bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pore Structure and Fluid Uptake of the Springer/Goddard Shale Formation in Southeastern Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Hu Qinhong , Zhou Wen , Huggins Paul , Chen Wenling
Published: July 2018

Hosting an emerging play of the Springer/Goddard shale, the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP), is also the main production field for the underlying Woodford Formation. Understanding the reservoir quality of the Chesterian-age Goddard shale, currently little has been achieved, is vital to sustainable hydrocarbon production and exploration. Using polar (DI water and/or API brine) and nonpolar (n-decane) fluids to probe hydrophilic and hydrophobic pore networks, the purpose of this study is to examine wettability, pore connectivity, fluid imbibition, and tracer migration of the Springer shale. To achieve this, we collected core samples from two wells located at the heart of the play and performed mercury injection capillary pressure, wettability, fluid imbibition, and vapor absorption tests. Results from these studies show that the Springer shale has a stronger affinity to oil (n-decane in this study), compared to DI water and API brine. With porosity values averaging at 6.32 ± 0.75% and permeability of 20.0 ± 6.52 nD, the majority of pore-throat sizes for the Springer shale are 5–50 nm. The utility of wettability tracers of different molecular sizes helps tease out the intertwined relationship of pore-throat sizes, connectivity, and associated wettability of shale. The imbibition results suggest a molecular entanglement effect at the scale of 0.5 nm, even for the tracer penetration of a wetting fluid of n-decane. A petrophysical analysis of the Springer shale presented in this work is beneficial to further understand the pore structure and fluid movement within the shale to facilitate increased production and accurate economic evaluations.
IoT‐Based Management Platform for Real‐Time Spectrum and Energy Optimization of Broadcasting Networks
Authors: Martinez Alonso Rodney , Plets David , Fontes Pupo Ernesto , Deruyck Margot , Martens Luc , Guillen Nieto Glauco , Joseph Wout
Published: July 2018

We investigate the feasibility of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor and improve the energy efficiency and spectrum usage efficiency of broadcasting networks in the Ultra‐High Frequency (UHF) band. Traditional broadcasting networks are designed with a fixed radiated power to guarantee a certain service availability. However, excessive fading margins often lead to inefficient spectrum usage, higher interference, and power consumption. We present an IoT‐based management platform capable of dynamically adjusting the broadcasting network radiated power according to the current propagation conditions. We assess the performance and benchmark two IoT solutions (i.e., LoRa and NB‐IoT). By means of the IoT management platform the broadcasting network with adaptive radiated power reduces the power consumption by 15% to 16.3% and increases the spectrum usage efficiency by 32% to 35% (depending on the IoT platform). The IoT feedback loop power consumption represents less than 2% of the system power consumption. In addition, white space spectrum availability for secondary wireless telecommunications services is increased by 34% during 90% of the time.
Down-Regulation of MiR-150 Alleviates Inflammatory Injury Induced by Interleukin 1 via Targeting Kruppel-Like Factor 2 in Human Chondrogenic Cells
Authors: Yang Xirui , Zhang Qi , Gao Zhaomeng , Yu Chunyan , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is known to be involved in cartilage degeneration following joint injury or due to osteoarthritis. In the present study, we explored the effects of miR-150 on IL-1-stimulated human chondrogenic cells ATDC5. Methods: ATDC5 cells were transfected with the mimic, inhibitor or negative controls specific for miR-150, and subsequently treated by IL-1. CCK8 assay, PI and FITC-conjugated Annexin V double-staining, Western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA assay were performed to determine the changes of cell viability, apoptosis, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Targeting relationship between miR-150 and KLF2 was detected by dual luciferase activity assay. Results: IL-1 reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, and enhanced the expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) in ATDC5 cells. IL-1 also increased the expression of miR-150. Suppression of miR-150 alleviated IL-1-induced cell damage in ATDC5 cells, while overexpression of miR-150 resulted in an opposite impact. KLF2 was negatively regulated by miR-150, and it was proved as a target gene of miR-150. KLF2 overexpression exhibited protective actions in IL-1-injured ATDC5 cells, even if miR-150 was suppressed in cell. Moreover, IL-1-induced activation of NF-kB and Notch pathways was alleviated by KLF2 overexpression. Conclusions: Suppression of miR-150 led to up-regulation of KLF2, which in turn protected ATDC5 cells against IL-1-induced injury.
“Ruin and Death Suddenly Came to Our Homes”
Authors: Sterkhov Dmitry
Published: July 2018

The article concentrates on a collection of sermons delivered by the Prussian preacher Ludwig Borowski during Prussia’s wars against Napoleon (1806–1816). The author makes an attempt to retrace the evolution of the concept of war devised by Borowski in his sermons. After Prussia’s defeat in the war of 1806 Ludwig Borowski interpreted the war as God’s punishment on the Prussian people. God is represented in Borowski’s sermons as a wise father who wants to get his children to behave. The further evolution of the concept can be seen in 1813 when Prussia reopened hostilities against France. In the sermons of 1813–1816 the war will be conceptualized by Borowski as a means of salvation, a holy crusade for liberty and independence. Borowski never preaches national hatred. The aim of the war is peace that is considered to be a gift from heaven to humanity.
Private Actors, Public Goods and Responsibility for the Right to Water in International Investment Law: An Analysis of Urbaser v. Argentina
Authors: Guntrip Edward
Published: July 2018

