bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Children
Authors: Sankararaman Senthilkumar , Schindler Teresa , Sferra Thomas J.
Published: September 2019

The diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) can be difficult, as symptoms may be nonspecific. A delayed diagnosis of EPI can negatively impact health through poor weight gain, impaired growth, and malabsorption of nutrients. Because of active growth and development, children are more vulnerable to the consequences of untreated EPI. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is the cornerstone of management and offers both symptomatic relief and improvement in clinical outcomes. Additionally, a high‐energy diet with unrestricted fat and supplementation with fat‐soluble vitamins is often required to optimize growth and prevent nutrition deficiencies. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common condition in children that causes EPI, and improvement in nutrition management is associated with improved pulmonary function and increased survival. Currently, the management of other conditions leading to EPI in children is not well studied, and inferences from the CF literature are often necessary in caring for these patients.
Return for prenatal care and childbirth services among Nigerian women using primary health care facilities
Authors: Aluko Joel Ojo , Modeste Regis Rugira Marie , Adejumo Oluyinka , Anthea Rhoda
Published: September 2019

Aim

The study assessed the return for prenatal care and childbirth services among Nigerian women using primary health care facilities.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional approach was employed for the study.

Methods

A total of 730 participants randomly recruited systematically from 21 purposively selected primary health care facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria were studied. A questionnaire and a checklist were used for data collection. The collection of data spanned three months (April to June, 2014). The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially while the results were presented in frequency tables.

Results

The women's mean age was 28 ± 5.3 years. Out of the 730 women studied, 92.6% received prenatal care. The mean difference between the number of prenatal care registration and the number of childbirths was 76.5. Poor environmental hygiene of facilities, statistically significant cost of services and non‐availability of 24‐hr service were implicated for dissatisfaction with care received by the women and consequent poor return rate for childbirth.
Potential Screening at Electrode/Ionic Liquid Interfaces from In Situ X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Greco Francesco , Shin Sunghwan , Williams Federico J. , Heller Bettina S. J. , Maier Florian , Steinrück Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2019

A new approach to investigate potential screening at the interface of ionic liquids (ILs) and charged electrodes in a two‐electrode electrochemical cell by in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been introduced. Using identical electrodes, we deduce the potential screening at the working and the counter electrodes as a function of applied voltage from the potential change of the bulk IL, as derived from corresponding core level binding energy shifts for different IL/electrode combinations. For imidazolium‐based ILs and Pt electrodes, we find a significantly larger potential screening at the anode than at the cathode, which we attribute to strong attractive interactions between the imidazolium cation and Pt. In the absence of specific ion/electrode interactions, asymmetric potential screening only occurs for ILs with different cation and anion sizes as demonstrated for an imidazolium chloride IL and Au electrodes, which we assign to the different thicknesses of the electrical double layers. Our results imply that potential screening in ILs is mainly established by a single layer of counterions at the electrode.
The relationship between ventricular volume and whole‐brain irradiation dose in central nervous system germ cell tumors
Authors: Toll Stephanie A. , Jones Marjorie T. , Yoshida Emi J. , Dhall Girish , Olch Arthur J. , Wong Kenneth K.
Published: September 2019

Background

Advanced irradiation techniques, including intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), aim to limit irradiation to adjoining tissues by conforming beams to a well‐defined volume. In intracranial germinomas, whole‐ventricular IMRT decreases the volume of irradiation to surrounding parenchyma. This study examined the relationship between ventricular volume and radiation dose to surrounding tissue.

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed age, sex, ventricular and brain volume, ventricular dose, and volume of brain that received 12 Gy (V12) for patients diagnosed with germ cell tumors at our institution treated with whole‐ventricular IMRT between 2002 and 2016. Variables were assessed for correlation and statistical significance.

Results

Forty‐seven patients were analyzed. The median whole‐ventricular irradiation dose was 24 Gy with a median boost dose of 30 Gy. The median ventricular volume was 234.3 cm3, and median brain volume was 1408 cm3. There was no significant difference between mean ventricular volume of suprasellar versus pineal tumors (P = .95). The median V12 of the brain, including the ventricles, was 58.9%. The strongest correlation was between ventricular volume and V12, with an r2 (coefficient of determination) of .47 (P < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that total boost dose and boost planning target volume significantly predicted V12 (P < .001).

Conclusions

Although whole‐ventricular IMRT limited irradiation to surrounding tissue in our cohort, a significant percentage of the brain received at least 12 Gy. This study suggests that there is a positive correlation between ventricular volume and the volume of brain parenchyma receiving at least 12 Gy with an important contribution from the boost phase of treatment.
Pulmonary function in children and adolescents after esophageal atresia repair
Authors: Donoso Felipe , Hedenström Hans , Malinovschi Andrei , E. Lilja Helene
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Respiratory morbidity after esophageal atresia (EA) is common. The aims of this study were to assess pulmonary function, to identify risk factors for pulmonary function impairment (PFI), and to investigate the relations between respiratory morbidity, defined as medical treatment for respiratory symptoms or recent pneumonia and PFI after EA repair.

