bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal muscle size, function, and adiposity with lifelong aerobic exercise
Authors: Chambers Toby L. , Burnett Timothy R. , Raue Ulrika , Lee Gary A. , Finch W. Holmes , Graham Bruce M. , Trappe Todd A. , Trappe Scott
Published: December 2019

We examined the influence of lifelong aerobic exercise on skeletal muscle size, function, and adiposity. Young exercisers [YE; n = 20, 10 women (W), 25 ± 1 yr], lifelong exercisers (LLE; n = 28, 7 W, 74 ± 2 yr), and old healthy nonexercisers (OH; n = 20, 10 W, 75 ± 1 yr) were studied. On average, LLE exercised 5 days/wk for 7 h/wk over the past 52 ± 1 yr. The LLE men were subdivided by exercise intensity [Performance (LLE-P), n = 14; Fitness (LLE-F), n = 7]. Upper and lower leg muscle size and adiposity [intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT)] were determined via MRI, and quadriceps isotonic and isometric function was assessed. For the quadriceps, aging decreased muscle size, isotonic and isometric strength, contraction velocity (men only), and power ( P < 0.05). In women, LLE did not influence muscle size or function. In men, LLE attenuated the decline in muscle size and isometric strength by ~50% ( P < 0.05). LLE did not influence other aspects of muscle function, nor did training intensity influence muscle size or function. For the triceps surae, aging decreased muscle size only in the women, whereas LLE (both sexes) and training intensity (LLE men) did not influence muscle size. In both sexes, aging increased thigh and calf IMAT by ~130% ( P < 0.05), whereas LLE attenuated the thigh increase by ~50% ( P < 0.05). In the LLE men, higher training intensity decreased thigh and calf IMAT by ~30% ( P < 0.05). In summary, aging and lifelong aerobic exercise influenced muscle size, function, and adipose tissue infiltration in a sex- and muscle-specific fashion. Higher training intensity throughout the life span provided greater protection against adipose tissue infiltration into muscle.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine skeletal muscle size, function, and adiposity in women and men in their eighth decade of life that have engaged in lifelong aerobic exercise. The findings reveal sex and upper and lower leg muscle group-specific benefits related to skeletal muscle size, function, and adiposity and that exercise intensity influences intermuscular adiposity. This emerging cohort will further our understanding of the health implications of maintaining exercise throughout the life span.
Survival Following Extreme Hypernatraemia Associated with Severe Dehydration and Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xiao Hao , Barmanray Rahul , Qian Sarah , De Alwis Dilantha , Fennessy Gerard
Published: December 2019

We report a case of a previously well 58-year-old man, who presented with delirium and low GCS, and was found to have extreme hypernatraemia (Na+ = 191 mmol/L) and hyperglycaemia (glucose = 31 mmol/L). This resulted in a corrected serum sodium of 202 mmol/L. He was treated with fluid and electrolyte replacement in the intensive care unit, and had returned to essentially normal function by hospital discharge. The aetiology was believed to be due to severe dehydration and a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Extreme hypernatraemia (serum sodium level greater than 190 mmol/L) is rare and associated with a high mortality. The mainstay of treatment is careful fluid and electrolyte management. Most recommendations advise to reduce the serum sodium by 0.5 mmol/L/hour, due to concerns over cerebral oedema; however, there are reports that slower correction is associated with higher mortality. In this case, the initial corrected sodium of 202 mmol/L was steadily corrected to 160 mmol/L over 91 hours, at a rate of 0.46 mmol/L/hour. This demonstrates the safety of the recommended approach.
Molecular Composition of Genomic TMPRSS2-ERG Rearrangements in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Krumbholz Manuela , Agaimy Abbas , Stoehr Robert , Burger Maximilian , Wach Sven , Taubert Helge , Wullich Bernd , Hartmann Arndt , Metzler Markus
Published: December 2019

There is increasing interest in the use of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a serum marker for therapy assessment in prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer is characterized by relatively low numbers of mutations, and, in contrast to many other common epithelial cancers, commercially available single nucleotide mutation assays for quantification of ctDNA are insufficient for therapy assessment in this disease. However, prostate cancer shares some similarity with translocation-affected mesenchymal tumors (e.g., leukemia and Ewing sarcoma), which are common in pediatric oncology, where chromosomal translocations are used as biomarkers for quantification of the tumor burden. Approximately 50% of prostate cancers carry a chromosomal translocation resulting in generation of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene, which is unique to the tumor cells of each individual patient because of variability in the fusion breakpoint sites. In the present study, we examined the structural preconditions for TMPRSS2-ERG fusion sites in comparison with mesenchymal tumors in pediatric patients to determine whether the sequence composition is suitable for the establishment of tumor-specific quantification assays in prostate cancer patients. Genomic repeat elements represent potential obstacles to establishment of quantification assays, and we found similar proportions of repeat elements at fusion sites in prostate cancer to those reported for mesenchymal tumors, where genomic fusion sequences are established as biomarkers. Our data support the development of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene as a noninvasive tumor marker for therapy assessment, risk stratification, and relapse detection to improve personalized therapy strategies for patients with prostate cancer.
A Randomized Pilot Trial to Evaluate the Bioavailability of Natural versus Synthetic Vitamin B Complexes in Healthy Humans and Their Effects on Homocysteine, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Levels
Authors: Lindschinger Meinrad , Tatzber Franz , Schimetta Wolfgang , Schmid Irene , Lindschinger Barbara , Cvirn Gerhard , Stanger Olaf , Lamont Eugenia , Wonisch Willibald
Published: December 2019