International investment law balances public and private interests within the broader framework of international law. Consequently, when water supply services, which constitute a public good, are privatized and operated by foreign investors, questions arise regarding whether foreign investors could be held responsible for the right to water under international law. This article considers how the tribunal in Urbaser v. Argentina allocated responsibility for compliance with the right to water between the host State and the foreign investor when resolving a dispute over privatized water services. It highlights how the tribunal in Urbaser v. Argentina supports different understandings of public and private based on whether the human rights obligation is framed in terms of the duty to respect or protect. The article argues that the tribunal’s rationale overcomplicates the process of allocating responsibility for violations of the human right to water when water supply services have been privatized.
The Right to Water Before Investment Tribunals
Authors: Kriebaum Ursula
Published: July 2018

Access to safe drinking water and potential water degradation have played a role in many water-related investment arbitrations. This paper looks at two different types of investment cases that have emerged with an impact on water: First, it analyses cases that have arisen from privatizations in the water sector. They mainly concern problems connected with physical access to water and affordability. Second, it discusses cases concerning investments in other industries that have the potential to degrade water quality or to have a negative impact on the maritime environment. Using these typical constellations it focuses on the methodology tribunals adopt to deal with potential tensions between the right to water and investor rights.
Radiation Exposure in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients: How Much Is Too Much?
Authors: Kapileshwarkar Yamini S. , Smith Laura T. , Szpunar Susan M. , Anne Premchand
Published: July 2018

We aimed to determine median cumulative radiation exposure in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients, proportion of patients with high radiation exposure (above annual average radiation per person of 6.2 mSv), and determine risk factors for high exposure. This was a retrospective chart review of PICU patients up to 18 years of age admitted to a large community hospital over 2 years. Radiologic studies and radiation exposure were determined for each patient, and total hospital radiation exposure was classified as high (>6.2 mSv) or not (≤6.2 mSv). Median radiation exposure per patient was 0.2 mSv (interquartile range = 2.1) and 11.7% of patients received >6.2 mSv radiation during their hospitalization. Factors associated with high radiation exposure included admission for trauma or surgery, number of computed tomography scans, age, and PICU length of stay (all P < .0001). We concluded that subsets of PICU patients are at risk of high radiation exposure. Policies and protocols may help minimize radiation exposure among PICU patients.
Criminal Justice System Outcomes for Buyers, Sellers, and Facilitators of Commercial Sex in Houston, Texas
Authors: Updegrove Alexander H. , Muftic Lisa R. , Niebuhr Nicole
Published: July 2018

This study draws upon the economic model of prostitution to explore the relationship between gender, prostitution role, and criminal justice system outcomes. Official court data for 1,027 prostitution arrestees from Harris County (Houston), Texas, were used to differentiate participants by their role in the commercial sex trade (buyer, facilitator, or seller). Logistic regression results indicate that gender differences persist for case dismissal and plea deal acceptance among prostitution arrestees even after controlling for their criminality and role in the prostitution offense. Although gender does not influence the likelihood of conviction, buyers are significantly less likely to be convicted than sellers. Implications from these findings, as well as limitations and suggestions for further research, are discussed.
Governing urban gardens for resilient cities: Examining the ‘Garden City Initiative’ in Taipei
Authors: Hou Jeffrey
Published: July 2018

With rising concerns for food security and climate adaptation, urban gardening and urban agriculture have emerged as a rising agenda for urban resilience around the world. In East Asia, a variety of initiatives have emerged in recent years with different levels of institutional support. Focusing on Taipei, where a vibrant urban agriculture movement has been unleashed in recent years, this article examines the ongoing outcomes of the city’s new ‘Garden City Initiative’, which supports the establishment of urban gardens including community gardens, rooftop gardens and school gardens. Based on interviews and participant observations during the initial period of advocacy, planning and implementation between 2014 and 2017, this study examines the background of the programme, the involvement of governmental and non-governmental actors and the programme’s ongoing implementation. Based on the findings, the article further reflects upon their implications for the practices of urban governance in the face of contemporary environmental, political and social challenges. The case of Taipei suggests a model in which policy formation and implementation may require opportunistic actions involving a variety of actors and organisations in both institutions and the civil society. Rather than dramatic changes or instant institutional realignment, the effort may require strategic adaptation of the existing bureaucratic structure, while mobilising its strengths and resources. In addition, despite the critical role of civil society organisations, the Taipei case also illustrates a considerable public-sector investment, distinct from the predominant model of neoliberal governance that has been associated with urban gardening programmes elsewhere.
Generalized optimization procedure for rotational magnetized direction permanent magnet thrust bearing configuration
Authors: Bekinal Siddappa Iranna , Doddamani Mrityunjay , Vanarotti Mohan , Jana Soumendu
Published: July 2018

