bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial focused assessment with sonography in trauma versus initial CT for patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma
Authors: Kondo Yutaka , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Yasunaga Hideo , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: October 2019

Objective

Focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination is a widely known initial evaluation for patients with trauma. However, it remains unclear whether FAST contributes to patient survival in patients with haemodynamically stable trauma. In this study, we compared in-hospital mortality and length of stay between patients undergoing initial FAST vs initial CT for haemodynamically stable torso trauma.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using data from 264 major emergency hospitals in the Japan Trauma Data Bank between 2004 and 2016. Patients were included if they had torso trauma with a chest or abdomen abbreviated injury scale score of ≥3 and systolic blood pressure of ≥100 mm Hg at hospital arrival. Eligible patients were divided into those who underwent initial FAST and those who underwent initial CT. Multivariable logistic regression analysis for in-hospital mortality and multivariable linear regression for length of stay were performed to compare the initial FAST and initial CT groups with adjustment for patient backgrounds while also adjusting for within-hospital clustering using a generalised estimating equation.

Results

There were 9942 patients; 8558 underwent initial FAST and 1384 underwent initial CT. Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the initial FAST and initial CT groups (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.99, p=0.10). Multivariable linear regression revealed that the initial FAST group had a significantly longer length of stay than the initial CT group (difference: 3.5 days; 95% CI 1.0 to 5.9, p<0.01).

Conclusions

In-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the initial FAST and initial CT groups for patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma. Initial CT should be considered in patients with haemodynamically stable torso trauma.
Are the irreversibly comatose still here? The destruction of brains and the persistence of persons
Authors: Meier Lukas J
Published: October 2019

When an individual is comatose while parts of her brain remain functional, the question arises as to whether any mental characteristics are still associated with this brain, that is, whether the person still exists. Settling this uncertainty requires that one becomes clear about two issues: the type of functional loss that is associated with the respective profile of brain damage and the persistence conditions of persons. Medical case studies can answer the former question, but they are not concerned with the latter. Conversely, in the philosophical literature, various accounts of personal identity are discussed, but usually detached from any empirical basis. Only uniting the two debates and interpreting the real-life configurations of brain damage through the lens of the philosophical concepts enables one to make an informed judgment regarding the persistence of comatose persons. Especially challenging are cases in which three mental characteristics that normally occur together—wakefulness, awareness and memory storage—come apart. These shall be the focus of this paper.
Childhood pneumonia, pleurisy and lung function: a cohort study from the first to sixth decade of life
Authors: Perret Jennifer L , Lodge Caroline J , Lowe Adrian J , Johns David P , Thompson Bruce R , Bui Dinh S , Gurrin Lyle C , Matheson Melanie C , McDonald Christine F , Wood-Baker Richard , Svanes Cecilie , Thomas Paul S , Giles Graham G , Chang Anne B , Abramson Michael J , Walters E Haydn , Dharmage Shyamali C
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Adult spirometry following community-acquired childhood pneumonia has variably been reported as showing obstructive or non-obstructive deficits. We analysed associations between doctor-diagnosed childhood pneumonia/pleurisy and more comprehensive lung function in a middle-aged general population cohort born in 1961.

Methods

Data were from the prospective population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study cohort. Analysed lung function was from ages 7 years (prebronchodilator spirometry only, n=7097), 45 years (postbronchodilator spirometry, carbon monoxide transfer factor and static lung volumes, n=1220) and 53 years (postbronchodilator spirometry and transfer factor, n=2485). Parent-recalled histories of doctor-diagnosed childhood pneumonia and/or pleurisy were recorded at age 7. Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used.

Results

At age 7, compared with no episodes, childhood pneumonia/pleurisy-ever was associated with reduced FEV1:FVC for only those with current asthma (beta-coefficient or change in z-score=−0.20 SD, 95% CI −0.38 to –0.02, p=0.028, p interaction=0.036). At age 45, for all participants, childhood pneumonia/pleurisy-ever was associated with a restrictive pattern: OR 3.02 (1.5 to 6.0), p=0.002 for spirometric restriction (FVC less than the lower limit of normal plus FEV1:FVC greater than the lower limit of normal); total lung capacity z-score −0.26 SD (95% CI −0.38 to –0.13), p<0.001; functional residual capacity −0.16 SD (−0.34 to –0.08), p=0.001; and residual volume −0.18 SD (−0.31 to –0.05), p=0.008. Reduced lung volumes were accompanied by increased carbon monoxide transfer coefficient at both time points (z-score +0.29 SD (0.11 to 0.49), p=0.001 and +0.17 SD (0.04 to 0.29), p=0.008, respectively).

