bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ornithine Decarboxylase in Macrophages Exacerbates Colitis and Promotes Colitis-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis by Impairing M1 Immune Responses
Authors: Singh Kshipra , Coburn Lori A. , Asim Mohammad , Barry Daniel P. , Allaman Margaret M. , Shi Chanjuan , Washington M. Kay , Luis Paula B. , Schneider Claus , Delgado Alberto G. , Piazuelo M. Blanca , Cleveland John L. , Gobert Alain P. , Wilson Keith T.
Published: May 2018

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the rate-limiting enzyme for polyamine biosynthesis and restricts M1 macrophage activation in gastrointestinal (GI) infections. However, the role of macrophage ODC in colonic epithelial-driven inflammation is unknown. Here, we investigate cell-specific effects of ODC in colitis and colitis-associated carcinogenesis (CAC). Human colonic macrophages expressed increased ODC levels in active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, colitis-associated dysplasia, and CAC. Mice lacking Odc in myeloid cells (OdcΔmye mice) that were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) exhibited improved survival, body weight, and colon length and reduced histologic injury versus control mice. In contrast, GI epithelial-specific Odc knockout had no effect on clinical parameters. Despite reduced histologic damage, colitis tissues of OdcΔmye mice had increased levels of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and enhanced expression of M1, but not M2 markers. In the azoxymethane-DSS model of CAC, OdcΔmye mice had reduced tumor number, burden, and high-grade dysplasia. Tumors from OdcΔmye mice had increased M1, but not M2 macrophages. Increased levels of histone 3, lysine 9 acetylation, a marker of open chromatin, were manifest in tumor macrophages of OdcΔmye mice, consistent with our findings that macrophage ODC affects histone modifications that upregulate M1 gene transcription during GI infections. These findings support the concept that macrophage ODC augments epithelial injury-associated colitis and CAC by impairing the M1 responses that stimulate epithelial repair, antimicrobial defense, and antitumoral immunity. They also suggest that macrophage ODC is an important target for colon cancer chemoprevention.

Significance: Ornithine decarboxylase contributes to the pathogenesis of colitis and associated carcinogenesis by impairing M1 macrophage responses needed for antitumoral immunity; targeting ODC in macrophages may represent a new strategy for chemoprevention. Cancer Res; 78(15); 4303–15. ©2018 AACR.
Survival and Disease-Free Survival by Breast Density and Phenotype in Interval Breast Cancers
Authors: Sala Maria , Domingo Laia , Louro Javier , Torá-Rocamora Isabel , Baré Marisa , Ferrer Joana , Carmona-Garcia Maria Carmen , Barata Teresa , Román Marta , Macià Francesc , Castells Xavier
Published: May 2018

Background: We aimed to evaluate survival and disease-free survival in different subtypes of interval cancers by breast density, taking into account clinical and biological characteristics.

Methods: We included 374 invasive breast tumors (195 screen-detected cancers; 179 interval cancers, classified into true interval, false-negatives, occult tumors and minimal-sign cancers) diagnosed in women ages 50–69 years undergoing biennial screening from 2000–2009, followed up to 2014. Breast density was categorized into non-dense (<25% dense tissue) and mixed dense breasts (≥25%). Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were computed to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for death and recurrences by comparing women with interval and true interval cancers versus women with screen-detected cancers, controlling for tumor and patient characteristics. All analyses were stratified by breast density.

Results: Interval cancers were detected in younger women, at more advanced stages, in denser breasts and showed a higher proportion of triple-negative cancers, especially among true interval cancers. Women with interval cancer and non-dense breasts had an aHR for death of 3.40 (95% CI, 0.92–12.62). Women with true interval cancers detected in non-dense breasts had the highest adjusted risk of death (aHR, 6.55; 95% CI, 1.37–31.39).

Conclusions: Women with true interval cancer in non-dense breasts had a higher risk of death than women with screen-detected cancers.

Impact: These results support the advisability of routinely collecting information on breast density, both for further tailoring of screening strategies and as a prognostic factor for diagnosed breast cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(8); 908–16. ©2018 AACR.
Collaborative Method Performance Study of the Measurement of Nicotine, Its Metabolites, and Total Nicotine Equivalents in Human Urine
Authors: Wang Lanqing , Bernert John T. , Benowitz Neal L. , Feng June , Jacob Peyton , McGahee Ernest , Caudill Samuel P. , Scherer Gerhard , Scherer Max , Pluym Nikola , Doig Mira V. , Newland Kirk , Murphy Sharon E. , Caron Nicolas J. , Sander Lane C. , Shimizu Makiko , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Kim Sung , Langman Loralie J. , Pritchett Jeanita S. , Sniegoski Lorna T. , Li Yao , Blount Benjamin C. , Pirkle James L.
Published: May 2018

Background: Biomarkers of tobacco exposure have a central role in studies of tobacco use and nicotine intake. The most significant exposure markers are nicotine itself and its metabolites in urine. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the performance of laboratories conducting these biomarker measurements.

