bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefits of exercise in combination with epoetin alfa for multiple myeloma
Authors: Coleman E. A. , Coon S. K. , Kennedy R. , Lockhart K. , Anaissie E. J. , Barlogie B.
Published: April 2020

8605

Background: Epoetin alfa increases hemoglobin levels and reduces the need for RBC transfusions in diverse groups of patients with cancer-related anemia. Interest in other potential benefits led to this study comparing outcomes relative to the duration of epoetin alfa therapy and exercise for patients receiving intensive therapy for multiple myeloma while enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial of a home-based individualized exercise program. Outcomes of interest included the number of attempts at and days of stem cell collection relative to exercise and the time to recovery post transplant, response to treatment, as well as RBC and platelet transfusions relative to the duration of epoetin alfa and exercise. Methods: The patients were enrolled in a treatment protocol consisting of high dose chemotherapy and tandem stem cell transplants. Participants were randomized to exercise (n = 54) or usual care (n = 57) groups as they enrolled in the treatment protocol. Participants in both groups received epoetin alfa according to an algorithm. All participants were in the study for approximately 15 weeks through stem cell collection. Sixty-nine (69) of 70 consecutive eligible patients continued in the study for approximately 15 weeks more through their first transplant. Results: All groups of patients were equivalent for age, gender and race and the exercise and usual care groups were equivalent for duration of epotein alfa. There were non significant findings for post transplant recovery and response to treatment relative to the duration of epoetin alfa therapy and exercise program. Patients who received epoetin alfa for the longer duration had significantly (p < .01) higher mean hemoglobin levels during the transplant period but there was no significant difference at discharge from transplant. Patients in the exercise group had significantly (p < .05) fewer RBC and platelet transfusions and significantly (p < .05) fewer attempts at stem cell collection and total days of collection. Conclusions: These findings suggest that exercise in combination with prophylactic epoetin alfa therapy benefits patients by reducing the number of RBC and platelet transfusions and the number of attempts at and number of days of stem cell collection.

[Table: see text]
Palliative procedures in patients with advanced lung cancer: Analysis from a prospective outcomes database
Authors: Miner T. J. , Gaydos-Gabriel J. , Jaques D. P.
Published: April 2020

8606

Background: Decisions regarding the appropriate use of palliative procedures continue to challenge those who care for patients with advanced cancer. This study examines the outcomes of palliative procedures performed for lung cancer compared to other primary malignancies. Methods: Procedures to explicitly palliate symptoms of advanced cancer were identified prospectively. Patients were observed for >90 days or until death. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the type of primary malignancy. Results: There were 1,022 palliative procedures performed in 823 patients from July 2002 to June 2003. Palliative procedures were most commonly performed in patients with lung cancer (14%, 117/823) for neurologic symtpoms-39%, shortness of breath-29%, gastrointestinal obstruction-15%, and other symtpoms-17%. Symptom improvement or resolution within 30 days was less common in patients with lung cancer (66%, 77/117) than in those with other primary malignancies (82%, 579/706, p=0.02). As observed in other cancers, recurrence of the primary symptom occurred in 25% (p=0.46) while treatment of debilitating additional symptoms was required in 30% (p=0.39). Palliative procedures in patients with lung cancer were associated with similar 30-day postoperative morbidity (33% versus 34%, p=0.97) but increased mortality (22% versus 10%, p<0.001). Median overall survival from the time of the palliative procedure was significantly shorter in patients with lung cancer than all other primary malignancies (90 days versus 124 days, p<0.001). Conclusions: Careful patient selection for palliative procedures is required in patients with advanced lung cancer. These interventions are associated with shorter anticipated survival, higher perioperative mortality and less frequent symptom resolution compared to palliative procedures performed in patients with other primary malignancies. Symptom severity may necessitate, however, palliative procedures in patients with lung cancer. The compelling nature of shortness of breath often dictates intervention regardless of durability and illustrates the importance of symptom relief for a significant percentage of remaining life even when measured in days.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Determinants of failure of venous access devices in outpatient oncology
Authors: Sanjay R. , Bielagus K. , Mohamed T. , Krentzin M. , Weinstein R.
Published: April 2020

8613

Background: Little guidance is available regarding the optimum placement and use of implantable venous access devices (VAD) in cancer treatment. We present herein 10 years of experience with VAD in a university hospital oncology clinic. Methods: Post hoc analysis of prospectively collected records of 346 cancer patients in whom 362 VAD (Port-a-Caths) were placed between January 1995 to December 2005. Primary end points included need for instillation of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to restore patency, need for an x-ray dye study to determine catheter salvageability, and premature removal because of VAD failure. We used Chi-square analysis to compare VAD placement by the Radiology service under fluoroscopy vs. placement by Surgery in the operating room (OR), placement in the right vs. left chest and internal jugular (IJ) vs. subclavian (SC) vein placement. Results: OR-placed VAD, more often than Radiology-placed VAD required TPA for patency (18.6% vs 8.07%, p<0.01), a dye study (11.7% vs 2.69%, p=0.001) or premature removal (14.7% vs 5.38%, p<0.01). Right- and left-sided VAD were equally likely to receive TPA (9.2% vs 16.1%, p=0.11) but left-sided VAD required more dye studies (3.3% vs 10.7%, p=0.013) and were prematurely removed more often (5.5% vs 15%, p=0.007). 29 (8%) of VAD were prematurely removed because of infection (n=11), thrombosis(n=6), pain (n=2), mechanical malfunction (n=6) and others (n=4). Gender, age (< vs. > 60 years), site of placement (IJ vs. SC) or body mass index (< vs. > 25) had no bearing on the primary endpoints. Intrathoracic cancer was associated with more TPA treatment of the VAD (16.8% vs. 8.4%, p<0.023) but not with dye studies (7.9% vs. 4%, p=0.191) or removal (6.1% vs. 8.8%, p=0.517). Conclusions: AVAD will usually last until completion of cancer therapy. Occlusion or premature removal is less likely in a VAD placed on the right side under fluoroscopic guidance by an experienced radiologist. Thoracic disease, site of placement, obesity, age or gender do not determine adverse outcomes for VAD.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in patients treated with capecitabine (CAP) and the role of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)
Authors: Juneja V. , Black G. , Thornton J. , Russo S. , Johnson M. , Diasio R. , Saif M. W.
Published: April 2020

