bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young People in the Age of Crisis. Discovering Patterns of Change in Cosmopolitanism and Attitudes towards Europe/European Union among University Students in Southern Italy
Authors: Pendenza Massimo , Verderame Dario
Published: May 2019

Since 2008, the European crisis, in its many forms, has brought about an increase in inequality and has loosened the social bonds between EU citizens. It is the young who have been hit hardest by the consequences of the crisis, as much in the short term as in the long term. One would reasonably expect the European crisis to have affected young people’s sense of belonging to Europe and to the EU. We will deal with this issue from the perspective of cosmopolitanism. In particular, this article, based on data from two surveys conducted in 2014 and 2018 among young university students in southern Italy, will attempt to ascertain whether the crisis is the background for young people’s changed ‘cosmopolitan openness’ (their sense of belonging and attitude to other people), their ideas about Europe, and the depth and manner of their support for the EU; it looks at those dimensions, both jointly and separately, bringing out the finer points. While cosmopolitan feelings and support for the EU do not seem to have changed to any great extent among the young people interviewed, they are far from presenting a homogeneous group as regards their views on diversity, Europe, and their support for the European Union.
Aristolochia bhamoensis is a taxonomic synonym of A. tongbiguanensis, and now the correct name is Isotrema tongbiguanense
Authors: ZHU XIN-XIN , LIAO SHUAI , TAN YUN-HONG , SHEN JIAN-YONG , MA JIN-SHUANG
Published: May 2019

Aristolochia tongbiguanensis and A. bhamoensis are considered to be the same species based on the examination of related protologues, type specimens and living plant photos. Therefore, the latter is treated here as a synonym of the former, which is congruous with Zhu et al. (2019) and now the correct name is Isotrema tongbiguanense.
A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Iguanidae) from San Guillermo National Park, western Argentina
Authors: MONGUILLOT JULIO C. , CABRERA MARIO R. , ACOSTA JUAN C. , VILLAVICENCIO JOSE
Published: May 2019

A new species of Iguanidae Liolaemini lizard from the San Guillermo National Park in western Argentina, is described. The new species is a member of the Liolaemus darwinii complex within the monophyletic boulengeri species group. It is distinguished by its small body size, relatively long tail, low number of scales around midbody, dorsal scales moderately keeled, precloacal pores only in male, bulged patch of enlarged scales on the proximal posterior surface of the thigh in both sexes, dorsal pattern lacking of light vertebral or dorsolateral stripes, antehumeral fold without black pigment in female but greyish in male, a prescapular dark dot dorsal to antehumeral fold in both sexes, and postscapular spot absent. The new species is terrestrial, living in habitats with gravel and sandy soil in an Andean Monte landscape with sparse vegetation, above 2270 meters of altitude.
Description of the unknown stages of Simulium (Aspathia) sandyi Coscaron, Ibanez-Bernal & Coscaron-Arias (Diptera: Simuliidae)
Authors: SANDOVAL-RUIZ CÉSAR A. , IBÁÑEZ-BERNAL SERGIO
Published: May 2019

The pharate male and the larva of Simulium (Aspathia) sandyi Coscarón, Ibáñez-Bernal & Coscarón-Arias, 1999, are described for the first time, and the female and pupa are redescribed. The most important features of the larva, pupa, male, and female are illustrated, and the previously reported type locality is corrected.
First record of Axinyssa Lendenfeld, 1897 (Demospongiae, Halichondrida) from the East Pacific Ocean, with the description of Axinyssa isabela sp. nov.
Authors: CARBALLO JOSÉ LUIS , CRUZ-BARRAZA JOSÉ ANTONIO
Published: May 2019

A new species of Axinyssa Lendenfeld, 1897 (Halichondriidae, Halichondrida) is described from the Mexican Pacific Ocean, which constitutes the first record of the genus in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Axinyssa isabela sp. nov. is an incrusting to massive cushion-shaped yellow sponge without ectosomal skeleton. The ectosome is simply a thin, translucent, partly detachable collagen layer. The collagen is also abundant in the choanosome, while spicular density is relatively low. The choanosomal skeleton is confused with ascending single spicules or spicules grouped in tracts. The tracts become slightly more organized towards the periphery, protruding on the surface in spicule bundles or in single spicules. Spicules are oxeas and derivates (styles and strongyles), 200 to 780 µm long and 3 to 15 µm thick. So far, despite the sampling of a large number of localities along the Mexican Pacific Coast during the last years, Axinyssa isabela sp. nov. has been found only at National Park “Isla Isabel” (Nayarit, Mexico), where it is relatively common, in vertical walls, small caves and overhangs at depths between 4 and 20 m.
Juvenile development of Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae), from megalopae obtained in the neuston
Authors: JÚNIOR EDUARDO ANTONIO BOLLA , NEGREIROS-FRANSOZO MARIA LUCIA , FRANSOZO ADILSON
Published: May 2019