Material and Methods

Single center retrospective observational study including patients with EA who participated in the follow‐up program for 8‐ or 15‐year old patients from 2014 to 2018 and performed pulmonary function testing by body plethysmography, dynamic spirometry, impulse oscillometry, and diffusing capacity of the lungs. Univariate and multiple stepwise logistic regression with PFI as outcome were performed. Anastomotic leak, episodes of general anesthesia, extubation day, birth weight, age at follow up, gross classification, and abnormal reflux index were independent variables.

Results

In total, 47 patients were included. PFI was found in 19 patients (41%) and 16 out of 19 patients (84%) had an obstructive pattern. Respiratory morbidity was found in 23 (52%, NA = 3) of the patients with no correlation to PFI. Birth weight, age at follow‐up, and episodes of general anesthesia were identified as risk factors for PFI.

Conclusion

Respiratory morbidity and PFI were common in children and adolescents after EA repair. The major component of PFI was obstruction of the airways. The risk for PFI increased with lower birth weight and older age at follow up. The poor correlation between respiratory morbidity and PFI motivates the need of clinical follow up including pulmonary function tests.
Near‐Field Optical Tweezers for Chemistry and Biology
Authors: Hu Sheng , Liao Zi-wei , Cai Lu , Jiang Xiao-xiao
Published: September 2019

Near‐field optical tweezer techniques have been essential for the development for manipulation and identification of micro‐ and nanoparticles (NPs) in lab‐on‐a‐chip systems. Optical waveguide, which has been exploited as a fascinating manipulation approach, provides valuable insights into the biology of the specific type of cells and potential for enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Specific waveguides and its own structures in near‐field optical techniques can be used to trap, transport, sort, levitate, and deform a micro‐ or NP in colloid chemistry and pharmaceutical biology. Given the precise manipulation and trapping stiffness with low light power, a diverse range of micro/nanostructured optical fiber, silicon‐on‐insulator resonator, photonic crystal cavity, and plasmonic waveguide have been proposed in many theoretical models and experimental observations, including polystyrene bead, silica bead, metal particle, erythrocyte, virus, and DNA. Considering the optical pressure fundamental, fabrication process, and structure categorization, this review describes recent mainstream developments and future perspectives of near‐field optical tweezers for chemical and biological applications.
Efficient Synthesis of Fused and Bridged Cyclic Pyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazoles via NH4I Promoted Three‐component Reaction
Authors: Wang Da‐Qian , Sun Jing , Yan Chao‐Guo
Published: September 2019

NH4I promoted three‐component reaction of indoles, cyclic ketones and maleimides in toluene at 140 °C afforded polysubstituted cyclic fused pyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazoles in good yields. The reaction mechanism included sequential Lewis acid catalyzed 3‐alkenylation of indole, Diels‐Alder reaction and aromatization process. More importantly, the similar NH4I promoted reaction of indoles and acetophenones with two molecules of maleimides in refluxing toluene resulted in the complex tetrahydro‐4,10a‐[3,4]epipyrrolopyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazoles in satisfactory yields via double Diels‐Alder reaction. On the other hand, tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazoles can be easily prepared in high yields by conc. HCl catalyzed three‐component reaction of indole and acetophenone and one molecules of maleimide in refluxing ethanol.
Effect of Ionothermal Synthesis on the Acidity and Catalytic Performance of a SAPO‐5 Molecular Sieve
Authors: Feng Jie , Guo Lulu , Wang Zheng , Wang Baishun , Wang Jianfeng , Lu Tianliang , Xu Jun , Zhan Yuzhong , Rawal Aditya , Zhao Chuan , Han Li
Published: September 2019

SAPO‐5 molecular sieves (E‐SAPO‐5) were synthesized ionothermally in 1‐ethyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bromides ([EMMIM]Br) ionic liquid (IL). The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 isothermal adsorption‐desorptionand, temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3‐TPD) and fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the catalytic performances of the samples in the methanol conversion reaction were investigated. Relative to the hydrothermal method, ionothermal synthesis favored the formation of large silica islands mainly by the SM3 substitution mechanism and decreased the B acid sites and the strong acid and total acid amounts of E‐SAPO‐5, which significantly influenced the distribution of the products in the methanol conversion reaction. Methanol underwent the methanol‐to‐dimethyl‐ether (MTD) reaction and methanol‐to‐olefin (MTO) reaction over the E‐SAPO‐5 and hydrothermally synthesized SAPO‐5, respectively. E‐SAPO‐5 exhibited high MTD activity at the high temperature of 450 °C with methanol conversion of 100% and dimethyl ether (DME) selectivity of 86.6%.
Metal‐Organic Framework Derived Ge/TiO2@C Nanotablets as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yao Tianhao , Wang Hongkang , Wang Jinkai , Liu Ting , Li Chao , Han Xiaogang , Cheng Yonghong
Published: September 2019

