bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological functions of nirS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 under aerobic conditions
Authors: Zhou Gang , Peng Hong , Wang Ying-si , Li Cai-ling , Shen Peng-fei , Huang Xiao-mo , Xie Xiao-bao , Shi Qing-shan
Published: September 2019

Through our previous study, we found an up-regulation in the expression of nitrite reductase (nirS) in the isothiazolone-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the definitive molecular role of nirS in ascribing the resistance remained elusive. In the present study, the nirS gene was deleted from the chromosome of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and the resulting phenotypic changes of ΔnirS were studied alongside the wild-type (WT) strain under aerobic conditions. The results demonstrated a decline in the formations of biofilms but not planktonic growth by ΔnirS as compared to WT, especially in the presence of benzisothiazolinone (BIT). Meanwhile, the deletion of nirS impaired swimming motility of P. aeruginosa under the stress of BIT. To assess the influence of nirS on the transcriptome of P. aeruginosa, RNA-seq experiments comparing the ΔnirS with WT were also performed. A total of 694 genes were found to be differentially expressed in ΔnirS, of which 192 were up-regulated, while 502 were down-regulated. In addition, these differently expressed genes were noted to significantly enrich the carbon metabolism along with glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolisms. Meanwhile, results from RT-PCR suggested the contribution of mexEF-oprN to the development of BIT resistance by ΔnirS. Further, c-di-GMP was less in ΔnirS than in WT, as revealed by HPLC. Taken together, our results confirm that nirS of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 plays a role in BIT resistance along with biofilm formation and further affects several metabolic patterns under aerobic conditions.
Presumptions, and How They Relate to Arguments from Ignorance
Authors: Bodlović Petar
Published: September 2019

By explaining the argument from ignorance in terms of thepresumption of innocence, many textbooks in argumentation theory suggest that some arguments from ignorance might share essential features with some types of presumptive reasoning. The stronger version of this view, suggesting that arguments from ignorance and presumptive reasoning are almost indistinguishable, is occasionally proposed by Douglas Walton. This paper explores the nature and limits of the stronger proposal and argues that initial presumptions and arguments from ignorance arenotclosely connected. There are three main reasons. First, the argument from ignorance, unlike typical presumptive reasoning, is a negative kind of inference. Second, the typical initial presumption is sensitive to a broader set of defeaters and thus assumes a higher (negative) standard of acceptability. Third, in dialectical terms, initial presumption and argument from ignorance bring different attacking rights and obligations. I conclude that Waltonian intuition is unsupported or, at best, is limited only to practical presumptions and practical arguments from ignorance.
Plasmonic Oxidation of Glycerol Using Au/TiO2 Catalysts Prepared by Sol-Immobilisation
Authors: Abis Laura , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Sankar Meenakshisundaram , Freakley Simon J. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: September 2019

Au nanoparticles supported on P25 TiO2 (Au/TiO2) were prepared by a facile sol-immobilisation method and investigated for the surface plasmon-assisted glycerol oxidation under base-free conditions. The Au/TiO2 samples were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Catalysts were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol as stabiliser as well as in the absence of polymer stabiliser. Both the conversion and the reaction selectivity are affected by the plasmon-assisted oxidation and there is an interplay between the presence of the stabiliser and the Au nanoparticle size.

Graphic Abstract
Conceptions, Norms, and Values in the Work of Child Protective Services with Families at Risk: An Analysis of Social Workers’ Diaries
Authors: Björkhagen Turesson Annelie
Published: September 2019

Since the conceptions, norms, and values that govern the work of child protection are elusive, they are rarely discussed in the research. This study is based on diaries maintained by three social workers in relation to 15 families that were the subject of interventions by the child protective services in Sweden. All of the mothers in the 15 families had been diagnosed with mental health problems. The diaries include both significant events within the families and the social workers’ own feelings and perceptions about their work. This article discusses four themes:the Janus face of child protective services,clienthood and its conditions,child protective services and good or bad parenting, andthe fathers. The results show that the families were subjected to extensive discipline. The diaries also expressed strong value judgements regarding how children should be raised. The parents’ desires and wishes were redefined by the social workers, making the parents powerless. The fathers were marginalized, which meant that an important resource within the families was lost. The parents reacted to this exercise of power in part by trying to escape it and in part by adapting to it. In summary, the desire to help was in some cases transformed into an abusive exercise of power.
How different are different diff algorithms in Git?
Authors: Nugroho Yusuf Sulistyo , Hata Hideaki , Matsumoto Kenichi
Published: September 2019