The juvenile development of Callinectes ornatus was studied from megalopae collected in the neuston off Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil. The animals were raised in the laboratory under constant temperature (25 ± 1ºC), filtered sea water (35‰) from the sampling location, and the natural photoperiod. Eleven stages of the juvenile phase were obtained. The main features of the first juvenile stage diagnostic of the species are: the number of segments in the antenna; number of setae on the exopod, endopod, basal endite and coxal endite of the maxilla, on the exopod, endopod, basal endite, coxal endite and epipod of the 1 st maxilliped, and on the exopod, endopod and epipod of the 2 nd maxilliped. Sexual dimorphism becomes apparent from the fourth juvenile stage onwards.
A revision of Callulops doriae (Anura: Microhylidae), with descriptions of four new species
Authors: KRAUS FRED
Published: May 2019

I investigate the taxonomy of frogs currently assigned to the single species Callulops doriae, which is unique in the genus for its warty, dark-spotted dorsum and large yellow or orange blotches in the groin and on the hidden surfaces of the thighs. I show that many species are currently encompassed under this single name, I remove Manthophryne neuhaussi from synonymy, and I describe four new species, three of which have long been in museum collections, and one of which is newly collected by me. Each of these new species is most readily distinguished by their unique color patterns, but additional morphological features―primarily morphometric―also serve to distinguish among them. Despite this partition of C. doriae, additional museum specimens cannot be assigned to any of the species treated here and certainly represent unrecognized species. But the poor states of preservation of some of these and the absence of color-pattern information in life preclude describing them until new material of each is available. Three of the six species treated herein, which occur in the southern portion of the Papuan Peninsula, were previously included in a molecular phylogeny, and inferred dates of divergence for them accord well with the geological dynamism of this region created by opening of the Woodlark Rift. In two cases, pairs of species are reported in general sympatry, and elevational data suggest that these species are likely to segregate elevationally where their ranges approach each other. At least four of the species treated herein are known to produce viscous glandular secretions that presumably deter predators, and I describe the defensive display of one of these, which I presume is aposematic.
Gynacantha vargasi (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) sp. nov. from Costa Rica
Authors: HABER WILLIAM A.
Published: May 2019

El macho y la hembra de Gynacantha vargasi sp. nov. se describen de tres sitios en la vertiente caribeña de Costa Rica. La especie se distingue de sus congéneres por sus franjas torácicas laterales de color verde limón, el fémur posterior de color marrón anaranjado con el ápice negro, lado dorsal de la tibia trasera amarillo, la forma única del cerco, su comportamiento diurno, y el análisis de código de barras. Se proporciona una clave para todas las especies de Gynacantha registradas de México y América Central.
Uncovering the Forced Climate Response from a Single Ensemble Member Using Statistical Learning
Authors: Sippel Sebastian , Meinshausen Nicolai , Merrifield Anna , Lehner Flavio , Pendergrass Angeline G. , Fischer Erich , Knutti Reto
Published: May 2019

Internal atmospheric variability fundamentally limits predictability of climate and obscures evidence of anthropogenic climate change regionally and on time scales of up to a few decades. Dynamical adjustment techniques estimate and subsequently remove the influence of atmospheric circulation variability on temperature or precipitation. The residual component is expected to contain the thermodynamical signal of the externally forced response but with less circulation-induced noise. Existing techniques have led to important insights into recent trends in regional (hydro-) climate and their drivers, but the variance explained by circulation is often low. Here, we develop a novel dynamical adjustment technique by implementing principles from statistical learning. We demonstrate in an ensemble of Community Earth System Model (CESM) simulations that statistical learning methods, such as regularized linear models, establish a clearer relationship between circulation variability and atmospheric target variables, and need relatively short periods of record for training (around 30 years). The method accounts for, on average, 83% and 78% of European monthly winter temperature and precipitation variability at gridcell level, and around 80% of global mean temperature and hemispheric precipitation variability. We show that the residuals retain forced thermodynamical contributions to temperature and precipitation variability. Accurate estimates of the total forced response can thus be recovered assuming that forced circulation changes are gradual over time. Overall, forced climate response estimates can be extracted at regional or global scales from approximately 3–5 times fewer ensemble members, or even a single realization, using statistical learning techniques. We anticipate the technique will contribute to reducing uncertainties around internal variability and facilitating climate change detection and attribution.
Flash Flooding in Arid/Semiarid Regions: Climatological Analyses of Flood-Producing Storms in Central Arizona during the North American Monsoon
Authors: Yang Long , Smith James , Baeck Mary Lynn , Morin Efrat
Published: May 2019

Flash flooding in the arid/semiarid southwestern United States is frequently associated with convective rainfall during the North American monsoon. In this study, we examine flood-producing storms in central Arizona based on analyses of dense rain gauge observations and stream gauging records as well as North American Regional Reanalysis fields. Our storm catalog consists of 102 storm events during the period of 1988–2014. Synoptic conditions for flood-producing storms are characterized based on principal component analyses. Four dominant synoptic modes are identified, with the first two modes explaining approximately 50% of the variance of the 500-hPa geopotential height. The transitional synoptic pattern from the North American monsoon regime to midlatitude systems is a critical large-scale feature for extreme rainfall and flooding in central Arizona. Contrasting spatial rainfall organizations and storm environment under the four synoptic modes highlights the role of interactions among synoptic conditions, mesoscale processes, and complex terrains in determining space–time variability of convective activities and flash flood hazards in central Arizona. We characterize structure and evolution properties of flood-producing storms based on storm tracking algorithms and 3D radar reflectivity. Fast-moving storm elements can be important ingredients for flash floods in the arid/semiarid southwestern United States. Contrasting storm properties for cloudburst storms highlight the wide spectrum of convective intensities for extreme rain rates in the arid/semiarid southwestern United States and exhibit comparable vertical structures to their counterparts in the eastern United States.
Postdeployment Calibration of a Tropical UHF Profiling Radar via Surface- and Satellite-Based Methods
Authors: Hartten Leslie M. , Johnston Paul E. , Rodríguez Castro Valerie M. , Esteban Pérez Paola S.
Published: May 2019