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising anode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its long lifespan and high rate capability, arising from its excellent structural stability upon lithium intercalation‐deintercalation, but suffers from low conductivity and diffusivity. In contrast, germanium (Ge) possesses high specific theoretical capacity (1600 mA h g−1) as well as high electrical conductivity and high Li+ diffusivity, but the large volume changes upon cycling and the high price still impede its practical application. Herein, with the objective to overcome the drawbacks of TiO2‐based anode materials, Ge/TiO2@C nanotablets with a small amount of Ge content are successfully prepared by annealing C4H12GeO4/MIL‐125 mixtures in Ar/H2 atmosphere. Benefiting from the well‐dispersion of Ge nanoparticles within the TiO2@C matrices, the composites exhibit superior electrochemical performance when examined as a LIB anode material, delivering high reversible capacities of 502/258 mA h g−1 after 200/500 cycles at current densities of 200/500 mA g−1, respectively. Notably, the Ge/TiO2@C shows enhanced surface/pore features and demonstrates improved conductivity, lithium diffusion and specific capacities, owing to the introduction of Ge component.
The Development of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Glutaminyl Cyclase and Isoglutaminyl Cyclase for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Xu Ana , He Feng , Yu Chenggong , Qu Ying , Zhang Qiuqiong , Lv Jiahui , Zhang Xiangna , Ran Yingying , Wei Chao , Wu Jingde
Published: September 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and one of the leading causes of death in the elderly worldwide. The exact underlying pathogenesis of AD remains elusive because of its complexity and involvement of multiple factors. Glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and isoGlutaminyl cyclase (isoQC) belong to the family of the metalloenzymes and catalyze the intramolecular cyclization of N‐terminal L‐glutamine/glutamate residues of certain proteins into pyroglutamic acid (pGlu). The amyloid protein and the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) also known as CCL2 that promotes a cascade of inflammation‐related responses are two representative substrates. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the pyroglutamated Aβ and CCL2 exhibit more severe neurotoxicity than normal Aβ and CCL2. Thus, QC represents one of the attractive targets to develop novel treatments for AD. In this review the recent development of QC inhibitors as anti‐AD agents will be summarized.
Porous Carbon Nanofiber/Carbon Black Composite as Promising Support for Platinum Catalyst to Enhance Oxygen Reduction Reaction in PEMFC
Authors: Mao Linchang , Shan Chun , Fu Kang , Jin Junhong , Yang Shenglin , Li Guang
Published: September 2019

Porous carbon nanofiber (PCNF) was collaborated with carbon black (CB) to act as composite support (PCNF‐CB) to prepare platinum (Pt) catalyst (Pt/PCNF‐CB) by means of ethylene glycol reduction method. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of Pt/PCNF‐CB and the reference commercial Pt/C catalyst were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). Among CB content of 20 wt% to 50 wt%, Pt/PCNF‐CB‐30% shows not only better catalytic activity in terms of onset potential and mass activity (MA), but also more durable than Pt/C. After 2000 accelerated potential cycles, Pt/PCNF‐CB‐30% exhibits 68% retention of electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and 24 mV loss in half‐wave potential, while Pt/C gives 43% retention of ECSA and 94 mV loss in half‐wave potential. Significantly, the single cell performance confirmed that the MEA composed of Pt/PCNF‐CB‐30% as cathode catalyst reveals almost twice maximum power density than that composed of Pt/C catalyst.
On‐Chip Generation of Vortical Flows for Microfluidic Centrifugation
Authors: Ahmed Heba , Ramesan Shwathy , Lee Lillian , Rezk Amgad R. , Yeo Leslie Y.
Published: September 2019

Microcentrifugation constitutes an important part of the microfluidic toolkit in a similar way that centrifugation is crucial to many macroscopic procedures, given that micromixing, sample preconcentration, particle separation, component fractionation, and cell agglomeration are essential operations in small scale processes. Yet, the dominance of capillary and viscous effects, which typically tend to retard flow, over inertial and gravitational forces, which are often useful for actuating flows and hence centrifugation, at microscopic scales makes it difficult to generate rotational flows at these dimensions, let alone with sufficient vorticity to support efficient mixing, separation, concentration, or aggregation. Herein, the various technologies—both passive and active—that have been developed to date for vortex generation in microfluidic devices are reviewed. Various advantages or limitations associated with each are outlined, in addition to highlighting the challenges that need to be overcome for their incorporation into integrated microfluidic devices.
Recent Progress of Microfluidic Devices for Hemodialysis
Authors: Luo Jing , Fan Jun‐Bing , Wang Shutao
Published: September 2019

Microfluidic hemodialysis techniques have recently attracted great attention in the treatment of kidney disease due to their advantages of portability and wearability as well as their great potential for replacing clinical hospital‐centered blood purification with continuous in‐home hemodialysis. This Review summarizes the recent progress in microfluidic devices for hemodialysis. First, the history of kidney‐inspired hemodialysis is introduced. Then, recent achievements in the preparation of microfluidic devices and hemodialysis nanoporous membrane materials are presented and categorized. Subsequently, attention is drawn to the recent progress of nanoporous membrane‐based microfluidic devices for hemodialysis. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of hemodialysis microfluidic devices in the future are also discussed. This Review is expected to provide a comprehensive guide for the design of hemodialysis microfluidic devices that are closely related to clinical applications.
A Tailored Nickel Oxide Hole‐Transporting Layer to Improve the Long‐Term Thermal Stability of Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Weitao , Zhang Shasha , Liu Zhenghao , Wu Shaohang , Chen Rui , Pan Ming , Yang Zhichun , Zhu Hongmei , Liu Sanwan , Tang Jiang , Li Jiangyu , Chen Wei
Published: September 2019