Automatic identification of the differences between two versions of a file is a common and basic task in several applications of mining code repositories. Git, a version control system, has a diff utility and users can select algorithms of diff from the default algorithm Myers to the advanced Histogram algorithm. From our systematic mapping, we identified three popular applications of diff in recent studies. On the impact on code churn metrics in 14 Java projects, we obtained different values in 1.7% to 8.2% commits based on the different diff algorithms. Regarding bug-introducing change identification, we found 6.0% and 13.3% in the identified bug-fix commits had different results of bug-introducing changes from 10 Java projects. For patch application, we found that the Histogram is more suitable than Myers for providing the changes of code, from our manual analysis. Thus, we strongly recommend using the Histogram algorithm when mining Git repositories to consider differences in source code.
Clinical Effects of an ACT-Group Training in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Vanzin Laura , Mauri Valentina , Valli Angela , Pozzi Marco , Presti Giovambattista , Oppo Annalisa , Ristallo Arianna , Molteni Massimo , Nobile Maria
Published: September 2019

Objective

The aim of the present study is evaluate the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based training protocol, in adjunct to token economy and previous parent training, in a sample of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). By promoting the reduction of immediate responses to thoughts and feelings, we aimed to reduce the impulsive behaviour of children and to improve their self-regulation.

Methods

The protocol was centred on awareness of the present moment, defusion and acceptance of feelings and emotions. Behavioural (Conners’ Parent Rating Scale -Revised: Long version, CPRS-R:L) and severity measures (Clinical Global Impression -Severity, CGI-S) were assessed before and after treatment in a clinical sample of 31 children aged 8–13 years.

Results

At the end of the ACT protocol, children showed significant improvement in global functioning and behavioural symptoms. There were significant improvements in the CPRS subscales Cognitive Problems (p = 0.005), Hyperactivity (p = 0.006), Perfectionism (p = 0.017), ADHD Index (p = 0.023), Global Index: Restless–Impulsive (p = 0.023), Global Index: Total (p = 0.036), DSM IV Inattentive (p = 0.029), DSM IV Hyperactive–Impulsive (p = 0.016), and DSM IV Total (p = 0.003). When controlling for the confounding effect of pharmacological therapy, comorbidities and socio-economic status, treatment maintained a significant effect on the CPRS subscales Perfectionism (partial η2 = 0.31, p < 0.01), Global Index: Restless–Impulsive (partial η2 = 0.29, p < 0.01), Global Index: Total (partial η2 = 0.31, p < 0.01), DSM IV Hyperactive–Impulsive (partial η2 = 0.20, p = 0.02). Symptom severity as rated by CGI-S scores decreased in 74.2% of the children.

Conclusions

This preliminary work on an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based child training in children affected by ADHD resulted in significant improvements, measured by a rating scale specific for ADHD.
Accountability and Relationship-Definition Among Food Banks Partnerships
Authors: Parker Marla A. , Mook Laurie , Kao Chen-Yu , Murdock Alex
Published: September 2019

Food pantries typically operate in a partnership structure where they are primarily supported by a larger food bank. However, the ability to execute that mission through cooperative arrangements greatly depends upon accountability, a key dynamic that ensures partners are fulfilling expectations and key roles. This exploratory study utilizes qualitative interview data (n = 61) from a large food bank network to understand the extent to which a lead agency (i.e., a large food bank) meets expectations of accountability among partners. The interview results demonstrate that the extent to which expectations are met relate to different types of relationships between the lead agency and partner members. Furthermore, the ways in which partners assess the strengths or weaknesses of the food bank’s accountability reveal different types of relationships within the network, namely that of supplier–customer, supporter–customer, and supporter–collaborator.
Biomass-Assisted Reductive Leaching in H2SO4 Medium for the Recovery of Valuable Metals from Spent Mixed-Type Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Yongming , Chang Di , Liu Nannan , Hu Fang , Peng Chao , Zhou Xiaoyuan , He Jing , Jie Yafei , Wang Henghui , Wilson Benjamin P. , Lundstrom Mari
Published: September 2019

A hydrometallurgical method involving natural biomass waste as reductant was proposed for the treatment of spent mixed-type lithium-ion batteries. Results showed that almost complete dissolution of Li, Ni, Mn and nearly 90% dissolution of Co were achieved under the optimal conditions of H2SO4 concentration of 2 M, waste tea biomass dosage of 0.3 g/g, solid/ratio of 50 g L−1, temperature of 90°C and time of 120 min. The leaching kinetics was further investigated, and the activation energies were determined to be 1.7 kJ mol−1, 10.3 kJ mol−1, 10.1 kJ mol−1 and 10.9 kJ mol−1 for Li, Ni, Mn and Co, respectively. The cathode materials before leaching and the leaching residue were characterized with different analytical methods. The characterization results confirmed that the addition of the waste tea acted as reductant and resulted in better dissolution of the metals, supporting the principles of sustainable processes by decreasing the chemical consumption and integrating waste into a secondary use.
Folic Acid Affects Iron Status in Female Rats with Deficiency of These Micronutrients
Authors: Suliburska Joanna , Skrypnik Katarzyna , Chmurzyńska Agata
Published: September 2019