Wind profiling radars are usually not calibrated with respect to reflectivity because such calibrations are both unnecessary for good wind measurements and costly. However, reflectivity from calibrated profilers can reveal many atmospheric attributes beyond winds. Establishing ways to calibrate these radars even after they have been taken out of service would expand the utility of archived profiler data. We have calibrated one operating mode of a 915-MHz profiler deployed at Manus, Papua New Guinea (1992–2001), using two methods. The first method adjusts a radar parameter until the profiler’s estimate of rainfall during stratiform events closely matches surface observations. The second adjusts the parameter so that mean brightband heights observed by the profiler (July 1992–August 1994) match the mean brightband reflectivities over the profiler as observed by the TRMM Precipitation Radar (January 1998–July 2001). The results differ by about 5% and yield very similar precipitation errors during tested stratiform events. One or both of these methods could be used on many other wind profilers, whether they have been decommissioned or are currently operational. Data from such calibrated profilers will enable research employing the equivalent reflectivity factor observed by profilers to be compared with that from other radars, and will also enable turbulent studies with C n2.
Structural Sexism and Health in the United States: A New Perspective on Health Inequality and the Gender System
Authors: Homan Patricia
Published: May 2019

In this article, I build a new line of health inequality research that parallels the emerging structural racism literature. I develop theory and measurement for the concept of structural sexism and examine its relationship to health outcomes. Consistent with contemporary theories of gender as a multilevel social system, I conceptualize and measure structural sexism as systematic gender inequality at the macro level (U.S. state), meso level (marital dyad), and micro level (individual). I use U.S. state-level administrative data linked to geocoded data from the NLSY79, as well as measures of inter-spousal inequality and individual views on women’s roles as predictors of physical health outcomes in random-effects models for men and women. Results show that among women, exposure to more sexism at the macro and meso levels is associated with more chronic conditions, worse self-rated health, and worse physical functioning. Among men, macro-level structural sexism is also associated with worse health. However, greater meso-level structural sexism is associated with better health among men. At the micro level, internalized sexism is not related to physical health among either women or men. I close by outlining how future research on gender inequality and health can be furthered using a structural sexism perspective.
The Role of Grandchildren’s Own Age-Related Communication and Accommodation From Grandparents in Predicting Grandchildren’s Well-Being
Authors: Bernhold Quinten S. , Giles Howard
Published: May 2019

This study examined how the accommodative environments experienced from grandparents and grandchildren’s own age-related communication are indirectly associated with grandchildren’s life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and loneliness, via grandchildren’s self-efficacy with respect to aging. The communication experienced from grandparents was classified as accommodative, ambivalent, and mixed-accommodative chatter. Grandchildren were classified into engaged, disengaged, bantering, and disengaged-joking profiles based on their own age-related communication. Grandchildren who experienced accommodative chatter were likely to be engaged and disengaged communicators about age-related issues; grandchildren who experienced mixed-accommodative chatter were likely to be bantering communicators about age-related issues. Relative to engaged communicators, disengaged-joking communicators demonstrated lower life satisfaction, more depressive symptoms, and greater loneliness, via lower self-efficacy with respect to aging. Patterns of accommodation and nonaccommodation from grandparents may place grandchildren on specific trajectories for communicating about age, and grandchildren’s own communication may be consequential for well-being even at relatively young periods of the life span.
Posthumous interest in the גאל הדם‎ legal tradition
Authors: Imray Kathryn
Published: May 2019

Scholarly reasons for the existence of the גאל הדם‎ institution tend to pool around the interests of three parties: the family or clan of the dead person, the Israelite people en masse, and the land those people possess. There is, however, another party with an interest in the death of the murderer, and that is the murdered person. To suggest that the dead have an interest in the execution of their killer is to argue for a belief in posthumous interests, a position here defended with reference to Israelite interment practice, and to Mesopotamian and Israelite beliefs about the dead and the violently dead.
Is It Possible to Promote Egg Consumption During Pregnancy? Findings From a Study on Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices in Kenya
Authors: Schnefke Courtney H. , Lutter Chessa K. , Thuita Faith , Webale Albert , Flax Valerie L. , Bentley Margaret E.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Eggs are nutrient rich and have the potential to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes, but cultural beliefs may inhibit consumption during pregnancy.

Objective:

To understand knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices, facilitators, and barriers related to consuming eggs during pregnancy in Kenya.