Optimization of rotational magnetized direction permanent magnet thrust bearing configuration is carried out using generalized three-dimensional mathematical model. The bearing features namely axial force and stiffness are maximized using in-house developed mathematical expressions solved using MATLAB. The design variables selected for the optimization are axial offset, number of ring pairs, air gap and inner radius of inner and outer rings. The maximized axial force values of the optimized configuration are validated with the finite element analysis results. To overcome the high computational cost associated with three-dimensional equations, generalized method of optimization is sucessfully demonstrated using plots representing variation of optimal design variables as a function of air gap with respect to bearing’s outer diameter. Simple and useful method of using the generalized plots for the process of optimization is presented by dimension optimization of representative bearing configuration with a particular aspect ratio. The proposed optimization using mathematical model and generalized approach assists designer in selecting optimized geometrical parameters of rotational magnetized direction thrust bearing configurations easily for variety of high-speed applications.
Two-phase natural circulation loop behaviour at atmospheric and subatmospheric conditions
Authors: Sudheer S Venkata Sai , Kiran Kumar K , Balasubramanian Karthik
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to present the steady-state behaviour of two-phase natural circulation loop at atmospheric and sub-atmospheric conditions. One-dimensional numerical approach is adopted to evaluate various system parameters, with special emphasis on spatial variation of thermo-physical properties and flashing. Homogeneous equilibrium model is applied for two-phase flows. An in-house code is developed in MATLAB to solve numerical model iteratively. It is observed that consideration of spatial variation of thermo-physical properties can precisely predict the loop behaviour. The evaluated results are validated with the open literature and reasonably good agreement is observed. The heater inlet temperature, inlet pressure and heat flux are found to have significant influence on spatial variation of pressure, temperature and enthalpy. As system pressure decreases from atmospheric to sub-atmospheric (1–0.8 atm), it is observed that the sub-atmospheric loop gives a higher mass flow rate compared to atmospheric loop at lower heat fluxes. However, as the heat flux increases in the sub-atmospheric loop, the mass flow rate is reduced due to increased drag force in the loop.
Quantum mechanical simulations of near-infrared spectra of biomolecules – Long-chain fatty acids
Authors: Beć Krzysztof B , Grabska Justyna
Published: July 2018

Exact and in-depth interpretation of near-infrared spectra has often appeared problematic in any case stepping beyond the simplest molecules. The inherent complexity of near-infrared spectra due to the abundance of combination modes and the resulting extensive band overlay frequently limits our comprehension of the spectral bands to vague wavenumber regions in which certain modes likely appear. Coincidently, quantum mechanical simulation of spectra which could offer momentous support in solving such problems has rather been rare in the case of near-infrared region due to practical limitations. Recent years have seen a trending development of accurate and affordable methods of near-infrared spectra simulation. A trend in modelling increasingly complex molecules can be noticed reaching even fairly large biomolecules. In this technical article we overview the most recent accomplishments in the field on the example of long-chain fatty acids and their cyclic dimers, which extend beyond 100 atoms.
Novel Bivalent and D-Peptide Ligands of CXCR4 Mobilize Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells to the Blood in C3H/HeJ Mice
Authors: Mao Yujia , Meng Qian , Song Panpan , Zhu Siyu , Xu Yan , Snyder Evan Y. , An Jing , Huang Ziwei
Published: July 2018

The interaction of SDF-1α (also known as CXCL12) with the CXCR4 receptor plays a critical role in the retention of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in bone marrow. The viral macrophage inflammatory protein-II (vMIP-II), a human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-encoded viral chemokine, can bind the CXCR4 receptor and inhibit endogenous ligand-induced calcium responses and cell migration. Previously, we used the bivalent ligand approach to link synthetically two unnatural D-amino acid peptides derived from the N-terminus of vMIP-II (DV1 and DV3, respectively) to generate a dimeric peptide, DV1-K-(DV3) (also named HC4319), which shows very high affinity for CXCR4. Here, we studied the biological effects of this dimeric peptide, HC4319, and its monomeric counterpart, DV1, on SDF-1α-induced signaling in CXCR4- or CXCR7-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells and mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in C3H/HeJ mice using an HPC assay. HC4319 and DV1 inhibited significantly the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk, known to be downstream signaling events of CXCR4. This in vivo study in C3H/HeJ mice showed that HC4319 and DV-1 strongly induced rapid mobilization of granulocyte–macrophage colony-forming units (CFUs), erythrocyte burst-forming units, and granulocyte–erythrocyte–monocyte–megakaryocyte CFUs from the bone marrow to the blood. These results provide the first reported experimental evidence that bivalent and D-amino acid peptides derived from the N-terminus of vMIP-II are potent mobilizers of HPCs in C3H/HeJ mice and support the further development of such agents for clinical application.
Do I Really Know You and Does It Matter? Unpacking the Relationship Between Familiarity and Information Elaboration in Global Virtual Teams
Authors: Maynard M. Travis , Mathieu John E. , Gilson Lucy L. , R. Sanchez Diana , Dean Matthew D.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the relationship between personal and professional familiarly, team effectiveness, and viability, and how these relationships are mediated by information elaboration in global virtual teams. We further assess whether virtuality moderates the relationships between both types of familiarity and information elaboration. Based on data collected from 63 global virtual supply chain teams, our results suggest that professional familiarity is positively associated with team information elaboration, which in turn relates positively to both manager-rated team effectiveness and team leader–rated viability. Furthermore, team virtuality enhances the influence of personal familiarity on information elaboration, but dampens the relationship between professional familiarity and information elaboration. Our results suggest that professional familiarity is a more salient antecedent of information elaboration in global virtual teams. We discuss the implications of our results for both theory and practice.
Histopathological Predictors of Recurrence in Stage III Colon Cancer: Reappraisal of Tumor Deposits and Tumor Budding Using AJCC8 Criteria
Authors: Landau Michael A. , Zhu Benjamin , Akwuole Frances N. , Pai Reetesh K.
Published: July 2018