Although simultaneous supplementation with iron and folic acid is justified, the potential interactions between these micronutrients are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oral iron and folic acid, administered together or separately, on iron concentration in tissues in rats with a deficiency of both these micronutrients. In the first stage of the experiment (28 days), 150 8-week-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group (C; n = 30) fed the standard diet and to a study group (n = 120) fed a diet deficit in iron and folate. The study group was then randomly divided to four groups: D group fed a deficit diet, FE group fed a deficit diet with iron gluconate, the FOL group fed a deficit diet with folate acid, and the FEFOL group fed a deficit diet with iron gluconate and folate acid. After 2, 10, and 21 days of supplementation, ten animals from each group were killed. Morphological parameters were measured in whole blood. Iron concentration was assayed in serum, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart, and kidneys. Folic acid supplementation more significantly decreased iron concentrations in the pancreas and spleen than in the D group after 10 and 21 days of supplementation. Moreover, the combination of iron with folic acid markedly decreased iron levels in the liver and spleen, in comparison with iron alone, after 10 and 21 days of the experiment. In conclusion, folic acid affects iron status in female rats deficient in these micronutrients in moderate and long-term supplementation.
Rethinking Iberian ‘warrior’ stelae: a multidisciplinary investigation of Mirasiviene and its connection to Setefilla (Lora del Río, Seville, Spain)
Authors: Díaz-Guardamino Marta , García Sanjuán Leonardo , Wheatley David W. , Lozano Rodríguez José Antonio , Rogerio Candelera Miguel Ángel , Krueger Michał , Krueger Marta , Hunt Ortiz Mark , Murillo-Barroso Mercedes , Balsera Nieto Veronica
Published: September 2019

Iberian ‘warrior’ stelae have captured the imagination of researchers and the public for more than a century. Traditionally, stelae were considered ‘de-contextualised’ monuments, and research typically focused on the study of their iconography, paying little or no attention to their immediate contexts. As a result, despite the large number of these stelae known to date (c. 140) and the ample body of literature that has dealt with them, fundamental questions remain unanswered. This paper aims to demonstrate the potential of a multidisciplinary and contextual approach to push forward the research agenda on these monuments through a case study. Firstly, we introduce the Mirasiviene stela and the methods deployed for its investigation, which include a variety of digital imaging techniques, petrography, pXRF, intensive survey and multiscalar spatial analysis. Secondly, we discuss the results in relation to three main topics: stela biography, social practices and landscape context. Comparisons to the well-known nearby Bronze Age and Iron Age site of Setefilla are made throughout the discussion. Ultimately, this paper makes a case for the stelae of Mirasiviene and Setefilla being polyvalent monuments made by local artisans, that served both as landmarks and memorials in connection with dense late second and early first millennium BCE settlement patterns in the region. Probably linked to elites, ‘houses’ or kin groups of this time, stelae were set in symbolically charged places, liminal spaces nearby water, burials and pathways, attracting a range of ritual activities throughout the centuries. The study of the newly discovered Mirasiviene stela shows that multidisciplinary, cutting-edge non-destructive archaeology can shed significant new light on these prehistoric monuments, thus providing a glimpse of what in our opinion is a paradigm shift in the research of similar monuments throughout Europe.
A comprehensive modeling in predicting the effect of various nanoparticles on filtration volume of water-based drilling fluids
Authors: Golsefatan Alireza , Shahbazi Khalil
Published: September 2019

Filtration volume of drilling fluid is directly associated with the amount of formation damage in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Many different additives are added to the drilling fluid in order to minimize the filtration volume. Nanoparticles have been utilized recently to improve the filtration properties of drilling fluids. Up to now, no model has yet been presented to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on filtration properties of drilling fluids. The impact of various nanoparticles is investigated in this study. Artificial neural network is used as a powerful tool to develop a novel approach to predict the effect of various nanoparticles on filtration volume. Model evaluation is performed by calculating the statistical parameters. The obtained results by the model and the experimental results are in an excellent agreement with average absolute relative error of 2.6636%, correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9928, and mean square error of 0.4797 for overall data. The statistical results showed that the proposed model is able to predict the amount of filtration volume with high precision. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis on the input parameters demonstrated that nanoparticle concentration has the highest effect on filtration volume and should be considered by researchers during process optimization.
Effects of dietary fishmeal substitution with corn gluten meal and poultry meal on growth rate and flesh characteristics of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: Doughty Katarina H. , Garner Shawn R. , Bernards Mark A. , Heath John W. , Neff Bryan D.
Published: September 2019

