bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Electrode Made of Carbon Nanotubes and Bismuth Oxide for the Determination of Metal Concentration by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong , Trinh Xuan Gian , Uyen Dao Thi To
Published: September 2019

We have successfully manufactured a new electrode modified with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) using carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The electrode was fabricated to detect cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and indium (In) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP-ASV). The electrode surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the reduction and oxidation processes were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Operational parameters such as electrode size, bismuth concentration, and electrolytic background were optimized. The DP-ASV method used fabricated electrodes with a linear response range from 1.5–20 μg·L−1with Cd(II) and Pb(II) and 2.5–20 μg·L−1with In(III); low detection limit (LOD) of 0.22 μg·L−1with Cd(II), 0.65 μg·L−1with In(III), and 0.26 μg·L−1with Pb(II); and good repeatability with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.65%, 2.51%, and 3.34% with Cd(II), Pb(II), and In(III), respectively (n = 8). The electrode can be used to test the content of Cd(II), In(III), and Pb(II) in water.
Nitric Oxide Metabolites and Lung Cancer Incidence: A Matched Case-Control Study Nested in the ESTHER Cohort
Authors: Gào Xīn , Xuan Yang , Benner Axel , Anusruti Ankita , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben
Published: September 2019

Studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) may have a possible role in lung carcinogenesis. This study is aimed to evaluate the association of the NO metabolites, namely, nitrite and nitrate, with lung cancer incidence. We conducted a matched case-control study (n=245 incident lung cancer cases and n=735 controls) based on the German ESTHER cohort (n=9,940). Controls were matched to cases on age, sex, smoking status (never/former/current smoking), and pack-years of smoking. The sum of nitrite and nitrate was measured in urine samples using a colorimetric assay and was standardized for renal function by urinary creatinine. Conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for lifestyle factors, asthma prevalence, and family history of lung cancer, were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Among incident lung cancer cases, high nitrite/nitrate levels were statistically significantly associated with current smoking, a low BMI, and the oxidative stress biomarker 8-isoprostane levels. Nitrite/nitrate levels in the top quintile were statistically significantly associated with lung cancer incidence: the OR (95% CI) was 1.37 (1.04-1.82) for comparison with the bottom quintile. This association was unaltered after additional adjustment for 8-isoprostane levels and C-reactive protein (CRP). In conclusion, this large cohort study suggested that subjects with high urinary nitrite/nitrate concentrations had an increased risk of lung cancer and this association was independent of smoking, CRP, 8-isoprostane levels, and other established lung cancer risk factors. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and to confirm the hypothesis that pathologically high levels of NO are involved in lung cancer development.
Clinical Profiles of Selected Biomarkers Identifying Infection and Cancer Patients: A Gorzów Hospital Example
Authors: Brzeźniakiewicz-Janus Katarzyna , Lancé Marcus Daniel , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Franków Mirosław , Rupa-Matysek Joanna , Wolny-Rokicka Edyta , Gil Lidia
Published: September 2019

Introduction. Many pathobiological processes that manifest in a patient’s organs could be associated with biomarker levels that are detectable in different human systems. However, biomarkers that promote early disease diagnosis should not be tested only in personalized medicine but also in large-scale diagnostic evaluations of patients, such as for medical management. Objective. We aimed to create an easy algorithmic risk assessment tool that is based on obtainable “everyday” biomarkers, identifying infection and cancer patients. Patients. We obtained the study data from the electronic medical records of 517 patients (186 infection and 331 cancer episodes) hospitalized at Gorzów Hospital, Poland, over a one and a half-year period from the 1st of January 2017 to the 30th of June 2018. Methods and Results. A set of consecutive statistical methods (cluster analysis, ANOVA, and ROC analysis) was used to predict infection and cancer. For in-hospital diagnosis, our approach showed independent clusters of patients by age, sex, MPV, and disease fractions. From the set of available “everyday” biomarkers, we established the most likely bioindicators for infection and cancer together with their classification cutoffs. Conclusions. Despite infection and cancer being very different diseases in their clinical characteristics, it seems possible to discriminate them using “everyday” biomarkers and popular statistical methods. The estimated cutoffs for the specified biomarkers can be used to allocate patients to appropriate risk groups for stratification purposes (medical management or epidemiological administration).
Medication Appropriateness in Prehospital Care
Authors: Ramadanov Nikolai , Klein Roman , Aguilar Valdez Abner Daniel , Behringer Wilhelm
Published: September 2019