The vitamin B complex comprises 8 different water-soluble constituents that humans must sequester from the diet. This pilot study compared natural versus synthetic vitamin B complexes for their bioavailability, accumulation, and their impact on antioxidants, homocysteine levels, and oxidative stress. We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial with thirty healthy participants. They were randomly assigned to group N (natural) and group S (synthetic). Vitamin B was ingested daily for 6 weeks in the range of about 2.5 times above the recommended daily allowance. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 1.5 h, 4 h, 7 h (diurnal), 6 w (discontinuation of supplements), and 8 w (washout). Blood levels of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cobalamin (B12), homocysteine, total antioxidants, peroxidase activity, polyphenols, and total peroxides were determined. Compared to initial values, serum levels of each B vitamin increased at the end of the supplementation period: i.e., B1 (+23% N; +27% S), B2 (+14% N; +13% S), B6 (+101% N; +101% S), B9 (+86% N; +153% S), and B12 (+16% N) (p<0.05). Homocysteine (-13% N) decreased, while peroxidase activity (+41% S) and antioxidant capacity increased (+26% N). Short-term effects were already observed after 1.5 h for B9 (+238% N; +246% S) and after 4 h for vitamin B2 (+7% N; +8% S), B6 (+59% N; +51% S), and peroxidase activity (+58% N; +58% S). During the washout period, serum levels of B vitamins decreased except for thiamine and peroxidase activity, which increased further. This clinical pilot study revealed comparable bioavailability for both natural and synthetic B vitamins but did not show statistically noticeable differences between groups despite some favourable tendencies within the natural vitamin group, i.e., sustained effects for cobalamin and endogenous peroxidase activity and a decrease in homocysteine and oxidative stress levels.
Preparation of Restricted Access Media-Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Detection of Chloramphenicol in Bovine Serum
Authors: Zhao Shanwen , Wei Chanling , Sun Zhian , Liu Huachun , Zhou Yanqiang , Wang Xiaoxiao , Li Jianmin , Gong Bolin
Published: December 2019

Chloramphenicol- (CAP-) restricted access media-molecularly imprinted polymers (CAP-RAM-MIPs) were prepared by precipitation polymerization using CAP as a template molecule, 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEM) as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate (EDMA) as a crosslinking agent, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as an outer hydrophilic functional monomer, and acetonitrile as a pore former and solvent. The CAP-RAM-MIPs were successfully characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption performance was investigated in detail using static, dynamic, and selective adsorption experiments. Adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 11 min. The CAP-RAM-MIPs had a high adsorption rate and good specific adsorption properties. Scatchard fitting curves indicated there were two binding sites for CAP-RAM-MIPs. Adsorption was Freundlich multilayer adsorption and consistent with the quasi-second kinetic model. Using CAP-RAM-MIPs for selective separation and enrichment CAP in bovine serum in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), CAP recovery ranged from 94.1 to 97.9% with relative standard deviations of 0.7–1.5%. This material has broad application prospects in enrichment and separation.
Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture after Postoperative Intertrochanteric Fracture in a Patient with Spontaneous Fused Hip
Authors: Niitsu Saori , Okahisa Shohei , Fujihara Yuki , Takeda Yu , Fukunishi Shigeo
Published: December 2019

A 64-year-old woman with a spontaneous fused hip sustained a left femoral neck fracture. It was revealed that her left hip joint had a long-standing spontaneous hip fusion due to end-stage osteoarthritis. Additionally, she sustained an ipsilateral femoral intertrochanteric fracture and underwent osteosynthesis using a dynamic hip screw 8 years ago. The one-stage THA was successfully treated with no major complications and good functional recovery was obtained. The hip range of motion improved remarkably at one year after surgery. The Modified Harris Hip Score improved from an estimated 70 points before fracture to 95 points at final follow-up.
Neuroendokrine Tumoren: Wirksamkeit der Kombinations-Chemotherapie bestätigt
Authors: Stahl Michael
Published: December 2019

Background: Capecitabine and temozolomide combination (CAPTEM) is associated with high response rates in patients with advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). We evaluated the real-world activity and safety of CAPTEM from 3 NEN centers. Methods: Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with CAPTEM for bulky or progressive disease (PD) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Seventy-nine patients with gastroenteropancreatic (grades 1 - 2 [n = 38], grade 3 [n = 24]) and lung/thymic (n = 17) NENs were included. Median treatment duration was 12.1 months (range 0.6 - 55.6). Overall, partial responses (PRs) occurred in 23 (29.1%), stable (SD) in 24 (30.4%), and PD in 28 (35.4%) patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 10.1 (6 - 14.2) and 102.9 months (43.3-162.5), respectively. On univariate analysis, NENs naive to chemotherapy and low Ki67 were associated with favorable responses (partial response [PR] + SD; p = 0.011 and 0.045), PFS (p < 0.0001 and 0.002) and OS (p = 0.005 and 0.001). Primary site (pancreas and lung/thymus) was also a significant prognostic factor for PFS (p < 0.0001) and OS (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, gastrointestinal and unknown primary NENs (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 - 0.8, p = 0.009 and p = 0.018) and prior surgery (HR 2.4, 95% CI 11 - 4.9, p = 0.021) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Ki-67 was a poor predictor for favorable response in receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve 0.678). Safety analysis of CAPTEM indicated rare events of serious (grades 3 - 4) toxicities (n = 4) and low discontinuation rates (n = 8) even in patients with prolonged administration ( > 12 months). Conclusions: CAPTEM treatment can be an effective and safe treatment even after prolonged administration for patients with NENs of various sites and Ki67 labeling index, associated with significant favorable responses and PFS.
Bilateral Basal Ganglia Lesions in Patients with Heroin Overdose: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Hassan Ali , Al Jawad Mahdi , Alsaihati Amna , Alaithan Haitham , Al Hawaj Faisal
Published: December 2019