There is considerable interest in developing diets that maintain growth performance and market appeal for salmon aquaculture while relying less on fishmeal as a major ingredient. Here, we compared growth rate, survival, fat content, tissue colouration and carotenoid levels (astaxanthin) in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fed two diets. The first diet was a typical commercial salmon diet with 59% fishmeal content, while the second diet reduced the fishmeal content to 15% (75% reduction) and substituted 28% corn gluten meal and 16% poultry meal. Over an approximately 14-month growth period, we found no significant difference between fish fed the high fishmeal or low fishmeal diet in either growth rate or survival. Individuals fed the low fishmeal diet did have 25% higher total body fat percentage than those fed the high fishmeal diet. Individuals fed the low fishmeal diet also had flesh that was significantly less red than fish fed the high fishmeal diet. Carotenoid analysis confirmed that the change in tissue colour was the result of reduced astaxanthin levels in salmon fed the low fishmeal diet. Due to the importance of red tissue colour for the market appeal of salmon, the corn gluten and poultry meal diet is not viable for salmon aquaculture in its present formulation, but our results suggest further modifications to the diet that could mitigate this effect.
$$L^p$$-estimates and regularity for SPDEs with monotone semilinearity
Authors: Neelima  , Šiška David
Published: September 2019

Semilinear stochastic partial differential equations on bounded domains$${\mathscr {D}}$$Dare considered. The semilinear term may have arbitrary polynomial growth as long as it is continuous and monotone except perhaps near the origin. Typical examples are the stochastic Allen–Cahn and Ginzburg–Landau equations. The first main result of this article are$$L^p$$Lp-estimates for such equations. The$$L^p$$Lp-estimates are subsequently employed in obtaining higher regularity. This is motivated by ongoing work to obtain rate of convergence estimates for numerical approximations to such equations. It is shown, under appropriate assumptions, that the solution is continuous in time with values in the Sobolev space$$H^2({\mathscr {D}}')$$H2(D′)and$$\ell ^2$$ℓ2-integrable with values in$$H^3({\mathscr {D}}')$$H3(D′), for any compact$${\mathscr {D}}' \subset {\mathscr {D}}$$D′⊂D. Using results from$$L^p$$Lp-theory of SPDEs obtained by Kim (Stoch Proc Appl 112:261–283, 2004) we get analogous results in weighted Sobolev spaces on the whole$${\mathscr {D}}$$D. Finally it is shown that the solution is Hölder continuous in time of order$$\frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{q}$$12-2qas a process with values in a weighted$$L^q$$Lq-space, whereqarises from the integrability assumptions imposed on the initial condition and forcing terms.
Kratom from Head to Toe—Case Reviews of Adverse Events and Toxicities
Authors: Alsarraf Emad , Myers Jamie , Culbreth Sarah , Fanikos John
Published: September 2019

Purpose of Review

This review describes case reports for patients with kratom-associated adverse events in order to assist clinicians with patient management. A stepwise approach is proposed for assessing active kratom users as well as considerations for the management of toxicities or withdrawal.

Recent Findings

Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies illustrate the pharmacologic and toxicologic effects of kratom extract. No randomized controlled trials in humans exist that assess the safety and efficacy of the substance. Cross-sectional surveys from active users and reports from poison control centers have shown acute and chronic physiological and psychological adverse events.

Reports of adverse effects associated with kratom use have demonstrated hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, hepatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, seizure, and coma. Overdose toxidrome leads to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and fatalities. Adult and neonatal withdrawal symptoms have also occurred. Clinicians should be aware of the risks and benefits of kratom use.
Propionic acid counteracts the inflammation of human subcutaneous adipose tissue: a new avenue for drug development
Authors: Al-Lahham Sa’ad , Rezaee Farhad
Published: September 2019

Adipose tissue is a primary site of obesity-induced inflammation, which has been emerging as an important contributor to obesity associated disorders. The factors influencing adipose tissue-induced inflammation and the resulting pathophysiological events remain poorly understood. However, dietary fiber consumptions appear to be protective. Short-chain fatty acids such as propionic acid (PA) are the principal products of the dietary fiber fermentation by microbiota. Therefore, we aim to investigate the influence of PA on inflammation, lipogenesis and glucose uptake markers from human subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). We showed that the treatment of SAT with PA resulted in a significant downregulation of inflammatory parameters (e.g. TNF-α and IP-10) and macrophage markers (e.g. CD163 and MMP-9). The expression levels of PA receptors (i.e. G protein coupled receptor-41 and -43) in human primary adipocytes were very low in comparison with SAT and macrophages. Upon PA treatment, no anti-inflammatory effect was observed in human adipocytes. PA significantly upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), sterol regulatory-element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4), which are associated with lipogenesis and glucose uptake. We also showed that the observed anti-inflammatory effects of PA on SAT were partly mediated by Gi/o protein coupled receptor. Our data suggests that PA anti-inflammatory effects on SAT are mediated partly via Gi/o proteins, leading to the improved expression of factors associated with lipogenesis and glucose uptake. These responses appeared to be not mediated by adipocytes; but most probably by macrophages. The current study provides new knowledge, which can be used as a potential new avenue for drug development in preventing obesity-related inflammation and metabolic disorders in future.
Injury Risk in New Zealand Rugby Union: A Nationwide Study of Injury Insurance Claims from 2005 to 2017
Authors: Quarrie Ken , Gianotti Simon , Murphy Ian
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The Accident Compensation Corporation is a compulsory, 24-h, no-fault personal injury insurance scheme in New Zealand. The purpose of this large-scale retrospective cohort study was to use Accident Compensation Corporation records to provide information about rugby injury epidemiology in New Zealand, with a focus on describing differences in risk by age and gender.

