bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Specific Interfaces in Thin Films by X-Ray Fluorescence Using Interference Effect in Total Reflection
Authors: Sakurai Kenji , Iida Atsuo
Published: March 2019

It has been proposed that the interference effect in grazing incidence/exit X-ray fluorescence can be used as an analytical tool. Though these total reflection related measurements have been widely used because of their inherent high sensitivity to the surface of materials, the interference in case of thin films is most likely to be considered difficult to analyze. The present paper describes the use of the interference effect to provide additional capability to enhance information on a specific interface of a thin film. Detailed interpretation of the angular resolved fluorescence tells us at which interface an element of interest is localized. It can be applied to the thin film of only a few layers or non-periodic multilayers where a regular standing wave is not generated.
Peritectic Melting Sequence of Bi-2212 and Bi-2212/Ag Measured Using Insitu XRD
Authors: Misture S. T. , Mathers D. P. , Snyder R. L. , Blanton T. N. , Zom G. M. , Seebacher B.
Published: March 2019

High temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) was used to determine the peritectic melting sequence of BI2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212) and Bi-2212+20 wt.% Ag thick films on MgO substrates. The optimized sample preparation technique includes tape casting the powders to form 10μm thick films, and reducing the residual carbon concentration to 1600 ppm by careful thermal treatment before the HTXRD measurements. Lattice parameter analyses were used to determine the compositions of solid solutions present in the partially-melted state. Pour phases form during melting Bi-2212 or Bi-2212 + Ag, including an unidentified phase, (C0,4Sr0,6CuO2, (Ca1,4Sr0,6)CuO3, and (Sr,Ca)0.
Txrf-Sources-Samples and Detectors
Authors: Wobrauschek P. , Kregsamer P. , Ladisich W. , Riede R. , Streli Christina , Garbe S. , Haller M. , Knöchel A. , Radtke M.
Published: March 2019

Total reflection x-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) has reached a mature state but still improvements are possible in selecting the proper components for TXRF and optimizing them in the best suitable way. Two approaches are presented, the extension of the number of detectable elements after K-shell excitation and the improvement of the detection limits. The results show, that the elements from B to U can be detected by their characteristic K-lines and that detection limits for medium Z elements e.g. Ni in the fg range are achievable. Most of the best results have been measured using synchrotron radiation with spectral modifying devices like multilayer monochromators. Other x-ray sources like a windowless tube with exchangeable anodes of either material Al, Si or Mo were successfully tested for the efficient excitation of light elements.
An Order of Magnitude Improvement in Detection Limits Achieved by Using a New Sample Support in Small Spot Xrf Analysis.
Authors: Nielson Andrew J. , Turner D. Clark , Wilson Alisa , Wherry David C. , Wong Rich
Published: March 2019

A new sample support film for small spot XRF analysis has been developed that improves detection limits by a factor of 10 over traditional polymer supports. The surface characteristics of this new film are excellent for retaining drops of sample solution in one place and allowing the solution to dry into a single spot A dimpling technique was developed to further aid in concentrating the evaporated samples to the prescribed spot size and position. The film showed good resistance to chemical attacfc from the solution, even some strong acids and bases. The detection limits achieved using micro sample XRF with the ultra thin sample support were sufficient to be a comparable alternative to ICP-MS and GFAAS for elemental analysis.
Electronic Spreadsheets for XRF - Survey and Comparison
Authors: Klimasara Anthony J.
Published: March 2019

The electronic spreadsheet market for the IBM or compatible PC has become competitive. One can find a dozen or more different spreadsheet programs available today which are very nicely graphically “dressed,” Computer journals indicate that the main spreadsheet competitors.
Electrochemotherapy as Promising Treatment Option in Rare Recurrent Cutaneous Neoplasm of the Scalp: Case Report of an Elderly Patient
Authors: Crimini Edoardo , Roberto Michela , Degli Effetti Valter , Marchetti Paolo , Botticelli Andrea , Schipilliti Francesca Matilde , Arrivi Giulia , Mazzuca Federica
Published: March 2019

Background. Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a tumor that commonly presents on the head or neck in older individuals. Making a definitive diagnosis of AFX is challenging, and frequently, it is hard to distinguish from pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS). There are no clear recommendations regarding the treatment of AFX, but an extensive surgery is actually considered the best option. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel therapeutic modality of local treatment in which the application of electrical pulses, enhancing cell membrane permeability, allows greater intracellular accumulation of chemotherapy drugs in the skin or subcutaneous tumors. Case Report. We report a case of a 78-year-old male affected by a red, ulcerative, dermal, scalp nodule, which was treated with ECT with a complete clinical response. We have also reported literature data on this topic. Results. In this case, ECT showed to be an effective and safe treatment for recurrent neoplasms of the head and neck, considering the complete response obtained and the absence of disease relapse after two years. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report that shows great clinical results using ECT after surgery in relapsed AFX/PDS. However, more studies are needed to confirm our results.
Giant Muscle Invasive Dermatofibroma Clinically Mimicking a Malignant Tumor
Authors: Kinoshita Hideyuki , Ishii Takeshi , Kamoda Hiroto , Tsukanishi Toshinori , Orita Sumihisa , Inage Kazuhide , Ohtori Seiji , Yonemoto Tsukasa
Published: March 2019