8615

Background: HFS is the most common toxicity of CAP. Preclinical studies have shown that radiation (XRT) up-regulates TP, which may in turn increase efficacy of CAP. CAP is degraded by DPD, and a deficiency in this enzyme may increase toxicity of CAP. However, effect of XRT on frequency of HFS and association with TP and DPD has not been fully characterized. Methods: Toxicity data were collected from pts with LA pancreatic cancer enrolled in 3 clinical trials conducted at UAB between Apr 2001 and Jul 2005. Overall results of these trials have been reported elsewhere. Pts received XRT (50.4 Gy) with CAP (1,200–1,600 mg/m2 BID M-F) followed CAP (2,000 mg/m2 BID x 14 days). Pts were classified into 2 groups to evaluate HFS: CAP-XRT and CAP. Roche grading was used to assess HFS. Dose modifications were according to drug insert. Pts received prophylactic udder cream and pyridoxine. Tumor specimens were procured in 36 pts by EUS-FNA 1 wk pre- and 2 wks post XRT to evaluate TP and DPD. Age, race, sex, and PS were evaluated as prognostic factors. Results: Median duration of CAP was 6 wks (range: 3–6) for CAP-XRT and 2.5 cycles (range: 0–17) for CAP. Among 58 pts, 14 developed HFS (24%). CAP group had a higher incidence of HFS than CAP-XRT (17.2 % vs. 10.3 %; P = 0.12). Grade 2/3 HFS was observed in 15.5 % of CAP and 1.7 % of CAP-XRT (P = 0.0078). Median cumulative dose of CAP for first development of HFS was 235,000 mg/m2 in CAP-XRT group and 3,185,000 mg/m2 in CAP, with relative frequency of an event occurring in CAP-XRT vs. CAP of 0.59. HFS occurred at a median of 5 wks in CAP-XRT and 6 wks in CAP. Log-rank test showed neither age, sex, ECOG PS, or race was associated with development of HFS. There was no difference in tumor responses of pts with vs. without HFS. Mean tumor TP was higher among pts with vs. without HFS (275.77 vs. 215.29; P = 0.32). Mean tumor DPD was lower among pts with vs. without HFS (55.18 vs. 63.58; P = 0.49). Mean TP:DPD ratio was higher among pts with vs. without HFS (10.29 vs. 3.04; P = 0.31). Conclusions: This study suggests that incidence, severity, and time to occurrence of HFS with CAP-XRT < CAP, indicating no effect of XRT. No significant association of HFS with higher tumor TP or lower tumor DPD was found. Pharmacological basis for HFS with CAP needs to be explored.

[Table: see text]
Aprepitant as salvage antiemetic therapy in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC)
Authors: Hesketh P. J. , Younger J. , Sanjay R. , Trainor B. , Sanz-Altamira P. , Krentzin M. , Hayden M. , Hesketh A. M.
Published: April 2020

8618

Background: Aprepitant (APR), a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, has efficacy in the prevention of nausea and vomiting (NV) in breast cancer (BC) patients (pts) receiving doxorubicin (A) and cyclophosphamide (C) (JCO 2005, 23:2822). Nevertheless, many pts continue to receive only 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists and dexamethasone (doublet therapy) during cycle 1 of AC. APR is often used as a salvage treatment, with anecdotal reports of improved outcome. We sought to prospectively evaluate this issue in a phase II trial. Methods: Design: multicenter study funded by an unrestricted grant from Merck. Eligibility: BC pts receiving their first cycle of A (≤ 60 mg/m2) and C (≥ 500 mg/m2) on day (d) 1. Antiemetics: ondansetron 8mg IV/PO, or dolasetron 100 mg IV/PO, or granisetron 1 mg IV or 2 mg PO on d 1; and dexamethasone (dex) 8–10 mg IV/PO d 1 and 4 mg PO bid d 2–3. Pts without complete control (no emesis, nausea, or rescue antiemetics) during cycle 1 could continue to cycle 2.During cycle 2, pts again received AC and identical antiemetics (except dex only 4 mg qd d 2–3) plus APR 125 mg PO d 1 and 80 mg PO d 2–3. Data on nausea (4-point scale), emesis and rescue was collected with a pt-report diary. Primary end point: proportion of pts with complete control (CC) during the 120-hours after chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints included acute (< 24 hrs), delayed (24–120 hrs) CC and complete response (no emesis or rescue) Results: Pts: total (47), female (47), eligible (46), analyzed (42), still on study (4). Median age: 49 yrs. CC during cycle 1: 8 pts (19%). Thirty-four pts continued to cycle 2. During cycle 2, 7 pts (21%)(95% CI 9–38%) achieved CC and 13 pts (38 %) complete response (CR) for the 120-hour study period. Acute CR and delayed CR rates for cycles 1 and 2 were 32%(11 pts) vs 68% (23 pts) (p=0.01) and 12%(4 pts) vs 44% (15 pts) (p=0.02) respectively. No emesis rates were 38 vs 79 % during cycles 1 and 2 respectively(p=0.02). The proportion of pts with no nausea or severe nausea for cycles 1 and 2 were 0 vs 21% and 12 vs 3 % respectively. Conclusions: The addition of APR to standard doublet therapy improves antiemetic outcome in BC pts receiving AC who failed to achieve CC during cycle 1 with standard doublet therapy alone. Improvement is seen in the control of emesis and nausea. APR was well tolerated.

