena , Ogawa Yoshinori
Published: November 2018

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an alternative tool for breast cancer screening; however, the magnitude of peripheral organs dose is not well known. This study aimed to measure scattered dose and estimate organ dose during mammography under conventional (CM) and Tomo (TM) modes in a specific DBT system. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs), whose responses were corrected using a parallel‐plate ionization chamber, were pasted on the surface of custom‐made polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and RANDO phantoms to measure entrance surface air kerma (ESAK). ESAK measurements were also acquired with a 4.5‐cm thick breast phantom for a standard mammogram. Organ dose conversion factors (CFD) were determined as ratio of air kerma at a specific depth to that at the surface for the PMMA phantom and multiplied by the ratio of mass energy absorption coefficients of tissue to air. Normalized eye lens and thyroid gland doses were calculated using the RANDO phantom by multiplying CFD and ESAK values. Maximum variability in OSLD response to scatter radiation from the DBT system was 33% in the W/Rh spectrum and variations in scattered dose distribution were observed between CM and TM. The CFD values for eye lens and thyroid gland ranged between 0.58 to 0.66 and 0.29 to 0.33, respectively. Mean organ doses for two‐view unilateral imaging were 0.24 (CM) and 0.18 (TM) μGy/mAs for the eye lens and 0.24 (CM) and 0.25 (TM) μGy/mAs for the thyroid gland. Higher organ doses were observed during TM compared to CM as the automatic exposure control (AEC) system resulted in greater total mAs values in TM.
Validated automatic speech biomarkers in primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Nevler Naomi , Ash Sharon , Irwin David J , Liberman Mark , Grossman Murray
Published: November 2018

Objective

To automatically extract and quantify specific disease biomarkers of prosody from the acoustic properties of speech in patients with primary progressive aphasia.

Methods

We analyzed speech samples from 59 progressive aphasic patients (non‐fluent/agrammatic = 15, semantic = 21, logopenic = 23; ages 50–85 years) and 31 matched healthy controls (ages 54–89 years). Using a novel, automated speech analysis protocol, we extracted acoustic measurements of prosody, including fundamental frequency and speech and silent pause durations, and compared these between groups. We then examined their relationships with clinical tests, gray matter atrophy, and cerebrospinal fluid analytes.

Results

We found a narrowed range of fundamental frequency in patients with non‐fluent/agrammatic variant aphasia (mean 3.86 ± 1.15 semitones) compared with healthy controls (6.06 ± 1.95 semitones;P < 0.001) and patients with semantic variant aphasia (6.12 ± 1.77 semitones;P = 0.001). Mean pause rate was significantly increased in the non‐fluent/agrammatic group (mean 61.4 ± 20.8 pauses per minute) and the logopenic group (58.7 ± 16.4 pauses per minute) compared to controls. In an exploratory analysis, narrowed fundamental frequency range was associated with atrophy in the left inferior frontal cortex. Cerebrospinal level of phosphorylated tau was associated with an acoustic classifier combining fundamental frequency range and pause rate (r = 0.58,P = 0.007). Receiver operating characteristic analysis with this combined classifier distinguished non‐fluent/agrammatic speakers from healthy controls (AUC = 0.94) and from semantic variant patients (AUC = 0.86).

Interpretation

Restricted fundamental frequency range and increased pause rate are characteristic markers of speech in non‐fluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia. These can be extracted with automated speech analysis and are associated with left inferior frontal atrophy and cerebrospinal phosphorylated tau level.
Conceptual foundations and validation of the Pseudoscientific Belief Scale
Authors: Fasce Angelo , Picó Alfonso
Published: November 2018

In this study, we present the Pseudoscientific Belief Scale (PSEUDO; α = 0.90). The conceptual foundations of the scale include (a) a philosophically grounded and functional demarcation criterion between science and pseudoscience; (b) an analysis of the pseudoscientific status of science denialism, which is integrated into the scale; and (c) a bibliographic justification to back up the inclusion of each item. The validation process is carried out based on two studies. Study 1 (N = 3,416) uses both exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis: Conceptually congruent factors are not reported. Study 2 (N = 292) includes a total of 21 sociodemographic, personality, and cognitive independent variables, as well as the two thematic subscales of PSEUDO as dependent variables, in order to analyze the psychological profile of both sets of believers. Results show high similarity between both groups, confirming construct validity.
Fracture‐Resistant and Bioresorbable Drug‐Eluting Poly(glycerol Sebacate) Coils
Authors: Mollazadeh‐Moghaddam Kamyar , Rezaei Nejad Hojatollah , Chen Ai‐Zheng , Ju Jie , Tamayol Ali , Liu Xiao , Zhang Yu Shrike , Oklu Rahmi , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: November 2018