Background. The aim of the present study was to determine the medication appropriateness (MA) in prehospital emergency physician deployments according to the hospital discharge diagnosis and to investigate the factors influencing the MA. Methods. The MA was determined by a systematic comparison of the administered medication in prehospital emergency physician deployments with the discharge diagnosis in a period of 24 months at the emergency medical services in Bad Belzig. Categorial variables for the specialty, medical educational status, and approval for emergency medicine of prehospital emergency physicians were examined univariate for relations with the MA, using the χ2 test with the significance level of p=0.05. Results. The MA was present in 69% (n = 488) cases. The MA was present in 64% of cases by specialists and in 71% by resident physicians (p=0.04). The specialty and the approval for emergency medicine of the prehospital emergency physician did not show significant results. MA was present in 46% (n = 100) of cases with incorrect diagnoses, and it was present in 79% (n = 388) of cases with correct diagnoses by the prehospital emergency physician (p=0.01). In cases of missing MA, 224 drugs and 23 different drugs were administered by the prehospital emergency physician. Conclusions. The MA in prehospital emergency physician deployments shows a necessity for improvement with 31% medication errors. Incorrect diagnoses by the prehospital emergency physician seem to lead to medication errors in prehospital emergency physician deployments. The necessary standards and guidelines for administration of drugs should be taken into account in educational courses. The wide-ranging emergency medical training and the rapid accumulation of operational experience seem to play a crucial role for correct administration of medication in the prehospital emergency physician deployments.
Effects of Ultrasound Processing on Physicochemical Parameters, Antioxidants, and Color Quality of Bayberry Juice
Authors: Cao Xiamin , Cai Chunfang , Wang Yongling , Zheng Xiaojian
Published: September 2019

Effects of ultrasound on physicochemical parameters, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, polymeric color (PC), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), browning degree (BD), color, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of bayberry juice were investigated. Treatments were carried out at amplitude levels from 20 to 100% of total input power (600 W) at 20 kHz for 2–10 min. The results showed that no notable differences in pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and yellowness b∗ values were found in ultrasound-treated samples. The HMF, PC, BD, and L∗ values of bayberry juice obviously increased with enhancing ultrasonic intensity and treatment time. The ascorbic acid exhibited no notable changes after ultrasound treatment at lower intensity levels for short time, while anthocyanins showed an increasing tendency. With increasing ultrasonic intensity and time, antioxidants gradually decreased. Furthermore, the SOD activity apparently increased at short-time treatment and then decreased with ultrasound processing extension.
An Autopsy Case of a 5-Year-Old Child with Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis-like Necrotizing Vasculitis
Authors: Yagi Haruna , Takahashi Seishiro , Kibe Tetsuo , Shirai Kenji , Kosugi Isao , Kawasaki Hideya , Meguro Shiori , Iwashita Toshihide , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

In children, acute pancreatitis has been reported in IgA vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, systemic lupus erythematosus-associated vasculitis, and juvenile dermatomyositis-associated vasculitis. However, its frequency in these vasculitides has been shown to be low. In other childhood-onset vasculitides, acute pancreatitis is seldom reported. The patient was a 5-year-old Japanese boy who suddenly presented with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Therapy with antiulcer drugs successfully stopped bleeding, but subsequently, high fever, leukocytosis, and hypoxia appeared. He died 12 days after he presented with GI bleeding. An autopsy unexpectedly revealed that necrotizing vasculitis with marked eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas led to acute pancreatitis, and gastric ulcer with eosinophilic infiltration was shown to be the origin of GI bleeding. In addition, eosinophilic infiltration was found in the small intestine, lungs, and bone marrow. Necrotizing vasculitis with eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas, eosinophilic infiltration of the airway wall, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis with gastric ulcer were histologically confirmed, suggesting that the present case may be an early stage of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis- (EGPA-) like vasculitis. To our knowledge, this might be the first reported case of EGPA-like vasculitis presenting with acute pancreatitis in a child.
Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
Authors: Paplawski Michael , Munnangi Swapna , Digiacomo Jody C. , Gonzalez Edwin , Modica Ashley , Tung Shawndeep S. , Ko Catherine
Published: September 2019

Background. An occult pneumothorax is identified by computed tomography but not visualized by a plain film chest X-ray. The optimal management remains unclear.Methods. A retrospective review of an urban level I trauma center’s trauma registry was conducted to identify patients with occult pneumothorax over a 2-year period. Factors predictive of chest tube placement were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results. A total of 131 patients were identified, of whom 100 were managed expectantly with an initial period of observation. Ultimately, 42 (32.0%) patients received chest tubes and 89 did not. The patients who received chest tubes had larger pneumothoraces at initial assessment, a higher incidence of rib fractures, and an increased average number of rib fractures, of which significantly more were displaced.Conclusions. Displaced rib fractures and moderate-sized pneumothoraces are significant factors associated with chest tube placement in a victim of blunt trauma with occult pneumothorax. The optimal timing for the first follow-up chest X-ray remains unclear.
Perspectives on the Use of Ninjin’yoeito in Modern Medicine: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Takayama Shin , Arita Ryutaro , Ohsawa Minoru , Kikuchi Akiko , Yasui Hiromichi , Makino Toshiaki , Motoo Yoshiharu , Ishii Tadashi
Published: September 2019