Methods

A total of 635,657 rugby injury claims were made to the Accident Compensation Corporation for players aged 5–40 years over the period 2005–2017. Information about player numbers and estimates of player exposure was obtained from New Zealand Rugby, the administrative organisation for rugby in New Zealand.

Results

Over three quarters of claims (76%) were for soft-tissue injuries, with 11% resulting from fractures or dislocations, 6.7% from lacerations, 3.1% from concussions and 2.0% from dental injuries. Body regions injured included shoulder (14%), knee (14%), wrist/hand (13%), neck/spine (13%), head/face (12%), leg (11%) and ankle (10%). The probability of a player making at least one injury claim in a season (expressed as a percentage) was calculated under the assumption that the incidence of claims follows a Poisson distribution. Players aged 5–6 years had a probability of making at least one claim per season of 1.0%, compared to 8.3% for players aged 7–12 years, 35% for age 13–17 years, 53% for age 18–20 years, 57% for age 21–30 years and 47% for age 31–40 years. The overall probability of making at least one claim per season across all age groups was 29%. The relative claim rate for adults (players aged 18 years and over) was 3.92 (90% confidence interval 3.90–3.94) times that of children. Ten percent of players were female, and they sustained 6% of the injuries. Overall, the relative claim rate for female players was 0.57 times that of male players (90% confidence interval 0.56–0.58). The relative claim rate of female to male players tended to increase with age. There were very few female players aged over 30 years; however, those who did play had higher claim rates than male players of the same age group (1.49; 90% confidence interval 1.45–1.53).

Conclusions

Injuries resulting from rugby are distributed across the body, and most of the claims are for soft-tissue injuries. Rates of injury increase rapidly through the teenage years until the early 20 s; for male players they then decrease until the mid-30 s. For female players, the injury rate does not decrease as players move into their 30 s. Combining Accident Compensation Corporation injury claim data with national player registration data provides useful information about the risks faced by New Zealand’s community rugby players, and the insights derived are used in the development of rugby injury prevention programme content.
Measuring Visual, Spatial, and Visual Spatial Short-Term Memory in Schoolchildren: Studying the Influence of Demographic Factors and Regression-Based Normative Data
Authors: Toornstra A. , Hurks P. P. M. , Van der Elst W. , Kok G. , Curfs L. M. G.
Published: September 2019

The study aims to establish demographically corrected norms for three computerized tasks measuring different aspects of visual short-term memory (VSTM) in Ukrainian schoolchildren. These tasks measure respectively visual STM (the Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM) test), spatial STM (the Spatial Span (SSP) task), and visual spatial STM (the Paired Associates Learning (PAL) task). All tasks were administered to n = 186 children aged 5.10 years to 14.5 years old to evaluate the influence of demographic variables. Relevant demographic factors that influence task scores (VSTM), i.e., age and level of parental education, are identified and in keeping with the current literature. No sex differences were found. Based on these data, regression-based, demographically corrected norms were established per task. This approach to constructing norms differs from how (worldwide) PRM, SSP, and/or PAL norms have been constructed traditionally. In the latter approach, norms are calculated for each age group separately and without correcting for level of parental education, whereas in the regression-based normative method, multiple regression models are used to compute the expected test scores of an individual (rather than the subgroup means that are used in the traditional approach). Consequently, the regression-based norms for the PRM, SSP, and PAL presented in this paper are individualized, taking into account the unique characteristics of the individual that is tested on these tasks. Last, the confidence intervals of the PRM scores of the Ukrainian schoolchildren and the western norm group largely overlapped, except for the youngest age group, which adds to the literature about cultural effects on cognition.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Texture Analysis Predicts Recurrence in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Raghavan Nair Jay Kumar , Vallières Martin , Mascarella Marco A. , El Sabbagh Nagi , Duchatellier Carl Frédéric , Zeitouni Anthony , Shenouda George , Chankowsky Jeffrey
Published: September 2019

Background

The personalization of oncologic treatment using radiomic signatures is mounting in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We ascertain the predictive ability of 3D volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture features on NPC disease recurrence.

Methods

A retrospective study of 58 patients with NPC undergoing primary curative-intent treatment was performed. Forty-two image texture features were extracted from pre-treatment MRI in addition to clinical factors. A multivariate logistic regression was used to model the texture features. A receiver operating characteristic curve on 100 bootstrap samples was used to maximize generalizability to out-of-sample data. A Cox proportional model was used to predict disease recurrence in the final model.