[Table: see text]
Intravenous ghrelin for cancer-related anorexia/cachexia: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double cross-over phase I/II study
Authors: Strasser F. , Lutz T. , Thürlimann B. , Mäder M. , Büche D. , Brändle M. , Von Moos R. , Tschöp M. , Demmer R. , Cerny T.
Published: April 2020

8619

Background: Ghrelin is a natural hormone with stimulatory effects on appetite and body weight. We assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of intravenous ghrelin in patients (pts) with cancer-related anorexia/cachexia. Methods: In a cross-over study 21 pts (median age 68 [44, 79]) were randomized for ghrelin (Merck Biosciences, Switzerland) given over 60 min before lunch or placebo on d1 and d8, or d4 and d11. Ten pts received low dose ghrelin (LD) 2mcg/kg, 11 pts high dose ghrelin (HD) 8mcg/kg. Safety and tolerability were assessed using CTC-Toxicity Criteria, cardiac examination, tumour measurement, and IGF-1. Pts preference for ghrelin or placebo was assessed at d8 and d17/18. Nutritional intake of lunch at treatment days (NIL) was measured in the hospital and thereafter daily by pts. Eating-related symptoms and blood levels of hormones were monitored during treatment days. Results: Adverse events possible or probable related to study drug, including 1 SAE (apoplectiform deafness, placebo), did not differ between ghrelin and placebo in pts on LD (7 vs. 14) and HD (19 vs. 13). Of 8 pts with SD at study entry, 1 had PD, 1 dropped out, and 6 pts remained SD during study. Of 12 pts with PD at study entry, 1 remained PD, 10 were SD, and 1 dropped out. 1 pat with PR at study entry had SD. Ghrelin treatment was preferred at d8 by 8/10 pts of LD and 9/11 of HD, and at d17/18 by 6/9 pts of LD and 6/10 of HD. Variability of nutritional intake and eating-related symptoms were high. They did overall not statistically differ between ghrelin (LD, HD) and placebo. At study start NIL was 642 kcal (SD 284) for LD and 424 (196) for HD. Weight remained unchanged. Total ghrelin levels were higher (p<0.05) for HD at d17/18 (3580pg/ml) than study start (990), not for LD (950/1000). Active ghrelin, GH, or IGF-1 did not increase at d17/18 compared to study start. Conclusions: Ghrelin is well tolerated and safe in pts with far advanced cancer and anorexia/cachexia. More patients preferred ghrelin than placebo, without significant changes in nutritional intake or symptoms. Higher levels of total ghrelin at study end may suggest carry-over effects. Further research will explore schedule and dose modifications and mechanisms of ghrelin resistance.

[Table: see text]
Transwomen and bone mineral density: a cross-sectional study in Brazilian population
Authors: Chrisostomo Kadija Rahal , Skare Thelma L. , Chrisostomo Henrique Rahal , Barbosa Edna J. Litenski , Nisihara Renato
Published: April 2020

Objectives:

Transgender individuals submitted to hormone or surgical treatment may have alterations in their bone metabolism as these elements are important players in bone remodeling. We aimed to study bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in transwomen undergoing cross-sex hormonal treatment (CSHT) from Brazil for over 3 years, comparing them with female and male controls.

Methods:

93 individuals (31 transwomen, 31 females and 31 males paired for age and body mass index) were studied for bone mass, and body composition by densitometry (by DXA). Epidemiological and clinical data were collected through direct questioning.

Results:

Low bone mass (T score ≤2) was found in 12.9% of transwomen; in 3.2% of females and 3.3% of males. Transwomen individuals had lower spine Z score (0.26 ± 1.42 vs 0.50 ± 1.19) and femur Z score (−0.41 ± 0.95 vs 0.29 ± 1.04) than females. They had lower total femur Z score than males (−0.41 ± 0.95 vs 0.20 ± 0.83). Lean mass values correlated positively with total femur BMD (ρ = 0.40; 95% confidence interval = 0.009–0.68; p = 0.04) and BMD in femoral neck (ρ = 0.48; 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.74; p = 0.01) but neither the type of therapy received nor the time that they were used, impacted bone mass.

Conclusion:

Low BMD is found frequently in transwomen and it is correlated with lean body mass.