Dermatofibromas are common benign fibrohistiocytic lesions, usually appearing as slow growing firm dermal nodules with a predilection for the extremities (mostly the lower legs). They are found mostly in middle-aged women and are usually smaller than 2 cm in diameter. Giant dermatofibromas exceeding 5 cm in diameter are rare. In recent years, reports have suggested a relationship between the primary size of dermatofibromas and rates of local recurrence and metastases after surgery. This relationship is however debated. The present report describes the case of a giant muscle invasive tumor in a 51-year-old female patient who presented with a large ulcerated mass in the right upper arm. The tumor appeared clinically malignant, measuring approximately 12 cm × 6 cm in size, with ulceration and invasion of surrounding muscle. Wide resection of the tumor was performed with myocutaneous flap-plasty. Histopathological examination showed evidence of a dermatofibroma. No recurrence, metastases, or other complications were noted at 5 years after surgery. The present case demonstrates that although dermatofibromas are essentially benign, they may present with atypical features including large size, ulceration, and muscle invasion, clinically mimicking malignant tumors.
The Alcohol Extract of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt Ameliorates Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy in db/db Mice through miR-192/miR-200b and PTEN/AKT and ZEB2/ECM Pathways
Authors: Yu Shunjie , Zhao Haoran , Yang Wenjing , Amat Ramila , Peng Jun , Li Yike , Deng Kai , Mao Xinmin , Jiao Yi
Published: March 2019

The study aims to investigate the effects of the alcohol extract of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt (AC) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice. A total of 30 db/db (DN) mice were divided into 3 groups, which were treated with AC (300 mg/kg/day), metformin (180 mg/kg/day), or saline by gavage for 10 weeks. Ten db/m mice treated with saline were used as normal control (NC group). Body weight (BW) and fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, 24 h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and renal pathological fibrosis were analyzed. Expression of miR-192, miR-200b, and proteins in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway was analyzed by qPCR or western blot. The DN mice had significantly higher BW, FBG, and 24 h UAE, as well as more severe pathological fibrosis when compared with NC. Treatment of AC could decrease BW, FBG, and 24 h UAE and alleviated kidney damage. Compared with the NC group, expressions of miR-192 and miR-200b were increased, whereas their target proteins (ZEB2 and PTEN) were reduced in the kidneys of DN mice, which further modulated the expression of their downstream proteins PI3K p85α, P-AKT, P-smad3, and COL4 α1; these proteins were increased in the kidneys of DN mice. In contrast, AC treatment reversed the expression changes of these proteins. These findings demonstrate that AC may protect the kidneys of DN mice by decreasing miR-192 and miR-200b, which could further regulate their target gene expression and modulate the activity of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway to reduce the degree of renal fibrosis.
Explicit Form of Exact Analytical Solution for Calculating Ground Displacement and Stress Induced by Shallow Tunneling and Its Application
Authors: Guo Caixia , Han Kaihang , Kong Heng , Shi Leilei
Published: March 2019

In urban environment, it is often unavoidable for shallow tunnels to be constructed adjacent to existing pile foundations. To obtain the ground displacements and stresses induced by shallow tunneling and existing pile foundation loads, the key procedure involves superimposing the analytical solution for shallow tunneling in green‐field with the analytical solution for existing structure loads. In green‐field, the complex variable method provides exact analytical solutions of ground displacements and stresses caused by shallow tunneling. However, the exact analytical solutions are not directly expressed as explicit functions of the coordinates (x, y) in the physical plane (called implicit form of exact analytical solutions), whereas the displacements and stresses induced by existing structure loads are explicit functions of the coordinates (x, y) in the physical plane, which makes it difficult to superpose the displacements and stresses induced by existing structure loads. In this paper, explicit form of exact analytical solutions of displacements and stresses induced by shallow tunneling in green‐field is obtained by using the inverse conformal transformation and the Cauchy–Riemann equations. Comparison with implicit form of exact analytical solutions shows that the explicit form of exact analytical solutions is intuitional and easily used by engineers, and moreover, the calculation amount is much smaller than that for the implicit form of exact analytical solutions. Then, an application involving superimposing the explicit form of exact analytical solutions with Mindlin’s solution is implemented to analyze the secondary stress field and the related potential plastic zone caused by shallow tunneling adjacent to pile foundations. Moreover, the influences of pile foundation parameters on the ranges and shapes of the potential plastic zones induced by nearby tunneling are analyzed.
An Improved Refined Composite Multivariate Multiscale Fuzzy Entropy Method for MI-EEG Feature Extraction
Authors: Li Mingai , Wang Ruotu , Yang Jinfu , Duan Lijuan
Published: March 2019