Background. Ninjin’yoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine that originates from China, has been used to treat qi and blood deficiency based on its original concept. Kampo medicine has been widely used to treat many conditions and disorders combined with western medicine or Kampo medicine alone in modern situation. Aims. We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NYT and discussed various standpoints regarding its use in modern situation. Methods. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Evidence Reports of Kampo Treatment (EKAT) for articles written in English, and Ichushi, J-Stage, and EKAT for those written in Japanese. Articles published before January 1, 2019, were retrieved using the keywords “ninjinyoeito” and “ninjin’yoeito,” and RCTs were selected from these extracted articles. Result. Of 734 articles, 13 were RCTs, 46 were non-RCTs or studies of other designs, 15 were case reports, and 36 were experimental studies using NYT. NYT was evaluated for its use as a treatment for cancer and related conditions, refractory blood diseases and conditions, and otorhinolaryngologic symptom in 13 RCTs. Based on the use of Kampo medicine in modern situation called as Yasui’s classification, 10 of 13 RCTs were categorized as “the side effects of Western medicinal treatment are mitigated when combined with Kampo treatment” and the remaining 3 were categorized as “treatment effect of Kampo medicine is increased in combination with standard Western medicinal treatment.” Conclusion. Several studies demonstrated the efficacy of NYT in refractory diseases and other conditions, and the accompanied side effects of treatment with western medicine.
Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Human EA.hy926 Endothelial Cells under Inflammatory Conditions and Their Interactions with A549 Tumour Cells
Authors: Schröder Sabine , Broese Simone , Baake Jana , Juerß Dajana , Kriesen Stephan , Hildebrandt Guido , Manda Katrin
Published: September 2019

Purpose. Most tumours are characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment, and correlations between inflammation and cancer progression have been shown. Endothelial cells (ECs), as part of the tumour microenvironment, play a crucial role in inflammatory processes as well as in angiogenesis and could be critical targets of cancer therapy like irradiation. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effect of ionizing radiation on endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions and their interactions with tumour cells. Methods. Nonactivated and TNF-α treatment-activated human EC EA.hy926 were irradiated with doses between 0.1 Gy and 6 Gy with a linear accelerator. Using a multiplex assay, the accumulation of various chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin) and soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and VCAM-1) as well as protein values of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured in the supernatant at different time points. The adhesion capability of irradiated and nonirradiated A549 tumour cells to EA.hy926 cells was measured using flow cytometry, and the migration of tumour cells was investigated with a scratch motility assay. Results. In contrast to unirradiated cells, IR of ECs resulted in a modified release of chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 as well as the adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the EC, whereas concentrations of E-selectin and P-selectin as well as VEGF were not influenced. IR always affected the adhesion capability of tumour cells to ECs with the effect dependent on the IR-treated cell type. TNF-α treatment generally increased adhesion ability of the tumour cells. Tumour cell migration was clearly inhibited after IR. This inhibitory effect was eliminated for radiation doses from 0.5 to 2 Gy when, additionally, an inflammatory environment was predominant. Conclusions. Our results support past findings suggesting that ECs, as part of the inflammatory microenvironment of tumours, are important regulators of the actual tumour response to radiation therapy.
Cardiac Obesity and Cardiac Cachexia: Is There a Pathophysiological Link?
Authors: Selthofer-Relatić K. , Kibel A. , Delić-Brkljačić D. , Bošnjak I.
Published: September 2019

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiometabolic and vascular diseases like arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidaemia, and atherosclerosis. A special role in obesity-related syndromes is played by cardiac visceral obesity, which includes epicardial adipose tissue and intramyocardial fat, leading to cardiac steatosis; hypertensive heart disease; atherosclerosis of epicardial coronary artery disease; and ischemic cardiomyopathy, cardiac microcirculatory dysfunction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation. Cardiac expression of these changes in any given patient is unique and multimodal, varying in clinical settings and level of expressed changes, with heart failure development depending on pathophysiological mechanisms with preserved, midrange, or reduced ejection fraction. Progressive heart failure with misbalanced metabolic and catabolic processes will change muscle, bone, and fat mass and function, with possible changes in the cardiac fat state from excessive accumulation to reduction and cardiac cachexia with a worse prognosis. The question we address is whether cardiac obesity or cardiac cachexia is to be more feared.
Coronary Sinus Ablation Is a Key Player Substrate in Recurrence of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ahmed Naseer , Perveen Shahida , Mehmood Adeela , Rani Gulab Fatima , Molon Giulio
Published: September 2019