Cesium‐based inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted great attention due to the superior thermal stability of the light absorbers. However, the reported devices normally contain organic charge‐transporting layers (CTLs), such as spiro‐OMeTAD, which is expensive and highly sensitive to ambient atmosphere and temperature. It is of great significance to develop inorganic CTLs with low cost and robust stability. To date, it is still a big challenge to achieve high‐quality inorganic CTL films via the solution process, especially for the hole‐transporting layer (HTL) in conventional n‐i‐p structures. Herein, tailored NiO nanocrystalline films as HTLs in an all‐layer‐inorganic CsPbI2Br‐based PSCs are developed, which exhibit uniform, pinhole‐free morphologies and efficient charge‐extraction capabilities. Consequently, the as‐constructed all‐layer‐inorganic PSCs, with an optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.14% and a stabilized power output of 14.82%, present robust long‐term thermal stability: retained 85% of their initial PCEs after a thermal treatment at 85 °C in the dark in a nitrogen atmosphere with encapsulation for 1000 h, greatly surpassing the performance of the PSCs based on the organic HTLs.
Cations Functionalized Carbon Nano‐Dots Enabling Interfacial Passivation and Crystallization Control for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zhiqi , Liu Chunyu , Ren Guanha , Han Wenbin , Shen Liang , Guo Wenbin
Published: September 2019

Realizing the full potential of perovskite photovoltaic requires stringent control over nonradiative losses in the devices. Herein, the interfacial carrier recombination of inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is suppressed using rationally designed natriumion‐functionalized carbon nano‐dots (CNDs@Na). The binding effect of carbon dots on Na+ inhibits the interstitial occupancy of alkali cations and reduces the microstrain of the polycrystalline film. Furthermore, modified surface wettability improves the ordering and crystal size of perovskite, which restrains ion diffusion and improves interfacial contact, leading to reduced interfacial charge recombination. Consequently, the effective interfacial passivation and crystallization control enhance the photovoltaic performance and long‐term stability of PSCs, resulting in an efficiency of over 20% with negligible hysteresis.
Systematics, preservation and biogeography of radiodonts from the southern Great Basin, USA, during the upper Dyeran (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4)
Authors: Pates Stephen , Daley Allison C. , Edgecombe Gregory D. , Cong Peiyun , Lieberman Bruce S.
Published: September 2019

Anomalocaris, the most well‐known genus of the diverse stem euarthropod group Radiodonta, was first reported over 100 years ago from the Burgess Shale (Canada). This large Cambrian apex predator was later treated as occurring in the southern Great Basin (California and Nevada, USA). We re‐evaluate the systematic affinities of previously described material from the Pioche Formation, Nevada, and the Latham Shale, California, and describe the first radiodonts from the Pyramid Shale Member, Carrara Formation, California. Latham Shale (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4, upper Dyeran) specimens previously assigned to Anomalocaris are reinterpreted as Ramskoeldia consimilis?, an amplectobeluid previously known only from the Chengjiang biota (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3). Younger material from the Pioche and Carrara Formations (Series 2, Stage 4) is described as a new Anomalocaris species, A. magnabasis. This new species sheds light on the two‐part structure of Anomalocaris ventral endites, a potentially important character for distinguishing species, and reveals a sequence of five disarticulation stages for frontal appendages. The oldest Hurdia from Laurentia is also reported from the Pioche Formation (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4). A changeover in taxonomic composition of the Radiodonta in the southern Great Basin is recognized: Anomalocaris replaces Ramskoeldia in the upper Dyeran, but it is not associated with a replacement of local olenelloid trilobites or seen in radiodonts elsewhere in Laurentia. These new data, combined with a summary of known radiodont occurrences, suggest that Anomalocaris species did not have large geographical distributions, when compared with other radiodonts such as Hurdia and Caryosyntrips.
Functional Properties of Acid‐Thinned Potato Starch: Impact of Modification, Molecular Starch Characteristics, and Solution Preparation
Authors: Ulbrich Marco , Flöter Eckhard
Published: September 2019

A matrix of 27 acid‐thinned (AT) potato starch (PS) samples is prepared in a laboratory scale in slurry by gradation of the process parameters temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), acid concentration (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m HCl) and time (4, 10, and 20 h), and is investigated in terms of functional properties (range of molar mass [Mw] between 17.7 × 106 and 1.95 × 104 g mol−1). The solubility (S) increased basically with a higher degree of molecular degradation and disintegration temperature, and the viscosity decreased systematically with decreasing Mw and increasing disintegration temperature. The existence of a specific Mw range of the starch to achieve highest gel strength is proved. However, an impact of the molecular properties on the light transmittance (Tgel) can be excluded, since all starch gels are opaque. A correlation between the strength and the specific non‐freezable bound water content (wnf) of the gels is found. High gel strength is accompanied by comparatively low wnf. In particular, the viscosity (processing) and the gel strength (final product characteristic), which are important technofunctional properties for the industrial application of AT starches, are found to be directly correlated to the Mw of the starch product. Moreover, the latter is controllable by the hydrolysis process parameters.
Improved Internship Practices as a Result of Collaborative Curriculum Design
Authors: Akomaning Edward
Published: September 2019