Discussion

For this community-based population, doctor-diagnosed childhood pneumonia and/or pleurisy were associated with obstructed lung function at age 7 for children who had current asthma symptoms, but with evidence of ‘smaller lungs’ when in middle age.
Presumed congenital lymphangioma in a dog: ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings, presentation and treatment
Authors: Lodzinska Joanna , Gracz Magdalena , Silkstone Malcolm , Munro Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

A one‐year‐old crossbreed dog was referred for investigation of a mass in the left hindlimb with an incisional biopsy consistent with lymphangioma. CT revealed a large homogeneous, well‐defined mass within the left caudal peritoneal cavity that extended through the vascular lacuna towards the left stifle joint. Ultrasound revealed poorly defined multilocular cystic mass with internal septa of mixed echogenicity and poor colour Doppler flow. Lymphangioma should be considered as differential diagnosis for masses with these imaging characteristics. CT was most helpful in establishing the extent of neoplastic invasion and margins of the mass.
Physical attributes of soil under amazon forest conversion for different crop systems in southern Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: de Souza Fernando Gomes , Campos Milton César Costa , de Brito Filho Elilson Gomes , da Cunha José Maurício , de Lima Alan Ferreira Leite , Sales Maria Clécia Gomes , dos Santos Luís Antônio Coutrim
Published: October 2019

The conversion of forested areas into cropping systems modifies the soil physical attributes and affects the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural activity. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the modifications caused in the physical attributes of the soil in the area of guarana, cupuacu, and annatto compared with forest area in southern Amazonas. In the areas of forest and guarana meshes of 90 m × 70 m and regular spacing between the sampling points of 10 m × 10 m, in the area of annatto meshes of 90 m × 56 m and spacing of 10 m × 8 m, for cupuacu meshes of 54 m × 42 m, with spacing between the sampling points of 6 m × 6 m. The samples were collected in the depths of 0.00–0.05, 0.05–0.10, and 0.10–0.20 m, with 80 sampling points in each area, making 960 samples in the four areas. The cupuacu area most closely resembled the most diverse aspects of soil physical attributes with the forest area, and this was noticeable through the averaging test along with the principal component analysis, thus indicating that this crop is the least harmful to the studied soil, as well as the adopted systems of cultivation cause modifications mostly superficially, being these modifications little noticeable in layers superior to 10 cm.
Physiological consequences of varying large shark exposure on striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
Authors: Benson C.W. , Shea B.D. , de Silva C. , Donovan D. , Holder P.E. , Cooke S.J. , Gallagher A.J.
Published: October 2019

Large marine predators often aggregate seasonally in discrete locations to take advantage of optimal foraging conditions, leading to spatial and temporal variation in their exposure on other species. However, our understanding of the impacts this exposure may have on the behavior and physiology of prey is poor, especially in marine systems. Here, we evaluated the non-consumptive effects of potential exposure to large sharks (white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758)) on the stress physiology of an economically important teleost, the striped bass (Morone saxatilis (Walbaum, 1792)), off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. We sampled fish in habitats that varied significantly in shark exposure across 5 months and over 2 years, evaluating blood physiology stress indicators (i.e., cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations) and reflex impairment. None of the blood parameters were influenced by shark exposure, although we did observe subtle temperature and seasonal effects. One of the three reflex tests (the vertical orientation test) was negatively affected by shark exposure, although the mechanistic basis for this finding is unclear. This work supports the notion that predictable sources of predation pressure tend not to manifest in stress-related costs in free-ranging prey, which has implications for shaping our understanding of how large sharks influence ecosystems through non-consumptive effects.
ENERGY SECURITY, RENEWABLE, NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ASEAN ECONOMIES: NEW INSIGHTS
Authors: NEPAL RABINDRA , MUSIBAU HAMMED OLUWASEYI
Published: October 2019

This study examines the linkages between energy security (ES), renewable and non-renewable energy on economic growth for ASEAN countries within a neo-classical growth framework. The econometric techniques account for cross-sectional dependence and structural breaks by undertaking a dynamic common correlation effect analysis unlike previous studies. The study finds a long-run relationship between ES, renewable, non-renewable energy and economic growth for ASEAN economies between 1980 and 2018. Our results also confirm a feedback relationship between renewable energy and economic growth in the ASEAN. Thus, the ASEAN governments must prioritize renewable energy funding and investments. The results are robust to different estimations and methods.
Production of monopoles: A theoretical attempt
Authors: Calucci Giorgio
Published: October 2019

The production of a monopole–antimonopole pair through electromagnetic interaction is considered. The particular process considered involves the annihilation of a pair of leptons into photons and the subsequent formation of the MA pair. The actual calculation involves some approximations but no expansion in coupling constant.
Performance Evaluation of Real Estate Investment Trusts using a Hybridized Interval Type-2 Fuzzy AHP-DEA Approach: The Case of Borsa Istanbul
Authors: Yilmaz Mustafa Kemal , Kusakci Ali Osman , Tatoglu Ekrem , Icten Orkun , Yetgin Feyzullah
Published: October 2019