Feature extraction of motor imagery electroencephalogram (MI-EEG) has shown good application prospects in the field of medical health. Also, multivariate entropy-based feature extraction methods have been gradually applied to analyze complex multichannel biomedical signals, such as EEG and electromyography. Compared with traditional multivariate entropies, refined composite multivariate multiscale fuzzy entropy (RCmvMFE) overcomes the defect of unstable entropy values caused by the scale factor increase and is beneficial towards obtaining richer feature information. However, the coarse-grained process of RCmvMFE is mean filtered, which weakens Gaussian noise and is powerless against random impulse noise interference. This yields poor quality feature information and low accuracy classification. In this paper, RCmvMFE is improved (IRCmvMFE) by using composite filters in the coarse-grained procedure to enhance filter performance. Median filters are employed to remove the impulse noise interference from multichannel MI-EEG signals, and these filtered MI-EEGs are further smoothed by the mean filters. The multiscale IRCmvMFEs are calculated for all channels of composite filtered MI-EEGs, forming a feature vector, and a support vector machine is used for pattern classification. Based on two public datasets with different motor imagery tasks, the recognition results of 10 × 10-fold cross-validation achieved 99.43% and 99.86%, respectively, and the statistical analysis of experimental results was completed, showing the effectiveness of IRCmvMFE, as well. The proposed IRCmvMFE-based feature extraction method is superior compared to entropy-based and traditional methods.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Based on L-Cysteine for Progesterone Intravaginal Delivery
Authors: Cassano Roberta , Trombino Sonia
Published: March 2019

The present work has as its purpose the synthesis and characterization of a novel lipid material to be used in the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the potential sustained release of progesterone in the vagina. For this reason, a material capable of ensuring the permanence of the formulation in the administration site for the time needed to guarantee the transmucosal absorption of the steroid was synthetized in order to reduce the number of administrations and to ensure an effective concentration of drug at the site of action. To this end, an ester, 2,3-dihydroxypropanoate of octadecyl (stearyl glycerine), containing two hydroxyl groups was initially synthesized. In particular, the hydroxyl group less sterically encumbered was functionalized with a thiol group, in a coupling reaction, with the amino acid L-cysteine. The obtained compound was characterized by FT-IR spectrometry and 1H-NMR. The functionalized lipid with L-cysteine was then used for the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles that were loaded with progesterone. Finally, the release of progesterone from the lipid matrix based on newly synthesized ester, under conditions that simulate the vaginal physiological environment, was evaluated. All the obtained results suggest that the prepared nanoparticles could be used for the administration of progesterone, when its integration is essential, for example, in cases of threats of abortion or to increase fertility.
Effect of Cellulase Enzyme Treatment on Cyst Wall Degradation of Acanthamoeba sp.
Authors: Lazuana Tisha , Astuty Hendri , Sari Ika Puspa
Published: March 2019

Aim. The goal of this study is to know the potential of cellulase in the degradation of cyst wall Acanthamoeba sp. Methods. Sample of Acanthamoeba sp. obtained from isolate collection of Department of Parasitology FKUI of which two samples come from patient and one sample is from environment. All three samples were cultured using non-nutrient agar (NNA) media and identified by PCR and sequencing. The concentration of cellulase concentration used was 50 U, 100 U, 150 U, 200 U, 250 U, and 300 U with the incubation time used being 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours. Furthermore, treatment results with the most optimum concentration and incubation time were observed by using SEM to see changes in the surface of the walls of the cyst. A cysticidal test was performed to determine the effectiveness cysticidal action of disinfectant solution, cellulase, and the combination of disinfectant solution and cellulase in killing Acanthamoeba sp. cyst assessed by their viability value. Results. The most optimal cellulase concentration in killing Acanthamoeba sp. cysts was 300 U with an incubation time of 24 hours. Percentage of viability of Acanthamoeba sp. which was exposed to a disinfectant solution for 24 hours was 95%, cellulase alone for 24 hours 75%, and the combination of cellulase and disinfectant solution for 24 hours 25%. Conclusions. Cellulase is capable of degrading Acanthamoeba sp. cyst wall. Optimal cellulase concentration in degrading Acanthamoeba sp. cyst wall is 300 U with an optimal incubation time being 24 hours. The addition of cellulase to the disinfectant solution has the potential to increase the effectiveness of the disinfectant solution because cellulase is capable of degrading the cyst wall allowing the disinfectant solution to enter and kill Acanthamoeba sp. cysts.
CKLF1 Enhances Inflammation-Mediated Carcinogenesis and Prevents Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis via IL6/STAT3 Signaling in HCC
Authors: Liu Youyi , Liu Lijuan , Zhou Yan , Zhou Ping , Yan Qiujin , Chen Xiaobei , Ding Shuang , Zhu Fan
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common and deadliest malignancies worldwide, has a poor prognosis, owing to its high potential for vascular invasion and metastasis and the lack of biomarkers for early diagnosis. Thus, it must be a crucial factor for investigating therapeutic strategies for HCC to identify the functional molecular targets. Here, we reported a novel chemokine, CKLF1, that might act as a pivotal modulator in the invasion and metastasis of HCC and could serve as an attractive target for cancer therapy.

Experimental Design:

Bioinformatics analysis, PCR, Western blotting, and IHC were performed to detect the expression of CKLF1 in HCC. The function of CKLF1 was demonstrated by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Pharmacologic treatment, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were carried out to demonstrate the potential mechanisms of CKLF1.