Methods: This report presents the results from a method performance study involving 11 laboratories from 6 countries that are currently active in this area. Each laboratory assayed blind replicates of seven human urine pools at various concentrations on three separate days. The samples included five pools blended from smoker and nonsmoker urine sources, and two additional blank urine samples fortified with pure nicotine, cotinine, and hydroxycotinine standards. All laboratories used their own methods, and all were based on some form of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Overall, good agreement was found among the laboratories in this study. Intralaboratory precision was good, and in the fortified pools, the mean bias observed was < + 3.5% for nicotine, approximately 1.2% for hydroxycotinine, and less than 1% for cotinine (1 outlier excluded in each case). Both indirect and direct methods for analyzing the glucuronides gave comparable results.

Conclusions: This evaluation indicates that the experienced laboratories participating in this study can produce reliable and comparable human urinary nicotine metabolic profiles in samples from people with significant recent exposure to nicotine.

Impact: This work supports the reliability and agreement of an international group of established laboratories measuring nicotine and its metabolites in urine in support of nicotine exposure studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(9); 1083–90. ©2018 AACR.
T-cell Responses to TP53 “Hotspot” Mutations and Unique Neoantigens Expressed by Human Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Deniger Drew C. , Pasetto Anna , Robbins Paul F. , Gartner Jared J. , Prickett Todd D. , Paria Biman C. , Malekzadeh Parisa , Jia Li , Yossef Rami , Langhan Michelle M. , Wunderlich John R. , Danforth David N. , Somerville Robert P.T. , Rosenberg Steven A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose: This was a study prospectively evaluating intratumoral T-cell responses to autologous somatic mutated neoepitopes expressed by human metastatic ovarian cancers.

Patients and Methods: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were expanded from resected ovarian cancer metastases, which were analyzed by whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing to identify autologous somatic mutations. All mutated neoepitopes, independent of prediction algorithms, were expressed in autologous antigen-presenting cells and then cocultured with TIL fragment cultures. Secretion of IFNγ or upregulation of 41BB indicated a T-cell response.

Results: Seven women with metastatic ovarian cancer were evaluated, and 5 patients had clear, dominant T-cell responses to mutated neoantigens, which were corroborated by comparison with the wild-type sequence, identification of the minimal epitope, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction element(s), and neoantigen-specific T-cell receptor(s). Mutated neoantigens were restricted by HLA-B, -C, -DP, -DQ, and/or -DR alleles and appeared to principally arise from random, somatic mutations unique to each patient. We established that TP53 “hotspot” mutations (c.659A>G; p.Y220C and c.733G>A; p.G245S) expressed by two different patients' tumors were both immunogenic in the context of HLA-DRB3*02:02.

Conclusions: Mutation-reactive T cells infiltrated ovarian cancer metastases at sufficient frequencies to warrant their investigation as adoptive cell therapy. In addition, transfer of TP53 “hotspot” mutation-reactive T-cell receptors into peripheral blood T cells could be evaluated as a gene therapy for a diverse range of tumor histologies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5562–73. ©2018 AACR.

See related commentary by McNeish, p. 5493
Massive Silicone Oil Migration into the Subconjunctival Space: A Leakage Mechanism Dilemma
Authors: Téllez Jesús , Vela José I. , Luna Sabina , Delgado Rubén
Published: May 2018

Purpose: To report a case in which an early, massive silicone oil migration into the subconjunctival space occurred in a patient after sutureless vitrectomy with the presence of a previously implanted pars plana glaucoma drainage device. Case Report: An 80-year-old man presented with neovascular glaucoma secondary to a proliferative diabetic retinopathy in his left eye. After an intracamerular bevacizumab injection and panretinal photocoagulation, a 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with a superotemporal Ahmed pars plana glaucoma valve implantation was performed. Afterwards, the patient underwent a new 23-gauge PPV for a dense vitreous hemorrhage. Intravitreal 1,000 centistokes silicone oil was placed to prevent recurrent intraocular bleeding. No sutures were performed. In the first postoperative month, a massive migration of silicone oil into the 360° subconjunctival space was noted until no intraocular silicone oil was observed. Conclusions: We discuss the possible leakage mechanisms in this particular case.
Rare Incidence of Acute Liver Injury with Potassium Para-Aminobenzoate Introduction
Authors: Al Attar Layth , Kilgore Wiliam
Published: May 2018

Acute liver injury is an alarming condition, as it may lead to a devastating outcome. Of the many causes of acute liver injury, review of medications is crucial to identifying the cause of the injury. Some commonly used medications may unpredictably be the underlying cause of liver injury. We present a case of Peyronie’s disease treated with potassium para-aminobenzoate that developed acute liver injury. After starting the new treatment, the patient complained of right upper quadrant pain. He was found to have elevated liver enzymes. The condition resolved after stopping potassium para-aminobenzoate use. We report a potassium para-aminobenzoate side effect of liver injury that can be managed conservatively.
Severity of Depressive Symptoms and Volume of Superior Temporal Gyrus in People Who Visit a Memory Clinic Unaccompanied
Authors: Kambe Taiki , Yasuda Asako , Kinoshita Setsuo , Shigeta Masahiro , Kinoshita Toru
Published: May 2018