This study proposes a three-stage holistic methodology combining an interval type-2 fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (IT2F-AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to deal with the performance evaluation problems encountered in fuzzy decision environments. In the first stage, prospective inputs and outputs are determined by field studies. The second stage employs IT2F-AHP to identify the most appropriate performance indicators based on vague expert judgements. Finally, DEA is applied to the decision-making units (DMUs) based on the selected set of input and output measures. The proposed methodology proves its merit on a case study addressing the performance of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in Turkey during their 10-year journey of trading on Borsa Istanbul (BIST). The results demonstrate that the average scores for technical, pure technical and scale efficiencies are 66%, 80% and 80%, respectively. Considering the technical efficiency scores, Turkish REITs could have reduced their input factors by an average of 34%. The findings also reveal that the majority of Turkish REITs suffer from economies of scale and could have improved their performance by expansion.
The kernel of the monodromy of the universal family of degree d smooth plane curves
Authors: Harris Reid Monroe
Published: October 2019

We consider the parameter space [Formula: see text] of smooth plane curves of degree [Formula: see text]. The universal smooth plane curve of degree [Formula: see text] is a fiber bundle [Formula: see text] with fiber diffeomorphic to a surface [Formula: see text]. This bundle gives rise to a monodromy homomorphism [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the mapping class group of [Formula: see text]. The main result of this paper is that the kernel of [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a free group of countably infinite rank. In the process of proving this theorem, we show that the complement [Formula: see text] of the hyperelliptic locus [Formula: see text] in Teichmüller space [Formula: see text] has the homotopy type of an infinite wedge of spheres. As a corollary, we obtain that the moduli space of plane quartic curves is aspherical. The proofs use results from the Weil–Petersson geometry of Teichmüller space together with results from algebraic geometry.
Hyperchaos in Wilson–Cowan oscillator circuits
Authors: Wilson Hugh R.
Published: October 2019

The Wilson–Cowan equations were originally shown to produce limit cycle oscillations for a range of parameters. Others subsequently showed that two coupled Wilson–Cowan oscillators could produce chaos, especially if the oscillator coupling was from inhibitory interneurons of one oscillator to excitatory neurons of the other. Here this is extended to show that chains, grids, and sparse networks of Wilson–Cowan oscillators generate hyperchaos with linearly increasing complexity as the number of oscillators increases. As there is now evidence that humans can voluntarily generate hyperchaotic visuomotor sequences, these results are particularly relevant to the unpredictability of a range of human behaviors. These also include incipient senescence in aging, effects of concussive brain injuries, autism, and perhaps also intelligence and creativity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper represents an exploration of hyperchaos in coupled Wilson–Cowan equations. Results show that hyperchaos (number of positive Lyapunov exponents) grows linearly with the number of oscillators in the array and leads to high levels of unpredictability in the neural response.
Median Nerve Entrapment after Supracondylar Humeral Fracture in a Young Child
Authors: Granier C. , Maury E. , Coulet B. , Delpont M. , Cottalorda J. , Sleth C. , Carré R. , Louahem D.
Published: October 2019

Median nerve entrapment after supracondylar humeral fracture in children is rare. We report a case of Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fracture complicated by an entrapment of the median nerve following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning in a 5-year-old child. The diagnosis of entrapment was made 14 months post injury following progressive motor and sensory palsy. Resection and end-to-end suture were performed, leading to complete sensory and motor recovery eight months later. This nerve complication is often unnoticed and should be suspected systematically before and after reduction of all displaced supracondylar humeral fracture in children. The indication of resection-suture or nerve graft depends on the entrapment and the delay of the palsy.
Determination of Geometric Parameters of Cracks in Concrete by Image Processing
Authors: Vashpanov Yuriy , Son Jung-Young , Heo Gwanghee , Podousova Tatyana , Kim Yong Suk
Published: October 2019

The 8‐bit RGB image of a cracked concrete surface, obtained with a high‐resolution camera based on a close‐distance photographing and using an optical microscope, is used to estimate the geometrical parameters of the crack. The parameters such as the crack’s width, depth, and morphology can be determined by the pixel intensity distribution of the image. For the estimation, the image is transformed into 16‐bit gray scale to enhance the geometrical parameters of the crack and then a mathematical relationship relating the intensity distribution with the depth and width is derived based on the enhanced image. This relationship enables to estimate the width and depth with ±10% and ±15% accuracy, respectively, for the crack samples used for the experiments. It is expected that the accuracy can be further improved if the 8‐bit RGB image is synthesized by the images of the cracks obtained with different illumination directions.
Analysis of the Dissipation Behavior of Defoliants in Cotton Fiber during Field and Scouring Process Using Liquid and Gas Chromatography
Authors: Ma Mingbo , Ayaz Pirah , Jin Wanhui , Hussain Munir , Zhou Wenlong
Published: October 2019