Ghanaian polytechnics were designed to equip students with competencies that make them readily employable or allow them to set up their own businesses. In order to fulfill this mission, the studies reported in this chapter aimed to improve internship practices at the Departments of Hotel Catering and Institution Management of Tamale and Takoradi Polytechnics by engaging teachers in the collaborative design of curriculum materials used in student internships. Results revealed that teachers appreciated being involved in collaborative curriculum design, but some regretted not being able to supervise students during their internships. Internship practices improved and interns received the cooperation of industry. Moreover, self-assessment reports reveal that interns improved their competencies significantly compared to those students who did not go through internships.
Classic Design of Curriculum Innovations: Investigation of Teacher Involvement in Research, Development, and Diffusion
Authors: Pareja Roblin Natalie , McKenney Susan
Published: September 2019

This chapter examines the Research, Development, and Diffusion (RD&D) model, which for many years has dominated how research is used to inform the design of (large-scale) curriculum innovations. Specifically, we report a study that aimed to ascertain how research and practice relationships are shaped in RD&D projects, with a particular focus on teachers’ involvement and roles in the curriculum design process. From the larger literature concerned with the design of research-based curriculum innovations, we selected and analyzed nine projects featuring key characteristics of the RD&D model. Our findings confirmed that the RD&D model lives up to its potential to promote active utilization of research to inform the design of curriculum innovations. All projects analyzed reported the use of scientific research literature and findings from systematic evaluation studies as main sources of knowledge informing the curriculum design. Furthermore, and in strong contrast to the criticisms of the model, results indicate increased attention to the context and active involvement of teachers in the design process. Overall, this study inspires novel ways of thinking about the core RD&D assumptions and provides specific examples of how to actively involve teachers in fruitful research, development, and diffusion processes.
Culturally Sensitive Curriculum Development
Authors: Gervedink Nijhuis Chantal
Published: September 2019

To assure high quality education in developing countries, curriculum development efforts are often initiated as part of international cooperation projects. Culture affects the educational context of the countries involved as well as the ways in which curriculum developers from different countries are used to working and behaving. Therefore, the influences of culture on curriculum development cannot be neglected. The study described in this chapter aimed to shed light on cultural factors influencing curriculum development processes. This study took place in the context of an international educational cooperation programme that involved project partners from Ghana and The Netherlands. Specifically, the project studied concerned the development and implementation of a professional development programme for Heads of Department of polytechnics in Ghana. In the chapter, a conceptual framework is first developed and cultural challenges affecting the development, implementation and sustainability of the professional development programme are investigated. Next, the findings are compared with similar international cooperation projects to substantiate the outcomes. As this study reinforced and strengthened the importance of accounting for culture, this chapter also provides guidelines and recommendations for culturally sensitive curriculum development in the context of international cooperation.
Robotic Side‐to‐Side and End‐to‐Side Stapled Esophagogastric Anastomosis of Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy for Cancer
Authors: Zhang Hanlu , Wang Zihao , Zheng Yu , Geng Yingcai , Wang Fuqiang , Chen Long‐Qi , Wang Yun
Published: September 2019

Background

Both linear‐stapled side‐to‐side esophagogastric anastomosis (LSEA) and circular‐stapled end‐to‐side esophagogastric anastomosis (CEEA) are frequently used following esophagectomy. The aims of the present study were to review our experience of robotic intrathoracic alimentary tract reconstruction and to compare the short‐term surgical outcomes of LSEA and CEEA in robotic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.

Methods

A prospectively collected dataset from 79 consecutive patients who underwent robot‐assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy from February 2016 to December 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. Two groups (LSEA and CEEA) were classified according to the anastomotic mode. Demographic data, intraoperative characteristics and short‐term surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

Two patients were converted to laparotomy. The remaining 77 patients (68 males and 9 females, mean age of 61.7 years) were successfully treated with completely robotic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. According to the anastomotic procedure performed, 35 patients were categorized into the LSEA group and 42 patients were categorized into the CEEA group. The mean anastomotic time in the LSEA group was longer than that in the CEEA group (63.0 ± 9.0 vs. 44.2 ± 8.5 min, p < 0.001). No significant difference was detected in anastomotic complications, including leakage (8.6% with LSEA and 4.8% with CEEA, p = 0.83) and postoperative dysphagia (5.7% with LSEA and 16.7% with CEEA, p = 0.26). No statistical difference was observed for the other surgical outcomes. There was no incidence of in‐hospital mortality and 30‐day mortality in both groups.