The prevalence of opioid use has increased worldwide. Two-thirds of deaths caused by drug overdose are opioid-related. Individuals with opioid use may present with a variety of complications. The available history in unconscious patients is often insufficient, which may cause diagnostic difficulty and delayed management. We present two cases of 54-year-old and 25-year-old male patients who were brought to our emergency department after being found unconscious at home, without any known preceding event. They were in a deep coma with a Glasgow coma score of 3/15. However, their brainstem reflexes were normal. Pinpoint pupils were observed bilaterally. Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the presence of bilateral basal ganglia hypodensities in both patients, in addition to multiple hypodensities scattered in the cerebral hemispheres of one patient. Toxicology screening from both patients was positive for opioids. The patients were transferred to the intensive care unit for supportive management. One patient recovered completely, whereas the other remained in a vegetative state. The presence of bilateral basal ganglia lesions in brain CT in unconscious patients should alert the physician of opioid use disorder among these patients.
Metastasiertes Pankreaskarzinom: Progression kann durch zielgerichtete Therapie gestoppt werden
Authors: Claus Rainer , Schmutz Maximilian
Published: December 2019

Hintergrund: 4-7% der Patienten mit metastasierten Adenokarzinomen des Pankreas weisen Keimbahnmutationen in den für die DNA-Reparatur wichtigen Genen BRCA1 oder BRCA2 auf. Inhibitoren der Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase (PARP) wie z.B. Olaparib (Lynparza®) haben bei verschiedenen BRCA1/2-mutierten Tumoren wie z.B. bei Ovarialkarzinomen bereits gute klinische Wirksamkeit gezeigt. Methoden: In der randomisierten, doppelt-verblindeten und Placebo-kontrollierten Phase-III-Studie POLO wurden Patienten mit metastasierten Pankreaskarzinomen und Vorliegen einer BRCA1/2-Mutation der Keimbahn nach platinhaltiger Chemotherapie einer Erhaltungstherapie mit Olaparib (oder Placebo) im Verhältnis 3:2 zugeführt. Ergebnisse: Von 3315 initial untersuchten Patienten konnten n=274 (7,5%) mit einer BRCA1/2-Keimbahnmutation (etwa 1/3 der Patienten wiesen eine BRCA1-Mutation auf) identifiziert werden. 154 dieser Patienten zeigten zudem nach einer platinhaltigen Standardchemotherapie keine Krankheitsprogression und eigneten sich gemäß der Einschlusskriterien für die Randomisierung. 92 der 154 Patienten wurden in den Behandlungsarm mit dem PARP-Inhibitor (PARPi) Olaparib randomisiert und 62 Patienten erhielten ein Placebo. Das mediane progressionsfreie Überleben (PFS) war in den mit Olaparib behandelten Patienten signifikant verlängert im Vergleich zur Placebo-Gruppe (7,4 vs. 3,8 Monate; HR=0,53 [CI 0,35-0,82]; p=0,004). Die Ansprechrate (overall response rate, ORR) lag im Olaparib-Behandlungsarm bei 23,1% mit einer mittleren Ansprechdauer von 24,9 Monaten gegenüber 11,5% ORR und einer Ansprechdauer von 3,7 Monaten bei Patienten, die das Placebo erhalten hatten. Ein signifikanter Unterschied im Gesamtüberleben (OS) zeigte sich zum Zeitpunkt der Analyse und Publikation bisher nicht. Ebenso war die Lebensqualität (EORTC QLQ-C30) zwischen beiden Therapiearmen nicht signifikant unterschiedlich. Toxizitäten ≥ Grad 3 traten bei 40% der Patienten unter Behandlung mit Olaparib im Vergleich zu 23% in der Placebogruppe auf. Schlussfolgerung: Die Behandlung mit dem PARP-Inhibitor Olaparib ist eine effektive und verträgliche Erhaltungstherapie nach Ansprechen auf eine platinhaltige Standardchemotherapie bei BRCA1/2-mutierten Pankreaskarzinom-Patienten. Eine Olaparib-Erhaltungstherapie sollte zum Behandlungsstandard bei diesem Patientenkollektiv werden [1].
Metastasiertes Pankreaskarzinom: Chirurgen und Internisten müssen Kräfte bündeln
Authors: Raab Hans-Rudolf
Published: December 2019