Biodegradable drug‐eluting stents (DESs) are used today to treat atherosclerotic arteries and as vehicles to deliver inhibitors to suppress restenosis, with potential applications also in localized cancer therapy. Here the development of a series of drug‐eluting poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) coils that may find possible use as DESs is reported. PGS is a tough, biodegradable, and biocompatible elastomer that has adjustable mechanical properties thanks to careful control of the fabrication process. Specifically, 3D PGS coils featuring superior mechanical and fracture‐resistance properties are fabricated. The surface erosion profile of PGS is designed to further reduce the risk of fragmentation and non‐target embolization during the degradation process. A dual‐encapsulation mechanism is applied, first poly(ε‐caprolactone) microparticles loaded with an anticancer drug Doxorubicin followed by dispersion of these microparticles in the PGS coils, to prolong the release of drug molecules from the interior. Systematic evaluations of the mechanical properties of the PGS coils and their drug release behaviors are conducted. It is anticipated that, these PGS coils may enable minimally invasive delivery using standard endovascular catheters, for achieving localized and sustained release of chemotherapy to tumors, as well as conventional applications in treating vascular disorders.
Pressure‐Induced Broadband Emission of 2D Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite (C6H5C2H4NH3)2PbBr4
Authors: Zhang Long , Wu Lianwei , Wang Kai , Zou Bo
Published: November 2018

2D Ruddlesden–Popper halide perovskites, which incorporate hydrophobic organic interlayers to considerably improve environmental stability and optical properties diversity, have attracted substantial research attention for optoelectronic applications. The burgeoning broad emission arising from exciton self‐trapping of 2D perovskites shows a strong dependence on a deformable structure. Here, the pressure‐induced broadband emission of layered (001) Pb‐Br perovskite with a large Stokes shift in the visible region is observed by finely improving lattice distortion to increase exciton–phonon coupling under hydrostatic pressure. Band gap narrows ≈0.5 eV under modest pressure, mainly due to the large compressibility of the orientational organic layer, confirming that the bulky organic cations notably influence the structure and, in turn, the various properties of materials. Sequential amorphization of the organic and inorganic layer is confirmed by high pressure Raman and X‐ray diffraction measurements, suggesting the particularity of layered crystal structures. The mechanism constructed here offers a new route for tuning the optical properties of 2D perovskites.
The Relationship Between Grit, Burnout, and Well‐being in Emergency Medicine Residents
Authors: Dam Aaron , Perera Thomas , Jones Michael , Haughy Marianne , Gaeta Theodore
Published: November 2018

Background

Burnout has become endemic in medicine, across all specialties and levels of training. Grit, defined as “perseverance and passion for long‐term goals,” attempts to quantify the ability to maintain sustained effort throughout an extended length of time. Our objective is to assess burnout and well‐being and examine their relationship with the character trait, grit, in emergency medicine residents.

Methods

In Fall 2016, we conducted a multicenter cross‐sectional survey at five large, urban, academically affiliated emergency departments. Residents were invited to anonymously provide responses to three validated survey instruments; the Short Grit Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the World Health Organization‐5 Well‐Being Index.

Results

A total of 222 residents completed the survey (response rate = 86%). A total of 173 residents (77.9%) met criteria for burnout and 107 residents (48.2%) met criteria for low well‐being. Residents meeting criteria for burnout and low well‐being had significantly lower mean grit scores than those that did not meet criteria. Residents with high grit scores had lower odds of experiencing burnout and low well‐being (odds ratio [OR] = 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46–0.85; and [OR] = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.16–0.72, respectively). Residents with low grit scores were more likely to experience burnout and more likely to have low well‐being (OR = 6.17, 95% CI = 1.43–26.64; and OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.31–5.79, respectively).