Advances in knowledge:

There are few studies of the effects of hormone therapy on the bones and muscles of transwomen. This study demonstrated that significant changes occur, and that the population studied needs greater care in musculoskeletal health.
bwimage: A package to describe image patterns in natural structures
Authors: Biagolini-Jr. Carlos , Macedo Regina H.
Published: April 2020

Currently R is the most popular software for data analyses among biologists. Here, we present bwimage, a package designed to describe patterns from black and white images. The package can be used for a wide range of applications. We implemented functions previously described in the literature to calculate parameters designed originally, but not exclusively, for vegetation structures. Additionally, we propose a new parameter: the aggregation index. We demonstrate applications for field work, providing examples that range from calculation of canopy openness, description of patterns in vertical vegetation structure, to patterns in bird nest structure. We provide advice and illustrated examples of how to produce high quality images for analyses.
Does standard cosmology really predict the cosmic microwave background?
Authors: Traunmüller Hartmut
Published: April 2020

In standard Big Bang cosmology, the universe expanded from a very dense, hot and opaque initial state. The light that was last scattered about 380,000 years later, when the universe had become transparent, has been redshifted and is now seen as thermal radiation with a temperature of 2.7 K, the cosmic microwave background (CMB). However, since light escapes faster than matter can move, it is prudent to ask how we, made of matter from this very source, can still see the light. In order for this to be possible, the light must take a return path of the right length. A curved return path is possible in spatially closed, balloon-like models, but in standard cosmology, the universe is “flat” rather than balloon-like, and it lacks a boundary surface that might function as a reflector. Under these premises, radiation that once filled the universe homogeneously cannot do so permanently after expansion, and we cannot see the last scattering event. It is shown that the traditional calculation of the CMB temperature is flawed and that light emitted by any source inside the Big Bang universe earlier than half its “conformal age”, also by distant galaxies, can only become visible to us via a return path. Although often advanced as the best evidence for a hot Big Bang, the CMB actually tells against a formerly smaller universe and so do the most distant galaxies. While standard cosmology has additional deficiencies, those disclosed here defy rationality and therefore make a more well-founded cosmology indispensable.
Length–weight relationships and condition factors of mullets Liza macrolepis and Moolgarda engeli (Pisces: Mugilidae) harvested from Lambada Lhok waters in Aceh Besar, Indonesia
Authors: Yulianto Derita , Indra Indra , Batubara Agung Setia , Efizon Deni , Nur Firman M. , Rizal Syamsul , Elvyra Roza , Muchlisin Zainal Abidin
Published: April 2020

Background: The mullets fish Liza macrolepis and Moolgarda engeli are predominant in the Lambada Lhok waters in Aceh province. At present, no scientific report on this species in Aceh waters is available. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to examine the growth pattern and condition factor of the species of mullets L. macrolepis and M. engeli harvested from the aforementioned coastal waters.

Methods: The sampling was done in three locations in the Lambada Lhok waters from July to November 2018. The fish were captured using gillnets from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM four times a month for five months.  A total of 242 L. macrolepis and 109 M. engeli were used for the analysis. The growth pattern was analyzed using linear allometric model; then, two condition factors, Fulton’s and relative weight, were calculated.

Results: The study revealed a b value of 2.49 for the male L. macrolepis and 1.81 for the female. The b value was 3.22 for the male M. engeli and 3.41 for the female. The b value of the fish was higher during the dry season. The Fulton’s condition factor of the male L. macrolepis was 1.19, and that of the female was 1.19. The relative condition factor of this species was 100.11 and 100.01 for males and females, respectively. The Fulton condition factor of male M. engeli was 1.05 and that of the female was 1.06. The relative weight condition factors were 101.08 and 100.61 for the male and female, respectively.  

Conclusions: The growth pattern of M. engeli tends to be isometric, whereas that of L. macrolepis has a negative allometric growth pattern. The condition factors indicate that the Lambada Lhok waters are still in good condition and support the growth of the mullets, but M. engeli is more adaptable than L. macrolepis.
Intraoperative Arthroscopic Findings of Ulnar Impaction Syndrome
Authors: Lee Yoon-Min , Song Seok-Whan , Kim Dong-Jin , Cho Wan-Jae
Published: April 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and intraoperative arthroscopic findings in ulnar impaction syndrome, and to assess the necessity of the arthroscopic evaluation in ulnar shortening osteotomy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients of idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome, treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy and arthroscopic evaluation, from February 2012 to June 2018. In preoperative MRI and intraoperative arthroscopy, lunate, triquetrum, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and lunotriquetral ligament were evaluated.Results: The chance to see the findings of chondromalacia of the lunate and triquetral cartilage in arthroscopy (58% and 2%) was less than the findings of abnormal signal intensity of the lunate and triquetrum in MRI (65% and 22%). The incidence of TFCC lesion in arthroscopy (89%) was almost equal with that of abnormal signal intensity of TFCC in MRI findings (87%). But there were 24 cases (52%) where the prediction of triangular fibrocartilage lesions in MRI was incorrect. In 19 cases (41%), arthroscopic findings were not appropriate with the disease stage of Palmer’s original classification. Conclusion: Although some recent reports say that arthroscopic surgery is not necessary in the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome, we could confirm the value of arthroscopic evaluation for the identification of ulnocarpal pathologies. We would like to recommend the arthroscopic evaluation of ulnocarpal joint at the same time of the ulnar shortening procedure.
Two Eyes, Two Fingers, Two Minutes: Making It Easier to Recognize and Manage Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice Part 1: The Modified Dental Early Warning Score (M-DEWS2)
Authors: Morse Jerry , Bonsor Stephen J
Published: April 2020