Objective: To assess the perioperative and long-term outcome following pulmonary resection in patients with metachronous metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Background: Most patients with PDAC relapse or develop tumor spread to secondary organs. Currently, it remains unclear how to proceed with pulmonary metastasis in the metachronous setting. In particular, the role of surgery remains controversial. Methods: Data of patients with pulmonary metachronous metastasis after PDAC collected from 2003 to 2015 in databases of two high-volume pancreatic cancer centers were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological aspects of primary PDAC as well as the perioperative and long-term outcome following pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) was evaluated, respectively. Patients with synchronous liver metastasis or metastasis to other secondary organs were excluded. Univariate survival analysis was performed. Results: We identified 15 patients undergoing pulmonary resection for suspected metastasis after primary pancreatic resection. Operative and histopathologic evaluation revealed resectable pancreatic pulmonary metastasis in 11 patients (73.3%). The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) after PM diagnosis was 18 months and 26 months, respectively. The median time to metachronous metastasis (TMM) was 17 months [3-64 months]. Perioperative morbidity was low with only one readmission (8.3%). There was no perioperative mortality. Patients who developed pulmonary metastasis later than 17 months after primary surgery showed better OS compared to those who did earlier (32.2 vs. 14.75 months, p = 0.025). In addition, patients with high-grade tumors had worse survival (12.4 vs. 31 months, p = 0.02). Elevated serum CEA levels or CA 19-9 levels were also not associated with shortened OS. Conclusions: This study suggests that pulmonary metastasectomy after PDAC is safe and effective. Patients with extended DFS after primary pancreatic surgery as well as favorable tumor grading seem to particularly benefit from pulmonary surgery.
Entzündlicher Pseudotumor der Bauchspeicheldrüse, der eine Pankreasneoplasie vortäuscht
Authors: Baião José Miguel , Martins Rui Miguel , Correia João Guardado , Jordão Daniel , Vieira Caroço Teresa , Caetano Oliveira Rui , Agostinho Paulo Gil , Ferrão Henrique
Published: December 2019

Eine 78-jährige Frau wurde mit einem Pankreastumor, der als Zufallsbefund im Rahmen einer abdominalen Ultraschalluntersuchung entdeckt worden war, in unsere Klinik eingewiesen. Sie war asymptomatisch und hatte keine Vorerkrankungen. Die Computertomographie (CT) und die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) zeigten einen Herdbefund von 4 cm Durchmesser im Pankreaskörper, der den Weg für eine Invasion der Milzvene bereitete. Daraufhin wurde eine Operation anberaumt. Bei der Laparotomie fand sich eine Tumorläsion, die hochverdächtig auf eine Pankreasneoplasie am Übergang vom Pankreaskopf zum -körper mit Invasion der Portalvene und mehrerer regionärer peripankreatischer Lymphknoten war. Wir entnahmen Biopsien der Pankreasläsion und führten eine Lymphadenektomie der regionären peripankreatischen Lymphknoten durch. Die histologische Untersuchung ergab einen entzündlichen Pseudotumor im Pankreaskopf/-körper ohne Hinweise auf eine maligne epitheliale Neoplasie und auch ohne die Kriterien für eine Immunglobulin-G4-assoziierte Erkrankung. Bei den im Rahmen der Nachsorge durchgeführten PET/CT- und MRT-Untersuchungen zeigte sich, dass die Pankreasläsion ohne jegliche Therapie verschwunden war. Der entzündliche Pseudotumor der Bauchspeicheldrüse ist eine seltene Entität, die noch nicht vollständig geklärt ist. Dennoch kann die Gabe von Kortikosteroiden und Immunsuppressiva erwogen werden, da die Krankheit mit einem Risiko behaftet ist.
Continuous kannada speech segmentation and speech recognition based on threshold using MFCC And VQ
Authors: Gowda Vanajakshi Puttaswamy , Murugavelu Mathivanan , Thangamuthu Senthil Kumaran
Published: December 2019

Continuous speech segmentation and its  recognition is playing important role in natural language processing. Continuous context based Kannada speech segmentation depends  on context, grammer and semantics rules present in the kannada language. The significant feature extraction of kannada speech signal  for recognition system is quite exciting for researchers. In this paper proposed method  is  divided into two parts. First part of the method is continuous kannada speech signal segmentation with respect to the context based is carried out  by computing  average short term energy and its spectral centroid coefficients of  the speech signal present in the specified window. The segmented outputs are completely  meaningful  segmentation  for different scenarios with less segmentation error. The second part of the method is speech recognition by extracting less number Mel frequency cepstral coefficients with less  number of codebooks  using vector quantization .In this recognition is completely based on threshold value.This threshold setting is a challenging task however the simple method is used to achieve better recognition rate.The experimental results shows more efficient  and effective segmentation    with high recognition rate for any continuous context based kannada speech signal with different accents for male and female than the existing methods and also used minimal feature dimensions for training data.
Atrial Fibrillation–Mediated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Qin Dingxin , Mansour Moussa C. , Ruskin Jeremy N. , Heist Edwin Kevin
Published: December 2019

AF-mediated cardiomyopathy (AMC) is an important reversible cause of heart failure that is likely underdiagnosed in today’s clinical practice. AMC describes AF either as the sole cause for ventricular dysfunction or exacerbating ventricular dysfunction in patients with existing cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Studies suggest that irreversible ventricular and atrial remodeling can occur in AMC, making timely diagnosis and intervention critical to optimize clinical outcome. Clinical correlation between AF onset/burden and progression of cardiomyopathy/heart failure symptoms provides strong evidence for the diagnosis of AMC. Cardiac MRI, continuous cardiac monitoring, and biomarkers are important diagnostic tools. From the therapeutic standpoint, early data suggest that AF ablation may improve long-term outcomes in AMC patients compared with medical rate and rhythm control. Patients with more AF burden and less severe underlying structural heart disease are more likely to experience left ventricle function recovery with successful AF ablation. Despite recent advances, significant knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, management strategies, and prognosis of AMC.
Material to Remember?
Authors: Schulz Verena
Published: December 2019