Defoliants carried by cotton fiber could harm production workers and consumers through respiratory and dermal exposure. This study was carried out to evaluate the dissipation behavior of four commonly used defoliants tribufos, diuron, thidiazuron, and ethephon in cotton fiber during field stage and also in cotton scouring using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Field trials showed that although all the defoliants dissipated fast, however, the fiber from the tribufos and ethephon applied field had considerable potential to exceed the maximum residue limit when the fiber was harvested at common intervals after application of defoliants. The defoliant residues could be removed completely from the defoliant-carrying cotton textiles during alkaline scouring. The results indicated that attention should be paid to the risk of occupational exposure to these defoliants rather than consumer exposure. Fiber harvest on the tribufos and ethephon applied fields is recommended after a 1-week delay in order to reduce the residues to an acceptable level.
Cooperative Bargain for the Autonomous Separation of Traffic Flows in Smart Reversible Lanes
Authors: Xiao Guangbing , Zhang Haibo , Sun Ning , Chen Yong , Shi Jiamin , Zhang Yong
Published: October 2019

Spacer bars in the smart reversible lanes make periodically broadcast of messages to share their local observed traffic information with each other. This aims to help other spacer bars acquire the global traffic information and make consistent movement when separating the flows. However, radio interference and vehicles in the traffic may degrade the qualities of wireless communication links and cause frequent message losses in the broadcast. Existing solutions tend to use data forwarding to enhance the message dissemination, which may cause imbalanced load in the spacer bars. For instance, the nodes close to the sink have to forward more messages, whereas the ones far away from the sink have fewer messages for forwarding. The unbalanced distribution of network load has a high risk of blocking the wireless communication links and yield inconsistent movement in the reversible lanes. In this paper, we propose a Cooperative Bargain (CoB) scheme where each spacer bar carries some received messages to help other spacer bars recover their lost messages. Since the spacer bars can only acquire the local information, we formulate a cooperative bargain game to negotiate how to allocate the task of message recovery with a balanced network load until a consensus is achieved. CoB is evaluated with the real‐world Wi‐Fi communication traces in Isti/rural. Simulation results show that CoB can recover an average of 98.6% messages within 100 milliseconds in a 50‐node network. CoB does not require the global network information but it can still achieve a comparable performance to other broadcast schemes.
Vitamin D Supplementation and Cognition in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Byrn Mary A. , Adams William , Penckofer Sue , Emanuele Mary Ann
Published: October 2019

Aim. Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of cognitive decline which adversely impacts self-management of the disease. Evidence also supports a relationship between low serum 25(OH)D levels and poor cognition. The purpose of this trial was to assess vitamin D supplementation on cognitive executive functioning in persons living with type 2 diabetes. Methods. This was a double-blinded RCT where participants were randomized to receive either weekly vitamin D3 supplementation (50,000 IUs) or a matching comparator (5,000 IUs) for three months. The primary outcome was a battery of neuropsychological tests. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Repeated assessments of cognitive measures were collected over 12 weeks using alternative testing forms to minimize practice effects. Results. Thirty participants were randomized to either the low-dose allocation (n=15) or the high-dose allocation (n=15). Most participants were female (83%) and identified as Black (57%). For all cognition measures, there was no statistically significant finding between participants who received high-dose vitamin D supplementation and those who received low-dose supplementation. However, when assessing cognitive function in both groups over time, minimal improvement on the Symbol-Digits, the Stroop Interference Test, and the Trail Making Test Part B was observed. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized control trial to examine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cognitive function in people with type 2 diabetes. However, no significant differences in cognitive outcomes between participants who received high-dose therapy and those who received low dose were found.
Lump Solutions and Interaction Solutions for the Dimensionally Reduced Nonlinear Evolution Equation
Authors: Guo Baoyong , Dong Huanhe , Fang Yong
Published: October 2019

In this paper, by means of the Hirota bilinear method, a dimensionally reduced nonlinear evolution equation is investigated. Through its bilinear form, lump solutions are obtained. We construct interaction solutions between lump solutions and one soliton solution by choosing quadratic functions and exponential function. Interaction solutions with the combinations of exponential functions and sine function are also given. Meanwhile, the figures of these solutions are plotted. The dynamical characteristics and properties of obtained solutions are discussed, respectively. The results show that the corresponding physical quantities and properties of nonlinear waves are associated with the values of the parameters.
Performance of the Afferent Limb of Rapid Response Systems in Managing Deteriorating Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Difonzo Marcello
Published: October 2019

Introduction. The clinical components of the rapid response system (RRS) are the afferent limb, to ensure identification of in-hospital patients who deteriorate and activation of a response, and the efferent limb, to provide the response. This review aims to evaluate the factors that influence the performance of the afferent limb in managing deteriorating ward patients and their effects on patient outcomes.Methods. A systematic review was performed for the years 1995–2017 by employing five electronic databases. Articles were included assessing the ability of the ward staffs to monitor, recognize, and escalate care to patient deterioration. The findings were summarized using a narrative approach.Results. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed major themes enclosing several factors affecting management of patients having sudden deterioration. The monitoring and recognition process was conditioned by the lack of recording of physiological parameters, the influence of facilitators, including staff education and training, and barriers, including human and environmental factors, and poor compliance with the calling criteria. The escalation of care process highlighted the influence of cultural barriers and personal judgment on RRS activation. Mainly, delayed team calls were factors strongly associated with the increased risk of unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit and length of stay, hospital length of stay and mortality, and 30-day mortality.Conclusions. A combination of factors affects the timely identification and response to sudden deterioration by general ward staffs, leading to suboptimal care of patients, delayed or failed activation of RRS teams, and increased risks of worsening outcomes. The research efforts and clinical involvement to improve the governance of the factors limiting the performance of the afferent limb may ensure proper management of hospitalized patients showing physiological deterioration.
A Study on the Seismic Response Characteristics of an Oblique Pile Group‐Soil‐Structure with Different Pile Caps
Authors: Kong Desen , Bai Yifei , Chen Yongpo , Deng Meixu
Published: October 2019