Patients with stage III colonic adenocarcinoma have a spectrum of risk for recurrent disease, and histopathological variables that predict recurrence can help stratify patients into prognostic groups. To identify histopathological predictors of recurrence, we investigated the effect of implementation of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC8) staging system definition of tumor deposits and International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) criteria for tumor budding compared with other known prognostic variables in 256 resected colonic adenocarcinomas, including 150 stage III and 106 stage II tumors. In stage III colon cancer, tumor deposits and high tumor budding were the only independent histological variables that predicted disease recurrence. In a multivariable analysis in stage III colon cancer, tumor deposits and high tumor budding were associated with a 2.2- and 1.5-fold increased risk of developing disease recurrence, respectively (95% CI = 1.1-4,2, P = .02, and 95% CI = 1.1-2.1, P = .01, respectively). The negative prognostic effect of tumor deposits was most pronounced in patients with stage IIIB disease in which tumor deposits were associated with a 3.2-fold increased risk of disease recurrence (95% CI = 1.4-7.1; P = .005). Within the N1 cohort, patients with tumor deposits without concurrent positive lymph nodes (N1c) had a significantly decreased disease-free survival compared with patients with N0 tumors ( P < .001) and patients with N1a/b tumors ( P = .02). As independent risk factors for recurrence, tumor deposits and high tumor budding are important histopathological variables and should be included as a part of a routine comprehensive pathological risk assessment in stage III colon cancer.
Comparison of 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate Topical Skin Adhesive and Simple Interrupted Nylon Sutures for Wound Closure in Ankle Fracture Surgery
Authors: Park Young Hwan , Song Jong Hyub , Choi Gi Won , Kim Hak Jun
Published: July 2018

Background:

Multiple options are available for closure of incisions in ankle fracture surgery. The aim of our study was to compare postoperative outcomes between conventional simple interrupted nylon sutures and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate as a topical skin adhesive to close the incision after ankle fracture surgery.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 367 consecutive patients (174 simple interrupted nylon suture patients and 193 topical skin adhesive patients) who underwent operative treatment for ankle fracture between 2010 and 2015. Development of wound complications, operative time, Olerud–Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), and patient satisfaction with the wound were compared. The demographics between the 2 groups were not different.

Results:

There were no differences in complication rates ( P = .861), OMAS at 3 months or 12 months following surgery ( P = .897 and .646, respectively) between the 2 types of wound closure. Operative time was 9 minutes shorter when topical skin adhesive was used compared to nylon sutures ( P = .003). Patient satisfaction with their wound was significantly higher in the topical skin adhesive group than the nylon skin suture group ( P = .012).

Conclusions:

The use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesive for wound closure following ankle fracture surgery was effective, safe, and showed higher patient satisfaction compared to simple interrupted nylon sutures. Although caution should be taken because of the insufficient statistical power of complications, this method was an additional safe option for wound closure in ankle fracture surgery.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Dare to Care: A Qualitative Content Analysis Regarding Nursing Students’ View on HIV in Vietnam
Authors: Bernhed Johanna , Mollstedt Mimmi , Rosengren Kristina
Published: July 2018

In Vietnam, HIV-positive population, as well as the stigmatization of this disease, is increasing, which affects patients and staff, thus requiring improvement. Nurses have a central role in adopting UNAIDS 90-90-90 vision regarding knowledge and treatment without risk. The aim of this study is to describe nursing students’ experiences with HIV in Hanoi, Vietnam. Interviews with seven nursing students were performed. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The results formed one category, dare to care, and three subcategories: being careful, managing fear, and creating trust. This study highlighted the importance of awareness of values (visualize stigmatization) to develop guidelines (built on evidence-based knowledge) to transform knowledge (theoretical, practical) through nursing skills that are performed to manage fear and create trustful care for HIV-positive patients.
Compressive behaviour of a nickel superalloy Superni 263 honeycomb sandwich panel
Authors: Kumar SS Satheesh , Rao M Sudhakara , Balasundar I , Singh Amit Kumar , Raghu T , Reddy G Madhusudhan
Published: July 2018