Methods:

The study had 3 phases. Phase I included in-depth interviews and free-listing and pile-sorting exercises with pregnant women (n = 36), husbands (n = 12), and mothers-in-law (n = 12) of pregnant women, and health providers (n = 24). Phase II involved egg preparation exercises with pregnant women (n = 39). Phase III involved a weeklong trial of egg consumption with pregnant women (n = 24). We used thematic content analysis methods to analyze qualitative data and tabulated quantitative data.

Results:

All participants recognized eggs as nutritious for pregnant women; 25% of pregnant women consumed eggs the previous day. However, participants believed eating too many eggs during pregnancy (1 or more eggs daily) leads to a large baby and delivery complications. Unaffordability and unavailability also inhibit consumption. Health workers are the most trusted source of information on maternal nutrition. Almost all women complied with the household trial, said they would continue eating eggs and would recommend eggs to other pregnant women in moderation.

Conclusions:

Although participants believed consuming eggs during pregnancy is beneficial, cultural norms, practices, and beliefs may prevent pregnant women from eating them daily. Interpersonal communication from health workers and agricultural policies to promote affordability could lead to increased consumption.
‘Mere chips from his workshop’: Gotthard Deutsch’s monumental card index of Jewish history
Authors: Lustig Jason
Published: May 2019

Gotthard Deutsch (1859–1921) taught at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati from 1891 until his death, where he produced a card index of 70,000 ‘facts’ of Jewish history. This article explores the biography of this artefact of research and poses the following question: Does Deutsch’s index constitute a great unwritten work of history, as some have claimed, or are the cards ultimately useless ‘chips from his workshop’? It may seem a curious relic of positivistic history, but closer examination allows us to interrogate the materiality of scholarly labor. The catalogue constitutes a total archive and highlights memory’s multiple registers, as both a prosthesis for personal recall and a symbol of a ‘human encyclopedia’. The article argues that this mostly forgotten scholar’s work had surprising repercussions: Deutsch’s student Jacob Rader Marcus (1896–1995) brought his teacher’s emphasis on facticity to the field of American Jewish history that he pioneered, catapulting a 19th-century positivism to the threshold of the 21st century. Deutsch’s index was at an inflection point of knowledge production, created as historians were shifting away from ‘facts’ but just before new technologies (also based on cards) enabled ‘big data’ on a larger scale. The article thus excavates a vision of monumentality but proposes we look past these objects as monuments to ‘heroic’ scholarship. Indeed, Deutsch’s index is massive but middling, especially when placed alongside those of Niklas Luhmann, Paul Otlet, or Gershom Scholem. It thus presents a necessary corrective to anointing such indexes as predecessors to the Internet and big data because we must keep their problematic positivism in perspective.
Synthesis and properties of highly organosoluble aromatic polyimides containing N-(4-(di(1H-indole-3-yl)methyl)phenyl) moieties
Authors: Khalili Sedigheh , Rafiee Zahra
Published: May 2019

A new diamine monomer containing indole unit, 3,5-diamino- N-(4-(di(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)phenyl)benzamide, was successfully synthesized and applied in the preparation of a series of polyimides (PIs) via a conventional two-step polymerization procedure with three aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. The prepared polymers showed excellent solubility in organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N, N-dimethylacetamide, and N, N-dimethylformamide. Flexible and strong films of PIs were obtained via casting from their solutions. The glass transition temperature of these polymers was in the range of 223–264°C. They were fairly stable up to a temperature around 300°C and lost 10% weight at 372°C in nitrogen atmosphere. All of the polymers revealed absorption maxima around 323 nm with a fluorescence emission maxima around 378–406 nm in NMP. The cyclic voltammetry of the PIs exhibited an oxidation wave with a peak at 1.07 V. The resulting polymer films had tensile strengths from 83 MPa to 107 MPa, elongates at break of 7–10%, and tensile moduli of 2.2–2.3 GPa.
Influence of time and phenotype on salivary Fel d1 in domestic shorthair cats
Authors: Bastien Berenice Camille , Gardner Cari , Satyaraj Ebenezer
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Fel d1 is a major allergen that may affect humans sensitive to cat allergens, and it can be detected in the saliva and on the hair of cats. We studied the variability of salivary Fel d1 in typical house cats (ie, neutered domestic shorthair cats) and the factors that could be associated with that variability.

Methods

Saliva samples were collected from 64 cats, twice daily, every other day, for a year, at two locations (Missouri, USA, and Ontario, Canada). Salivary Fel d1 levels were measured using an immunoassay. Correlations and linear mixed-effects model analyses were run to assess which factors significantly affected the Fel d1 levels.

Results

Salivary Fel d1 levels varied significantly both within and among cats. Cat averages over the year ranged from 0.4–35 µg/ml, and a higher average correlated with a higher SD ( P <0.001). The first collection of the day tended to be higher than the afternoon collection ( P <0.001). Sex, coat color or body size did not relate to cats’ average Fel d1 production, but older cats tended to have lower salivary Fel d1 levels ( P <0.001). Fel d1 levels from four samples were reliable in identifying cats producing stable low levels of Fel d1.