Results:

We proved that CKLF1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and was related to tumor stage, vascular invasion, and patient survival. Then, functional assays showed that CKLF1 promoted hepatocellular carcinogenesis and metastatic potential. Finally, the IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway was involved in the mechanistic investigation. The results demonstrated that CKLF1 enhanced the progression of HCC and prevented doxorubicin-induced apoptosis through activating the IL6/STAT3 pathway.

Conclusions:

These data showed that CKLF1 inhibited apoptosis and promoted malignant transformation through the IL6/STAT3 pathway, and ultimately enhanced the development and metastasis of HCC. Thus, our work revealed that CKLF1 was a significant prognostic factor of HCC and might be a potential molecular therapeutic target for HCC.
Online-Interventionen bei postpartaler Depression
Authors: Westerhoff Bettina , Trösken Anne , Renneberg Babette
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund: Obwohl es wirksame Interventionen zur Behandlung einer postpartalen Depression gibt, werden diese häufig nicht genutzt. Online-Interventionen bieten vielfältige Möglichkeiten, Therapiehinderungsgründe zu überwinden. Die vorliegende systematische Übersichtsarbeit bildet den aktuellen Forschungsstand zu Online-Interventionen bei postpartaler Depression mit besonderem Augenmerk auf den deutschsprachigen Raum ab. Methode: Mit einer systematischen Internetrecherche wurde untersucht, auf welche Interventionen Hilfesuchende im Internet stoßen. Durch eine systematische Literaturrecherche wurden Publikationen zu Online-Interventionen für Frauen mit postpartaler Depression ermittelt, die die Reduktion der Depressionssymptomatik, die Mutter-Kind-Interaktion und/oder andere das Kind betreffende Variablen zum Ziel hatten. Informationen zu Konzeption, Effektivität und Adhärenz der Interventionen wurden extrahiert. Ergebnisse: Bei der Internetrecherche fanden sich Hinweise auf Interventionen, die zumeist allgemein gehalten oder auf konkrete Face-to-Face-Angebote bezogen waren. Online-Interventionen waren kaum vertreten. Die systematische Literaturrecherche ergab 14 Artikel zu 6 überwiegend kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutisch fundierten Programmen. Diese waren effektiv in der Reduktion der Depressions­symptomatik, zeigten für die Mutter-Kind-Interaktion aber kaum Effekte. Andere das Kind betreffende Variablen wurden nicht untersucht. Interventionen aus dem deutsch sprachigen Raum fanden sich nicht. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerungen: Das Potential, Frauen mit postparta­ler Depression mit Online-Interventionen zu erreichen, wird bisher kaum genutzt. Onlinebasierte geleitete Selbst­hilfeprogramme mit kognitiv-verhaltens­therapeutischer Fundierung scheinen ein vielversprechen­der Weg zu sein, der jedoch weiter beforscht werden muss.
Clube Português do Pâncreas Recommendations for Chronic Pancreatitis: Etiology, Natural History, and Diagnosis (Part I)
Authors: Rodrigues-Pinto Eduardo , Caldeira Ana , Soares João Bruno , Antunes Teresa , Carvalho Joana Rita , Costa-Maia José , Oliveira Pedro , Azevedo Richard , Liberal Rodrigo , Bouça Machado Tiago , Magno-Pereira Vitor , Moutinho-Ribeiro Pedro
Published: March 2019

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a heterogeneous disease, with different causes and often a long delay between onset and full classic presentation. Clinical presentation depends on the stage of the disease. In earlier stages, recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis are the major signs dominating clinical presentation. As the inflammatory process goes on, less acute episodes occur, and pain adopts different aspects or may even disappear. After 10–15 years from onset, functional insufficiency occurs. Then, a classic presentation with pain and pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency appears. Diagnosis remains challenging in the early stages of the disease, as its initial presentation is usually ill-defined and overlaps with other digestive disorders. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography should be the first choice in patients with suspected CP. If the results are normal or equivocal but still there is a high suspicion of CP, the next option should be endoscopic ultrasound. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is mainly a therapeutic technique, and for the diagnostic purpose should only be used when all other imaging modalities and pancreatic function tests have been exhausted. Indirect tests are used to quantify the degree of insufficiency in already-established late CP. Recommendations on CP were developed by Clube Português do Pâncreas (CPP), based on literature review to answer predefined topics, subsequently discussed and approved by all members of CPP. Recommendations are separated in two parts: “chronic pancreatitis etiology, natural history, and diagnosis,” and “chronic pancreatitis medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatment.” This abstract pertains to part I.
Clube Português do Pâncreas Recommendations for Chronic Pancreatitis: Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Treatment (Part II)
Authors: Rodrigues-Pinto Eduardo , Caldeira Ana , Soares João Bruno , Antunes Teresa , Carvalho Joana Rita , Costa-Maia José , Oliveira Pedro , Azevedo Richard , Liberal Rodrigo , Bouça Machado Tiago , Magno-Pereira Vitor , Moutinho-Ribeiro Pedro
Published: March 2019