Background/Aims: Depression and cognitive decline are reported to be interrelated. Depression of older adults with memory complaints who seek medical help have not been well documented. This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that a relatively high level of depressive symptoms associated with brain structure is characteristic of people who visited a memory clinic unaccompanied (UA). Method: We retrospectively compared Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D, for evaluation of depressive symptoms) scores of UA subjects (n = 21) with those of people who were accompanied (n = 75). Within each groups, we further examined the association between brain morphology and the CES-D scores using FreeSurfer software. Results: We found that the relatively high CES-D scores of UA subjects were inversely associated with the normalized volumes of bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG). Conclusion: Our results suggest that depressive symptoms of UA subjects demonstrated by the relatively high levels of CES-D scores were primary, because of the inverse association with the normalized volume of bilateral STG. Thus, focusing on the depressive symptoms may be a suitable approach to satisfy potential medical needs of UA subjects with or without memory impairment.
An Unusual Coexistence of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with Endometrioid-Type Endometrial Cancer in a 58-Year-Old Woman: A Case Study with Literature Review
Authors: Dłuski Dominik , Lewkowicz Dorota , Leszczyńska-Gorzelak Bożena , Obrzut Bogdan , Rechberger Tomasz , Semczuk Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Introduction: The coexistence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) with different gynecologic neoplasms is a rare phenomenon. Here, we report a case of simultaneously developed CLL/SLL with endometrioid-type uterine cancer. Case Report: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to the 2nd Department of Gynecology, Lublin Medical University, Lublin, Poland, in June 2017, where the uterine cancer was diagnosed. After the surgery, pathological examination revealed a uterine moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of endometrioid subtype (subtype I according to Bokhman) deeply infiltrating the myometrium as well as the uterine cervix. Surprisingly, CLL/SLL was subsequently diagnosed in all removed pelvic as well as para-aortic lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CD45 (++), CD20 (+), CD3 (–/+), CD19 (+), CD23 (+), CD5 (+), and CD34 (+). Proliferative activity, assessed by MIB-1 proliferative index immunostaining, reached 18%. The patient was admitted to radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Oncology Hospital, Lublin, Poland, and is still on follow-up. Conclusions: The coexistence of CLL/SLL with various gynecological malignancies, especially primary human endometrial cancer, is a rare entity. The detection of both tumors simultaneously, in general, is accidental, and the management should not be different from the situation in which malignancy appears de novo.
Association of Circulating Chemerin With Subclinical Parameters of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zylla Stephanie , Dörr Marcus , Völzke Henry , Schminke Ulf , Felix Stephan B. , Nauck Matthias , Friedrich Nele
Published: May 2018

Objective—

Chemerin has been shown to be associated with inflammation and metabolic syndrome, which are in turn leading risk factors for atherosclerosis. A few clinical studies have concentrated on the role of chemerin in atherosclerosis but revealed divergent findings. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of plasma chemerin levels with different subclinical measurements of atherosclerosis in a population-based sample.

Approach and Results—

Linear and logistic regression models with different atherosclerotic parameters as subclinical outcomes were applied to analyze data from 4003 subjects of the SHIP (Study of Health in Pomerania). After adjustment for metabolic and inflammatory parameters, these models revealed no association of chemerin with carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque, or carotid stenosis but a significant inverse association between chemerin and ankle-brachial index. In detail, logistic regression analysis showed that a 25-ng/mL increase in chemerin was associated with a 30% higher odd (95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.41) of having an ankle-brachial index value below the 25th age- and sex-specific quartile.

Conclusions—

Our analyses revealed a modest inverse association between chemerin and ankle-brachial index that remained consistent after adjustment for metabolic and inflammatory parameters. The association of chemerin with carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque, or carotid stenosis was not significant after adjustment for the same confounder set. The investigated subclinical atherosclerotic parameters are representative for the atherosclerotic burden of different arterial regions and different disease stages. Thus, our results might suggest that the value of chemerin as a marker of higher atherosclerotic risk differs depending on the affected arterial region and disease stage.
Evolution of Age and Female Representation in the Most-Cited Randomized Controlled Trials of Cardiology of the Last 20 Years
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Dinh , Peters Eric , Wassef Andreanne , Desmarais Philippe , Rémillard-Labrosse Delphine , Tremblay-Gravel Maxime
Published: May 2018

Background:

Older adults and women have historically been underrepresented in randomized controlled trials of cardiology. Recent temporal evolution and factors influencing representation are incompletely investigated. We aimed to contrast age and female representation in the most influential randomized controlled trials in cardiology of the last 20 years to population prevalence and to assess the study factors affecting representation.