Results

A total of 58 patients were included in the study. MRI texture features predicted disease recurrence with an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.79, 0.73, and 0.71, respectively. Loco-regional recurrence was predicted with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.82, 0.73 and 0.74 respectively while prediction for distant metastasis had an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.92, 0.79 and 0.84, respectively. Texture features on MRI had a hazard ratio of 4.37 (95% confidence interval 1.72–20.2) for disease recurrence when adjusting for age, sex, smoking, and TNM staging.

Conclusion

Texture features on MRI are independent predictors of NPC recurrence in patients undergoing curative-intent treatment.
Hormonal Contraception and Female Sexuality: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Authors: Both Stephanie , Lew-Starowicz Michal , Luria Mijal , Sartorius Gideon , Maseroli Elisa , Tripodi Francesca , Lowenstein Lior , Nappi Rossella E. , Corona Giovanni , Reisman Yacov , Vignozzi Linda
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Hormonal contraception is available worldwide in many different forms. Fear of side effects and health concerns are among the main reasons for not using contraceptives or discontinuing their use. Although the safety and efficacy of contraceptives have been extensively examined, little is known about their impact on female sexual function, and the evidence on the topic is controversial.

Aim

To review the available evidence about the effects of hormonal contraceptives on female sexuality in order to provide a position statement and clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed.

Main Outcome Measure

Several aspects of female sexuality have been investigated, including desire, orgasmic function, lubrication and vulvovaginal symptoms, pelvic floor and urological symptoms, partner preference, and relationship and sexual satisfaction. For each topic, data were analyzed according to the different types of hormonal contraceptives (combined estrogen-progestin methods, progestin-only methods, and oral or non-oral options).

Results

Recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria and specific statements on this topic, summarizing the European Society of Sexual Medicine position, were developed.

Clinical Implications

There is not enough evidence to draw a clear algorithm for the management of hormonal contraception-induced sexual dysfunction, and further studies are warranted before conclusions can be drawn. A careful baseline psychological, sexual, and relational assessment is necessary for the health care provider to evaluate eventual effects of hormonal contraceptives at follow-up.

Strengths & Limitations

All studies have been evaluated by a panel of experts who have provided recommendations for clinical practice.

Conclusion

The effects of hormonal contraceptives on sexual function have not been well studied and remain controversial. Available evidence indicates that a minority of women experience a change in sexual functioning with regard to general sexual response, desire, lubrication, orgasm, and relationship satisfaction. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to reported sexual difficulties such as reduced desire and vulvovaginal atrophy remain unclear. Insufficient evidence is available on the correlation between hormonal contraceptives and pelvic floor function and urological symptoms.
Small-sized RO membrane element is designed to dramatically improve water recovery
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: September 2019

This article briefly looks at membrane technology that Japan's Toray Industries Inc has developed to dramatically improve water recovery. It has been applied to a small-sized reverse osmosis (RO) membrane element – doubling its water recovery capabilities, compared with existing RO membrane elements of various sizes.
Core Capacities for Public Health Emergencies of International Concern at Ground Crossings: A Case Study from North India
Authors: Singh Rahuldeep , Sumit Kumar , Hossain Shaikh Shah
Published: September 2019

Objective:

International airports, ports, and ground crossings are required to have health units for undertaking public health measures during routine times and specific measures during the time of public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This study was conducted at a ground crossing of North India to assess the implementation status of International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) at a ground crossing in the prevention and control of public health emergencies and to assess the risk of imported infections from a ground crossing.

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted at the selected point of entry. The World Health Organization (WHO) core capacity assessment tool and in-depth interviews were used for data collection in the form of meetings and visits to isolation sites, and general observations were conducted regarding facilities on routine and other infrastructure and equipment that can be used during emergencies. Respondents were recruited using purposive methods.

Results:

The findings reveal that there is lack of awareness among the travelers, which increases the risks of spreading diseases. The overall implementation status at the ground crossing according to the assessment conducted using WHO Tool was 76%. It showed the need for further strengthening of the implementation at the site. Gaps were identified regarding the local capacity for handling chemical, radiological and nuclear hazards, and shortage of regular staff through stakeholders.