Conclusions

In robotic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, both LSEA and CEEA were feasible and safe to be performed and surgeons can select either LSEA or CEEA based on their own technical expertise.
Integrated Assessment of Natural Hazards, Including Climate Change’s Influences, for Cultural Heritage Sites: The Case of the Historic Centre of Rethymno in Greece
Authors: Ravankhah Mohammad , de Wit Rosmarie , Argyriou Athanasios V. , Chliaoutakis Angelos , Revez Maria João , Birkmann Joern , Žuvela-Aloise Maja , Sarris Apostolos , Tzigounaki Anastasia , Giapitsoglou Kostas
Published: September 2019

Within the framework of disaster risk management, this article proposes an interdisciplinary method for the analysis of multiple natural hazards, including climate change’s influences, in the context of cultural heritage. A taxonomy of natural hazards applicable to cultural heritage was developed based on the existing theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Sudden-onset hazards, such as earthquakes and floods, and slow-onset hazards, such as wetting–drying cycles and biological contamination, were incorporated into the hazard assessment procedure. Future alteration of conditions due to climate change, such as change in heat waves’ duration, was also taken into account. The proposed hazard assessment framework was applied to the case of the Historic Centre of Rethymno, a city on the northern coast of the island of Crete in Greece, to identify, analyze, and prioritize the hazards that have the potential to cause damage to the center’s historic structures. The assessment procedure includes climate model projections, GIS spatial modeling and mapping, and finally a hazard analysis matrix to enable the sharing of a better understanding of multiple hazards with the stakeholders. The results can facilitate decision making by providing the vulnerability and risk analysis with the nature and spatial distribution of the significant hazards within the study area and its setting.
Effect of plasma oxidation parameters on physical properties of nanocrystalline nickel oxide thin films grown by two-step method: DC sputtering and plasma oxidation
Authors: Hajakbari F. , Rashvand S. , Hojabri A.
Published: September 2019

Nanocrystalline nickel oxide (NiO) thin films were successfully grown on quartz substrates by two-step method. In the first step, nickel films were deposited on quartz substrates by DC magnetron sputtering technique. Then, the plasma oxidation of nickel films was used for preparation of nickel oxide. The effect of DC plasma power and treatment time on the structural, morphological and optical properties of the NiO films were investigated by different analyses. XRD results indicated that the plasma powers effectively influenced the structure of films, and the best crystallinity was obtained for plasma power of 15 w and treatment time of 20 min. The XPS, RBS and EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Ni and O elements. The FESEM and AFM images showed a granular structure with spherical shapes of grains. The optical band gap of the films synthesized under different plasma oxidation conditions was also discussed.
Women with Positive First Trimester Thyroid Disease Screening Results
Authors: Dhaifalah Ishraq , Havalova Jana , Langova Dagmar , Adamik Zdenek , Cuckle Howard
Published: September 2019

The objective of this study was to follow up women with positive results on routine antenatal screening for maternal thyroid disease. Between November 2009 and September 2015, women having a first trimester Down’s syndrome screening test were simultaneously screened for thyroid disease; those symptomatic or being investigated for thyroid problems were excluded. A blood sample was tested for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and serum thyroid stimulating hormone, and in the first half of the study also for free thyroxine. Women with at least one analyte outside the range were classified as positive and referred to an endocrinologist for counselling. Among 10,052 women that were screened, 1190 (11.8%) were positive. Follow-up information was sought and this was available on 818 referrals. No further action was recommended in 440 (54%) and after repeat testing in 108 (13%) a total of 204 (25%) were recommended to take thyroxine, one was referred for surgery and propylthiouracil was recommended for five. Screening in the Czech Republic identifies an estimated 3.1% of pregnant women with subclinical thyroid disease.
Erholungsbeeinträchtigungen bei Beschäftigten
Authors: Schulz Anika D. , Wendsche Johannes , Lohmann-Haislah Andrea , Schöllgen Ina
Published: September 2019

Hintergrund

Das Thema Erholung von der Arbeit gewinnt in der Forschung und in der betrieblichen Praxis zunehmend an Bedeutung. Auftretende Schwierigkeiten, sich zu erholen, können ein frühes Warnsignal für drohende Gesundheitseinschränkungen sein.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die vorliegende Untersuchung gibt einen Überblick über die Verbreitung von Erholungsbeeinträchtigungen bei Beschäftigten in Deutschland. Dabei werden verschiedene Beschäftigungsmerkmale und Berufsgruppen berücksichtigt. Außerdem werden Erholungsprobleme in Verbindung mit gesundheitsbezogenen Aspekten wie Arbeitsfähigkeit, Erschöpfung und depressiven Symptomen betrachtet.