Methods and Results:

Using Web of Science, we selected the 25 most-cited cardiology articles each year between 1996 and 2015, and extracted mean age, percentage of women, funding source, sample size, disease condition, intervention type, and exclusion criteria. The outcomes were the evolution of the mean age and the percentage of women over time. Protocol design elements and year of publication were assessed as predictors of outcomes in multivariable regressions. A total of 500 studies were analyzed, where the mean age was 62.6±7.4 years and the median percentage of women was 28.6% (22.2–40.5). Compared with population prevalence derived from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016, gaps in representation were apparent and more pronounced for coronary artery disease (−5.0 years; −27.2% women) and heart failure (−6.0 years; −25.4% women). The mean age (0.15 year per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.26) and percentage of women (+0.29% per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.50), slightly but significantly increased over time. Private funding, small sample size, and exclusions pertaining to maximal age, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes mellitus were associated with a decreased mean age in multivariable linear regressions. Age and life expectancy exclusions were associated with lower female percentage.

Conclusions:

Although age and female representation increased over time, the modest trends are unlikely to resolve the persistently wide gaps with actual populational prevalence, especially for coronary artery disease and HF. Representation is modulated by the cardiovascular condition studied and some modifiable protocol elements.
Probabilistic Factor Oracles for Multidimensional Machine Improvisation
Authors: Déguernel Ken , Vincent Emmanuel , Assayag Gérard
Published: June 2018

This article presents two methods to generate automatic improvisation using training over multidimensional sequences. We consider musical features such as melody, harmony, timbre, etc., as dimensions. We first present a system combining interpolated probabilistic models with a factor oracle. The probabilistic models are trained on a corpus of musical work to learn the correlation between dimensions, and they are used to guide the navigation in the factor oracle to ensure a logical improvisation. Improvisations are therefore created in a way in which the intuition of a context is enriched with multidimensional knowledge.

We then introduce a system creating multidimensional improvisations based on communication between dimensions via probabilistic message passing. The communication infers some anticipatory behavior on each dimension influenced by the others, creating a consistent multidimensional improvisation.

Both systems were evaluated by professional improvisers during listening sessions. Overall, the systems received good feedback and showed encouraging results—first, on how multidimensional knowledge can improve navigation in the factor oracle and, second, on how communication through message passing can emulate the interactivity between dimensions or musicians.
Jesus as Eschatological Saviour in Islam: An Example of the ‘Positive’ Apologetic Interpretation of the Christian Apocalyptic Texts in an Islamic Messianic Milieu
Authors: Mir-Kasimov Orkhan
Published: June 2018

This article discusses the interpretation of the Christian apocalyptic texts, such as the Revelation of St John and the pseudo-Clementine Book of the Rolls, by Faḍl Allāh Astarābādī (d. 796/1394), the founder of a mystical and messianic movement which was influential in medieval Iran and Anatolia. This interpretation can be situated within the tradition of ‘positive’ Muslim hermeneutics of the Christian and Jewish scriptures which was particularly developed in Shiite and especially Ismāʿīlī circles. Faḍl Allāh incorporates the Christian apocalyptic texts into an Islamic eschatological context, combining them with Qurʾān and ḥadīṯ material. Faḍl Allāh’s hermeneutical enterprise, focused on the figure of Jesus, produces an original version of Islamic myths regarding the eschatological Saviour.
Two new littoral species of the genus Anurida Laboulbène, 1865 (Collembola, Neanuridae) from the Pacific coast of Asia
Authors: BABENKO ANATOLY , NAKAMORI TAIZO
Published: May 2018

Two new littoral species of the genus Anurida, viz. A. kyshyensis sp. nov. and A. abashiriensis sp. nov., have been described from the eastern coasts of Chukchi Peninsula (Russia) and Hokkaido Island (Japan), respectively. The former species is most similar to sympatric A. similis Fjellberg, 1985 and A. martynovae Fjellberg, 1985 differing from both of them due to the permanent presence of additional lateral setae on thorax and 3+3 axial setae on Abd.4. A. abashiriensis sp. nov., having unique mandibles and hypertrophic elongate maxillae with long lamellae, is hard to compare with any known species of Anurida and allied genera.
A new species of the genus Clistoabdominalis Skevington (Diptera: Pipunculidae) from Iran, with a key to the Western Palaearctic species of the Clistoabdominalis ruralis group
Authors: KAZERANI FARZANEH , KEHLMAIER CHRISTIAN
Published: May 2018

During our studies on the Diptera fauna of the Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forest, Golestan province, Iran, a new species of the genus Clistoabdominalis (Pipunculidae) was identified. In the present paper we name, describe and illustrate Clistoabdominalis hyrcania sp. nov.. An identification key to the males of the Clistoabdominalis ruralis species group from the Western Palaearctic region is provided.
New data on the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from India, with description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)
Authors: JOSHI RAHUL , SINGH NAVNEET , VOLYNKIN ANTON V.
Published: May 2018