Medical emergencies can happen at any time and in any place, including the dental practice setting. Recognizing the patient who is becoming unwell and remembering how to manage such emergencies can be quite daunting, especially for those who do not do so on a regular basis. The present paper describes the development of an observation recording sheet (M-DEWS2), including an escalation protocol and quick medication reference table for dealing with the common medical emergencies that may occur in the dental setting. A second paper will review how to manage and treat the eight common medical emergencies using treatment algorithms in conjunction with the M-DEWS2 tool.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: All members of the dental team must possess an up-to-date knowledge of dealing with medical emergencies and managing such situations.
A Novel way to identify individual eruption chains
Authors: Bronkhorst Adele , Santhanam Vijay , Jeremiah Huw G
Published: April 2020

A common way of treating impacted teeth is by orthodontic extrusion. When the teeth are deeply buried in the alveolar bone a closed eruption technique is often indicated. When multiple teeth are impacted and need to be extruded in a particular sequence, it may be difficult to be sure which eruption chain is attached to a particular tooth. This case report demonstrates a novel way of identifying individual eruption chains.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This case report demonstrates a novel way of identifying individual eruption chains attached to multiple impacted teeth.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DE ELEMENTOS AERODINÂMICOS PARA VEÍCULOS DE COMPETIÇÃO TIPO BAJA SAE
Authors: Baldo Crhistian Raffaelo
Published: April 2020

Neste artigo é apresentado o desenvolvimento de elementos aerodinâmicos paraum veículo de competição tipo Baja SAE. A competição Baja SAE envolveinstituições de ensino de todo Brasil, seus eventos já são tradicionais e envolvemuma grande quantidade de estudantes de diversas áreas de Engenharia. Em geralos projetos dos estudantes focam elementos essenciais nos carros como tração,suspensão, freios, porém se tem observado que elementos de aerodinâmica nãotêm despertado interesse das equipes. Buscando contribuir com o item deaerodinâmica descrito no regulamento da competição, este artigo aborda ospontos principais da aplicação de elementos aerodinâmicos em um protótipo BajaSAE típico. Espera-se com isso fomentar o interesse de estudantes para estedomínio e prover um método de incremento de desempenho destes veículos.
Substrate-engraved antireflective nanostructured surfaces for high-power laser applications
Authors: Ray Nathan J. , Yoo Jae-Hyuck , Nguyen Hoang T. , Johnson Michael A. , Elhadj Selim , Baxamusa Salmaan H. , Feigenbaum Eyal
Published: April 2020

A critical component for all high-power laser systems that is particularly susceptible to laser damage is the antireflective coating, which maximizes energy transmission and minimizes scattered and stray light. We demonstrate the ability to generate substrate-engraved nanostructured surfaces (NS) for scalable and designable antireflective (AR) coatings that are monolithic to the substrate and can handle peak power levels comparable to the bulk material. Experimentally measured reflectance from these fabricated structures has validated our effective index theory-based transmission matrix model, demonstrating the designability of the AR properties. Upon exposure to sufficiently high fluences, a new mode of damage, nanostructured surface damage, has been observed and is likely the result of thermally driven material reflow accompanied by plasma initiation on the nanostructured surface. At 1053 nm, nanostructured surface damage onsets at

39

J

/

c
m

2

with sample cleaning and

74

J

/

c
m

2

after laser conditioning—very close to the reference substrate at

81

J

/

c
m

2

. At 351 nm we show damage onset of

30

J

/

c
m

2

, with reference substrate material damage onset of

47

J

/

c
m

2

. Therefore, damage is close to the bulk material and represents an improvement with respect to other methods. The nanostructured surfaces were found to be mechanically durable and able to withstand cleaning procedures with sonication. Under normal incidence mechanical testing with a 200 µm radius indenter tip, the AR performance of these nanostructured surfaces was minimally impacted at pressures orders of magnitude higher than an average fingerprint pressure—indicating that incidental handling contact will not affect NS structures. Mechanical damage is attributed to plastic compression, not fracturing of the NS features. We demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that NS AR coatings, despite being rich in etched surface features, can tolerate laser fluences comparable to unprocessed optical surfaces. Furthermore, laser-damage features of NS indicate a unique non-growing failure mode whereby following absorption the featureless damage site does not precipitate future damage growth, reducing considerably the burdens for managing optics processing in high-power laser systems.
‘Little New Meat’ and ‘Korean Warm Men’: Performance of regional heterosexual masculinities among Taiwanese millennials
Authors: Shiau Hong-Chi
Published: April 2020

Much of the academic research on the Korean Wave has focused on transcultural hybridity, with little analysis of how the Korean Wave has challenged and reshaped the site of heterosexual masculinities among millennials. Through ethnographic and focus-group interviews, this article explicates how Taiwanese masculinities have been negotiated and constructed in response to the Korean Wave, based on both Taiwan and Korea sharing a Confucian culture that emphasizes diligence and responsibility, and the popularity of refined and sophisticated men as male role models. These localized influences have compromised the ‘hegemonic masculinity’ in the West. Various contradictory attributes of Taiwanese masculinity interact with one another, but this article elicits three themes: soft/‘wen’ masculinity, a sculptured by not excessively muscular body and male-bonding. The results illustrate how the boundaries between hegemonic and marginalized forms of masculinities in Taiwan, similar to in the West, are often more interactive than oppositional. While there are contradictory attributes respond to one another, this article illuminates how a dominant form of Taiwanese masculinities prevails among the Taiwanese male millennials. Ultimately, consumerism has significantly influenced the construction of masculinity and led to diversity in masculine discourse.
‘These are modern times’: Nostalgia and the adaptation of history in Billy Morrissette’s Scotland, PA
Authors: Gearhart Stephannie S.
Published: April 2020