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent atrial arrhythmia. During the last few decades, owing to numerous advancements in the field of electrophysiology, we reached satisfactory outcomes for paroxysmal AF with the help of ablation procedures. But the most challenging type is still persistent AF. The recurrence rate of AF in patients with persistent AF is very high, which shows the inadequacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Over the last few decades, we have been trying to gain insight into AF mechanisms, and have come to the conclusion that there must be some triggers and substrates other than pulmonary veins. According to many studies, PVI alone is not enough to deal with persistent AF. The purpose of our review is to summarize updates and to clarify the role of coronary sinus (CS) in AF induction and propagation. This review will provide updated knowledge on developmental, histological, and macroscopic anatomical aspects of CS with its role as arrhythmogenic substrate. This review will also inform readers about application of CS in other electrophysiological procedures.
Melanoma in situ/Lentigo maligna: Wo und bei wem darauf geachtet werden muss
Authors: Maschke Jan
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Lentigo maligna (LM) is a rare form of in situ melanoma, frequently seen as a large patch in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and dermoscopic features of LM. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of LM patients presenting to our center between July 2007 and July 2017 was performed. Demographic data, anatomical location, laterality, diameter, Clark level, Breslow stage, ‘ABCD' signs and dermoscopic features were registered. Facial versus extrafacial LM were compared. Results: We found 21 LM, of which 12 had an extrafacial location and 9 a facial location. Half of the extrafacial lesions were located on an upper limb. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years (ranging from 38 to 84 years). Most LM cases were female (16/21) with phototype II (13/21). More than half of the patients (11/21) had a history of a skin neoplasm or actinic keratosis. The median diameter found was 6 mm (interquartile range = 4.5 mm), ranging from 1 to 15 mm. Five lesions were invasive (median Breslow depth of 0.2 mm), and 4 of them were extrafacial. Discussion: In this study LM was more frequently found in an extrafacial location and as a small patch with a 6-mm diameter medium. The epidemiology of LM/LM melanoma might be changing. Full body examination and dermoscopy are of the utmost importance for the diagnosis. Dermatologists should be aware and search for small lesions outside the face and neck, particularly in middle-aged female patients with photo-damaged skin.
Atrial Dyssynchrony: A New Predictor for Atrial High-Rate Episodes in Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Xu Changhao , Chen Kangyu , Yu Fei , Wang Qi , Su Hao , Yang Dongmei , Xu Jian , Yan Ji
Published: September 2019

Background: Heart failure may induce atrial dyssynchrony. We aim to investigate whether preimplantation left atrial (LA) dyssynchrony could predict newly detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) after receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who received CRT-D for standard indications and without a history of atrial fibrillation. The standard deviation of the time-to-peak strain in each LA segment during ventricular systole (SDs) and late diastole (SDa) were calculated to quantify LA dyssynchrony using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography before device implantation. Patients were divided into the AHRE group and the AHRE-free group, depending on the presence of AHRE during device interrogation. Results: Thirty-one patients (28%) had newly detected AHRE during a mean follow-up of 21 ± 9 months. Patients in the AHRE group had higher SDs (8.2 ± 2.6% vs. 6.3 ± 2.3%, p < 0.001) and SDa (5.4 ± 1.8% vs. 4.1 ± 1.4%, p < 0.001) values before implantation than patients in the AHRE-free group. In the multivariate logistic analysis, both SDs (OR 1.325, 95% CI: 1.074–1.636, p =0.009) and SDa (OR: 1.499, 95% CI: 1.071–2.098, p= 0.018) were independent predictors of newly detected AHRE. At a cutoff value of 7.4% for SDs and 5.3% for SDa, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with higher SDs and SDa had significantly increased risks of newly detected AHRE after receiving CRT-D. Conclusions: Dyssynchronous LA lengthening and contraction could assist in the prediction of newly detected AHRE in patients with CRT-D.
(Des)tecendo os fios de uma pesquisa entre teatro, filosofia e poesia
Authors: Valadares Charles
Published: September 2019

Este artigo compartilha os caminhos da pesquisa que estou desenvolvendo como mestrando em Artes da Cena, na Escola de Belas-Artes da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, revelando os bastidores do processo. Meu projeto é elaborar uma desmontagem cênica textual a partir de um trabalho cênico autoral já existente, que conversa com a poética de Manoel de Barros. A redação da dissertação terá como eixo a análise fenomenológica da dramaturgia já concebida, das produções escritas geradas ao longo do mestrado, e do diário de pesquisa confeccionado durante o processo de orientação em conversa com leituras sobre poesia, filosofia e teatro. A dissertação poderá suscitar reflexões acerca de uma prática criativa que mescle literatura e discursividade cênica, além de contribuir para a criação de trabalhos cênicos contemporâneos que tematizem a infância.
City on the Other Hill: The Plough Patent, the Company of Husbandmen, and a Radical Puritan Colonization Project
Authors: Como David R.
Published: September 2019

This article provides a comprehensive account of the “Company of Husbandmen” created to settle southern Maine in 1631 under the “Plough Patent.” Partly inspired by radical religious ideas, the project quickly collapsed. The scheme nevertheless offers insight into early New England history, while illuminating transatlantic Puritan controversies and colonization aspirations.
The Fight for a New England Turpentine Trade: Empire, Markets, and the Colonial Landscape at the Turn of the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Roberts Strother E.
Published: September 2019