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease that should be treated by experienced teams of gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons, and nutritionists in a multidisciplinary environment. Medical treatment includes lifestyle modification, nutrition, exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency correction, and pain management. Up to 60% of patients will ultimately require some type of endoscopic or surgical intervention for treatment. However, regardless of the modality, they are often ineffective unless smoking and alcohol cessation is achieved. Surgery retains a major role in the treatment of CP patients with intractable chronic pain or suspected pancreatic mass. For other complications like biliary or gastroduodenal obstruction, pseudocyst drainage can be performed endoscopically. The recommendations for CP were developed by Clube Português do Pâncreas (CPP), based on literature review to answer predefined topics, subsequently discussed and approved by all members of CPP. Recommendations are separated in two parts: “chronic pancreatitis etiology, natural history, and diagnosis,” and “chronic pancreatitis medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatment.” This abstract pertains to part II.
Status und Zukunft psychiatrischer Klassifikationssysteme
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Jäger Markus
Published: March 2019

Psychiatrische Klassifikationssysteme werden seit jeher kontrovers diskutiert. Kritikpunkte beziehen sich auf konzeptuelle, methodische und anwendungsbezogene Aspekte. In den letzten Jahren wurden zur Lösung dieser Probleme neue Ansätze wie Research Domain Criteria oder Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology vorgeschlagen. Diese werden vermutlich jedoch erst in Jahren nutzbare Ergebnisse liefern. Existierende Ansätze und Konzepte wie multiaxiale Klassifikation, multimodale Diagnostik, Clinimetrics oder Evidence-Based Assessment können jedoch bereits jetzt genutzt werden, um bestehende Schwächen auszugleichen.
Emergency Consultations in Dermatology in a Secondary Referral Hospital in Southern Switzerland: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Pelloni Lorenzo , Cazzaniga Simone , Naldi Luigi , Borradori Luca , Mainetti Carlo
Published: March 2019

Background/Aims: The spectrum of dermatological emergencies is broad. Only a few studies have assessed the profile of dermatological conditions resulting in an emergency visit in a referral hospital. We sought to assess the conditions prompting an urgent dermatological visit and to compare the diagnoses with those made during the regular scheduled encounters. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of all patients with a cutaneous problem attending our emergency consultation during a 7-month period. The study variables were gender, age, duration of symptoms, diagnosis, need for hospitalization and/or follow-up. We further evaluated patients attending scheduled visits to compare the demographic characteristics and diagnoses between the two groups. Results: Six hundred fifty-two consecutive patients with an urgent dermatological consultation were included. Three hundred sixty (55.2%) were women and 292 (44.8%) were men. Infectious diseases (32.8%) as well as various forms of eczema (24.8%) constituted the most frequent causes for an emergency visit. Approximately 40% of emergency visits took place more than 1 week after the development of the cutaneous manifestations. The most frequent disorders seen in the 1,738 control patients included benign melanocytic and nonmelanocytic tumors (27.2%) and malignant skin lesions (11.5%). Conclusions: Our study indicates that the dermatological diagnoses in the emergency visits significantly differ from those of the routinely scheduled appointments. In a significant portion of patients, the use of an emergency consultation was not justified. This study provides support to the idea that a specific training is required to manage dermatological emergencies and that efforts should be made to reduce unjustified emergency visit use.
Age of Red Cells for Transfusion and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yu Kun , Chen Ni , Chen Miao
Published: March 2019

Objective: Whether the age of red blood cells (RBCs) affects mortality after transfusion in critically ill patients is controversial. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception to January 10, 2018 to identify systematic reviews or meta-analyses and published randomized controlled trials of the effects of fresh versus older blood transfusion on mortality of adults in the intensive care unit (ICU). There were no date restrictions, but the language was restricted to English. The primary outcome was mortality. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% conﬁdence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: We included six trials that enrolled 8,467 critically ill patients and compared fresh RBC transfusion with current standard practice. There were no significant differences in 90-day mortality (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97, 1.12), 28/30-day mortality (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96, 1.13), in-hospital mortality (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.94, 1.19), and in-ICU mortality (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97, 1.27) with fresh RBC transfusion compared with older blood transfusion. Conclusions: The study concluded that age of red cells for transfusion did not affect the outcomes in critically ill patients.
Chris Cornell, the Black Hole Sun, and the Seasonality of Suicide
Authors: Schwartz Paul Jeffrey
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Seattle-inspired rock and roll superstar Chris Cornell died by suicide in May 2017. In the northern hemisphere, May represents the peak of the widely replicated but still unexplained seasonal spring rhythm in suicide. Years earlier, Cornell had suffered openly from recurrent bouts of severe depression, and his early musical lyrics do indeed suggest an enduring sensitivity to the vicissitudes of depressed and suicidal states. Cornell’s most famous song, Black Hole Sun, suggests a mixed mood state, the incidence of which also peaks in the spring. The present work explores Cornell’s May suicide from a chronobiologic perspective. Methods: Review of Cornell’s lyrics and literature on suicide. Results: Cornell’s lyrics contain clear indicators of mixed depressive and seasonal imagery, highlighting 3 fundamental axioms of suicidology: (1) the yearly suicide rhythm peaks in May in the northern hemisphere, (2) mixed depressive states are particularly lethal, and (3) the suicide risk increases dramatically when recovering from depression and mood turns mixed. Conclusions: Cornell, in his life and music, left us with a novel and important hypothesis about the spring seasonality of suicide, namely, that the yearly suicide risk becomes maximal when winter turns to spring and there emerges a deadly mixed mood state under a May photoperiod, i.e., the suicide risk is maximal when a Black Hole Sun occurs in May. It is hoped that Cornell’s legacy and sensitive hypothesis inspire research into the etiology and treatment of the spring seasonality of suicide risk and mixed mood states. Limitations: The Cornell hypothesis was formulated based in part on several speculative inferences regarding the course of his functioning just prior to his suicide.
Alopecia Diffusa while Using Interleukin-17 Inhibitors against Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Yajima Makiko , Akeda Tomoko , Kondo Makoto , Habe Koji , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: March 2019