Conclusion

A significant relationship exists between grit, burnout, and well‐being. Residents with high grit appear to be less likely to experience burnout and low well‐being while those with low grit are more likely to experience burnout and low well‐being.
Therapeutic use of steroids in non–chronic rhinosinusitis olfactory dysfunction: a systematic evidence‐based review with recommendations
Authors: Yan Carol H. , Overdevest Jonathan B. , Patel Zara M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Olfactory loss is a common and debilitating disease with limited treatment options, particularly for olfactory dysfunction not related to sinonasal inflammation. Both topical and systemic steroids have been used as treatments for olfactory loss. This study systematically reviews the literature on the efficacy of steroids for non–chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)‐related olfactory loss and provides recommendations.

Methods

A literature search of PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria included original data, English‐language articles on steroid treatment (topical and systemic) for olfactory loss unrelated to sinonasal inflammation. Data was collected on study design, olfaction dysfunction etiology, clinical outcomes, and level of evidence. Two investigators reviewed all articles independently, with a third acting as a mediator for any disagreements in recommendation.

Results

Of 866 abstracts identified, only 15 studies met inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. Level 4 evidence suggests oral steroids can improve olfactory loss. Level 1B evidence demonstrates topical steroid rinses improve olfactory dysfunction in a select group of patients. Topical steroid sprays show no improvement across several levels of evidence.

Conclusion

There is a paucity of high‐quality studies demonstrating efficacy of either topical or oral steroids for olfactory dysfunction unrelated to sinonasal disease. The only level 1 evidence suggests using steroid rinses to improve olfactory outcomes in select patients, with weaker evidence supporting use of oral steroids. Topical steroid sprays do not improve olfactory dysfunction in this patient population and are not recommended.
Interleukin‐4‒induced posttranscriptional gene regulation of CCL26 by the RNA‐binding protein HuR in primary human nasal polyp‒derived epithelial cells
Authors: Tian Peng , Ou Huashuang , Wu Fan , Ma Yun , Liu Xiang , Chen Qiujian , Dang Hua , Zou Hua
Published: November 2018

Background

Much attention on the pathophysiology of nasal polyp (NP) has focused on eosinophils. Interleukin (IL)‐4 and eotaxin‐3 (C‐C motif chemokine ligand 26, or CCL26) levels have been reported to be increased in eosinophilic nasal polyps. The aim of this study was to characterize CCL26 posttranscriptional regulation by the RNA‐binding protein HuR in primary human nasal polyp‒derived epithelial cells (hNPDECs) challenged with IL‐4.

Methods

A prospective, observational study was conducted. Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from eosinophilic (n = 12) and non‐eosinophilic (n = 10) NP patients, and inferior turbinate (IT) tissues were taken from control subjects (n = 9) and cultured into hNPDECs. Expression of HuR and CCL26 were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, enzyme‐linked immunoassay, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of HuR in hNPDECs was detected by immunofluorescence. Posttranscriptional regulation of CCL26 by HuR was tested by ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation assay (RIP) and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. CCL26 mRNA stabilization was measured by quatititative PCR after treatment with actinomycin D. Student's t test and one‐way analysis of variance were used.

Results

Immunohistochemical data show that both HuR and CCL26 were highly expressed in NP tissues, especially eosinophilic NP tissues (p < 0.05). IL‐4 stimulation increased CCL26 mRNA stability, and overexpression and knockdown of HuR affected CCL26 expression. Immunofluorescence data indicate that IL‐4 altered the subcellular distribution of HuR. The RIP and dual‐luciferase reporter assay results supply strong evidence for HuR binding to CCL26.

Conclusion

Our results provide strong support for the hypothesis that IL‐4‒induced expression of CCL26 in hNPDECs relies partly on CCL26 mRNA stabilization mediated by the interaction of HuR with CCL26 3'UTR.
Ivacaftor improves rhinologic, psychologic, and sleep‐related quality of life in G551D cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: McCormick Justin , Cho Do‐Yeon , Lampkin Brooks , Richman Joshua , Hathorne Heather , Rowe Steven M. , Woodworth Bradford A.
Published: November 2018

Background

Ivacaftor is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator that improves pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with at least 1 copy of the G551D CFTR mutation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of ivacaftor on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms in this population.

Methods

The G551D Observational (GOAL) study was a multicenter prospective cohort study enrolling CF patients ≥6 years with at least 1 G551D mutation. Subjects were provided 20‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐20) questionnaires prior to ivacaftor therapy and at 1, 3, and 6 months afterward. The impact on rhinologic (R), psychological (P), sleep (S), and ear/facial (E) quality of life (QOL) domains was evaluated separately.