Imperial wars and Atlantic markets drove a boom in turpentine production in turn-of-the-eighteenth-century New England. English Colonists used techniques learned from Huguenot refugees to exploit local pines in a quest for profits that threatened woodlands and, in at least one dramatic example, led to violent competition between colonial neighbors.
Re-reading Liberalism: Omission, Ambiguity, and Anomaly in New England Sermonic Literature, 1699–c. 1750
Authors: Foster Stephen
Published: September 2019

Religious Liberalism in colonial New England is famously hard to pin down. The Liberals' public, occasional sermons, however, point to their core commitments if due attention is paid to overall context and to the various sermonic conventions these productions gleefully flout. What emerges from this analysis is not covert heterodoxy but a principled critique of the very idea of orthodoxy.
Aphanomyces brasiliensis sp. nov. (Verrucalvaceae, Saprolegniales): a new species from Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest areas

Authors: PIRES-ZOTTARELLI CARMEN LIDIA AMORIM , COLOMBO DÉBORA R. S. , PAIXÃO SARAH C. O. DA , VENTURA POLIANA O. , BORO MARCELA C. , JESUS ANA L. DE
Published: September 2019

In this study, Aphanomyces brasiliensis is proposed as a new species. It was collected from soil and water samples of a trout farming system located in Atlantic Rainforest areas, São Paulo State, Brazil. This species is mainly characterized by the presence of commonly short and unbranched oogonial stalks, antheridia usually androgynous and monoclinous with clavate, bell-shaped or cylindrical antheridial cells. We also collected Aphanomyces helicoides, A. raphani and A. stellatus from samples of submerged leaves, surface sediment and water in freshwater bodies. All species were isolated growing on cellulosic and/or keratinous substrates used as bait. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS (rDNA) region showed that the new species and the other Brazilian isolates clustered within the Aphanomyces clade.
A New Name for an Overlooked Species of Eulophia (Orchidaceae) from Wallacea

Authors: METUSALA DESTARIO
Published: September 2019

Eulophia bicolor described by Blume is an illegitimate name for a species that has generally been considered synonymous with E. nuda. The former should be recognized as a distinct species, as it differs in having different spur characteristics, a narrower column, and an anther cap with an elongated protuberance. It is here given a new name, E. lagaligo.
Bioacoustics review of Anatolian species of the predatory bush-cricket genus Saga (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Saginae) with the description of a new species
Authors: ŞİRİN DENİZ , TAYLAN MEHMET SAİT , SEVGİLİ HASAN , MOL ABBAS
Published: September 2019

The genus Saga is a genus of generally large predatory bush-cricket species. It includes 13 taxa in the Palaearctic region. In this research, eight species belonging to Saga (Tettigoniidae, Saginae) were sampled during field studies in different regions of Anatolia of Turkey between 2010 and 2018 (except one specimen). The bioacoustic parameters of these species recorded during the field or in laboratory conditions and the male calling song descriptions, as well as the oscillographic illustrations and distribution maps are given. A new population of Saga found from the South-Eastern Taurus (Hakkari province), which is affiliated to a new species and shows similarity to S. ephippigera, along with the morphological and bioacoustical descriptions of Saga hakkarica sp. n. Şirin & Taylan from Turkey, are also given. The relationships between the new species and the closest taxa are discussed using morphological and bioacoustical characters. The structural investigations of the male calling songs reveal three different bioacoustic groups affiliated to eight Anatolian Saga species; as (i) Ephippigera group (S. syriaca + (S. ephippigera + Saga hakkarica), (ii) Natoliae group (S. natoliae + (S. beieri + (S. longicaudata + S. puella) and (iii) S. cappadocica.
The Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon 40 and 50 Years Later: A Direct Replication of the Original Freedman and Fraser Study in Poland and in Ukraine
Authors: Gamian-Wilk Malgorzata , Dolinski Dariusz
Published: September 2019

Since the original Freedman and Fraser studies were published, a great amount of research using the foot-in-the-door tactic has revealed its effectiveness. Nevertheless, the effect sizes reported in meta-analysis studies tend to be low and the effect size obtained by Freedman and Fraser in their studies has never been obtained again. We conducted a direct replication of the original foot-in-the-door experiment in two time intervals and in two countries. The results indicate a drop of compliance over time. The results reveal that, while in 2003 the foot-in-the-door strategy was effective in Ukraine and ineffective in Poland, in 2013, the effect was insignificant in both Ukraine and Poland. The results are explained by high ecological validity of the foot-in-the-door procedure.
Do projectile points get cold? An experimental approach examining composite and stone projectile technology
Authors: Adams Jacob S , Andrefsky William
Published: September 2019

Researchers have noted that cold temperatures may have had an impact on hunter-gatherer decisions concerning raw material selection for projectile points. This line of reasoning has been used to explain the phenomenon of projectile points of different materials occurring during the same time period in archaeological contexts that exhibit extreme seasonality. Cold temperatures are assumed to affect cryptocrystalline brittle solids adversely, whereas organic and composite projectiles are more resilient. Here, an experiment was designed to test the brittleness of stone and antler composite projectile points subjected to different temperatures. It was demonstrated that cold temperatures do not impact projectile point brittleness. However, differences in projectile raw material type were found to fracture differentially suggesting other probable factors associated with projectile point raw material selection.
Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Lopresti Adrian L , Smith Stephen J , Hood Sean D , Drummond Peter D
Published: September 2019

Background:

As a stand-alone intervention, saffron has efficacy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. However, research as an adjunct agent is limited.