Metallic thermal protection systems comprising of sandwich panels consisting of hexagonal honeycomb sandwich structures are envisaged to be used in advanced transportation systems like hypersonic vehicles and reusable launch vehicles. The assessment of compressive mechanical behaviour is necessary to understand the response of sandwich structures to aerothermal loads. The fabrication methodology for realizing Ni based superalloy Superni 263 hexagonal honeycomb sandwich panels is established. This work is aimed at understanding the effect of sandwich panel geometry parameters like hexagonal cell size and core thickness on the out-of-plane flatwise compressive behaviour at room temperature. The ultimate compressive strength decreases with increasing core height irrespective of the cell sizes investigated. The dependence of specific compressive strength on the cell size is established by a power law relationship. The compressed sandwich panels subjected to understand the deformation behaviour indicated the dominance of cell wall bending and occasional fracture, however in the case of sandwich panels with higher core thickness cell wall buckling coupled with shearing at the face sheet vicinity is noticed.
Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and prior coronary artery disease: Insights from the EUCLID trial
Authors: Berger Jeffrey S , Abramson Beth L , Lopes Renato D , Heizer Gretchen , Rockhold Frank W , Baumgartner Iris , Fowkes F Gerry R , Held Peter , Katona Brian G , Norgren Lars , Jones W Schuyler , Millegård Marcus , Blomster Juuso , Reist Craig , Hiatt William R , Patel Manesh R , Mahaffey Kenneth W
Published: July 2018

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We sought to evaluate the risk of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with symptomatic PAD versus PAD without diagnosed CAD, and whether ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel in reducing that risk. The EUCLID trial randomized 13,885 patients with PAD to antithrombotic monotherapy with ticagrelor or clopidogrel. CAD was defined as prior myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Median follow-up was 30 months. Among 4032 (29%) patients with PAD and CAD, 63% had prior MI, 54% prior PCI, and 38% prior CABG. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, patients with PAD and CAD had significantly higher rates of the primary endpoint (cardiovascular death/MI/stroke, 15.3% vs 8.9%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13–1.99; p=0.005), but no statistically significant increase in acute limb ischemia (HR 1.28, 95% CI: 0.57–2.85; p=0.55) or major bleeding (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.49–2.48; p=0.81) versus PAD without CAD. Among patients with PAD and CAD, there was no differential treatment effect between ticagrelor versus clopidogrel for the primary efficacy endpoint (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.87–1.19; p=0.84), acute limb ischemia (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.63–1.69; p=0.89), or major bleeding (HR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.66–1.69; p=0.81). There was a statistically significant interaction between prior coronary stent placement and study treatment ( p=0.03) with a numerical reduction in the primary efficacy endpoint with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel (13.8% vs 16.8%, HR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.65–1.03; p=0.09). Patients with PAD and prior CAD had higher composite rates of cardiovascular death, MI, and ischemic stroke versus PAD without diagnosed CAD. There were no significant differences between ticagrelor and clopidogrel in cardiovascular events or major bleeding.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01732822
Cynic cosmopolitanism
Authors: Dockstader Jason
Published: July 2018

Recently, British Prime Minister Theresa May made a bold anti-cosmopolitan claim: ‘If you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere. You don’t understand what citizenship means’. Given that many have never found nationalism particularly appealing, some have been moved to become citizens of the world after hearing these lines. But how is one to become a cosmopolitan? The answer is found in the history of philosophy. Cosmopolitanism has taken many forms. There are moral, political, legal, economic and cultural cosmopolitanisms. A form that has not received much attention is therapeutic cosmopolitanism. The focus of this form is on how being a world-citizen entails certain health benefits. I argue that therapeutic cosmopolitanism is both the original and best way of being a world-citizen. To do so, I summarize the present taxonomy of cosmopolitanisms and show how therapeutic cosmopolitanism contrasts with these options. I use classical Cynicism as the primary example of therapeutic cosmopolitanism. Instead of the universalist humanism and supranational communitarianism that characterizes cosmopolitan options, Cynic cosmopolitanism employs extreme naturalism. I show how being a Cynic cosmopolitan is the preferable way of rejecting nationalists of all stripes.
A low-cost, human-like, high-resolution, tactile sensor based on optical fibers and an image sensor
Authors: Büyükşahin Utku , Kırlı Ahmet
Published: July 2018