We report two cases of alopecia diffusa during the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors. Psoriasis is one of the most common immune-mediated chronic skin diseases, strongly associated with IL-17A. Clinically, the monoclonal antibodies to IL-17A or its receptor, IL-17R, show a dramatic effect against psoriasis. Alopecia is also an IL-17-mediated autoimmune disease, and IL-17 inhibitors have been expected to be the gold standard for the treatment of alopecia; therefore, the complication of alopecia while using IL-17 may be regarded as an unexpected “paradoxical reaction.” T helper (Th)17 cells are not cytotoxic enough by themselves to undermine the hair follicle under normal circumstances, they need the coexistence of CD8+ cytotoxic Th1 cells. Th17 cells may be the initiator of the damage of the hair follicle, but CD8 T cells or more powerful Th1 cells are required as followers. The Th17/Th1 axis might convert into a Th1-dominant immune status using IL-17 inhibitors, and the destruction of the hair follicle might result in alopecia. An accumulation of cases is to be expected.
An Extremely Rare Case of Leukoderma Induced by Cosmetics Containing Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Takafuji Madoka , Tanemura Atsushi , Katayama Ichiro
Published: March 2019

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with leukoderma induced by cosmetics containing ascorbic acid. She had noticed the sudden appearance of a hypopigmented macule on the cheek within 1 month after use of the cosmetics with the brand name Obaji C Serum. No history of use of rhododenol-containing cosmetics was declared. Histopathological analysis revealed that the number of matured melanocytes was apparently decreased, and T lymphocytes abundantly infiltrated mainly the perifollicular region. In addition to the discontinuation of using Obaji C Serum, phototherapy by excimer light was noticeably effective for repigmentation. To our knowledge, there has been no other report so far showing hypopigmented lesions induced by this cosmetic.
A Near Brush with Death: A Case Report on Oral Foreign Body Impalement
Authors: Christner Rachel , Homer Marisa , Atar Oliver , Hynes Brian
Published: March 2019

We describe a case of an 11-month-old baby presenting to the emergency room with a foreign body in the upper airway. After unsuccessfully attempting to remove the foreign body in the emergency department, the otolaryngologist was consulted. The patient was taken to the operating room, and a comb was successfully removed under conscious sedation. This case illustrates the need of a well-considered strategy for managing the airway of a pediatric patient with a foreign body, while also demonstrating the unique challenges of treating pediatric patients.
Factors Associated With High-Voltage Impedance and Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator Ventricular Fibrillation Conversion Success
Authors: Amin Anish K. , Gold Michael R. , Burke Martin C. , Knight Bradley P. , Rajjoub Moutie R. , Duffy Elizabeth , Husby Michael , Stahl Wyatt K. , Weiss Raul
Published: March 2019

Background:

The ability to predict defibrillation efficacy at the time of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation without the need to induce ventricular fibrillation might eliminate the need for defibrillation testing. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of high-voltage impedance and system implant position on ventricular fibrillation conversion success with a submaximal 65-J shock.

Methods:

In the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator IDE study (Investigational Device Exemption), a successful conversion test required 2 consecutive ventricular fibrillation conversions at 65 J in either shock vector. Chest radiographs were obtained after implantation. Patients with imaging and impedance data were included. Suboptimal device position was defined as an inferior electrode or pulse generator or electrode coil depth >3 mm anterior to the sternum. Absence of suboptimal positional parameters was defined as appropriate position. Conversion success rate was calculated among all 65-J tests.

Results:

Of 314 patients who underwent subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, 282 patients were included in this analysis. There were 637 inductions to test defibrillation at 65 J. Sixty-two conversion failures (9.7%) occurred in 42 (14.9%) patients. Lower body mass index and lower shock impedance were associated with higher conversion success rate, whereas white race was associated with lower conversion success rate. Suboptimal position was more common in obese patients. Inferior electrode and greater distance between the lead and sternum were associated with a higher impedance. When appropriate system position was achieved, conversion failure was not associated with high body mass index.