This paper discusses how the space designed by ‘bad’ emperors such as Nero and Domitian is described in Tacitus, Cassius Dio, and Suetonius. It argues that these authors use space to depict these emperors as tyrants. First, we will study how Roman emperors use space to fashion their memory. Their design of space is subject to interpretation, in particular as regards Roman emperors who were praised during their lifetime, but were considered tyrants after their death. In later historiography and biography, the depiction of their imperial space fulfils several functions. These functions, which together make this space appear as ‘tyrannical’ space, are the focus of the second part of the article. Finally, this negative framing of tyrannical space is complemented by the strategy of avoiding mention of certain spatial elements at all. I shall argue that this forgetting of tyrannical space can be explained by its potentially positive memory.
Host suitability of cover crops for Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita
Authors: Ferreira Paula Santos , Torres José Luiz Rodrigues , Santos Maria Amelia dos , Parolini Ricardo de Oliveira , Lemes Ernane Miranda
Published: December 2019

Management of plant-parasitic nematodes in no-tillage systems relies on knowledge of the species, their abundance and their host range in a certain cropping area. Crop rotation is one of the most efficient techniques in the control of plant-parasitic nematodes; thus, the identification of non-host plant species is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the host suitability of different cover crops used in crop rotations to control two of the most devastating plant-parasitic nematodes in the Brazilian central region, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita. Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomised design under glasshouse conditions. In the M. incognita experiment, seven treatments (cover crops) were evaluated: Crotalaria juncea (sunn hemp; CJ), Stylosanthes humilis (Townsville stylo; TS), Pennisetum glaucum (millet; M), Triticum aestivum (wheat; W), Mucuna aterrima (black mucuna, BM), Glycine max (soybean treated with nematicide (fluensulfona) (SN) and soybean without nematicide (SwN)). In the M. javanica experiment, nine treatments were evaluated: Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea), Brassica napus (canola), B. nigra (mustard), CJ, M, W, BM, SN and SwN. The evaluations were performed 60 days after inoculation, when eggs and juveniles were present in the plant roots and soil, and the nematode reproduction factors (RF) were determined. The results indicated that CJ, M and BM were effective in controlling M. javanica and M. incognita. The SwN and even SN resulted in high RF and were not effective in the control of M. javanica and M. incognita.
Morphological differences between free-living soil and freshwater nematodes in relation to their environments
Authors: Zullini Aldo , Semprucci Federica
Published: December 2019

There is no single feature to distinguish free-living soil nematodes from freshwater nematodes, also because all free-living nematodes are essentially aquatic. This notwithstanding, by examining the frequencies of some characters of 1141 European species, differences of qualitative/quantitative characters between soil and freshwater nematodes were found. In particular, aquatic and semi-aquatic species are, on average, longer and slimmer than soil species, have a longer tail, greater body weight, smooth cuticle and larger amphids. A new body parameter, length of the pharynx in relation to the length of the whole digestive tract (e), was also taken into consideration.
Secular Apathy and the Public Paradox of the Gospel: Towards Radical Inculturated Proclamation
Authors: Edwards Aaron P.
Published: December 2019

This article engages the condition of religious apathy in western secular society, drawing on the apparent pessimism of secularization as a creative catalyst for re-imagining the scope of public mission. It first highlights the reality of religious apathy as observed sociologically, and briefly surveys varied missiological responses to western church decline. An alternative response, ‘Radical Inculturated Proclamation’ is then offered, embodying the inherently paradoxical nature of the Gospel as both drastically distinct and culturally embedded within the religiously apathetic western context. This concept is further explored with a nuanced reflection on the intentionally ‘absurd’ idea of self-aware street preaching and the possible implications for creative interruption of contemporary public spaces. Incorporating the perceived inappropriateness of such practices is deliberate, enabling active embodiment of the Gospel’s inculturated radicality within a public sphere with no apparent ears to hear. Such a proposal contributes to public theological engagement by reconstructing the cultural and theological limitations of contemporary kerygmatic expression within a post-Christendom context.
The Latter Rain Revisited
Authors: Isgrigg Daniel D.
Published: December 2019

This article explores the origins of the “latter rain” metaphor in the decades prior to its use in the pentecostal movement. While the importance of this metaphor has been documented by pentecostal histories, this is the first study of the origins of the metaphor of the latter rain and how it emerged within Wesleyan circles, was adopted by restorationist groups, and ultimately resulted in the pentecostal movement.
Pentecost Past or Present
Authors: Handasyde Kerrie
Published: December 2019