Tactile sensors are commonly a coordinated group of receptors forming a matrix array meant to measure force or pressure similar to the human skin. Optic-based tactile sensors are flexible, sensitive, and fast; however, the human fingertip’s spatial resolution, which can be regarded as the desired spatial resolution, still could not be reached because of their bulky nature. This article proposes a novel and patented optic-based tactile sensor design, in which fiber optic cables are used to increase the number of sensory receptors per square centimeter. The proposed human-like high-resolution tactile sensor design is based on simple optics and image processing techniques, and it enables high spatial resolution and easy data acquisition at low cost. This design proposes using the change in the intesity of the light occured due to the deformation on contact/measurement surface. The main idea is using fiber optic cables as the afferents of the human physiology which can have 9 µm diameters for both delivering and receiving light beams. The variation of the light intensity enters sequent mathematical models as the input, then, the displacement, the force, and the pressure data are evaluated as the outputs. A prototype tactile sensor is manufactured with 1-mm spatial and 0.61-kPa pressure measurement resolution with 0–15.6 N/cm2 at 30 Hz sampling frequency. Experimental studies with different scenarios are conducted to demonstrate how this state-of-the-art design worked and to evaluate its performance. The overall accuracy of the first prototype, based on different scenarios, is calculated as 93%. This performance is regarded as promising for further developments and applications such as grasp control or haptics.
Human breast milk-derived exosomes attenuate cell death in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Martin Colin , Patel Mikita , Williams Sparkle , Arora Hamish , Sims Brian
Published: July 2018

Human breast milk has been shown to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Breast milk has many components (immunoglobulins, proteins, fat, and, of recent interest, exosomes), but the specific component that affords protection against NEC is not known. Exosomes are small-nanometer vesicles that are rich in protein, lipid, and microRNA. Here, we hypothesized that human breast milk-derived exosomes can protect intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from cell death. Human breast milk was collected, separated using ultracentrifugation, and quantified using NanoSight tracking analysis. Purified exosomes were added to IECs that had been treated with varying concentrations of H2O2. Cells were then incubated overnight with the human breast milk-derived exosomes and assessed for cell viability. Western blot analysis showed that both clathrin and CD81 were present in the purified sample. Oxidative stress using H2O2 caused a 50% decrease in cell viability and human breast milk-derived exosomes had a protective effect in IECs. In the presence of H2O2, exosomes had a statistically significant protective effect. The protection seen by human breast milk-derived exosomes was not attenuated by cycloheximide. Thus, human breast milk-derived exosomes allow IECs to be protected from oxidative stress, but the mechanism is still not clear. Exosomes derived from human breast milk are an attractive treatment concept for children with intestinal injury.
Anti-nuclear autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis : News and perspectives
Authors: Hamaguchi Yasuhito , Takehara Kazuhiko
Published: July 2018

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disorder characterized by microvascular damage and excessive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. One hallmark of the immunological abnormalities in systemic sclerosis is the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies, which are detected in more than 90% of patients with systemic sclerosis. Anti-centromere antibodies, anti-DNA topoisomerase I antibodies, and anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies are the predominant anti-nuclear antibodies found in systemic sclerosis patients. Other systemic sclerosis–related anti-nuclear antibodies include those targeted against U3 ribonucleoprotein, Th/To, U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein, and eukaryotic initiation factor 2B. Anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein, anti-Ku antibodies, anti-PM–Scl, and anti-RuvBL1/2 antibodies are associated with systemic sclerosis overlap syndrome. Anti-human upstream binding factor, anti-Ro52/TRIM21, anti-B23, and anti-centriole antibodies do not have specificity to systemic sclerosis, but are sometimes detected in sera from patients with systemic sclerosis. Identification of each systemic sclerosis–related antibody is useful to diagnose and predict organ involvement, since the particular type of systemic sclerosis–related antibodies is often predictive of clinical features, severity, and prognosis. The clinical phenotypes are largely influenced by ethnicity. Currently, an immunoprecipitation assay is necessary to detect most systemic sclerosis–related antibodies; therefore, the establishment of an easy, reliable, and simple screening system is warranted.
Associations between dietary scores with asthma symptoms and asthma control in adults
Authors: Andrianasolo Roland M. , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Adjibade Moufidath , Hercberg Serge , Galan Pilar , Varraso Raphaëlle
Published: July 2018

Associations between asthma and the nutritional quality of diet remain poorly understood. We investigated the associations between overall quality of diet evaluated by three dietary scores (the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), the literature-based adherence score to Mediterranean diet (MEDI-LITE) and the modified Programme National Nutrition Santé Guideline Score (mPNNS-GS)) and the asthma symptom score and asthma control.

In 2017, 34 766 participants from the NutriNet-Santé cohort answered a detailed respiratory questionnaire. Asthma was defined by the asthma symptom score (as the sum of five questions) and asthma control by the asthma control test (ACT).

Roughly 25% of participants reported at least one asthma symptom and for the three dietary scores we observed a statistically significant negative association between a healthier diet and the asthma symptom score (for AHEI-2010, the adjusted OR was 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.84) for women and 0.67 (95% CI 0.60–0.75) for men). Among participants with asthma (n=2609) we also observed a negative association between a healthier diet and poorly controlled asthma. This was significant in men (OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.18–0.84) for the AHEI-2010) and borderline significant in women (OR 0.73 (95% CI 0.53–1.01) for the AHEI-2010; p=0.06 for trend).