For the study of interaction between piles‐soil‐structure with different caps, the FLAC3D finite difference software was used as the research tool, and dynamic load was El Centro seismic wave. The numerical model of obliquely pile groups of the pile‐soil‐structure with low cap and high cap was established, respectively. The variation of pore pressure, the moment, the displacement of piles, and the displacement of pier was analyzed. The results indicate that under the action of earthquake, the distribution of pore water pressure in the soil layer increases gradually from top to bottom. The instantaneous negative value of partial soil due to shear dilation occurs at the peak of vibration acceleration. The middle area of the pile foundation in sandy soil is prone to liquefaction. In the same model, the maximum bending moment of inclined piles is greater than that of vertical piles. The vertical displacement of the vertical piles is a constant value along the depth, while the vertical displacement of the inclined piles is changed along the depth of the buried piles. In the high cap model, the horizontal displacement of the inclined piles is no longer monotonous along the burying depth, and the maximum value occurs in the sand soil layer. The vertical and horizontal displacements of the inclined piles and vertical piles in the high cap model are obviously greater than those of the low cap model. The maximum horizontal displacement of the pier of the two models occurs at the same time.
Modulation of Motor Cortical Activities by Action Observation and Execution in Patients with Stroke: An MEG Study
Authors: Zhu Jun-Ding , Cheng Chia-Hsiung , Tseng Yi-Jhan , Chou Chien-Chen , Chen Chih-Chi , Hsieh Yu-Wei , Liao Yu-Hsien
Published: October 2019

Action observation therapy has recently attracted increasing attention; however, the mechanisms through which action observation and execution (AOE) modulate neural activity in stroke patients remain unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of action observation and two types of AOE on motor cortical activations after stroke using magnetoencephalography. Twenty patients with stroke and 20 healthy controls were recruited for the collection of data on the beta oscillatory activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). All participants performed the conditions of resting, observation only, and video observation combined with execution (video AOE). Stroke patients performed one additional condition of affected hand observation combined with execution (affected hand AOE). The relative change index of beta oscillations was calculated, and nonparametric tests were used to examine the differences in conditions. In stroke patients, the relative change index of M1 beta oscillatory activity under the video AOE condition was significantly lower than that under the observation only and affected hand AOE conditions. Moreover, M1 cortical activity did not significantly differ under the observation only and affected hand AOE conditions. For healthy controls, the relative change index under the video AOE condition was significantly lower than that under the observation only condition. In addition, no significant differences in relative change indices were found under the observation only and video AOE conditions between the 2 groups. This study provides new insight into the neural mechanisms underlying AOE, which supports the use of observing videos of normal movements during action observation therapy in stroke rehabilitation.
Evaluation of Sperm Impairing Factor fromSerratia marcescensas Male Contraceptive in Mouse Model
Authors: Chauhan Aditi , Prabha Vijay
Published: October 2019

The present study was carried out to assess the contraceptive efficacy of sperm agglutinating factor (SAF) isolated fromSerratia marcescens, in male Balb/c mice. Mice were administered via an intratesticular route with different concentrations of SAF,viz., 10, 50, 100, 200, or 400 µg, in the right testis only which served as a test while the left side served as control except otherwise stated. Mice were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60, and 90 after administration, and results in terms of change in body weight, seminal parameters, tissue somatic indices (TSI), hematological parameters, serum level of testosterone, lipid peroxidation, and histology were studied. The body weight and TSI remained unaffected in all the experimental groups. In case of seminal parameters, the right testis treated with 10 μg, 50 μg, 100 μg, 200 μg, or 400 μg of SAF showed azoospermia up to day 7, 14, 21, 45, and 90, respectively. The hematological indices, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were found to be unaltered when the group receiving SAF (test) was compared with the groups receiving phosphate buffer saline (control) in the right testis; however, the treatment had a negative effect on the serum level of testosterone. It also affected the oxidative status of the right testis. Furthermore, histological studies revealed hypospermatogenesis and alterations in the seminiferous tubules which included intraepithelial vacuolation and exfoliation in the right side as compared to the left side. Thus, the results suggest that SAF (400 µg) causes suppression of spermatogenesis, without causing apparent toxic effects.
A Retrospective Study of the Combination of Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Warm Antibody Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Piatek Caroline I. , Bocian Hillel , Algaze Sandra , Weitz Ilene C. , O'Connell Casey , Liebman Howard A.
Published: October 2019

The combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (RCD) is highly effective in the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We treated a cohort of patients with relapsed/refractory WAIHA, without CLL, with RCD. The primary objective was to evaluate the overall response (OR) of RCD therapy. Complete response (CR) was defined as a hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥12 g/dL. Partial response (PR) was defined as Hgb 10–11.9 g/dL or ≥2 g/dL increase in Hgb. Sustained response was defined as Hgb ≥10 g/dL with no treatment changes. A total of 16 patients with relapsed/refractory WAIHA received RCD (7 primary WAIHA, 9 secondary WAIHA) for a median of 4 cycles (range: 2–6). The median pretreatment Hgb was 10.0 g/dL (range: 4.3–12.2). The median best Hgb achieved was 12.5 g/dL (range: 10.6–15.1) with a median of 2 cycles until best Hgb response. The OR was 94% (11 CR, 4 PR). Two immunocompromised patients were admitted for infections during RCD treatment. There were no deaths during the treatment or follow-up period. Following a response to RCD, 4 patients received noncorticosteroid immune modulation therapy and 4 patients continued on corticosteroid therapy. Seven patients received no additional treatment.
Cochlear Dead Regions in Sporadic Unilateral Vestibular Schwannomas Using the Threshold-Equalizing Noise Test
Authors: Byun Hayoung , Cho Yang-Sun , Hong Sung Hwa , Moon Il Joon
Published: October 2019

Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign intracranial neoplasm originating in the Schwann cells of the vestibular nerve. Despite its origin, the most common symptom is sensorineural hearing loss which is presented in more than 90% of patients. The underlying pathophysiology of this hearing loss has not been fully understood. Objective: To assess the in vivo function of cochlear inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in VS, cochlear dead regions (DRs) were evaluated via the threshold-equalizing noise (TEN) test in untreated VS patients. Method: Untreated patients diagnosed with sporadic unilateral VS and normal contralesional hearing were enrolled from July 2011 to June 2016. Audiometric evaluation including TEN tests were performed. Based on the magnetic resonance findings, characteristics of individual tumors were assessed. Results: The average pure-tone threshold (word recognition score [WRS]) of 23 enrolled patients was 42.7 dB (76.1%). Nineteen DRs (11.8% of 161 tested frequencies) were found in 8 patients (34.8% of enrolled cases). Among the intracanalicular (IAC) tumors, 6 out of 10 ears (60%) carried DRs, while 2 of 13 (15.4%) showed DRs among the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) lesions (p = 0.039). Pure-tone thresholds and WRS were not different between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that the tumor location, IAC versus CPA, was significantly associated with DRs (p = 0.041, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.471), whereas age, sex, tumor size, distance from the tumor to the cochlea, T2-weighted hypointensity on the MRI and pure-tone thresholds showed no significance. Conclusions: Cochlear DRs are detected in hearing losses associated with unilateral sporadic VS using the TEN test. Individual DRs were detected variously in high, mid, or low frequencies. In our preliminary data, IAC tumors showed a higher number of DRs than CPA tumors despite similar average hearing thresholds. Further studies including longitudinal follow-up of hearing as well as change in DRs may provide useful information about VS patients.
Similar Cause, Different Phenotype: SOX9 Enhancer Duplication in a Family
Authors: Pinti Eva , Piko Henriett , Lengyel Anna , Luczay Andrea , Karcagi Veronika , Fekete Gyorgy , Haltrich Iren
Published: October 2019

Introduction: 46,XX ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD), as defined by the Chicago consensus in 2006, is characterized by histologically confirmed testicular and ovarian tissue in an individual with a 46,XX karyotype and a wide phenotypic spectrum from female to male appearance. Case Presentation: We report the case of two 46,XX sex determining region Y (SRY) gene-negative siblings and their 46,XY father with an approximately 150 kilobase pair (kbp) duplication upstream of SOX9 (SRY-box 9) gene’s transcriptional start site on chromosome 17 (chr17), which involved SOX9’s minimal critical 46,XX sex reversal region. This duplication is sufficient to trigger male development in the absence of Y-chromosomal material and can lead to various degrees of masculinization in 46,XX individuals by overexpression of SOX9. Based on anamnestic information and pedigree analysis, another possible carrier of this copy number variation (CNV) could have been the father’s sister. Discussion: By comparing the duplications of our two sibling patients and previously reported similar cases, we suggest that the small differences between their breakpoints could alternatively modify the inner structure and functioning of SOX9’stopologically associated domain (TAD) due to the differing fine TAD arrangements. Our data support the phenotypic modularity impact – incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity – of very similar but non-identical CNVs, which are possibly inherited across three generations.
How Target Animacy Affects Manual Laterality in Hylobatidae: The First Evidence in Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys)
Authors: Zhao Dapeng , Li Bosong , Li Baoguo
Published: October 2019