Charismatic elements were suppressed among colonial Australian Churches of Christ (Disciples) only to re-emerge a century later. Understandings of the work of the Holy Spirit were contested in Churches of Christ in Australia, Britain, and America, as the denomination struggled to account for the work of the Holy Spirit in contemporary times due to its foundational opposition to creeds, distrust of experientialism, and insistence on a rational common sense reading of the New Testament. This article examines Australian Churches of Christ responses to charismatic phenomena via several previously unexamined texts against the background of nineteenth-century revivalism, twentieth-century Pentecostalism, and the charismatic movement of the 1960s and ’70s. It finds that a church that once suppressed the story of an advocate of Holy Spirit baptism came to accommodate the language of renewal.
Crimes against the Peace and Security of Mankind in the Revised Edition of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Authors: Sayapin Sergey
Published: December 2019

The Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1995, was the country’s first post-Soviet Criminal Code. In 2018, the President of Uzbekistan called for adoption of a revised edition of the Criminal Code whose provisions should correspond more closely to international law, and would be more appropriately suited to modern realities. The article offers an overview of the draft Chapter on crimes against the peace and security of mankind, as proposed by the author in his capacity as a member of the Working Group for revision of the Criminal Code. It draws upon the best practices of a number of States, and offers a concise article-by-article commentary on the draft Chapter.
Seeking the Muslim Gandhi
Authors: Esack Farid , Kunnummal Ashraf
Published: December 2019

This paper examines the question of Islam and its relationship to violence in Muslim reformer Asghar Ali Engineer’s pre- and post-11 September 2001 works in response to the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. We argue that that while his pre-9/11 approach to violence offers a much more historical and systemic account of violence by viewing it as a societal problem involving a number of different agents, the post-9/11 evocation of Gandhi does the opposite. By evoking the figure of Gandhi in a post-9/11 context, Engineer not only addresses the issue of violence as a peculiarly Muslim one but forecloses any possibility to understanding violence as a historically evolving and systemically operating phemonenon. In ignoring this, Engineer finds himself well accommodated within the larger politics of Empire and its dehistoricised, naturalised, and individualised interpretation of Muslim related violence.
Land, (In)Justice and Poverty
Authors: Meylahn Johann-Albrecht
Published: December 2019

In this paper, land will be interpreted as space, which, together with time, carries out the world in which to live, namely, to exist (Dasein). One is never alone in these time-spaces (Mitsein), as one shares these time-spaces with others, and therefore these time-spaces are conflictual or antagonistic. The main reason for this antagonism is the role that power plays in the carrying out of a particular time-space. The play between time and space can also be interpreted as metaphysics: Zeit-Spiel-Raum. As there are different and competing metaphysical constructions, these time-spaces will be riddled with antagonism. Capitalism, with its focus on private property, is one possible metaphysical system that carries out a certain time-space, yet there are other metaphysical systems which carry out a more communal time-space. These competing metaphysical systems often cannot be reconciled, which then forces the question: on what basis, or with which criteria would one discern between these different time-spaces – which brings one into the field of ethics and consequently justice and its inverse injustice. The paper will seek to propose a trans-fictional praxis as an agonistic approach to these competing and antagonistic metaphysical worlds, who are seeking to determine and control the time-spaces.
Shamanism and Healing Experts
Authors: Gerstenberger Ehrhard S.
Published: December 2019

This essay argues that evidence suggests that shamanistic-type healing experts were found in ancient Israel, and that the kind of healing rituals show similarities to other such shamanistic practices in other contexts. Hebrew Scriptures provides evidence for a range of designations for such persons dedicated to the mediating office between humans and the divine, some of which have certainly been involved with the art of curing. Narrative and prophetic literatures offer some illuminating evidence for healing specialists. Particular attention is paid to supplicatory psalms in the Old Testament which suggest the mediating role of healing experts. Further comparisons with Sumero-Babylonian professional rites and Navajo healing chants establish the likelihood of the presence and activities of such shamanistic-type healing experts in ancient Israel.
Entangled Belongings
Authors: Ifekwunigwe Jayne O.
Published: December 2019

Based on auto/biographical and ethnographic narratives and conceptual theories, this essay explores the Global African Diaspora as a racialised space of belonging for African diasporas in the US, the UK, and – more recently – the clandestine migration zones from Africa to southern Europe. Both approaches are used to illustrate the author’s roots, routes, and detours; an interpretive paradigm highlighting the interconnectedness across time and space of differential African diasporas. The critical analysis interrogates transnational modalities of black and Global African Diasporic kinship, consciousness, and solidarity engendered by shared lived experiences of institutionalised racism, structural inequalities, and violence.
Mobility
Authors: Kleist Nauja
Published: December 2019

In this keyword, I reflect upon African diaspora in a mobilities perspective, exploring analytical and empirical resonance and tensions. Despite the boom of diaspora and mobilities studies in the last decades, research explicitly linking these two literatures is still nascent. Exploring diaspora through a mobilities perspective, I suggest that attention to regimes of mobilities and migratory trajectories can yield important insights. The first perspective highlights how mobility and immobility is governed, facilitated or constrained historically and today, shedding light on the unequal distribution of safe, legal and free (im)mobility for African diaspora groups, whether ‘old’ or ‘new’; the second illuminates the twists and turns of migratory journeys or displacement, bringing attention beyond the host land – homeland axis found in some diaspora studies. Finally, turning the analytical lens around, I dwell upon temporality and belonging in diaspora studies and how they link to mobility, with emphasis on potentiality and elusiveness rather than fixity and stability.
Dating the origin and diversification of Pan-Chelidae (Testudines, Pleurodira) under multiple molecular clock approaches
Authors: Alfredo Holley J. , Sterli Juliana , Basso Néstor G.
Published: December 2019