Conclusions and relevance

We observed a wide and continuous range of salivary Fel d1 production in domestic shorthair cats. In particular, a subset of cats had stable low levels throughout the course of the year, and they can be identified by analyzing a few saliva samples rather than their physical appearance.
Theoretically integrative evaluation practice: A step-by-step overview of an eclectic evaluation design process
Authors: Deane Kelsey L. , Dutton Hilary , Bullen Pat
Published: May 2019

The evaluation models described in the literature may be interpreted as prescriptive and uniform approaches to practice but, in the real world, practitioners are likely to blend aspects of different models to achieve multiple goals. Despite the commonality of pluralistic approaches in evaluation practice, literature on theoretical integration is sparse. This article guides readers through a theoretically integrative evaluation design process and explicates how different theories informed design decisions. The process integrates program theory–driven and utilization-focused evaluation with evaluability assessment and eclectically draws on principles, methods, and tools from other models. This integrative approach to evaluation aims to increase process use for intended users through shared decision-making, organizational learning, and capacity building while simultaneously producing a robust and relevant evaluation design suited to stakeholder needs and the evaluation context. The authors describe the process utilizing a case example to contribute to the literature on theoretically integrative evaluation practice.
Active vibration control of a horizontal flexible plate structure using intelligent proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by fuzzy logic and artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Hadi M Sukri , Darus Intan Z Mat , Tokhi M Osman , Jamid Mohd Fairus
Published: May 2019

This paper presents the development of an intelligent controller for vibration suppression of a horizontal flexible plate structure using hybrid Fuzzy–proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by Ziegler–Nichols tuning rules and intelligent proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by artificial bee colony algorithm. Active vibration control technique was implemented during the development of the controllers. The vibration data obtained through experimental rig was used to model the system using system identification technique based on auto-regressive with exogenous input model. Next, the developed model was used in the development of an active vibration control for vibration suppression of the horizontal flexible plate system using proportional–integral–derivative controller. Two types of controllers were proposed in this paper which are the hybrid Fuzzy–proportional–integral–derivative controller and intelligent proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by artificial bee colony algorithm. The performances of the developed controllers were assessed and validated. Proportional–integral–derivative–artificial bee colony controller achieved the highest attenuation for first mode of vibration with 47.54 dB attenuation as compared to Fuzzy–proportional–integral–derivative controller with 32.04 dB attenuation. The experimental work was then conducted for the best controller to confirm the result achieved in the simulation work.
Interactive Works and Gameplay Emotions
Authors: Frome Jonathan
Published: May 2019

Video games differ from films, books, and other mainstream media both in their interactive capabilities and in their affordances for gameplay. Interactivity and gameplay are closely related, as interactivity is necessary for gameplay. Unfortunately, this close relationship has led many video game scholars to conflate these two concepts when discussing player experience. In this article, I argue that, when discussing emotional responses to video games, gameplay and interactivity should be understood as distinct concepts: Gameplay involves both interactive and noninteractive elements, and interactive works do not always involve gameplay. I propose that there are significant drawbacks to overlooking this distinction and that highlighting it is important for understanding player experience, player emotion, and the ways video games differ from other entertainment media.
Analytical structures of interval type-2 fuzzy controllers using product AND operations
Authors: Long Zuqiang , Xu Yuebing , Li Long
Published: May 2019

Interval type-2 fuzzy controllers have received attention because of their potential in handling uncertainties better than type-1 (T1) fuzzy controllers. However, directly deriving the analytical structure of interval type-2 fuzzy controllers is a great challenge due to the iterative computation of Karnik–Mendel algorithm and similar ones. Analytical structure is necessary for the analysis and design of control systems (e.g. stability analysis). In this study, a novel technique is proposed for deriving the analytical structure of interval type-2 fuzzy controllers based on the configurations of the triangle interval type-2 input fuzzy sets, T1 output fuzzy singletons, product AND operators, Karnik–Mendel center-of-set type reducer, and centroid defuzzifier. Input space is partitioned into a group of input combinations (ICs), which are produced by superposing input ICs and case ICs, to obtain an analytical structure. Input ICs are evaluated by the upper/lower membership functions and case ICs using the equation of the terminating condition of Karnik–Mendel algorithm. An explicit analytical expression is obtained on any IC because each IC has the same membership functions and switch points. Finally, two examples are used to verify the validity of our method.
‘The whole world’s watching really’: Parental and educator perspectives on managing children’s digital lives
Authors: Buchanan Rachel , Southgate Erica , Smith Shamus P
Published: May 2019

Teachers are under increased pressure to teach children digital skills, and parents are having to manage children’s online presence as well as their offline lives. Much of the discussion surrounding the issue of children’s digital footprints highlights the potential present and future risks that children could be exposed to. While parents and teachers are expected to educate and protect children online, little is known about what parents and educators know in the Australian context and how they feel about being the custodians of children’s digital presence. The purpose of this article is twofold. Firstly, the authors report on the Best Footprint Forward project, which employed focus groups to qualitatively investigate the digital-footprint awareness of parents and teachers from three primary schools in regional Australia. Secondly, the authors outline an ethical framework that can be used to provide guidance to those who teach children on how to manage their online presence. Parents and teachers were very aware of the issues surrounding digital-footprint management and cyber safety for children, but had little awareness of the positive potential of digital footprints or how to help children manage their digital lives. In reporting the uncertainty experienced by these two groups, the authors seek to highlight the ethical complexities of children’s participation in digital cultures and provide a framework for engaging with these complexities.
Snoring and nocturnal reflux: association with lung function decline and respiratory symptoms
Authors: Emilsson Össur Ingi , Hägg Shadi Amid , Lindberg Eva , Franklin Karl A. , Toren Kjell , Benediktsdottir Bryndis , Aspelund Thor , Gómez Real Francisco , Leynaert Bénédicte , Demoly Pascal , Sigsgaard Torben , Perret Jennifer , Malinovschi Andrei , Jarvis Deborah , Garcia-Aymerich Judith , Gislason Thorarinn , Janson Christer
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The study aim was to examine the association of snoring and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGOR) with respiratory symptoms and lung function, and if snoring and/or nGOR associated with a steeper decline in lung function.