Our study presents the first evidence on how target animacy impacts on manual laterality in the Hylobatidae and contributes to filling the knowledge gap between monkeys and great apes in primate evolution of emotional lateralization. Eleven captive individuals of northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) were chosen as focal subjects. There were significantly more ambipreferent individuals than left/right-handed individuals for both inanimate (χ2(1, n = 11) = 7.364, p = 0.007) and animate (χ2(1, n = 11) = 4.455, p = 0.035) targets, meaning no significant group-level hand preference. The right hand was more frequently used than the left hand for inanimate targets whereas the left hand was more frequently used than the right hand for animate targets, although the interaction between target animacy and hand use was not significant (proportion: F1, 10 = 0.283, p = 0.607; rate: F1, 10 = 0.228, p = 0.643). Our findings in N. leucogenys could not fully support either the tool use theory or the right hemisphere hypothesis.
Erythema Nodosum: A Manifestation of Salmonella Infection
Authors: Hassan Ali , Alsaihati Amna , Al Shammari Malak , Sharroufna Mohammed , Alaithan Haitham , Aljubran Salman
Published: October 2019

Erythema nodosum is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction with an unknown trigger in the majority of cases. It is characterized by the development of erythematous tender nodules on the shins. Septal panniculitis without vasculitis is a characteristic histopathological finding. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with a four-day history of an erythematous swollen left lower limb. She was treated with intravenous clindamycin for suspected cellulitis. However, her symptoms persisted. Punch biopsy revealed findings consistent with erythema nodosum. Two days later, she developed colicky abdominal pain associated with non-bloody diarrhea. Stool culture yielded Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis. Two days after discharge, she presented again with a right breast abscess for which she underwent incision and drainage along with antibiotic therapy. After discharge, she was symptom-free with complete resolution of the cutaneous lesions. The presented case is unique as it had multiple clinical manifestations of Salmonella infection including erythema nodosum, diarrhea, and presumably a breast abscess. It should be kept in mind that gastrointestinal symptoms are not necessarily the initial presentations of Salmonella infection.
Pancreatic Pseudoaneurysm from a Gastroduodenal Artery
Authors: Gurala Dhineshreddy , Polavarapu Abhishek Datta , Idiculla Pretty Sara , Daoud Magda , Gumaste Vivek
Published: October 2019

Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare vascular complication of pancreatitis, resulting from erosion of the pancreatic or peripancreatic artery into a pseudocyst. However, it may happen after pancreatic or gastric bypass surgery or trauma. It may lead to fatal complications if left untreated. Herein, we report a unique case of pseudoaneurysm from a gastroduodenal artery in a patient with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis, which was managed successfully with coil embolization.
A Reconsideration of the Leilou – Longbian Debate: A Continuation of Research by Nishimura Masanari
Authors: Phạm Lê Huy
Published: October 2019

In 111 bce, the Han Dynasty destroyed the Nanyue Kingdom and put the region under the Jiaozhi Commandery. The headquarters of the Jiaozhi Commandery was originally Miling, but was later moved to Leilou and then to Longbian. There have been many hypotheses regarding the location of Leilou and Longbian. In particular, many scholars have identified the remains of the old citadel (Lũng Khê Citadel) located in Thuận Thành District (Bắc Ninh, Vietnam) with the Leilou Citadel. Based on archaeological evidence, the late Dr. Nishimura Masanari advanced a new hypothesis that these remains were not the citadel of Leilou, but that of Longbian. This article will review historical documents about Leilou and Longbian and introduce two inscriptions recently discovered in Bắc Ninh Province to provide further support for Nishimura’s hypothesis.
When Is a Temporary Migrant Not a Temporary Migrant? Patrick Manning’s Relational World History Approach Applied to Interwar British Malaya
Authors: Trimmer Tiffany
Published: October 2019

Discussion of Patrick Manning’s legacy as a world historian must include the way he taught us to write historical narratives that not only shift between the perspectives of diverse individuals and interest groups, but also bring those perspectives into conversation with each other. This relational world history-writing methodology requires analysis of both local, transregional, and global historical forces and the experiences of people who tried to deploy or resist those forces. In the spirit of Manning’s approach, this article highlights how competing narratives about emigration from Britain and the Indian subcontinent to British Malaya from the 1920s until 1940 can be understood more clearly by demonstrating how three interest groups defined their relationship to the colony’s Malayan Indian population. Analyzing this contested discourse among British civil servants, Indian immigrant community representatives, and individuals trying to rally the Indians Overseas labor diaspora illustrates the kinds of circumstances that had the potential to promote or constrain meaningful social change for Indian-born and Indian-descended settlers in Malaya.
Cul-de-sac to the West: Human Rights and Hypocrisy between Turkey and Europe in the 1980s
Authors: Sherry Bennett G.
Published: October 2019