A new species, Barsine pseudoradians Joshi, Singh & Volynkin sp. nov. is described from North East India (Mizoram, Assam and Meghalaya) and Nepal. The new species belongs to the Barsine prominens (Moore) species-group and is compared with B. radians (Moore, 1878), B. pluma Černy, 2009, B. syntypica Swinhoe, 1906 and B. maculifasciata (Hampson, 1894). Barsine callida (Fang, 1991) is reported for the first time from India. Its comparison with the related Barsine mesortha (Hampson, 1898) is given. Two new combinations are established: Barsine callida (Fang, 1991), comb. nov. and Barsine germana (Rothschild, 1913), comb. nov. Adults, male and female genitalia of all the reviewed species are illustrated.
The family Passandridae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) in Argentina with comments on species from Brazil and Paraguay
Authors: ZUBARÁN GASTÓN E. , DI IORIO OSVALDO R.
Published: May 2018

The family Passandridae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) in Argentina and adjacent countries is reviewed. A total of 13 species are recorded from Argentina: Catogenus asper Ślipiński, 1989, Catogenus castaneus (Perty, 1834), Catogenus cylindricollis (Lacordaire, 1854), Catogenus decoratus Newman, 1839, Catogenus depressus Ślipiński, 1989, Catogenus gracilicornis Ślipiński, 1989, Catogenus lebasi Guérin-Méneville, 1844, Catogenus longicornis Grouvelle, 1874, Passandra fasciata Gray in Griffin, 1832, Taphroscelidia humeralis (Grouvelle, 1916), Taphroscelidia semicastanea (Reitter, 1876), and Taphroscelidia sp. (probably a new species, not described here). New provincial records are given for C. castaneus (Salta; La Rioja; Santiago del Estero; Córdoba; Corrientes; Buenos Aires), C. cylindricollis (Salta; Misiones; Chaco; Santa Fe; Entre Ríos), C. gracilicornis (Catamarca; Buenos Aires), C. longicornis (Salta; Tucumán; Catamarca; Chaco; La Rioja; Entre Ríos; Buenos Aires), P. fasciata (Córdoba; Santa Fe; Mendoza; Buenos Aires), T. humeralis (Salta; Catamarca; La Rioja; San Luis; Santa Fe; Corrientes; Entre Ríos), T. semicastanea (Salta; Catamarca; Corrientes; Entre Ríos), and Taphroscelidia sp. (Corrientes). Four new records are given for Paraguay: C. castaneus, C. cylindricollis, C. longicornis, and Taphroscelidia sp. Monthly and seasonal occurrence of adults is summarized and discussed. Adults of Passandridae emerged from 25 plant species infested with a total of 62 species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera). Their host specificity is discussed in connection with their wide geographic distributions, which are apparently unrelated to a particular biogeographic province.
A new species and an additional record of Pseudotachinus Cameron from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae)
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , LI LI-ZHEN
Published: May 2018

Pseudotachinus bilobus Yin and Li, new species, is described from the border of Guizhou and Guangxi, southern China, with habitus and diagnostic features illustrated. The new species is distinct, and can be readily separated from all other congeners by the complete lack of microsculpture on the dorsal surface of the body, strongly transverse elytra, and unique forms of male and female sternites VIII. In addition, P. assingi Schülke is recorded from a new locality in Yunnan. The latest identification key and distributional map of Pseudotachinus are modified to include the new data.
In Situ Measurements of Water Content for Sub-Surface Planetary Applications Using Near-Infrared Internal Reflection Spectroscopy (IRS) with a Multimode Optical Fiber
Authors: Igbinosun Osazonamen J. , Bruckner Adam P. , Wood Stephen E.
Published: May 2018

Results and analysis of internal reflection spectral absorbance experiments are reported for near-infrared (NIR) spectra obtained using an optical fiber sensor system. We present a preliminary study to diagnose the efficacy of our fiber optic system to observe and distinguish various phases of water, i.e., ice, liquid, and adsorbed. This study was motivated by the need for a technique capable of obtaining soil water content measurements in real time and in situ, at low humidity conditions for simulation studies of planetary bodies such as Mars. Spectral signatures were observed for the solid, liquid, and adsorbed phases of water. For all phases, peak absorbance at λ ≈1.45 and 1.94 μm was observed despite slight peak shifting due to dispersion effects. Dispersion effects commonly obscure spectra obtained with internal reflection spectroscopy for particular spectral regions. Here we report a spectral region with minimal distortions. Internal reflection spectra were compared directly to transmission spectra with only slight variations. Spectral matching was performed to determine sample penetration depths for unknown incidence angles. In general, relative absorbance and spectral shifting can distinguish spectra of the various phases of water.
Improving Malaysian adolescent sexual and reproductive health: An Internet-based health promotion programme as a potential intervention
Authors: Nik Farid Nik Daliana , Mohd Arshad Mohd Faris bin , Yakub Nur Asyikin , Ahmad Zaki Rafdzah , Muhamad Haslina , Abdul Aziz Norlaili , Dahlui Maznah
Published: May 2018

Objective:

Internet-based health promotion offers a promising approach to fostering healthy sexual behaviour among adolescents. The objective of this study was to identify the potential of an Internet-based programme to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among Malaysian young people.