Conclusions:

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock efficacy is associated with system position and high-voltage system impedance. A high impedance is associated with inferiorly placed pulse generator and electrode system, inadequate coil depth, and a lower rate of defibrillator success.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01064076.
Two-Drug Combinations as First-Step Antihypertensive Treatment
Authors: Mancia Giuseppe , Rea Federico , Corrao Giovanni , Grassi Guido
Published: March 2019

Blood pressure (BP) control in patients with hypertension is variable worldwide, and in general, it results largely unsatisfactory. Factors responsible for this phenomenon include insufficient national cardiovascular healthcare policies for prevention, poor patient compliance with prescribed treatment schedules, and the reluctance of physicians to modify treatment strategies when BP is still elevated, that is, the so-called therapeutic inertia. A further important factor favoring poor BP control is the limited use of combination drug treatment, despite evidence of its superior ability to control BP in patients with difficult-to-treat hypertension. In addition, combination treatment allows to achieve BP control more easily (and more quickly) as compared with monotherapy. This article, after briefly examining the main features of BP control, will review the importance in the treatment of hypertension of the drug combination strategy, based on the recommendations of the 2018 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension guidelines. Empahsis will be given to the drug combination treatment as first step of the antihypertensive therapeutic intervention. The potential drawbacks and barriers to combination drug treatment as initial therapeutic strategy will also be briefly discussed.
Moldenhawera congestiflora: a new species of Leguminosae from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: VIVAS CAIO VINICIUS , SOUZA GUSTAVO , AMATO GAIOTTO FERNANDA , PAGANUCCI DE QUEIROZ LUCIANO
Published: March 2019

Moldenhawera is a small genus of Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae), characterized by biramous (T-shaped) trichomes, compoundly pinnate stipules, hypanthium absence, clawed petals, dimorphic androecium, and anther connective of the fertile stamen pubescent. Moldenhawera congestiflora, a new species from the Atlantic Forest in Bahia State, Brazil is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from other species of the M. sect. Brasilianae by the combination of its tree habit, leaves relatively long (rachis > 24 cm long), leaflets elliptic to oblong with apex acuminate, flower buds densely grouped at the inflorescence apex, flowers pentamerous, petal blades relatively small (6–8 × 4–5 mm), and base of fertile stamen villous. Additionally we provide a new identification key for the section Brasilianae.
New or little-known Diamesinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Oriental China
Authors: SUN BINGJIAO , LIN XIAOLONG , WANG XINHUA , MAKARCHENKO EUGENYI A.
Published: March 2019

Morphological description for adult male of a new species Diamesa qiangi sp. nov. and redescription for adult males of the little-known species Linevitshia prima Makarchenko and Sasayusurika nigatana (Tokunaga) of subfamily Diamesinae from the Oriental Region of China are given.
A Global Climatology of Extratropical Transition. Part II: Statistical Performance of the Cyclone Phase Space
Authors: Bieli Melanie , Camargo Suzana J. , Sobel Adam H. , Evans Jenni L. , Hall Timothy
Published: March 2019

This study analyzes the differences between an objective, automated identification of tropical cyclones (TCs) that undergo extratropical transition (ET), and the designation of ET determined subjectively by human forecasters in best track data in all basins globally. The objective identification of ET is based on the cyclone phase space (CPS), calculated from the Japanese 55-yr Reanalysis (JRA-55) or the ECMWF interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim). The resulting classification into ET storms and non-ET storms underlies the global climatology of ET presented in Part I of this study. Here, the authors investigate how well the CPS classifications agree with those in the best track records calculated from JRA-55 or from ERA-Interim data. According to F1 scores and Matthews correlation coefficients (MCCs), the classification of ET storms in the CPS agrees best with the best track classification in the western North Pacific (MCC > 0.7) and the North Atlantic (MCC > 0.5). In other basins, the correlation between the CPS classification and the best track classification is only slightly higher than that of a random classification. The JRA-55 classification achieves higher performance scores than does the ERA-Interim classification, and the differences are statistically significant in all basins. The lower performance of ERA-Interim is mainly due to a higher false alarm rate, particularly in the eastern North Pacific. Overall, the results show that while the CPS-based classifications are good enough to be useful for many purposes, there is almost certainly room for improvement—in the representation of the storms in reanalyses, in our objective metrics of ET, and in our scientific understanding of the ET process.
The Loop Current: Observations of Deep Eddies and Topographic Waves
Authors: Hamilton Peter , Bower Amy , Furey Heather , Leben Robert , Pérez-Brunius Paula
Published: March 2019