In the 1980s, over a million Iranian asylum seekers transited through Turkey on their way west, most moving through irregular migration channels. While much has been made of Turkey’s evolving role in more recent refugee crises, this literature neglects the importance of the 1980s Iranian refugee migrations in shaping the global refugee system. By connecting the story of the international human rights movement to the Ankara office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), this paper emphasizes the role of non-state actors. Based on research in the archives of the UNHCR, this paper argues that the UNHCR and Amnesty International used human rights as a tool to pressure Turkey to open its doors to Iranian refugees in the early 1980s, and that this tactic backfired when the West closed its own doors on refugees later in the decade. The result was the increased forcible return of refugees by Turkish authorities to Iran and newly restrictive asylum policies, which would shape refugee migrations through Turkey for decades. For millions of refugees, Turkey has served as transit hub on their journey west; in the 1980s, human rights hypocrisy made it a cul-de-sac.
Rewriting World History in the Classroom: Pedagogical Dispatches from India
Authors: Vaidik Aparna , Kelly Gwendolyn
Published: October 2019

In this paper we examine some of the problems of world historical frames especially as they are made manifest in the classroom, and we show how we designed a course to resist and avoid reproducing Eurocentrism and other biases. We reject frameworks that insist on focusing solely on connectivities, entanglements, braidedness, and “Big History.” Drawing pedagogical and intellectual inspiration from the writings of Paulo Freire, Ivan Illich, John Holt, and Rudolf Steiner, we make a case for widening the scope of world history by insisting that it take on board the ruptures, dissonances, and messiness of a human past that defies easy cataloguing and facile connectivities. We centered the course around developing students’ understanding of how history is constructed and written, including how we can construct, write, and teach many possible narratives of world history. We argue that a course taught in such a way can be a vehicle for deepening human understanding, for decolonizing thought, and for helping students understand and articulate their position in the world.
Soteriology and The Use of Non-Christian Philosophy – An Experiment in Dialogical Theology
Authors: Robinson John N. C.
Published: October 2019

This article seeks to examine the nature and role of the use of non-Christian philosophy in the formulation of Christian theology specifically in relation to soteriology. The role and limitations of Greco-Roman theology in the traditional formulations are examined along with their reception in today’s global Church. The question of the use of philosophy originating in other religious discourses and its legitimacy is considered and then a soteriological proposal based on the philosophy of Nāgārjuna is advanced as an example of the approach proposed.
The People of the Book, ahl al-kitāb
Authors: Kimball Richard
Published: October 2019

This article examines the use of the Qur’ānic term ahl al-kitāb by several contemporary Muslim and Christian scholars in the context of our increasingly interconnected and pluralist societies. The Arabic term ahl al-kitāb is frequently translated as the People of the Book. The People of the Book are the religious communities that the Qur’ān identifies as following divine revelation in the form of a book. Traditionally these communities are Jews, Christians, Sabians and to a lesser extent Zoroastrians. Sometimes the Qur’ān praises these communities and their sacred texts and other times they are criticised. Therefore, what the Qur’ān has to say about these communities and their texts is highly contextual, requiring nuanced understanding of any verse in question. For Islamic scholars, the application of the Qur’ānic commentary tradition, known as tafsīr allows for an authoritative link to the past that anchors their contribution in modern discourse whether in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, America, Europe or elsewhere. Variations from past interpretations of particular social issues, due to the needs of the common good, or participation as equal citizens in multi-faith and multi-cultural societies, often follows formal reflection on past scholarship, combined with the introduction of new contexts as variables in the decision-making process. This is the case, for instance, when Muhammad ibn Qasim, in the 8th century, extended the designation of People of the Book to Buddhism and Hinduism. The article subsequently demonstrates the resilience of the parameters set within the traditional commentary for Muslim interlocutors. Therefore, this article posits, greater awareness by Christians of the application of the traditional commentary, can play an important role in the development of improved dialogue and social cooperation, whereby each may respect the other as fully Muslim and fully Christian.
Structural features and life habits of †Alienoptera (Polyneoptera, Dictyoptera, Insecta)

Authors: WIPFLER BENJAMIN , KOČÁREK PETR , RICHTER ADRIAN , BOUDINOT BRENDON , BAI MING , BEUTEL ROLF GEORG
Published: October 2019

Structural features and life habits of described species of the extinct †Alienoptera are evaluated based on previously published studies on the group. Head structures and feedings habits are addressed, as are the locomotor organs, especially the wings and adhesive devices. Suggested pollen feeding habits and the possible role as pollinators are discussed, as well as hypothesized ant and wasp mimicry and myrmecophily. Species of †Alienoptera were likely predators, in the case of †Caputoraptor elegans Bai, Beutel et Wipfler, 2018 with a unique cephalo-prothoracic prey grasping mechanism. They were likely strong fliers with anatomical dipterism with functional hind wings. Wing joints protected by scale-like sclerotized fore wings probably allowed them to move very efficiently in dense foliage of trees or shrubs and to prey upon smaller insects. Ant mimicry, myrmecophily and “weevil mimicry” are rejected. †Meilia Vršanský et Wang, 2018 is a possible case of wasp mimicry but more evidence is required. Other suggested cases of mimicking wasps are unfounded.