Design:

A pre-test/post-test design was used to study the potential of the Malaysian Care for Adolescent Project (MyCAP) website for online SRH education. Created by health professionals, the SRH module provides detailed and accurate information about the male and female reproductive systems, the stages of adolescent development, puberty (bodily development, menstruation and wet dreams), teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and social situations such as avoiding premarital sex.

Setting:

A total of 209 young adolescents aged 12 years were recruited from a school in Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur.

Method:

Students were randomly assigned to either an Internet-based or a conventional method group. The Internet-based intervention group consisted of 101 young people (50 boys and 51 girls), while the conventional method group consisted of 108 participants (62 boys and 46 girls).

Results:

Using the Internet-based method, there was an increase of 3.88 in the mean knowledge score of participants from pre- to post-intervention. The Internet-based method had a greater eta-squared score of 0.59 compared to the conventional method, which had an eta-squared score of 0.41 ( p < .001).

Conclusion:

The results revealed that the Internet-based method significantly improved adolescents’ knowledge of SRH. Since the majority of students have access to the Internet, using online learning could provide an alternative educational method for teaching SRH.
Characteristics of Elderly Suicides in Ghana
Authors: Adinkrah Mensah
Published: May 2018

A major gap in the extant research literature on suicide in Ghana is lack of a systematic study of patterns and trends in elderly suicides. To address the lack of scholarship on the topic, this exploratory, descriptive study presents the results of an epidemiological analysis of 40 media-reported suicides involving persons aged 60 years and older during the 2005–2016 period. Key findings are that the vast bulk of elderly persons who died by suicide were male, aged 60 to 65 years old, and of low income. The most common suicide methods were hanging and shooting with a firearm. Reasons for dying by suicide included lack of financial wherewithal, indebtedness, cuckoldry, sexual dysfunction, grief after the death of a spouse, and marital breakdown. A secondary aim of the research was to sensitize the Ghanaian public, medical services, and government about the extent, nature, and patterns of suicidal behavior in the elderly population. At present, many people in Ghana are not aware of elderly suicides as a social problem. For stakeholders, the findings of this study can assist in the design and implementation of policies and programs to alleviate the problem.
Compression and surface properties of Mongolian cashmere tops related to tactile characterization
Authors: Davaajav Narantogtokh , Liu Xin , Sukigara Sachiko
Published: May 2018

The high quality of cashmere contributes to the superior handle of luxury fabrics. However, there is little understanding of the subtle differences among cashmere samples that induce differentiation of the resulting soft luxury fabrics. In this study, we focused on developing an objective way to simulate the hand touch of an expert by applying low compression pressure and frictional force on a fabric. The softness of cashmere is characterized under low applied force, as are its compression and surface properties. The compression energy ( WC) and displacement ( Dmax) at a maximum pressure of 250 Pa can be used to differentiate among samples. Fibers with higher mean curvature have lower WC, indicating the effect of fiber slippage during compression. The mean coefficient of friction (MIU) shows a significant difference ( p ≤ 0.05) among fine cashmere fibers. Softness as evaluated by the hand touch of an expert can be explained by both WC and MIU.
Thoughts on Constitutions: Occasioned by a Congress on Iceland’s Democracy
Authors: Skidmore Max J.
Published: May 2018

On June 3, 2017, a “Congress on Iceland’s Democracy” met in Berkeley—an outgrowth of a previous effort in Iceland to “crowd source” a new constitution. The citizens of Iceland had led their parliament to create a new and extraordinarily representative convention consisting of citizens more-or-less chosen randomly from all walks of life. The convention functioned completely in the open and excluded all politicians. The result, approved overwhelmingly in a 2012 national referendum, would truly have been a “constitution of the people.” Despite the approval by huge majorities, in 2013, it failed in parliament as a result of fierce lobbying by vested interests against the provision that Iceland’s natural resources would be constitutionally mandated to benefit the public, rather than continuing to be held by private owners. Regardless of its prospects for success, Icelandic efforts should be of great interest to all constitutional scholars, and to those scholars and practitioners who seek a more open and inclusive way to formulate policy, including constitutions—the fundamental law of a state. Intended to stimulate further debate, this essay pursues some initial reflections on the U.S. Constitution specifically, and of constitutions in general. It also examines the role of elites, especially in constitutional formulation, and here pays special attention to the United States.
Early lexical development: Do day care attendance and maternal education matter?
Authors: Cadime Irene , Silva Carla , Ribeiro Iolanda , Viana Fernanda Leopoldina
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to analyse the existence of differences in lexical development as a function of day care attendance and maternal education. Data were collected using the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences. The reports of 2084 toddlers were analysed. The results for toddlers older than 24 months indicated that those from mothers with higher educational levels produced a higher number of words in all lexical categories than those from mothers with lower educational levels. When considering younger toddlers, a significant effect of maternal education was only found on the number of common nouns produced. Nevertheless, the size of these effects was small. Quantity of day care attendance had no effect on the number of words produced. No interaction effects between maternal education and day care attendance were found. These findings indicate that maternal education may be differently associated with the production of words from different lexical categories.
Moral Punishment in Everyday Life
Authors: Hofmann Wilhelm , Brandt Mark J. , Wisneski Daniel C. , Rockenbach Bettina , Skitka Linda J.
Published: May 2018