Methods

Data from the third visit of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used for cross-sectional analysis. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed, and information on sleep, nGOR and respiratory symptoms was collected (n=5715). Habitual snoring and nGOR were assessed by questionnaire reports. Pre-bronchodilator spirometry from ECRHS I, II and III (20 years follow-up) were used to analyse lung function changes by multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Snoring and nGOR were independently associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness, cough and phlegm. The prevalence of any respiratory symptom was 79% in subjects with both snoring and nGORversus56% in those with neither (p<0.001). Subjects with both snoring and nGOR had more frequent exacerbations (adjusted prevalence 32%versus19% among “no snoring, no nGOR”, p=0.003). Snoring but not nGOR was associated with a steeper decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s over 10 years after adjusting for confounding factors (change in % predicted −5.53,versus−4.58 among “no snoring”, p=0.04) and forced vital capacity (change in % predicted −1.94,versus−0.99 among “no snoring”, p=0.03).

Conclusions

Adults reporting both habitual snoring and nGOR had more respiratory symptoms and more frequent exacerbations of these symptoms. Habitual snoring was associated with a steeper decline in lung function over time.
Transposon libraries identify novel Mycobacterium bovis BCG genes involved in the dynamic interactions required for BCG to persist during in vivo passage in cattle
Authors: Mendum Tom A. , Chandran Aneesh , Williams Kerstin , Vordermeier H. Martin , Villarreal-Ramos Bernardo , Wu H. , Singh Albel , Smith Alex A. , Butler Rachel E. , Prasad Aravind , Bharti Neeraj , Banerjee Ruma , Kasibhatla Sunitha M. , Bhatt Apoorva , Stewart Graham R. , McFadden Johnjoe
Published: May 2019

Background

BCG is the most widely used vaccine of all time and remains the only licensed vaccine for use against tuberculosis in humans. BCG also protects other species such as cattle against tuberculosis, but due to its incompatibility with current tuberculin testing regimens remains unlicensed. BCG’s efficacy relates to its ability to persist in the host for weeks, months or even years after vaccination. It is unclear to what degree this ability to resist the host’s immune system is maintained by a dynamic interaction between the vaccine strain and its host as is the case for pathogenic mycobacteria.

Results

To investigate this question, we constructed transposon mutant libraries in both BCG Pasteur and BCG Danish strains and inoculated them into bovine lymph nodes. Cattle are well suited to such an assay, as they are naturally susceptible to tuberculosis and are one of the few animal species for which a BCG vaccination program has been proposed. After three weeks, the BCG were recovered and the input and output libraries compared to identify mutants with in vivo fitness defects. Less than 10% of the mutated genes were identified as affecting in vivo fitness, they included genes encoding known mycobacterial virulence functions such as mycobactin synthesis, sugar transport, reductive sulphate assimilation, PDIM synthesis and cholesterol metabolism. Many other attenuating genes had not previously been recognised as having a virulence phenotype. To test these genes, we generated and characterised three knockout mutants that were predicted by transposon mutagenesis to be attenuating in vivo: pyruvate carboxylase, a hypothetical protein (BCG_1063), and a putative cyclopropane-fatty-acyl-phospholipid synthase. The knockout strains survived as well as wild type during in vitro culture and in bovine macrophages, yet demonstrated marked attenuation during passage in bovine lymph nodes confirming that they were indeed involved in persistence of BCG in the host.

Conclusion

These data show that BCG is far from passive during its interaction with the host, rather it continues to employ its remaining virulence factors, to interact with the host’s innate immune system to allow it to persist, a property that is important for its protective efficacy.
Mechanisms of primary resistance to icotinib in Chinese non-small-cell lung cancer patients with EGFR uncommon mutations: A multicenter study.
Authors: Wang Wen xian , Xu Chunwei , Zhu You-cai , Zhang Quxia , Chen Yu , Fang Yong , Wang Hong , Zhuang Wu , Huang Yun-jian , Fang Meiyu , Zhang Yinbin , Wang Liping , Zhang Huibao , Zhou Ying , Zheng Yu , Hu Xugang , Jiang Weiping , Chen Gang , Lv Tangfeng , Song Yong
Published: May 2019