Methodik

Es wurden repräsentative Daten von 4201 sozialversicherungspflichtig Beschäftigten in Deutschland aus der ersten Erhebungswelle der Studie Mentale Gesundheit bei der Arbeit (S-MGA) ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass 13 % der Befragten in ihrer Erholung beeinträchtigt sind. Personen mit einer hohen Anzahl an Wochenarbeitsstunden, ungeregelten Arbeitszeiten und/oder befristeten Verträgen sind anteilig am meisten von Erholungsproblemen betroffen. Erholungsschwierigkeiten treten prozentual am häufigsten bei Führungskräften und Beschäftigten mit Interaktionsarbeit auf. Mit steigendem Grad der Erholungsbeeinträchtigungen nimmt auch gleichzeitig der jeweilige Anteil an Beschäftigten mit Erschöpfung, depressiven Symptomen sowie verminderter Arbeitsfähigkeit zu.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse liefern Anhaltspunkte zur Identifikation beruflicher Risikogruppen für potenzielle Erholungsprobleme. Diese können mit reduzierter Arbeitsfähigkeit und eingeschränkter mentaler Gesundheit einhergehen. Im Rahmen der Gefährdungsbeurteilung sollten folglich auch die Erholungsbedingungen während und nach der Arbeit in den Blick genommen werden.
Disclosure as a tool for enhancing consumer engagement and competition
Authors: FLETCHER AMELIA
Published: September 2019

Finding ways to get consumers engaged in markets is a major current topic of debate. This article examines why consumer engagement is so important in driving effective competition in markets. It then considers some key categories of intervention that can enhance consumer engagement, and in particular the various roles that disclosure can play. Recent examples are provided from the UK, where many such engagement measures have been implemented. The article emphasizes the importance, when policy-makers are designing such interventions, of understanding how real consumers truly behave. It also highlights the relevance to competitive outcomes of two further concepts: relative salience and relative consumer engagement. Finally, the article draws on both the successes and the failures of past interventions to identify some lessons for policy-makers when stepping into this area.
Classification of bloodstream infections in patients recently discharged from acute-care facilities: Hospital acquired or healthcare-associated community onset?
Authors: Khatib Riad , Sharma Mamta , Fakih Mohamad G. , Riederer Kathleen M. , Johnson Leonard B.
Published: September 2019

Laboratory-identified bloodstream infections (LAB-ID BSIs) in recently discharged patients are likely to be classified as healthcare-associated community-onset (HCA-CO) infections, even though they may represent hospital-onset (HO) infections. A review of LAB-ID BSIs among patients discharged within 14 days revealed that 109 of 756 cases (14.4%) were HO infections. The BSI risk being misclassified as HCA CO may underestimate the hospital infection risk.
Breakup and non-coalescence mechanism of aqueous droplets suspended in castor oil under electric field
Authors: Roy Subhankar , Anand Vikky , Thaokar Rochish M.
Published: September 2019

The effect of an electric field on the coalescence of two water droplets suspended in an insulating oil (castor oil) in the non-coalescence regime is investigated. Unlike the immediate breakup of the bridge, as reported in earlier studies, e.g. Ristenpart et al. (Nature, vol. 461 (7262), 2009, pp. 377–380), the non-coalescence observed in our experiments indicate that at strong fields the droplets exhibit a tendency to coalesce, the intervening bridge thickens whereafter the bridge dramatically begins to thin, initiating non-coalescence. Numerical simulations using the boundary integral method are able to explain the physical mechanism of thickening of this bridge followed by thinning and non-coalescence. The underlying reason is the competing meridional and azimuthal curvatures which affect the pressure inside the bridge to become either positive or negative under the effect of electric field induced Maxwell stresses. Velocity and pressure profiles confirm this hypothesis and we are able to predict this behaviour of transitory coalescence followed by non-coalescence.
A motivational approach to emotional labor: Examining the link between goal orientation and emotional labor strategies
Authors: Esmaeilikia Mahsa , Groth Markus
Published: September 2019

Drawing on goal orientation theory, in this study, we examine how an individual's motivational approach relates to the use of two common emotional labor strategies: surface acting and deep acting. In addition, we examine the role of self-efficacy as a mediating mechanism through which different goal orientations are related to different emotional labor strategies. To test our hypotheses, 262 U.S. full-time working adults from a variety of service occupations were surveyed. Consistent with the predictions of goal orientation theory, our results show that learning-oriented service employees tend to use deep acting, while performance-oriented service employees use both emotional labor strategies. Our findings also show that emotional labor self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between motivational approach and emotional labor strategy use.
Training and maintaining autonomy-supportive supervisory style in low-skilled occupations
Authors: Yong Amy , Roche Maree , Sutton Anna
Published: September 2019

According to self-determination theory, employees' well-being is related to the autonomy-supportive style of a supervisor. However, the effect of supervision style on well-being remains understudied in low-skilled occupations. This study employed a mixed-method, multi-level approach to examine the impact of autonomy-supportive training (AST) on supervisors and employees and to identify factors contributing to the maintenance of supervisors' autonomy support (SAS). The quantitative phase evaluated the effect of AST on supervisory style and employees' well-being, with a sample of 44 supervisors and 240 employees in New Zealand. The qualitative phase used focus groups and interview with 15 supervisors to explore factors that could influence the maintenance of SAS. Overall, supervisors can be trained to adopt an autonomy-supportive style, but these skills can also be diluted by organisational factors such as pressures and managerial behaviour. This study contributes to autonomy-supportive style research in order to account for factors affecting the maintenance of SAS in low-skilled occupations.
Media with reputational concerns: yes men or watchdogs?
Authors: Sheen Greg Chih-Hsin
Published: September 2019