Healthier diet behaviours were associated with fewer asthma symptoms and greater asthma control.
Enhancing Chemotherapy Capabilities in Rural Hospitals: Implementation of a Telechemotherapy Model (QReCS) in North Queensland, Australia
Authors: Sabesan Sabe , Senko Clare , Schmidt Andrew , Joshi Abhishek , Pandey Ritwik , Ryan Corinne A. , Lyle Megan , Rainey Natalie , Varma Suresh , Otty Zulfiquer , Ansari Zia , Vaughan Kerrie , Vangaveti Venkat , Black Jason , Brown Amy
Published: July 2018

Introduction:

The Queensland Remote Chemotherapy Supervision (QReCS) model enables rural nurses to administer chemotherapy in smaller rural towns under supervision by health professionals from larger centers using telehealth. Its implementation began in North Queensland, Australia (population, 650,000), in 2014 between two regional cancer centers (Townsville and Cairns as primary sites) and six rural sites (125 to 1,000 kilometers from primary sites). Our study examined the implementation processes, feasibility, and safety of this model.

Methods:

Details of implementation and patients’ clinical details for the period of 2014 to 2016 for descriptive analysis were extracted from telechemotherapy project notes and oncology information systems of North Queensland, respectively.

Results:

After a successful pilot study in Townsville Cancer Centre, statewide rural and cancer networks of Queensland Health, in collaboration with clinicians and managers across the state of Queensland, developed the QReCS model and a guide for operationalizing it. QReCS was implemented at six sites from 2014 to 2016. Main enablers across North Queensland included collaboration among clinicians and managers, availability of common electronic medical records, funding from Queensland Health, and installation of telehealth infrastructure by statewide telehealth services. Main barriers included turnover of senior management and nursing staff at two rural towns. Sixty-two patients received 327 cycles of low- to medium-risk chemotherapy agents. Rates of treatment delays, adverse events, and hospital admissions were similar to those in face-to-face care.

Conclusion:

Implementation of the QReCS model across a large geographic region is feasible with acceptable safety profiles. Leadership by and collaboration among clinicians and managers, adequacy of resources and common governance are key enablers.
Desmopressin Reverses Overly Rapid Serum Sodium Correction in a Hyponatremic Patient Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: Brinson Erika L. , Yu Jane S. , Liu Linda L. , Bokoch Michael P.
Published: July 2018

Patients with end-stage liver disease are often hyponatremic due to multiple physiological processes associated with hepatic failure. For severely hyponatremic patients undergoing liver transplantation, intraoperative management of serum sodium concentration ([Na]s) is challenging. [Na]s tends to increase during transplantation by the administration of fluids with higher sodium concentration than the patient’s [Na]s. An overly rapid increase in [Na]s (>1 mEq·L−
1·hour−
1) is difficult to avoid and increases the risk of serious perioperative complications. We report the successful use of intravenous desmopressin to reverse an overly rapid rise in [Na]s during living donor liver transplantation.
Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient Previously Diagnosed With Functional Abdominal Pain: A Case Report
Authors: DiGiusto Matthew , Suleman M-Irfan
Published: July 2018

Chronic abdominal pain is common in children and adolescents but challenging to diagnose, because practitioners may be concerned about missing serious occult disease. Abdominal wall pain is an often ignored etiology for chronic abdominal pain. Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome causes abdominal wall pain but is frequently overlooked. Correctly diagnosing patients with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is important because nerve block interventions are highly successful in the remittance of pain. Here, we present the case of a pediatric patient who received a diagnosis of functional abdominal pain but experienced pain remittance after receiving a trigger-point injection and transverse abdominis plane block.
Allergic Acute Coronary Syndrome (Kounis Syndrome) in a Young Woman During Spinal Anesthesia: A Case Report
Authors: Mendoza Vásquez Luis Eduardo
Published: July 2018

Kounis syndrome represents the concurrence of acute coronary syndromes or anginal pain with allergic, hypersensitivity, and anaphylactoid reactions that are increasingly found in clinical practice. We present a case of a young woman who experienced attacks of dyspnea, hypoxemia, and hypotension during and after spinal anesthesia. Based on the pattern of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, she was retrospectively diagnosed with Kounis syndrome, even though no apparent trigger of hypersensitivity was found.
Rare health conditions 14: glucagonoma, porphyria and hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this series is to briefly highlight a range of rare health conditions. Rare health conditions are those that affect no more and usually less than 1 person in every 2000 and many HCAs and nurses will encounter some of these conditions, given the high number of them. This fourteenth article will explore three of these conditions: glucagonoma, porphyria and hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.
Intramuscular injection CLIMAT pathway: a clinical practice guideline
Authors: Mraz Megan A Infanti , Thomas Christine , Rajcan Lois
Published: July 2018