e20501

Background: Previous case series, retrospective studies and pooled survey studies have investigated the clinical efficacies of EGFR-TKIs in patients harboring EGFR uncommon mutations. However, part of patients with EGFR uncommon mutations do not exhibit objective responses to EGFR TKIs (primary resistance). The mechanism of primary resistance to icotinib in EGFR uncommon mutations NSCLC has not been clearly understood. Methods: We screened 3279 patients with NSCLC for EGFR uncommon mutations. Among them, 106 patients received icotinib treatment, and a total of 69 patients with stage IIIb-IV EGFR uncommon mutations NSCLC were undergoing tumor biopsies or blood withdrawing by the time of primary or acquiring to icotinib, in including formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, serum samples and serous effusions. We used targeted NGS to detect genes status of patients. Results: Among 69 patients treated with icotinib, 69.57% (48/69) developed acquired resistance, and 30.43% (21/69) had primary resistance. Using the specimens at the baseline, there were 6(28.57%) patients with EGFR extracellular domain mutation, 5(23.81%) patients with BCL2L11 loss (BIM deletion polymorphism), 3(14.29%) patients with MET amplification, 1(4.76%) patient with ERBB2 amplification, 1(4.76%) patient with MYC amplification, 1(4.76%) patient with PTEN mutation, 1(4.76%) patient with PIK3CA mutation, and 3 (14.29%) patients with unknown status. Conclusions: EGFR extracellular domain mutation, BCL2L11 loss, PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway (PTEN, PIK3CA mutations), MET amplification, ERBB2 amplification or MYC amplification might contribute to molecular mechanisms of primary resistance to icotinib in EGFR uncommon mutations NSCLC. The complexity and heterogeneity of EGFR uncommon mutations NSCLC that may confer primary resistance to icotinib using NGS platform.
The efficacy of anlotinib in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients with or without hypertension in ALTER0303: Anlotinib as a third-line therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Authors: Shi Jianhua , Han Baohui , Li Kai , Wang Qiming , Zhang Li , Zhe-Hai Wang , Cheng Ying , He Jianxing , Shi Yuankai , Chen Weiqiang , Luo Yi , Wu Lin , Wang Xiuwen , Nan Kejun , Jin Faguang , Dong Jian , Li Baolan
Published: May 2019

e20503

Background: As a promising multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), anlotinib hydrochloride significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced NSCLC patients in the phase 3 trial (ALTER0303). Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of anlotinib in SCC patients with or without hypertension. Methods: Patients (n = 439) were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive anlotinib (12mg daily for 14 days in a 21 day cycle) or placebo. The primary endpoint was OS and second endpoints were PFS, ORR, DCR and QoL. The correlation between hypertension and efficacy (PFS and OS) was analyzed in SCC patients treated with anlotinib. Results: For different ECOG score (0 and 1) SCC patients (n = 46) in the anlotinib arm, the PFS was significantly improved in patients with hypertension in ECOG 1 group (7.00 vs 4.83 months, p = 0.043). There is no statistical difference in other subgroups. Moreover, for the SCC patients in anlotinib arm, PFS was significantly prolonged in patients with hypertension compared to the patients without hypertension (7.23 vs 3.23 months; HR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16–0.84; P = 0.001). However, the median OS of the patients with hypertension was numerically but not statistically longer than the patients without hypertension (13.93 vs 6.30 months; HR = 0.56; 95%CI, 0.26-1.22; P = 0.100). Conclusions: In the ALTER0303 trial, anlotinib significantly improved PFS with a potential benefit of OS for SCC patients with hypertension. And ECOG score does not affect the efficacy of anlotinib in SCC patients with or without hypertension. Clinical trial information: NCT02388919. [Table: see text]
Pembrolizumab (Pem) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC): Efficacy and safety in everyday clinical practice.
Authors: Ksienski Doran , Wai Elaine S. , Croteau Nicole , Freeman Ashley , Fiorino Leathia , Chan Angela , Geller Georgia Samantha , Poonja Zia , Brooks Edward Geoffrey , Fenton Dave , Irons Sarah , Lesperance Mary
Published: May 2019

e20506

Background: In clinical trials, Pem improves overall survival (OS) compared to chemotherapy in a subset of patients (pts) with aNSCLC. Immune related adverse events (irAE) have correlated with improved OS in some studies. We explored efficacy and safety of Pem in a provincial population. Methods: aNSCLC pts treated with Pem between 06/2015 and 08/2018 at BC Cancer were retrospectively identified. Kaplan-Meier curves of OS from initiation of Pem were plotted and multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed with Cox proportional hazard regression models. 3, 6, and 9 month landmark Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed and log-rank tests used to determine the association of irAE subtypes with OS. Multivariable logistic regression models for irAE within 3 months of Pem initiation were also fit. Results: Characteristics of the 190 pt cohort: median age 70y (41-91), ECOG PS 2/3 at start of Pem: 34.2%, squamous histology: 22.1%, EGFR mutation: 3.7%, brain (13.7%) or liver (8.9%) metastases, PD-L1 expression ≥ 50%: 92.6%, treatment line: 1st/ ≥2nd: 74.2%/25.8%. Median cycles delivered 7 (range 1-35). With median survival follow-up of 6.1 months (range 0.03-39.8 months) and 43% pts decreased, median OS of Pem in the 1st line and ≥2nd line settings were 24.3 months (95% CI, 9.7-not reached, NR) and 13.4 months (95% CI, 8.1-NR), respectively. Pts with ECOG PS 2/3 had lower OS vs. ECOG PS 0/1 (5.8 months vs. 16.7 months, log-rank p < 0.0001). On MVA, only ECOG PS (p < 0.001) was associated with OS. 66 pts (34.7% of cohort) experienced 89 irAE; most common irAE: dermatitis (20pts), hypothyroidism (13pts), and pneumonitis (10pts). 8.4% of cohort developed grade 3 or 4 irAE; no grade 5 irAE. The odds of a grade ≥ 3 irAE within 3 months was 6.3 fold higher if ECOG 2/3 vs. 0/1 (p = 0.05). A weak association between pneumonitis and decreased OS at 9 month landmark (p = 0.09) was seen; otherwise no association with irAE subtypes at 3, 6, and 9 month landmarks was observed. Conclusions: In the whole cohort, clinical efficacy and toxicity of Pem was consistent with registration trials. Pts with ECOG PS 2/3 had a significantly lower OS and higher odds of developing grade ≥ 3 irAE than those with good ECOG PS 0/1.
Association of PFS with levels of pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase in patients with EML4-ALK rearrangement non-small cell lung cancer treated with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Authors: Liang Hongge , Ma Di , Xu Yan , Zhao Jing , Chen Minjiang , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhong Wei , Wang Mengzhao , Junling Li
Published: May 2019