During the political process, the electorate needs to determine the competence of the government by both observing its policy decisions and acquiring information from the media. However, media reports are often criticized for not being independent and truthful. This paper discusses whether the public can determine the quality of a government from media reports. In other words, are media outlets more likely to act as watchdogs or just as “yes men” to the government? This paper argues that, because of reputational concerns, the media usually avoid criticizing the government. The media only report truthfully when the expected competence of the government is sufficiently low and the probability for the voter to learn from other information sources is sufficiently high. Otherwise, media outlets—especially low-quality outlets—will pander to the government in their reporting. Policy bias or media capture is not required for the yes-man problem to prevail.
KINGS AND ELITES IN AN INTERCULTURAL TRADITION: FROM DIODORUS TO THE EGYPTIAN TEMPLES
Authors: Caneva Stefano G.
Published: September 2019

The study of Hellenistic Egypt, as it has been jointly carried out by Hellenists and Egyptologists in recent decades, is a remarkable example of the efficacy of interdisciplinary endeavours bringing together different media and cultural traditions. Based on the premises of these studies in social and cultural history, this article focuses on a neglected aspect of the encounters between the Graeco-Macedonian and Egyptian elites in the Ptolemaic kingdom: the role played by self-stylization in cultural encounters in general and, more precisely, in intercultural negotiations for legitimacy and privilege. The focus will be on the strategy by which one party – in this case, the Egyptian elite – could consciously shape a representation of its traditions and values that was meant to gain more prestige and contractual power in diplomatic exchanges with the Ptolemaic establishment.
Latin Literature
Authors: Whitton Christopher
Published: September 2019

How did the Romans do philology? Think in terms of the Latin language, and Varro'sDe lingua Latina, Caesar'sDe analogia, or Quintilian's chapters on grammar might come to mind. Think of commentary on texts, and names like Servius, Asconius, and Porphyrio won't be far away. But few of us, it's probably fair to say, could claim a deep acquaintance with all of those, and still fewer have acquired much sense of the broader picture – and itisbroad – of ancient scholarship in and on Latin. Cue James Zetzel'sCritics, Compilers, and Commentators, a massive and remarkable study of Roman philology from antiquity into the early Middle Ages.
Counter-Theatre during the 1797 Fleet Mutinies
Authors: Easton Callum
Published: September 2019

In the spring of 1797, when French invasion appeared likely, the Spithead and Nore mutinies successively immobilized the two Royal Navy fleets responsible for home defence. The Spithead mutineers gained more pay and greater food rations for all Royal Navy sailors, and a general pardon for themselves. The Nore mutiny ended in collapse, courts martial, and the execution of approximately twenty-eight prominent mutineers. In their scale and potential danger, these fleet mutinies rank among the most serious manifestations of collective resistance in eighteenth-century Britain. In complexity, they far exceeded single-ship mutinies like theBountyorHermione. The mutineers deliberately subverted symbols of the legitimate rule of officers and deployed them in support of their own rival regime. “Counter-theatre” allowed the mutineer leaders to perpetuate their rule with minimal recourse to coercion by combining familiar symbols of naval order, new mutineer power structures, and sailors’ traditions of resistance. As such, the mutinies speak to wider literatures: to histories of the age of revolutions, to the revolutionary Atlantic, and to histories of popular protest and resistance.
A comparison of turbulent transport in a quasi-helical and a quasi-axisymmetric stellarator
Authors: McKinney I. J. , Pueschel M. J. , Faber B. J. , Hegna C. C. , Talmadge J. N. , Anderson D. T. , Mynick H. E. , Xanthopoulos P.
Published: September 2019

Ion-temperature-gradient-driven (ITG) turbulence is compared for two quasi-symmetric (QS) stellarator configurations to determine the relationship between linear growth rates and nonlinear heat fluxes. We focus on the quasi-helically symmetric (QHS) stellarator HSX and the quasi-axisymmetric (QAS) stellarator NCSX. In normalized units, HSX exhibits higher growth rates than NCSX, while heat fluxes in gyro-Bohm units are lower in HSX. These results hold for simulations made with both adiabatic and kinetic electrons. The results show that HSX has a larger number of subdominant modes than NCSX and that eigenmodes are more spatially extended in HSX. We conclude that the consideration of nonlinear physics is necessary to accurately assess the heat flux due to ITG turbulence when comparing QS stellarator equilibria.
Vietnamese ethnic minority students’ language practices under the influence of external interventions: A management perspective
Authors: Nguyen Trang Thi Thuy
Published: September 2019

This article examines Vietnamese ethnic minority students’ language practices under the influence of external interventions from a language management perspective. It focuses on the ways the students engage with various levels of interventions in their language practices. The study mainly draws on a group of college-age minority students’ experiences and perspectives collected through semistructured interviews. Findings suggest that the students, in making decisions to use their ethnic language and Vietnamese, the mainstream language,respondedto interventions by the school and the ethnic community by adapting to the latter's language policy, whilereinterpretingto conform to/deviate from interventions by other individuals such as their parents, their teachers, or their peers. In that process of managing their language practices, theyreframedtheir identity in which both maintenance and transformation orientations were active. Implications related to minority language policy and language maintenance are then suggested. (Language management, individual language management, language practices, language choice, language policy, language maintenance, ethnic minority)*