Set in America in the 1970s, Billy Morrissette’s 2001 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Scotland, PA, waivers between nostalgia and critique. In order to understand the film’s conflicting attitudes towards the era in which it is set and to appreciate how adaptations, generally, often feel ambivalent about their past(s), this essay begins by discussing Scotland, PA’s construction of the 1970s. In an effort to answer Lynne Bradley’s call for ‘a new model’ of modern adaptation, seeing it as ‘a complex double gesture’, the essay discusses how although Scotland, PA appears to illustrate many of the qualities of what Fredric Jameson has called the nostalgia film, this categorization of the adaptation neither accounts for its use of irony nor for the inherently complex nature of nostalgia. Ultimately, Scotland, PA’s ambivalence about history, the essay proposes, encourages us to conceive of the relationship between source/past and adaptation/present as a site of complex, dynamic negotiations rather than a static dichotomy that obliges us to choose between an adaptation’s acceptance or rejection of its forebears.
Screening the Royal Shakespeare Company: A Critical History, John Wyver (2019)
Authors: Heijes Coen
Published: April 2020

Screening the Royal Shakespeare Company: A Critical History, John Wyver (2019)

London and New York: The Arden Shakespeare, 288 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-35000-658-4, h/bk, £67.50; ISBN 978-1-35000-659-1, e/bk, £64.80
Cycles, Sequels, Spin-offs, Remakes, and Reboots: Multiplicities in Film and Television, Amanda Ann Klein and R. Barton Palmer (eds) (2016)
Authors: Cascajosa Concepción
Published: April 2020

Review of: Cycles, Sequels, Spin-offs, Remakes, and Reboots: Multiplicities in Film and Television, Amanda Ann Klein and R. Barton Palmer (eds) (2016)

Austin: University of Texas Press, 367 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47730-817-2, p/bk, $29.95
Pixar with Lacan: The Hysteric’s Guide to Animation, Lilian Munk Rösing (2016)
Authors: King Edward
Published: April 2020

Review of: Pixar with Lacan: The Hysteric’s Guide to Animation, Lilian Munk Rösing (2016)

New York and London: Bloomsbury, 181 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-62892-059-8, h/bk, £31.30
Local ecological knowledge about human‐wildlife conflict: A Portuguese case study
Authors: Guerreiro Ana Isabel Camacho
Published: April 2020

Abstract Human‐wildlife conflict has hindered the success of many management measures for the conservation of endangered species. Therefore, this study aims to establish which non-human species are in conflict with human beings and to understand how residents perceive
human‐wildlife conflict, and how they proceed when in conflict with non-human animals, in the municipality of Santa Comba Dão. The author conducted unstructured interviews with the residents of this county on the subjects of locally existing and extinct species, and problems
with amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. In this study, the author found non-human species to be in conflict with human beings, with residents blaming them for economic losses. Foxes, for example, were accused of preying on farm animals. However, the residents also identified the
construction of roads and the introduction of exotic species as economic activities that adversely affected native species. Interviewees also reported conflicts of interest between local hunters and farmers as the hunters' associations had introduced wild boar to the area, a species that consumes
farmers' white potatoes and corn. Residents' perceptions were in part influenced by the local citizens' beliefs and values ‐ information not previously evaluated in this area. This type of information may be extremely useful during the planning of policy measures, given its importance
to establishing effective public policies that protect biodiversity and improve sustainable development.
The Rehabilitation of Deductive Reasoning
Authors: Bartelborth Thomas
Published: April 2020

The paper aims at the rehabilitation of deductive reasoning. As a paradigm of reliable reasoning, it should be applicable in every confirmation context. In particular, it should transmit inductive justification, so that if D justifies a hypothesis H, then D also justifies all deductive conclusions from H. Nevertheless, most current philosophers of science reject such a transmission principle as false. They argue against it by providing apparent counter-examples and also by showing that it is incompatible with common confirmation theories such as HD-confirmation and Bayesianism. I argue in the opposite direction that we should stick to the transmission principle and revise instead our justification theories.
Unprecedented record of unique Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) off the southern coast of the marine environmental protection area, São Paulo state, Brazil.
Authors: Barbieri Edison , Roselli Larissa Yoshida , Quito Letícia
Published: April 2020

This note documents the first record of a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the South Coast Marine Environmental Protection Area (APAMLS), State of São Paulo, Brazil. This observation was made during the environmental monitoring activity of the Center, on December 7, 2016. A single specimen was sighted and photographed near the Island of Cardoso, south coast of the State of São Paulo. This species occurs between parallels of 40 ° N and 40 ° S, however, Bryde’s whale observations are still very limited on the Brazilian coast. These records represent important sources for knowing the biology and ecology of the species, besides subsidizing policies of environmental planning for the South Coast Marine (EPA).
Vivências que promovem a sustentabilidade: Ações Socioeducativas Agroecológicas
Authors: Marian Vieira Márcia Gilmara , Prado Fernando Henrique , Korz Camila
Published: April 2020