Results

Of 153 subjects, 129 (84%) completed all questionnaires. Typical baseline symptom burden was low (75% with scores <1) and degree of improvement (ie, reduced scores) was greater with higher baseline scores. SNOT‐20 decreased, reflecting improvement, at all follow‐up intervals (1 month: [mean change ± standard deviation] –0.25 ± 0.53, p < 0.01; 3 months; –0.29 ± 0.58, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.21 ± 0.58, p = 0.02), but less than the prespecified minimal clinically important difference (0.8). Significant improvement was observed at 1, 3, and 6 months in the R domain (1 month: –0.24, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.34, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.25, p < 0.01) and P domain (1 month: –0.25, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.32, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.26, p < 0.01), and 1 and 3 months in the S domain (1 months: –0.35, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.32, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.18, p = 0.07). There was no improvement in the E domain at any time point.

Conclusion

Ivacaftor improves QOL in the R, P, and S domains in G551D CF patients, although QOL instruments validated for CRS may not translate well to CF CRS patients because symptom burden was surprisingly low.
Surface modification of polypropylene waste by the radiation grafting of styrene and upcycling into a cation‐exchange resin
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Inaam ul , Taimur Shaista , Khan Ijaz Ahmed , Yasin Tariq , Ali Syed Wasim
Published: November 2018

In this study, we radiation‐grafted polypropylene waste (PPw) powder obtained from the accelerated aging of pristine polypropylene with styrene (St) using γ rays from a Co‐60 source at dose rate of 4.78 kGy/h. The influence of the variation of the γ absorbed dose, solvent types, and monomer concentration on the grafting yield was investigated. Solution grafting in methanol resulted in a higher grafting yield of 162.6% at 30 kGy in contrast to the 69.5% obtained in the absence of solvent. Grafting was found to be enhanced with the increased dilution of St with methanol. The grafted St units were incorporated with sulfonic (SO3H) groups by a sulfonation reaction with sulfuric acid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the grafted and sulfonated products. Sulfonation of 162.6% grafted PPw powder exhibited a maximum ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) of 3.56 mequiv/g. The utilization of PPw and its conversion into sulfonated PPw with comparable IECs is a new addition to already existing radiation grafting systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47145.
A percolation threshold model that effectively characterizes the full concentration range for electrical‐conducting polymer composites
Authors: Sudduth Richard D.
Published: November 2018

The new percolation threshold model introduced in this study is a modification of Clingerman's model, which in turn is a modification of the model originally developed by Mamunya et al. Several of the original constants from Clingerman's and Mamunya's were consolidated, and most importantly, the concentration of the percolation threshold is not a required constant in the model. One extraordinary characteristic of this new model is that it is possible to separate this model into two different equations that separately describe the conducting filler component and the insulating matrix component. In general, this new percolation threshold model introduces five new calculated quantities on the S‐shaped curve, including the calculated volume fraction of the percolation threshold. The capability of this new model was evaluated with three of Clingerman's polymer composite percolation threshold data sets involving electrical conductivity measurements. This new model did an excellent job of fitting the data extremely well over the whole concentration range. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47184.
Technology assessment of new biodegradable poly(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐1,4‐butylene adipate) copolymers for drug delivery
Authors: Musumeci Teresa , Cupri Sarha , Bonaccorso Angela , Impallomeni Giuseppe , Ballistreri Alberto , Puglisi Giovanni , Pignatello Rosario
Published: November 2018

New biodegradable biomaterials are attracting a huge interest as alternative to conventional polymers used in the field of drug delivery. In this work, we evaluated the ability of new biocompatible and biodegradable polyesters to form nanoparticles (NPs), and tested their potential carrier properties for controlled release of hydrophilic or lipophilic compounds. Multiblock copolymers derived from poly(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) and poly(1,4‐butylene adipate) by microwave‐assisted transesterification, having different chemical and physicochemical properties were tested. Nanoprecipitation was applied to obtain NPs with a homogenous size distribution. Oil Red O and calcein were encapsulated as lipophilic and hydrophilic probes, evaluating NP mean size and size polydispersity, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, and release profile. The release curves were fitted into mathematical models to investigate the release mechanism. NPs stability appeared to be strictly related to storage conditions. The NPs were also successfully autoclaved and their mucoadhesive behavior was assessed by a “mucin‐particle method.” © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47233.