e20513

Background: We performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the association between the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplasticlymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) rearrangement non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving treatment with crizotinib. Methods: Advanced NSCLC patients with EML4-ALK rearrangement receiving treatment with crizotinib were enrolled at Peking Union Medical College and Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2007 and January 2016. Pre-treatment or post-treatment serum LDH levels were analyzed with progression-free survival (PFS) and patients’ clinical parameters. Results: Overall, 212 patients were studied. Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis showed that elevated pre-treatment LDH level (7.9 vs. 14.1 months, P = 0.004) were associated with PFS, while the mean value of post-treatment LDH level (14.3 vs. 13.3 months, P = 0.970) were not associated with PFS. Coxproportional hazards model also identified that pre-treatment LDH level (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.841, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.062-3.190, P = 0.030) was associated with the PFS. Logistic regression analysis showed that post-treatment LDH level was associated with creatine kinase(OR = 6.712, 95% CI 3.395-13.273, P < 0.01), CKMB (OR = 6.297, 95% CI 2.953-13.427, P < 0.01), and hemoglobin(OR = 4.163, 1.741-9.956, P = 0.001). Conclusions: An elevated pre-treatment serum LDH level ( > 250U/L) is significantly associated with shorter PFS in patients with EML4-ALK rearrangement NSCLC. Post-treatment elevated serum LDH level is associated with multiple factors including muscle damage and anemia, rather than PFS.
Economic evaluation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors brigatinib, alectinib and crizotinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Analysis for intracranial metastasis-related progression free survival (CNSPFS).
Authors: Alkhatib Nimer S , Choi Briana , Pae Elizabeth , Babiker Hani M. , Garland Linda L. , Henglefelt Alyssa , McBride Ali , Abraham Ivo
Published: May 2019

e20515

Background: ALK inhibitors (ALKI) have shown clinical benefit in preventing progression or death related to central nervous system (CNS) metastasis in NSCLC. We performed cost-effectiveness/utility analyses that consider CNS progression in comparing ALKIs. Methods: The Bücher method was used to indirectly estimate comparative hazard ratios (HR) for CNSPFS between the 3 agents. A 2-state Markov model (CNSPFS, CNS progression or death) was specified, survival curves were digitized, and Weibull distributions fitted with life time horizon. Drug costs were per RedBook (US$ 2018). Cost of adverse event management, disease progression and follow up were per published data. Outcomes included CNSPFS life years (CNSPFS LY) and quality adjusted life years (CNSPFS QALY). Incremental cost effectiveness/utility ratios (ICER/ICUR) of CNSPFS LY and CNSPFS QALY gained were estimated. Deterministic results were verified in probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA). Analyses were from the US payer perspective. Results: In indirect comparisons brigatinib was superior over crizotinib (CNSPFS HR = 0.27, 95%CI = 0.13-0.54) but comparable to alectinib (CNSPFS HR = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.12-1.31) in CNSPFS; whereas alectinib was comparable to crizotinib (CNSPFS HR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.26-1.77). Deterministic (PSA) CNSPFS LY, CNSPFS QALY and cost estimates were 0.56 (0.69), 0.35 (0.42) and $126,430 ($153,870) for crizotinib; 0.68 (0.82), 0.39 (0.49) and $115,776 ($148,904) for alectinib; 0.80 (1.02), 0.51 (0.64) and $318,114 ($402,442) for brigatinib. See table for deterministic (PSA) ICER/ICUR results ($ in parentheses denote savings). Conclusions: This independent economic evaluation suggests that, despite the lower costs of per-label alectinib and crizotinib, greater gains in CNSPFS LYs and QALYs are achieved with per-label brigatinib in the setting of CNS metastasis. This assumes willingness to pay thresholds up to $1,152,445/CNSPFS LY and up to $1,198,025/CNSPFS QALY gained, which is above prevailing standards. [Table: see text]