Aims:

The effects of saffron as an adjunct to pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults with persistent depression was investigated.

Methods:

In this eight-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adults with persistent depression, currently taking a pharmaceutical antidepressant were given a placebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d.). Primary outcome measures included the clinician-rated Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and self-rated MADRS (MADRS-S). Secondary outcome measures included the Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC) and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36).

Results:

Of the 160 participants enrolled, 139 provided usable data. Based on the MADRS, depressive symptoms decreased more in participants taking saffron compared with a placebo, with reductions of 41 and 21%, respectively ( p = 0.001). However, scores on the MADRS-S decreased 27 and 26% in the saffron and placebo conditions, respectively ( p = 0.831). Saffron was associated with a greater reduction in adverse effects of antidepressants ( p = 0.019), although this was non-significant after covarying for baseline values ( p = 0.449). Quality of life improved in both groups with no significant between-group differences ( p = 0.638).

Conclusion:

Adjunctive administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for eight weeks was associated with a greater improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the clinician-rated MADRS but not the self-report MADRS-S. Given the conflicting results, further research is needed to clarify the clinical benefits of saffron as an adjunctive treatment for adults with persistent depressive symptoms despite antidepressant drug treatment.
Gradient-degraded material-induced trigger to improve crashworthiness of composite tubes in a controlled manner
Authors: Jiang Hongyong , Ren Yiru , Zheng Jianqiang
Published: September 2019

A type of gradient-degraded material-induced trigger has a greater potential to induce a progressive crushing mode in a controlled manner to reduce the initial crushing load and increase the specific energy absorption. Thus, different material degradation strategy-based triggers are designed to improve the crashworthiness of composite tubes. To understand the triggering mechanisms, effects of height of trigger and level of degradation are studied using single material degradation strategies. In turn, gradient material degradation strategies are novelly presented to explore different crushing behaviors of tube. Further, an improved gradient material degradation gathering all features of single material degradation and gradient material degradation is proposed. The virtual quasi-static crushing tests are conducted where the model considers intra-ply and inter-ply failure initiation and damage evolution. The crushing behaviors of all triggered tubes are compared. From the predicted results, it is found that both the height of trigger and level of degradation have significant effects on the crushing behavior. The multi-phased or progressive initial crushing process is presented by using gradient material degradation. By comparison, the tube using the improved gradient material degradation presents 8.26% lower peak load, 8.75% higher specific energy absorption, and 25% higher crushing load stability than the original tube.
Exploring the efficiency of new energy generation: Evidence from OECD and non-OECD countries
Authors: Xu Xin Long , Qiao Sen , Chen Hsing Hung
Published: September 2019

In this study, we defined new energy generation inputs as the installed capacity of solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuel production, and we defined electricity from new energy as an output indicator. Based on panel data in OECD and non-OECD countries from 2007 to 2016, we used stochastic frontier analysis to calculate the efficiency of new energy generation and analyzed the influencing factors. We found the following results: the efficiency of global new energy generation is improving; the energy price, technological progress and education level have positive impacts on the efficiency of new energy generation; and industrial structure and opening up have a negative impact on the efficiency of new energy generation. Based on our study results, we offer some recommendations to promote the development of new energy generation.
Rapid detection of infrared inactive sodium chloride content in frozen tuna fish for determining commercial value using short wavelengths
Authors: Pochanagone Suttahatai , Rittiron Ronnarit
Published: September 2019

The sodium chloride content in the flesh of tuna fish is one of the factors for determining the price in the fishing industry. Titration is a standard method for the analysis of salt and this is time consuming. Near infrared spectroscopy is a potential alternative method for rapid detection without the need for wet chemical assay. Although sodium chloride is infrared inactive, this study investigated the influence of salt on the absorbance of near infrared energy and showed that the sodium chloride content can be determined using changes in the water band at 970 nm. Calibration equations were developed from frozen fish pieces and ground samples using multiple linear regression for the wavelength region of 700–1000 nm. The best result was achieved from frozen samples with a coefficient of determination for the calibration set ([Formula: see text]) = 0.71, standard error of calibration (SEC) = 0.20%, coefficient of determination for the validation set ([Formula: see text]) = 0.64, standard error of prediction (SEP) = 0.26% and bias = − 0.00%. In order to verify the significant variables used to determine infrared inactive sodium chloride, partial least squares regression was performed on frozen samples. The important variable in multiple linear regression and partial least squares regression was the absorbance band at 976 nm attributed to water molecules. The result from partial least squares calibration showed [Formula: see text] = 0.83, SEC = 0.20%, [Formula: see text] = 0.54, SEP = 0.25% and bias = 0.00%. The salt values predicted using the near infrared models were not significantly different from the reference values obtained by the standard titration method at the 95% confidence interval.
Jacob Winslow (1669–1760): The surprising legacy of an anatomist
Authors: Saad Toni C
Published: September 2019