Pan-Chelidae (Testudines, Pleurodira) is a group of side-necked turtles with a currently disjointed distribution in South America and Australasia and characterized by two morphotypes: the long-necked and the short-necked chelids. Both geographic groups include both morphotypes, but different phylogenetic signals are obtained from morphological and molecular data, suggesting the monophyly of the long-necked chelids or the independent evolution of this trait in both groups. In this paper, we addressed this conflict by compiling and editing available molecular and morphological data for Pan-Chelidae, and performing phylogenetic and dating analyses over the individual and the combined datasets. Our total-evidence phylogenetic analysis recovered the clade Chelidae as monophyletic and as sister group of a clade of South American extinct chelids; furthermore Chelidae retained inside the classical molecular structure with the addition of extinct taxa in both the Australasian and the South American clades. Our dating results suggest a Middle Jurassic origin for the total clade Pan-Chelidae, an Early Cretaceous origin for Chelidae, a Late Cretaceous basal diversification of both geographic clades with the emergence of long-necked lineages, and an Eocene diversification at genera level, with the emergence of some species before the final breakup of Southern Gondwana and the remaining species after this event.
التأصيل الفقهي في الاجتهاد الحديث: تطويع الفقه لمقتضيات العصر
Authors: الحاج عبد الرحمن
Published: December 2019

الخلاصة

في مواجهة تغير موقع الشريعة في الدولة الحديثة وجد الفقيه الحديث نفسه أمام مهمة تغطية المستجدات الهائلة بأحكام فقهية، فابتكر آلية اجتهادية هي "التأصيل،" سمحت له بممارسة الاجتهاد والعبور بين المذاهب التي كان مقيدًا بها قبل ذلك؛ وذلك بهدف إثبات صلاحية الشريعة للأزمنة الحديثة وتلاؤمها مع مقتضيات العصر، مما يأمل من خلاله استعادة الشريعة لموقعها القديم.

يشرح هذا البحث هذه الآلية الاجتهادية الجديدة، والممارسة الفقهية التي تمت بموجبها من خلال أمثلة تتعلق بالمجالين السياسي والاقتصادي؛ باعتبارهما أكثر المجالات تأثرًا بالتحولات الجديدة ووضوحًا وتأثيراً في الحياة اليومية. وتكشف هذه الأمثلة – بمجموعها – طبيعة هذه الممارسة الفقهية التي أفضت إلى كسر المنطق الناظم للفقه الإسلامي وتطويعه لمقتضيات العصر ومتطلباته، وعلى الرغم من أنها تمثل تياراً بين تيارات فقهية أخرى، إلا أن هذه الممارسة كشفت عن مأزق الفقيه في العالم الحديث والمعضلة المركبة التي يواجهها، فهو إن لبى متطلبات العصر وشرعنها كاسراً قواعد الفقه ومنطقه عزز ضعف الشريعة في التأثير على الحياة العامة، وإن هو وقف في مواجهة هذه المتطلبات عزز انعزال الشريعة. وفي كلا الحالتين يكرّس الفقيه موقع الشريعة الذي فرضته الدولة الحديثة خارج التأثير على الحياة العامة.
Investigating Family Size Differentials by Religiosity Across Europe: National Contexts, Expectations and Outcomes
Authors: Burkimsher Marion
Published: December 2019

In most European countries more religious people have more children than the secular and are less likely to remain childless. However, in some ex-communist states this association is subdued or even inverted. This study investigates not only fertility and partnering outcomes, but also differences in the level of desire for a child. Four contrasting countries are compared: Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Georgia. We found the more religious had higher expectations that a child would bring joy into their life than the non-religious. The religious ‘nones’ tend to be very worried about the financial impact of a(nother) child and negative effect on their sex life; these concerns are much less prevalent among active Christians. In Georgia, where highly educated young people are more religious than the old, differentials by religiosity are small. History and context cause the impact of personal religiosity on fertility behavior and attitudes to be potentially divergent.
Enhanced tensile properties of weight-reduced nanoporous carbon nanotube-aluminum composites
Authors: Suk Myung Eun
Published: December 2019

In this study, the mechanical properties of light nanoporous Carbon nanotubes (CNT)-Aluminum (Al) composites were investigated using atomistic tensile simulations. High volume fractions of large size CNT were embedded in Al matrix composites to reduce the weight of Al by 23%. The lightweight
CNT-Al composite exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, including 105.8, 246.9 and 243.7% improvement for tensile strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus, respectively. The decomposition of total stress into its CNT and Al matrix components indicated enhanced elastic properties
were due to the shear interaction between CNT and Al in addition to the great load bearing capacity of CNT. By performing dislocation density analysis, it was discovered that the large dislocation storage capability of nanoporous CNT-Al enhanced ductility when compared to pure Al. This study
demonstrates the high potential of nanoporous CNT-Al as a lightweight and strong, yet tough material, and it also provides atomic scale understanding of the mechanical behavior of CNT-Al nanocomposite.
Experimental and numerical investigation on the effective thermal conductivity of stochastic structure
Authors: Saljooghi Milad , Bakhshan Younes , Niazi Saeid , Khorshidi Jamshid
Published: December 2019