The present research investigated event-related, contextual, demographic, and dispositional predictors of the desire to punish perpetrators of immoral deeds in daily life, as well as connections among the desire to punish, moral emotions, and momentary well-being. The desire to punish was reliably predicted by linear gradients of social closeness to both the perpetrator (negative relationship) and the victim (positive relationship). Older rather than younger adults, conservatives rather than people with other political orientations, and individuals high rather than low in moral identity desired to punish perpetrators more harshly. The desire to punish was related to state anger, disgust, and embarrassment, and these were linked to lower momentary well-being. However, the negative effect of these emotions on well-being was partially compensated by a positive indirect pathway via heightened feelings of moral self-worth. Implications of the present field data for moral punishment research and the connection between morality and well-being are discussed.
Method for Recovering Lost Ultrasonic Information Using the Echo-intensity Mean
Authors: Bahramian Sara , Abbey Craig K. , Insana Michael F.
Published: May 2018

The axial resolution of a B-mode (or intensity) image is limited by the bandwidth of the pulse envelope. In this report, we investigate the source of this limitation by examining the transfer of high-resolution information from the tissue impedance variance throughout the imaging process. For that purpose, we express the mean and variance of the echo-intensity signal as a linear system to track the flow of object information along the image-formation chain. The results reveal how demodulation influences the available information by discarding high spatial-frequency information. This analysis further points to a simple way to recover lost information with only a minor addition to signal processing. Software phantoms are used to show that under ideal conditions, information from small-scale high-contrast reflectors, such as microcalcifications, can be significantly enhanced with this simple change to echo processing.
Explaining disappearances as a tool of political terror
Authors: Aguilar Paloma , Kovras Iosif
Published: May 2018

Despite the widespread use of disappearances as a central tool of terror in recent decades, little is known about the emergence of the phenomenon or its underlying rationale. We argue that growing international accountability norms, coupled with the improved quality of reporting human rights abuses, paradoxically reshaped the repressive strategies of certain regimes and pushed them to deploy more clandestine and extrajudicial forms of repression, predominantly disappearances. We also explore the timing of disappearances: when a state decides to deploy a particular instrument of terror can greatly benefit our understanding of why it was used. We show that repressive regimes tend to use disappearances in the first period after a coup, taking advantage of the general confusion and opacity to secure strategic benefits and protect the regime from external scrutiny and future accountability. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on human rights and political repression by highlighting an ‘unintended consequence’ of international accountability norms: repressive regimes turn to clandestine crimes.
The legacy of military dictatorship: Explaining violent crime in democracies
Authors: Frantz Erica
Published: May 2018

Violent crime rates have increased dramatically in many parts of the world in recent decades, with homicides now outpacing deaths due to interstate or civil wars. Considerable variations exist across democracies in their violent crime rates, however: different autocratic experiences help explain why this is the case. Democracies emerging from military rule have higher homicide rates because they typically inherit militarized police forces. This creates a dilemma after democratization: allowing the military to remain in the police leads to law enforcement personnel trained in defense rather than policing, but extricating it marginalizes individuals trained in the use of violence. The results of cross-national statistical tests are shown to be consistent with this argument.
The long-term impact of engaged scholarship: How do SMEs capitalise on their engagement with academics to explore new opportunities?
Authors: Rosli Ainurul , de Silva Muthu , Rossi Federica , Yip Nick
Published: May 2018

We investigate whether – and how – small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are able to capitalise on their engagement with academics in order to explore new opportunities beyond the achievement of the immediate objectives of their collaboration. Using empirical evidence drawn from academic–SME collaborations supported by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme in the United Kingdom, we find that for many SMEs, engagement with academics has led to new business opportunities, including new market creation, new project engagement, new venture creation and new strategic network development. The exploration of new business opportunities is facilitated when three overarching factors are present: (1) a capable boundary spanner, who creates bridges within the SME and between the SME and the university, and gains an in-depth knowledge of the collaboration’s content; (2) a committed SME leadership willing to allocate resources and permissions to the collaboration, and encouraging an open flow of communication; (2) a strong relationship, characterised by trust and cognitive proximity, between the collaboration’s partners, who engage in open discussions and acknowledge and respect their different roles and responsibilities. These findings offer suggestions to SMEs, universities and policymakers in relation to improving the generation of long-term impacts on SMEs through engaged scholarship.
Engaged scholarship in small firm and entrepreneurship research: Grappling with Van de Ven’s diamond model in retrospect to inform future practice
Authors: Whitehurst Fiona , Richter Paul
Published: May 2018