A agroecologia caracteriza-se como forma de inclusão social, visando sustentar o futuro do meio ambiente a partir de uma perspectiva ecológica, com técnicas que buscam reduzir os impactos ambientais. O Projeto de Extensão Educação para Transformação: meio ambiente, saúde e gênero, busca fomentar saberes agroecológicos e estimular o processo de transição para uma agricultura sustentável através de ações educativas de pesquisa, ensino e extensão voltadas para o fortalecimento da agricultura familiar, além de visar à formação de acadêmicos da Universidade do Vale do Itajaí e comunidade frente à agroecologia. Este trabalho objetiva relatar a formação e vivência do Grupo de Estudos Interdisciplinares em Agroecologia e sua contribuição para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS). A metodologia baseou-se no Círculo de Cultura de Paulo Freire, o que possibilitou formações de educação continuada, com propósito de promover educação em saúde, meio ambiente e relações de gênero. Através das ações educativas promovidas pelo Projeto, os participantes tiveram a oportunidade de interagir e dialogar sobre saberes da agricultura sustentável, promovendo o desenvolvimento do ambiente de maneira agroecológica. Isto foi possível graças ao ambiente favorável a trocas de saberes e experiências com momentos de interação dos alunos com a vida no campo. Também foi possível contribuir para os ODS, de forma direta com a meta 12.2 promover gestão sustentável e uso eficiente de recursos naturais, e 12.8 que visa garantir que as pessoas tenham informações relevantes e conscientização para o desenvolvimento sustentável e estilos de vida em sintonia com a natureza. A partir das ações de promoção educativas o Projeto proporcionou a autonomia de cultivo de alimentos sem uso de insumos químicos, valorização dos conhecimentos e saberes tradicionais, saúde, bem como a construção de uma consciência crítica e reflexiva, e o mais importante, o anseio pela mudança das formas de produção de alimentos.
El tratamiento del léxico especializado en la lexicografía española del siglo XIX
Authors: Contreras Izquierdo Narciso M.
Published: April 2020

The lexicographical treatment of the specialized lexicon of a language is one of the most serious problems lexicographers and specialists in the discipline must face; the author also affirms that it is one of the great pending tasks of Spanish lexicography. The paper proposes to examine the evolution and characteristics of the Spanish lexicographic tradition in general, and to present the different tendencies in the treatment of the lexicon specialized in the 19th century.
Educação Ambiental na Gestão Pública: O processo de construção da Política de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Pesca no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil
Authors: Da Silva Ederson Pinto , Anello Lucia De Fátima Socoowski de
Published: April 2020

O presente trabalho é parte integrante de uma pesquisa de doutorado que busca analisar a Educação Ambiental presente no processo de construção da Política de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Pesca no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil. Partindo do conflito ambiental que opôs, de um lado, os barcos industriais de arrasto e, de outro, pequenos armadores de pesca de emalhe e pescadores artesanais da zona costeira, analisa, na perspectiva marxiana e freireana, a práxis educativa e o método presentes no processo de constituição do sujeito coletivo e na transformação do conflito em potencialidade de transformação da realidade por meio da Gestão Pública. Conclui a análise evidenciando a importância do método como visão de mundo que fundamenta a postura adotada pelo educador ambiental em processos tensionados no contexto de conflitos ambientais.
A Educomunicação na perspectiva da pedagogia ambiental: construindo um ecossistema comunicativo entre escola e comunidade
Authors: Dantas Jonielton Oliveira , Soares Maria José Nascimento , Dos Santos Marília Barbosa
Published: April 2020

A educomunicação busca melhorar o nível de comunicação das ações educativas, visando a criação e fortalecimento de ecossistemas comunicativos. Um campo consolidado, porém aberto a novas contribuições. Neste sentido, o presente artigo tem como objetivo descrever a educomunicação como estratégia de socialização dos saberes ambientais construídos mediante relação entre escola e comunidade, inserida em um processo mais amplo e sistêmico na pedagogia ambiental. Trata-se de uma pesquisa do tipo bibliográfica, tendo como fonte livros e artigos científicos. Considera-se que a construção de um ecossistema comunicativo por meio da educomunicação na perspectiva da pedagogia ambiental pressupõe uma gestão da comunicação nos espaços educativos baseada nos seguintes procedimentos: planejamento das ações, participação, comunicação educativa processual, capacidade de expressão e avaliação do processo educomunicativo.
Concepções de Educação Ambiental no ensino de Ecologia em atenção às estratégias de ensino: uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Maciel Eloisa Antunes , Uhmann Rosangela Inês Matos
Published: April 2020

A Educação Ambiental (EA) tem sua história ligada a movimentos sociais e conferências mundiais, entre as primeiras discussões sobre a EA e nossa atualidade, possibilitou-se uma considerável mudança de conceitos sobre o meio ambiente. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação das estratégias de ensino presentes em pesquisas sobre ensino de Ecologia e EA com as concepções de EA, classificadas como: Conservadora, Política e Social. Por meio da metodologia de abordagem qualitativa analisou-se teses e dissertações brasileiras na Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) no período entre 2002 a 2016. Como resultado, duas categorias são organizadas, em que das nove pesquisas, duas classificadas como Sociais; duas como Políticas e cinco como Conservadoras, estas intimamente relacionadas ao uso do questionário como principal estratégia de ensino vinculada à EA.
Sustentabilidade Complexa: o discurso de sustentabilidade sob a perspectiva do Pensamento Complexo de Edgar Morin
Authors: Rocha Jean Carlos Mendes da , Luzio-dos-Santos Luís Miguel
Published: April 2020