Jacob Winslow (1669–1760), a celebrated anatomist in his day, made his name publishing numerous medical treatises and writing the four-volume Anatomical exposition of the structure of the human body. He gives his name to the foramen of Winslow, and is credited with numerous significant findings in neuroanatomy and biomechanics. His life is characterised by meticulous devotion to his discipline and divided by a torturous religious conversion. In addition to his contributions to anatomy, he is famously remembered for his treatise on the uncertainty of the signs of death, which has influenced practices surrounding death down to the present day.
Book review: Sukhadeo Thorat, Ajaya Dixit and Samar Verma (Eds.), Strengthening Policy Research: Role of Think Tank Initiatives in South Asia
Authors: Kumar Avanish
Published: September 2019

Sukhadeo Thorat, Ajaya Dixit and Samar Verma (Eds.), Strengthening Policy Research: Role of Think Tank Initiatives in South Asia, 2019, New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 388 pp., ₹1,195. ISBN: 978-93-532-8216-5.
The Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme: supporting the development of a fledgling mental health service in the Pacific
Authors: Obed Jimmy , Bush Allister , Stathis Stephen , Hunter Ernest
Published: September 2019

Objective:

To describe the Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme (VPMP) set up to support the sole mental health doctor and local nurses developing mental health service capacity in Vanuatu.

Method:

Following a request from Vanuatu, the VPMP was set up under the auspices of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (the College) with three components: regular online supervision, yearly onsite visits and advice over the Internet on an as-required basis.

Results:

Onsite visits undertaken by three VPMP psychiatrists provided opportunities for mentoring and teaching activities related to clinical psychiatry, community liaison, social and ethical considerations and mental health policy matters. Online supervision sessions were initially hampered by technology difficulties. Ad hoc advice over the Internet allowed more rapid responses in complex acute psychiatry cases.

Conclusions:

Structured mentoring programmes can play a role in supporting the development of mental health capacity in low-resourced Pacific nations. Such programmes are likely to be more useful for Pacific participants if they are flexible, ongoing, sustained by support from the College and reviewed regularly.
Contingency and plasticity: The dialectical re-construction of the concept of home in forced displacement
Authors: Murrani Sana
Published: September 2019

The loss of home as a consequence of war, conflict and displacement urges us to question the concept’s very construction. Although existing spatial and cultural studies on the subject have explored the immaterial characteristics of the construct, they have overlooked its connection to the consciousness and agency of the displaced, which are quintessentially contingent. This article presents a theoretical inquiry into the influence of the processual ambiguity of our cognitive system on the positioning of the concept of home between the temporality of its construct and the plasticity of its agency. Using connections between cognitive plasticity (based on Catherine Malabou’s concept of the freedom of the brain) and spatial plasticity (influenced by Vilém Flusser’s notion of the freedom of the migrant and the construction of the concepts of home), it establishes that the plasticity of migrants’ agency in displacement is an instrumental process in encoding new spatial practices of home-making.
Power and transparency in political negotiations
Authors: Broniecki Philipp
Published: September 2019

Who gains legislative influence in early agreement negotiations (trilogues) between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union? Practitioners from both institutions suspect that it is the other side. Meanwhile, critics point at trilogues’ lack of transparency. This article proposes that legislative power and institutional transparency are inversely related: Opacity makes an actor more influential in political negotiations. The argument is tested on a matched sample of legislative files from the 1999–2009 period. The findings suggest that the European Parliament became more influential in early agreement negotiations – where it became opaque vis-à-vis the Council. In such negotiations, the relative influence of the European Parliament substantially increased; by contrast, the European Parliament did not gain influence in negotiations where it remained transparent.
Distal radioulnar joint instability with three different injury patterns assessed by three-dimensional C-arm scans: a cadaveric study
Authors: Swartman Benedict , Benner Laura , Franke Jochen , Grützner Paul A. , Vetter Sven Y. , Schnetzke Marc
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to establish a radiographic method for detecting distal radioulnar joint instability intraoperatively. We created three successive instabilities in 12 intact Thiel-fixed upper limb specimens: lesion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, Galeazzi injury and Essex–Lopresti injury. We made three-dimensional scans of the wrists in pronation and supination with a mobile C-arm. We used four validated measurement methods to quantify ulnar migration in the standard axial planes: the radioulnar line method, the subluxation ratio method, the epicentre method and the radioulnar ratio method. All types of instability showed significantly increased migration of the ulna compared with the control group. The subluxation ratio and the radioulnar ratio methods showed the highest sensitivity and specificity in detecting the instabilities. We conclude that these two methods are feasible for radiographically assessing distal radioulnar joint instability. Instability may be assumed if the migration of the ulna in the sigmoid notch is at least 45% of the length of the sigmoid notch, in which case wire transfixation of the distal radioulnar joint is advised.
Uroxite and metauroxite, the first two uranyl oxalate minerals
Authors: Kampf Anthony R. , Plášil Jakub , Nash Barbara P. , Němec Ivan , Marty Joe
Published: September 2019