This article explores the dynamics of initiating and implementing an engaged scholarship approach by taking a current research project relating to small business development and employing Van de Ven’s diamond model to frame a personal critical reflection of our research process. We explore the scholarly and practical debates implicit in Van de Ven’s method of Engaged Scholarship before unpacking our research project to illustrate the challenges that scholars pursuing engaged forms of scholarship have no doubt faced, but journal article formats do not usually allow authors to explore, thereby providing lessons for scholars wanting to embark upon such projects. We make the argument that engaged scholarship and interactive research methods are well suited to the entrepreneurship and small firm field, but find that tensions are likely to be faced in respect of personal motivations and identities, gaining and maintaining stakeholder engagement, and balancing and managing relationships within diverse research teams.
Evaluating and planning information systems in the public sector: The case of Korea
Authors: Cha Yong Uk , Park Min Jae
Published: May 2018

This study proposes a framework for the interim evaluation of, and subsequent planning for, information systems (IS) in the public sector. We incorporate the considerations of cost efficiency and task effectiveness, which are critical for reaping a sustained benefit from IS. We recommend this double-sided analysis as the basis for interim evaluation. We also advise that this framework of evaluation can effectively indicate which subsequent course of action should be taken: maintain the status quo, upgrade functionality, redevelop, or discontinue the IS. We applied this framework to 118 ISs within the South Korean public sector with the k-means clustering method and provided both academic and practical implications.
Pirate Capitalism, or the Primitive Accumulation of Capital Itself
Authors: Kamola Isaac
Published: May 2018

Pirates are often described as existing on the margins of the world economy, emerging from the outskirts to disrupt otherwise free capitalist markets. With this narrative in mind, it is not surprising that the pirate remains a marginal figure within both the fictional stories and historical accounts of the emergence of capitalism. This article, however, asks: What do we learn about the capitalist world economy if we understand the pirate not as an outlaw but as a fellow capitalist? Weaving together stories of the golden age of piracy in the Atlantic world with contemporary piracy in the Gulf of Aden, I argue that pirate capitalism helps us to understand the capitalist world economy, not only demonstrating the violence and dispossession at the centre of capitalist accumulation but also making visible the fluid relationship between capital, sovereignty, violence, and freedom.
Impact assessment of fly ash on ground water quality: An experimental study using batch leaching tests
Authors: Dandautiya Rahul , Singh Ajit Pratap , Kundu Sanghamitra
Published: May 2018

The fly ash, generated at the coal-based thermal power plant, is always a cause of concern to environmentalists owing to its adverse impact on air, water and land. There exists a high environmental risk when it is disposed to the environment. Thus, two different type of fly ash samples (FA-1 and FA-2) have been considered in this study to examine the leaching potential of the elements magnesium, aluminium, silicon, calcium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, strontium, cadmium, barium and lead for different types of leachant. Toxicity characteristics leaching procedure and ASTM tests have been performed in the laboratory to simulate different natural leaching scenarios. Characterisation of samples have been done through X-ray diffraction and field emission gun scanning electron microscope. The effect of different liquid to solid ratios (i.e. 5, 10, 20 and 50) on the mobilisation of elements has been analysed. The results indicated that the maximum leaching of all elements occurred at a liquid to solid ratio of 5 except for arsenic, barium and silicon. The groundwater analysis has also been done to understand the actual effects of leachate. The elements presenting the highest leachability in the two fly ash samples under all tested conditions were magnesium, aluminium, silicon and calcium. It has been observed that calcium exhibits greater leaching effects than all other constituents. The study presented here has been found very useful for assessing contamination levels in groundwater owing to leaching effects of fly ash under different scenarios, which can be helpful to prevent spreading of the contaminants by efficient management of fly ash.
The Use of Intranasal Fentanyl for the Palliation of Incident Dyspnea in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pilkey Jana , Pedersen Allison , Tam James W. , Malik Amrit , Wong Jonathan
Published: May 2018

Background:

Dyspnea is distressing in palliative patients with end-stage heart failure and many are hospitalized to optimize this symptom. We hoped to conduct a pilot study to determine whether the administration of intranasal fentanyl would decrease activity-induced dyspnea in this patient population.

Methods:

Patients performed two 6-minute walk tests with and without the administration of 50 μg of intranasal fentanyl. Vital signs were recorded before and after each walk, as were participant reported dyspnea and adverse events scores.

Results:

Twenty-four patients were screened, 13 were deemed eligible, and 6 completed the study. Dyspnea scores changed from a mean of 6.00 immediately after the walk without fentanyl to a mean of 3.83 after the walk with fentanyl ( P = .048). Mean respiratory rate decreased from 21.0 to 18.7 ( P = .034) breaths per minute and was considered a favorable outcome by the participants. Distance walked did not significantly increase with the fentanyl pretreatment (136.0-144.2 m; P = .283), although the participants reported feeling better while walking a similar distance.

Conclusions:

In this pilot study, the preadministration of intranasal fentanyl prior to activity in palliative, end-stage hospitalized heart failure patients, safely reduced tachypnea, and the feeling of shortness of breath. This approach may help palliate advanced heart failure patients by alleviating symptoms brought on by exertional activities.