The Conception of thermo-physical properties of porous materials is a challenging task for scientists to conquer. The open cell metal foam increases heat transfer while energy dissipation, dimension and density of them which are constraints for modern technologies significantly reduce.
In the present study, the open cell metal foams with four kinds of structures have been investigated numerically and experimentally and the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of them have been extracted with using different base fluids such as water, air and paraffin. Also, various metals
have been considered copper, aluminum, nickel and silver. Finally, a validated correlation for calculation of ETC of open cell metal foams has been developed which is function of thermal conductivity of fluid and metal, porosity and geometrical properties of pore that is applicable for all
open cell metal foam approximately. The results show, good agreements between the modeling results and experimental data.
Response of Total and Eddy Kinetic Energy to the Recent Spinup of the Beaufort Gyre
Authors: Regan Heather , Lique Camille , Talandier Claude , Meneghello Gianluca
Published: December 2019

The Beaufort Gyre in the Arctic Ocean has spun up over the past two decades in response to changes of the wind forcing and sea ice conditions, accumulating a significant amount of freshwater. Here a simulation performed with a high-resolution, eddy-resolving model is analyzed in order to provide a detailed description of the total and eddy kinetic energy and their response to this spinup of the gyre. On average, and in contrast to the typical open ocean conditions, the levels of mean and eddy kinetic energy are of the same order of magnitude, and the eddy kinetic energy is only intensified along the boundary and in the subsurface. In response to the strong anomalous atmospheric conditions in 2007, the gyre spins up and the mean kinetic energy almost doubles, while the eddy kinetic energy does not increase significantly for a long time period. This is because the isopycnals are able to flatten and the gyre expands outwards, reducing the potential for baroclinic instability. These results have implications for understanding the mechanisms at play for equilibrating the Beaufort Gyre and the variability and future changes of the Arctic freshwater system.
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia
Authors: Yolland Caitlin OB , Hanratty Donal , Neill Erica , Rossell Susan L , Berk Michael , Dean Olivia M , Castle David J , Tan Eric J , Phillipou Andrea , Harris Anthony WF , Barreiros Ana Rita , Hansen Abigail , Siskind Dan
Published: December 2019

Objective:

There is accumulating evidence that adjunctive treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be effective for schizophrenia. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis examining the efficacy of randomised control trials investigating N-acetylcysteine as an adjunct treatment for schizophrenia and the first to investigate cognition as an outcome.

Methods:

We systematically reviewed Medline, EmCare, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL Complete, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and the Cochrane Clinical Trials online registry for randomised control trials of N-acetylcysteine for schizophrenia. We undertook pairwise meta-analyses of N-acetylcysteine vs placebo for psychosis symptoms and cognition.

Results:

Seven studies, including n = 220 receiving N-acetylcysteine and n = 220 receiving placebo, met inclusion criteria for the pairwise meta-analyses. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative and total scores were significantly improved in the N-acetylcysteine group after 24 weeks of treatment. The cognitive domain of working memory improved with N-acetylcysteine supplementation.

Conclusion:

Evidence supports the notion that N-acetylcysteine may be a useful adjunct to standard treatment for the improvement of schizophrenia symptoms, as well as the cognitive domain of working memory. Treatment effects were observed at the later time point (⩾24 weeks), suggesting that longer interventions are required for the success of N-acetylcysteine treatment.
Supporting Independence at Home of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Literature Review
Authors: Marcotte Justine , Grandisson Marie , Piquemal Claire , Boucher Anabel , Rheault Marie-Ève , Milot Élise
Published: December 2019

Background.

The integration of a life environment enabling people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to fully exercise their independence must be well prepared.

Purpose.

Review and describe interventions intended to develop the independence at home of people with ASD.

Method.

The PRISMA method was used to perform a systematic review based on 19 keywords, grouped under three concepts: (a) population age (adolescents and adults), (b) diagnosis (ASD), and (c) independence.

Findings.

Seven effective interventions were identified in the 20 selected articles: (a) video self-modeling, (b) video modeling, (c) behavioural interventions, (d) video prompting, (e) transition planning program, (f) training in the use of a cognitive aid, and (g) social skills group.

Implications.

The results of this review will help guide practitioners in the implementation of interventions that foster the development of independence at home of people with ASD.
Health inequalities in Europe: Does minimum income protection make a difference?
Authors: Jutz Regina
Published: December 2019

Poverty, a risk factor for ill health, could be alleviated by generous welfare states. However, do generous social policies also reduce the health implications of socio-economic inequalities? This study investigates how minimum income protection is associated with socio-economic health inequalities. The author hypothesises that higher benefit levels are associated with lower health inequalities between income groups. Minimum income benefits support the people most in need, and therefore should improve the health of the lowest income groups, which in turn would reduce overall health inequalities. This hypothesis is tested with the European Social Survey (2002–2012) and the SaMip dataset using three-level multilevel models, covering 26 countries. The results show a robust relationship between benefit levels and individual self-rated health. However, the hypothesis of reduced health inequalities is not completely supported, since the findings for the cross-level interactions between income quintiles and benefit levels differ for each quintile.
Katie Cannon’s Enduring Contribution to Christian Ethics
Authors: Gushee David P.
Published: December 2019

Katie Cannon is described as the creator of womanist ethics, a once-new, now permanent part of the field of Christian ethics. Ten themes in her work are named, and the author elaborates on how each of these themes has worked its way into his own understanding of Christian ethics.