Uroxite (IMA2018-100), [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2]⋅H2O, and metauroxite (IMA2019-030), (UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2, are the first two uranyl oxalate minerals. Uroxite was found in the Markey mine, Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, USA and in the Burro mine, Slick Rock district, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. Metauroxite was found only in the Burro mine. Both minerals are post-mining secondary phases found in efflorescent crusts on mine walls. Uroxite occurs as light yellow striated blades exhibiting moderate neon-green fluorescence,ca2 Mohs hardness with good {101} and {010} cleavages. Calculated density = 4.187 g/cm3. Optics are: biaxial (–), α = 1.602(2), β = 1.660(2), γ = 1.680(2) (white light), 2Vmeas.= 59(1)°, 2Vcalc= 59.1°, moderater>vdispersion, orientationY=b,Z∧a= 35° in obtuse β and it is nonpleochroic. Metauroxite occurs as light yellow crude blades and tablets exhibiting weak green–grey fluorescence,ca2 Mohs hardness with good {001} cleavage. Calculated density = 4.403 g/cm3. Approximate optics are: α′ = 1.615(5) and γ′ = 1.685(5). Electron probe microanalysis provided UO379.60, C2O310.02, H2O 10.03, total 99.65 wt.% for uroxite and UO382.66, C2O310.40, H2O 7.81, total 100.87 wt.% for metauroxite; C2O3and H2O are based on the structures. Uroxite is monoclinic,P21/c,a= 5.5698(2),b= 15.2877(6),c= 13.3724(9) Å, β = 94.015(7)°,V= 1135.86(10) Å3andZ= 4. Metauroxite is triclinic,P${\bar 1}$,a= 5.5635(3),b= 6.1152(4),c= 7.8283(4) Å, α = 85.572(5), β = 89.340(4), γ = 82.468°,V= 263.25(3) Å3andZ= 1. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)] are for uroxite: 10.05(38)(011), 5.00(100)(022,${\bar 1}$11), 4.75(23)(031), 4.43(51)(120,${\bar 1}$02), 3.567(33)(131), 3.341(29)(033,${\bar 1}$32, 004), 2.623(28)(${\bar 2}$02, 015,${\bar 1}$43, 220) and for metauroxite: 6.06(45)(010), 5.52(33)(100), 4.97(34)(011), 4.52(100)(0${\bar 1}$1, 101), 3.888(80)(111, 002,${\bar 1}$10), 3.180(51)(${\bar 1}$02, 0${\bar 1}$2), 2.604(32)(${\bar 2}$01,${\bar 1}$${\bar 2}$1). In the structure of uroxite (R1= 0.0333 for 2081I> 2σIreflections), UO7pentagonal bipyramids share corners forming [U4O24] tetramers, which are linked by C2O4groups to form corrugated sheets. In the structure of metauroxite (R1= 0.0648 for 1602I> 2σIreflections) UO7pentagonal bipyramids share edges forming [U2O12] dimers, which are linked by C2O4groups to form zigzag chains.
Survival outcomes of marijuana users in p16 positive oropharynx cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Han , Xie Michael , Levin Marc , Archibald Stuart D. , Jackson B. Stanley , Young J. E. M. , Gupta Michael K.
Published: September 2019

Background

Oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has become the predominant subsite for head and neck mucosal cancers (HNC) due to the rise of human papillomavirus (HPV) related disease. Previous studies have suggested an association between marijuana use and HPV-related OPSCC. Despite this, no study has examined the potential relationship between marijuana use and survival in this subset of patients.

Objective

To examine the survival outcomes of HPV-related OPSCC patients in marijuana users.

Methods

Patients who were marijuana users were identified from a prospectively collected database of HNC patients from January 2011 to 2015. A physical review of clinic records was undertaken to extract relevant patient, tumor, treatment, follow-up, as well as survival data. Patients greater than 17 years of age with pathologically proven p16 positive OPSCC were included. They were then case-matched in a 1-to-1 basis to patients who were non-marijuana users based on age, gender, and cTNM staging.

Results

Forty-Seven patients met inclusion criteria within each group. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, and cT-Stage were predictive of disease recurrence within both groups ( p < 0.05). However, cN-stage, treatment modality, tumor subsite, tobacco use, and tobacco dose were not ( p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between marijuana and non-marijuana user groups in 5-year ( p = 0.400) overall survival, disease-specific ( p = 0.993), disease-free ( p = 0.404), and metastasis-free survival ( p = 0.384).

Conclusions

No survival difference is found between HPV-related OPSCC marijuana users and non-users. This finding has implications for both de-escalation regimes and the use of cannabis as a therapeutic agent.