A partir da análise do discurso dominante de sustentabilidade (de Brundtland), este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar uma proposta alternativa a ele, tendo como perspectiva a Teoria do Pensamento Complexo de Edgar Morin. Diante dos problemas engendrados pelo atual modelo de desenvolvimento, destacamos que o discurso de sustentabilidade de Brundtland segue a mesma lógica que levou à humanidade a uma série crise, por isso tem se mostrado insuficiente para compreender e atender a complexidade dos problemas socioambientais atuais. Como resposta, propomos uma reflexão construída sob a perspectiva da sociedade e do meio ambiente, orientada por novos valores e saberes: a sustentabilidade complexa. Além das dimensões clássicas, social, ambiental e econômica, a sustentabilidade complexa incorpora ao discurso de sustentabilidade quatro outras dimensões: a política, a cultural, a espacial e a interior.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS): basics and clinical applications
Authors: Israr Muhammad Zubair , Bernieh Dennis , Salzano Andrea , Cassambai Shabana , Yazaki Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Toru
Published: April 2020

Background

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) has been used for more than 30 years. Compared with other analytical techniques, it offers ease of use, high throughput, robustness, cost-effectiveness, rapid analysis and sensitivity. As advantages, current clinical techniques (e.g. immunoassays) are unable to directly measure the biomarker; rather, they measure secondary signals. MALDI-MS has been extensively researched for clinical applications, and it is set for a breakthrough as a routine tool for clinical diagnostics.

Content

This review reports on the principles of MALDI-MS and discusses current clinical applications and the future clinical prospects for MALDI-MS. Furthermore, the review assesses the limitations currently experienced in clinical assays, the advantages and the impact of MALDI-MS to transform clinical laboratories.

MALDI-MS is widely used in clinical microbiology for the screening of microbial isolates; however, there is scope to apply MALDI-MS in the diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic drug monitoring and biopsy imaging in many diseases.

Outlook

There is considerable potential for MALDI-MS in clinic as a tool for screening, profiling and imaging because of its high sensitivity and specificity over alternative techniques.
Isotope dilution-LC-MS/MS method for quantification of the urinary cotinine-to-creatinine ratio
Authors: Habler Katharina , Paal Michael , Vogeser Michael
Published: April 2020

Background

Appropriate monitoring of tobacco smoking is extremely important in several areas of medicine, e.g. management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epidemiological surveys, and allocation of heart or lung transplants. The major metabolite of nicotine is cotinine that is increasingly used as a laboratory parameter for assessing tobacco smoke exposure.

Methods

Creatinine and cotinine were analyzed simultaneously in urine by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in one run within 3 min using a biphenyl column. For quantification, the respective stable-isotope-labeled standards were used.

Results

Detuning and measuring a natural isotope of creatinine as precursor and product ion allowed a simultaneous quantification of creatinine and cotinine. The method revealed robust validation results. For both analytes, inaccuracy and imprecision of the quality control and external quality assessment (EQA) samples were ≤−11.1%.

Conclusions

One essential novelty of the method presented here is the simultaneous quantification of creatinine and cotinine covered by one analytical method. Despite the very different natural concentrations of creatinine and cotinine, this allows the immediate reporting of the cotinine-to-creatinine ratio without the need for a separate creatinine analysis.
Hematologic, biochemical and immune biomarker abnormalities associated with severe illness and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a meta-analysis
Authors: Henry Brandon Michael , de Oliveira Maria Helena Santos , Benoit Stefanie , Plebani Mario , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

Background

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rages on, there is urgent need for identification of clinical and laboratory predictors for progression towards severe and fatal forms of this illness. In this study we aimed to evaluate the discriminative ability of hematologic, biochemical and immunologic biomarkers in patients with and without the severe or fatal forms of COVID-19.

Methods

An electronic search in Medline (PubMed interface), Scopus, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed, to identify studies reporting on laboratory abnormalities in patients with COVID-19. Studies were divided into two separate cohorts for analysis: severity (severe vs. non-severe and mortality, i.e. non-survivors vs. survivors). Data was pooled into a meta-analysis to estimate weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each laboratory parameter.

Results

A total number of 21 studies was included, totaling 3377 patients and 33 laboratory parameters. While 18 studies (n = 2984) compared laboratory findings between patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19, the other three (n = 393) compared survivors and non-survivors of the disease and were thus analyzed separately. Patients with severe and fatal disease had significantly increased white blood cell (WBC) count, and decreased lymphocyte and platelet counts compared to non-severe disease and survivors. Biomarkers of inflammation, cardiac and muscle injury, liver and kidney function and coagulation measures were also significantly elevated in patients with both severe and fatal COVID-19. Interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10) and serum ferritin were strong discriminators for severe disease.

Conclusions

Several biomarkers which may potentially aid in risk stratification models for predicting severe and fatal COVID-19 were identified. In hospitalized patients with respiratory distress, we recommend clinicians closely monitor WBC count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, IL-6 and serum ferritin as markers for potential progression to critical illness.