Conclusion:

The findings from this study, as well as the suggestions and recommendations given by stakeholders, should help revise the current strategies of action. Hence, the gaps identified should be fulfilled to better respond to PHEIC at the ground crossings.
How Do They Get In? Radical Parties and Government Participation in European Democracies
Authors: Fagerholm Andreas
Published: September 2019

Despite their alleged anti-systemness and ‘non-coalitionability’, radical right and radical left parties have, since the early 1990s, both supported and entered coalition governments in a number of European liberal democracies. Using the classical ‘size and ideology’ framework, this study sets out to examine how – or, put differently, under what circumstances – radical right and radical left parties are able to overcome the obstacles associated with governing and enter coalition governments. Inspired by previous observations regarding the complex and multicausal nature of radical government participation, the study relies on a configurational method. By means of a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 37 radical parties at 207 coalition formation instances in 22 (Western and Central and Eastern) European countries, the article sheds light on different paths that lead to government inclusion (and exclusion) of radical actors. The empirical evidence indicates that electoral success in combination with a fairly similar policy position to a weak prime minister party is sufficient for government inclusion. The paths to government exclusion, by contrast, underline the importance of ideological distance in combination with size-related factors.
Empires within and without: the conquest of the self and the Florentine avant-garde
Authors: Marilier Bertrand
Published: September 2019

This article examines the relationship of the young Giovanni Papini to the notion of imperialism. The period of Papini's intellectual formation was a time of intense debate among the Italian intelligentsia concerning imperialism and its relationship to nation and culture. He joined the conversation with a distinctive interpretation of the idea, one that could at once make him heir apparent to the tradition of Umbertian nationalism, while also rejecting the positivist slant of his forebears. William James's porous conception of the subject and Papini's sense of his own fragmented subjectivity provided the ground for a psychological understanding of imperialism: one that relied on knowledge and appreciation, which translated into literature at the individual level, and into culture at that of the nation. Ultimately, however, disappointments abroad, the demands of nationalist politics, and Papini's own avant-garde posture, led him to abandon his intellectual empire in favour of a more concrete one.
Revisiting the Timing of the Northern Lobe of the White River Ash Volcanic Event in Eastern Alaska and Western Yukon
Authors: Reuther Joshua , Potter Ben , Coffman Sam , Smith Holly , Bigelow Nancy
Published: September 2019

The northern lobe of the White River Ash (WRAn) is part of a bilobate distribution of tephras that originated from the Wrangell Volcanic Field near the border of Alaska, USA, and Yukon, Canada. It is distributed across northeastern Alaska and the northwestern portion of the Yukon. The timing of this eruption has seen little critical analysis relative to the younger and more extensive eastern lobe eruption of the White River Ash. We compiled 38 radiocarbon (14C) dates from above and below the WRAn, and employed several statistical approaches to identify and eliminate or down-weight outliers, combine dates, and different Bayesian models, to provide a revised age estimate for the timing of the WRAn tephra deposition. Our results indicate that the most accurate modeled age estimate for the northern lobe of the White River Ash deposition is between 1689 and 1560 cal BP, with a mean and median of 1625 and 1623 cal BP, respectively. This age range is 90 to 200 years younger than previous age estimates.
Inulin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers alleviates hyperglycaemia in high-fat-diet-induced diabetes mice through the intestinal microflora improvement
Authors: Shao Tianyun , Yu Qiuhong , Zhu Tingshuo , Liu Anhong , Gao Xiumei , Long Xiaohua , Liu Zhaopu
Published: September 2019

The rate of hyperglycaemia in people around the world is increasing at an alarming rate at present, and innovative methods of alleviating hyperglycaemia are needed. The effects of Jerusalem artichoke inulin on hyperglycaemia, liver-related genes and the intestinal microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce hyperglycaemia were investigated. Inulin-treated hyperglycaemic mice had decreased average daily food consumption, body weight, average daily water consumption and relative liver weight and blood concentrations of TAG, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose. Liver-related gene expressions in hyperglycaemic (HFD-fed and STZ-treated) compared with control mice showed eighty-four differentially expressed genes (forty-nine up-regulated and thirty-five down-regulated). In contrast, hyperglycaemic mice treated with inulin had twenty-two differentially expressed genes compared with control ones. Using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, the rarefaction and the rank abundance curves as well as theαdiversity indices showed the treatment-induced differences in bacterial diversity in intestine. The linear discriminant analysis of effect size showed that the inulin treatment improved intestinal microbiota; in particular, it significantly increased the number ofBacteroidesin the intestine of mice. In conclusion, inulin is potentially an effective functional food for the prevention and/or treatment of hyperglycaemia.
n-3 Canola oil effectively replaces fish oil as a new safe dietary source of DHA in feed for juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Ruyter Bente , Sissener Nini H. , Østbye Tone-Kari , Simon Cedric J. , Krasnov Aleksei , Bou Marta , Sanden Monica , Nichols Peter D. , Lutfi Esmail , Berge Gerd M.
Published: September 2019