A set of float trajectories, deployed at 1500- and 2500-m depths throughout the deep Gulf of Mexico from 2011 to 2015, are analyzed for mesoscale processes under the Loop Current (LC). In the eastern basin, December 2012–June 2014 had >40 floats per month, which was of sufficient density to allow capturing detailed flow patterns of deep eddies and topographic Rossby waves (TRWs), while two LC eddies formed and separated. A northward advance of the LC front compresses the lower water column and generates an anticyclone. For an extended LC, baroclinic instability eddies (of both signs) develop under the southward-propagating large-scale meanders of the upper-layer jet, resulting in a transfer of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) to the lower layer. The increase in lower-layer EKE occurs only over a few months during meander activity and LC eddy detachment events, a relatively short interval compared with the LC intrusion cycle. Deep EKE of these eddies is dispersed to the west and northwest through radiating TRWs, of which examples were found to the west of the LC. Because of this radiation of EKE, the lower layer of the eastern basin becomes relatively quiescent, particularly in the northeastern basin, when the LC is retracted and a LC eddy has departed. A mean west-to-east, anticyclone–cyclone dipole flow under a mean LC was directly comparable to similar results from a previous moored LC array and also showed connections to an anticlockwise boundary current in the southeastern basin.
Ensemble Kalman Filter Assimilation of Polarimetric Radar Observations for the 20 May 2013 Oklahoma Tornadic Supercell Case
Authors: Putnam Bryan , Xue Ming , Jung Youngsun , Snook Nathan , Zhang Guifu
Published: March 2019

Real polarimetric radar observations are directly assimilated for the first time using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) for a supercell case from 20 May 2013 in Oklahoma. A double-moment microphysics scheme and advanced polarimetric radar observation operators are used together to estimate the model states. Lookup tables for the observation operators are developed based on T-matrix scattering amplitudes for all hydrometeor categories, which improve upon previous curved-fitted approximations of T-matrix scattering amplitudes or the Rayleigh approximation. Two experiments are conducted: one assimilates reflectivity (Z) and radial velocity (Vr) (EXPZ), and one assimilates in addition differential reflectivity (ZDR) below the observed melting level at ~2-km height (EXPZZDR). In the EnKF analyses, EXPZZDR exhibits a ZDR arc that better matches observations than EXPZ. EXPZZDR also has higher ZDR above 2 km, consistent with the observed ZDR column. Additionally, EXPZZDR has an improved estimate of the model microphysical states. Specifically, the rain mean mass diameter (Dnr) in EXPZZDR is higher in the ZDR arc region and the total rain number concentration (Ntr) is lower downshear in the forward flank than EXPZ when compared to values retrieved from the polarimetric observations. Finally, a negative gradient of hail mean mass diameter (Dnh) is found in the right-forward flank of the EXPZZDR analysis, which supports previous findings indicating that size sorting of hail, as opposed to rain, has a more significant impact on low-level polarimetric signatures. This paper represents a proof-of-concept study demonstrating the value of assimilating polarimetric radar data in improving the analysis of features and states related to microphysics in supercell storms.
Corporate Social Responsibility Beyond Borders: U.S. Consumer Boycotts of a Global Company Over Sweatshop Issues in Supplier Factories Overseas
Authors: Lim Joon Soo , Shim Kyujin
Published: March 2019

The current research examines the effects of individualizing moral foundations (i.e., fairness and care) on consumer boycotts against the U.S. company that is entangled in an alleged sweatshop issue at a supplier’s factory in a developing country. On the basis of moral foundations theory, the current study tests six hypotheses that demonstrate the theoretical mechanism by which individualizing moral foundations have an impact on consumer boycott intentions through blame attributions and anger. Using a representative U.S. sample of 1,124 people, a national survey was conducted to test the proposed structural equation model. As predicted, results of mediation analysis showed that individualizing foundations, consisted of the fairness/care values, led to boycott intentions fully mediated by blame attribution and anger.
A modeling study to explain mathematical problem-solving performance through metacognition, self-efficacy, motivation, and anxiety
Authors: Özcan Zeynep Çiğdem , Eren Gümüş Aynur
Published: March 2019

Many noncognitive constructs affect mathematical problem-solving performance. The aim of the present study is to investigate the direct and indirect effects of a number noncognitive constructs such as mathematics self-efficacy, mathematics anxiety, and metacognitive experience on the mathematical problem solving of middle-school students. The sample consisted of 517 seventh-grade Turkish students of whom 252 were male (49%) and 265 were females (51%). The instruments used in this study were a mathematical problem-solving performance test, a mathematics self-efficacy scale, a mathematics anxiety scale, a metacognitive experience scale, and a mathematics motivation scale. Two-stage structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between the noncognitive contructs and problem solving. Metacognitive experience was the only noncognitive construct, which had a direct effect on mathematical problem-solving performance; it also mediated the effects of self-efficacy, motivation, and mathematics anxiety on performance. Motivation and mathematics anxiety had an indirect effect on mathematical problem-solving performance through self-efficacy.
The experiences of disability in sociocultural contexts of India: Stigmatization and resilience
Authors: Kayama Misa , Johnstone Christopher , Limaye Sandhya
Published: March 2019

This study reports on findings from 25 semi-structured, individual interviews with participants with visual, hearing, or mobility disabilities in India focusing on stigmatization and resilience, and how they are constructed within Indian sociocultural contexts. Participants’ experiences of disability and stigmatization were alleviated or exacerbated by sociocultural issues, including socioeconomic status, caste, and gender hierarchy. A lack of family support and access to education further reinforced stigmatization. The case from India underscores the importance of addressing these intersectional issues, as well as stigmatization and resilience, to comprehensively support individuals with disabilities. Implications for practice, disability policies, theories, and research are discussed.