The intramuscular (IM) injection has been part of nursing practice since the 1960s. Over the past 60 years, the practice of aspiration during IM injection has been controversial and understudied. In 2016, a study by Thomas et al identified that blood aspiration does occur during injection. This article introduces a clinical practice guideline for safe and effective aspiration during IM injection, as a follow-up to the findings of that study. The proposed guideline acknowledges the correct practice of aspiration and identifies considerations that may make aspiration unnecessary. These practices and considerations are presented to the reader using a visual clinical pathway and a narrative clinical practice guideline.
Management of oncological emergencies on the acute take
Authors: Ni Chleirigh Romy , Gray Simon , Mitchell Catherine C
Published: July 2018

In 2008, recommendations from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death identified large variations in the quality and safety of delivery of systemic anti-cancer therapy. In 49% of cases it was felt there was room for improvement and in 27% of cases treatment actually caused or hastened death. Every hospital with an emergency department and/or specialist oncology beds should therefore have a fully functioning acute oncology service to align acute oncology with urgent care. Many patients will still present via the acute take and therefore acute physicians need to be aware of the role of the acute oncology teams and management of oncology emergencies. This article discusses the role of the acute oncology team, management of acute oncology emergencies, namely neutropenic sepsis, metastatic spinal cord compression and superior vena cava obstruction, and important points for acute teams to consider.
Cutting workload by 75 per cent
Authors: Rowley Imogen
Published: July 2018

Barr Beacon School has managed to cut teachers' marking workload by 75 per cent. Imogen Rowley looks at how they did it…
Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem Solving through Adaptive Sweep Based Clustering plus Swarm Intelligence based Route Optimization
Authors: Peya Zahrul Jannat , Akhand M. A. H. , Murase Kazuyuki
Published: July 2018

Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) is anoptimization task where customers are assigned to vehicles aiming that combined travel distances of all the vehicles as minimum as possible while serving customers. A popular way among various methods of CVRP is solving it in two phases: grouping or clustering customers into feasible routes of individual vehicles and then finding their optimal routes. Sweep is well studied clustering algorithm for grouping customers and different traveling salesman problem (TSP) solving methods are commonly used to generate optimal routes of individual vehicles. This study investigates effective CVRP solving method based on recently developed adaptive Sweep and prominent Swarm Intelligence (SI) based TSP optimization methods. The adaptive Sweep cluster is a heuristic based adaptive method to select appropriate cluster formation starting angle of Sweep. Three prominent SI based TSP optimization methods are investigated which are Ant Colony Optimization, Producer-Scrounger Method and Velocity Tentative Particle Swarm Optimization (VTPSO). Genetic Algorithm is also considered since it is the pioneer and well-known population based method. The experimental results on two suites of benchmark CVRPs identified the effectiveness of adaptive Sweep plus SI methods in solving CVRP. Finally, adaptive Sweep plus the VTPSO is found better than other tested methods in this study as well as several other prominent existing methods.
Profil Distribusi dan Klirens Pengkontras CT SCAN AuNP-PAMAM G4- NIMOTUZUMAB disimulasikan menggunakan Senyawa 198AuNP-PAMAM G4-NIMOTUZUMAB
Authors: G Adang H , Pujiyanto Anung , Mutalib Abdul , S Rista A , L Indrarini , L Rien , Y Iyus M , S Herlan , C Sutriyo
Published: July 2018

Riset nanopartikel emas sebagai senyawa pengkontras CT-Scan telahdimulai sejak 3 tahun lalu di Indonesia. Riset interaksi antibodi monoklonal,khususnya nimotuzumab, dengan reseptor EGFR/HER1 dimulai sejak lima tahun lalu dan telah dimanfaatkan untuk penyiapan senyawa pengkontras MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) spesifik target melalui pelabelan konjugat dendrimer-nimotuzumab dengan radionuklida. Sintesis senyawa AuNP-PAMAM G4-Nimotuzumab untuk diagnosis dan terapi pada kanker paru-paru telah berhasil dilakukan di PTRR dan hasil karakterisasinya dengan menggunakan beberapa metode seperti KCKT (Kromatografi Cair Kinerja Tinggi), SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate) page elektroforesa dan TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) menunjukkan bahwa senyawa yang terbentuk adalah sebagai AuNP-PAMAM G4-Nimotuzumab. Pada penelitian ini telah dilakukan uji pre klinis dari senyawa pengkontras AuNPPAMAM G4-nimotuzumab meliputi uji distribusi dan klirens dengan disimulasikan menggunakan senyawa radioaktiv 198AuNP-PAMAM G4- nimotuzumab. Hasil uji distribusi senyawa 198AuNP-PAMAM G4- nimotuzumab menunjukkan penimbunan pada beberapa organ seperti ginjal, hati dan limpa, sedangkan dari hasil uji klirens diperoleh waktu paruh biologis senyawa tersebut adalah 11.77 hari. Hasil pemeriksaan terhadap urin dengan menggunakan kolom PD-10 (Sephadex G25) menunjukkan bahwa ~ 85 % yang dikeluarkan lewat urin masih berbentuk AuNP-PAMAM G4- Nimotuzumab. Hasil pencitraan dengan alat autoradiography menunjukkan bahwa sampai dengan 48 jam setelah penyuntikan, akumulasi radioaktivitas yang terdeteksi masih terdapat pada hati.