Limited availability of fish oils (FO), rich in n-3 long-chain (≥C20) PUFA, is a major constraint for further growth of the aquaculture industry. Long-chain n-3 rich oils from crops GM with algal genes are promising new sources for the industry. This project studied the use of a newly developed n-3 canola oil (DHA-CA) in diets of Atlantic salmon fingerlings in freshwater. The DHA-CA oil has high proportions of the n-3 fatty acids (FA) 18 : 3n-3 and DHA and lower proportions of n-6 FA than conventional plant oils. Levels of phytosterols, vitamin E and minerals in the DHA-CA were within the natural variation of commercial canola oils. Pesticides, mycotoxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were below lowest qualifiable concentration. Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate effects of two dietary levels of DHA-CA compared with two dietary levels of FO at two water temperatures. Fish increased their weight approximately 20-fold at 16°C and 12-fold at 12°C during the experimental periods, with equal growth in salmon fed the FO diets compared with DHA-CA diets. Salmon fed DHA-CA diets had approximately the same EPA+DHA content in whole body as salmon fed FO diets. Gene expression, lipid composition and oxidative stress-related enzyme activities showed only minor differences between the dietary groups, and the effects were mostly a result of dietary oil level, rather than the oil source. The results demonstrated that DHA-CA is a safe and effective replacement for FO in diets of Atlantic salmon during the sensitive fingerling life-stage.
Historical Perspectives on Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy
Authors: Harvey Charles , Maclean Mairi , Suddaby Roy
Published: September 2019

We define philanthropy as voluntary giving by households or corporate bodies to promote charitable causes, projects, and organizations or, alternatively, as “voluntary action for the public good.” Entrepreneurial philanthropy refers specifically to “the pursuit by entrepreneurs on a not-for-profit basis of big social objectives through active investment of their economic, cultural, social and symbolic resources.” Government projects financed by taxation and interfamily resource transfers are never philanthropic. Gifts only qualify as philanthropic when the donor is under no compulsion to give, when the gift benefits people with whom the donor is not directly connected, when the gift is made from the donor's own resources, and when the donor receives no direct economic benefit as a consequence of making the gift. In other words, philanthropists invest their own resources in causes they believe will benefit others and that yield no direct benefit to themselves or their families.
Histone acetylation in refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients after intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion
Authors: Xie L , Hou J , Qi H , Dai Y , She W
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine the relationship between the therapeutic effect of intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion and histone acetylation in refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods

Thirty-four refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients were enrolled and treated with intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion. Pure tone average, acetylated histone H3, acetylated histone H4 and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion. Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited to obtain normal reference values.

Results

Pure tone average in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients improved from 84.14 ± 13.54 dB to 73.56 ± 18.45 dB after intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion. Up-regulations in HDAC2 protein level, and down-regulations in histone H3 and H4 acetylation were observed in the intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion sensitive group (pure tone average gain of 15 dB or more), while no significant changes were observed in the intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion insensitive group (pure tone average gain of less than 15 dB).

Conclusion

Intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion can improve hearing in a considerable number of refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients. The therapeutic effect is closely related to reduced histone acetylation.
The Emergence of the Informal Sector: Labour legislation and politics in South India, 1940–60
Authors: WIELENGA KARUNA DIETRICH
Published: September 2019

The informal sector and informal employment relations occupy a prominent place in India's economy: one of their key features is the apparent absence of the state from labour regulation. This article seeks to trace the emergence of the division between the formal and informal sectors in India's economy from a historical perspective: it shows how the state, far from being absent, played a fundamental role in creating the dichotomy. This is done through a close study of labour legislation and the politics around it, taking South India as a case study. The article examines the enactment of four laws in Madras province in the late 1940s, ostensibly aimed at protecting workers, and their subsequent implementation by the Madras government. It shows how these laws ended by excluding workers from small unorganized industries (such as beedi-making, arecanut-processing, handloom-weaving, and tanning) from legal protection. It explores the ramifications of this exclusion and argues that the reinforcement of the formal–informal divide was the outcome of a complex political struggle between employers, workers' unions, and the state during this formative period.
Review Essay: The Lost Historiography of Liberalism
Authors: Collins Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2019

Near the start of her fascinating new bookThe Lost History of Liberalism, Helena Rosenblatt dryly observes that “available histories of liberalism are seldom helpful” (2). The point is well taken: the historiography of liberalism—largely written as intellectual history—is not particularly coherent, and has only sporadically adopted sound historical methodology. The genre emerged relatively late. The proliferation of the language of liberalism in the nineteenth century, not least in party politics, did not produce theoretically informed historical accounts of particular note. A historiography of liberalism really only developed in response to the perceived “crisis of liberalism” of the early twentieth century. Guido de Ruggiero's 1925The History of European Liberalismwas written in a Hegelian idealist tradition, according to which liberalism was an “organic development of freedom coinciding with the organization of human society and its progressively higher and more spiritual forms.” Coming from a different direction was Harold Laski'sThe Rise of European Liberalism: An Essay in Interpretation,published in 1936. Laski's liberalism was as much a “habit of mind” as a set of doctrines, with a complex history making both “clarity difficult” and “precision unattainable.” An essentialized understanding of liberalism was nevertheless still at work. Laski's liberalism was that the individualist, utilitarian mode of thought necessary to an emerging capitalist society. “The liberal creed, in a word,” he wrote, “is a doctrine woven from the texture of bourgeois need.”