bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical oncologists’ and palliative care physicians’ opinions towards thromboprophylaxis for inpatients with advanced cancer: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hannon Breffni , Taback Nathan , Zimmermann Camilla , Granton John , Krzyzanowska Monika
Published: July 2019

Background

Patients with advanced cancer are increasingly discharged from inpatient settings following focused symptom management admissions. Thromboprophylaxis (TP) is recommended for patients with cancer admitted to acute care settings; less is known about TP use in palliative care (PC) settings. This study explored the opinions of Canadian medical oncologists (MO) and PC physicians regarding the use of TP for inpatients with advanced cancer.

Methods

A fractional factorial survey designed to evaluate the impact of patient factors (age, clinical setting, reason for admission, pre-admission performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; ECOG), and risk of bleeding on anticoagulation) and physician demographics on recommending TP was administered by email to Canadian MO and PC physicians. Each respondent received eight vignettes randomly selected from a set of 32. Hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the odds of prescribing TP adjusted for patient factors.

Results

606 MO and 491 PC physicians were surveyed; response rates were 11.1% and 15.0%, respectively. MO were predominantly male (59.7%); PC female (60.3%); most worked in academic environments (90.3% MO; 73.9% PC). Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression demonstrated that all patient factors except age were associated with prescribing TP (ORs range: from 1.34 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.77) for good ECOG, to 2.53 (95% CI 1.9 to 3.37), for reversible reason for admission). Controlling for these factors, medical specialty was independently associated with recommending TP (OR for MO 2.09 (95% CI 1.56 to 2.8)).

Conclusions

MO have higher odds of recommending TP for inpatients with advanced cancer than PC physicians. Further research exploring the drivers of these differing practices is warranted.
Anti-inflammatory diet and risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm in two Swedish cohorts
Authors: Kaluza Joanna , Stackelberg Otto , Harris Holly Ruth , Björck Martin , Wolk Alicja
Published: July 2019

Objective

The relationship between dietary patterns and development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is not well understood. Thus, we prospectively evaluated the association between the anti-inflammatory potential of diet and risk of AAA.

Methods

The study population included the Cohort of Swedish Men (45 072 men) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort (36 633 women), aged 45–83 years at baseline. The anti-inflammatory potential of diet was estimated using Anti-inflammatory Diet Index (AIDI) based on 11 foods with anti-inflammatory potential and 5 with proinflammatory potential (maximum 16 points) that was validated againsthigh sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP). Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs. During the 14.9 years of follow-up (1 217 263 person-years), 1528 AAA cases (277 (18%) ruptured, 1251 non-ruptured) were ascertained via the Swedish Inpatient Register, the National Cause of Death Register and the Register for Vascular Surgery (Swedvasc).

Results

We observed an inverse association between the AIDI and AAA risk in women and men; HRs between extreme quartiles of the AIDI (≥8 vs ≤5 points) were 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.83) in women and 0.81 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.98) in men. The AIDI was inversely associated with both ruptured and non-ruptured AAA incidence; the HR of participants in the highest quartile of AIDI compared with those in the lowest quartile was 0.61 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.90) for ruptured AAA and 0.79 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.95) for non-ruptured AAA.

Conclusion

Adherence to diet with a high anti-inflammatory potential was associated with a reduced AAA risk, an association that was even more pronounced for AAA rupture.
Strengthening the vet‐farmer relationship
Authors: Crowe Carolyne , Oxtoby Tom
Published: July 2019

The vet‐farmer relationship commonly extends beyond the clinical function for which we, as vets, have trained. Without an awareness of the broader issues facing the client, your impact and effectiveness on farm may be reduced. This article discusses the importance of building and maintaining relationships with your farmers, and how effective communication can help you influence positive outcomes on farm.
Investigation and management of subfertility
Authors: Thurston Layla , Abbara Ali , Dhillo Waljit S
Published: July 2019

Subfertility affects one in seven couples and is defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. This article describes the initial clinical evaluation and investigation to guide diagnosis and management. The primary assessment of subfertility is to establish the presence of ovulation, normal uterine cavity and patent fallopian tubes in women, and normal semen parameters in men. Ovulation is supported by a history of regular menstrual cycles (21–35 days) and confirmed by a serum progesterone >30 nmol/L during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Common causes of anovulation include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Tubal patency is assessed by hysterosalpingography, hystero-contrast sonography, or more invasively by laparoscopy and dye test. The presence of clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, serum gonadotrophins (luteinising hormone/follicle stimulating hormone) / oestradiol, pelvic ultrasound to assess ovarian morphology / antral follicle count, can help establish the cause of anovulation. Ovulation can be restored in women with PCOS using letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor), clomifene citrate (an oestrogen antagonist) or exogenous gonadotrophin administration. If available, pulsatile gonadotrophin releasing hormone therapy is the preferred option for restoring ovulation in HA. Spermatogenesis can be induced in men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism with exogenous gonadotrophins. Unexplained subfertility can be treated with in vitro fertilisation after 2 years of trying to conceive. Involuntary childlessness is associated with significant psychological morbidity; hence, expert assessment and prompt treatment are necessary to support such couples.
WEB embolization versus stent-assisted coiling: comparison of complication rates and angiographic outcomes
Authors: Kabbasch Christoph , Goertz Lukas , Siebert Eberhard , Herzberg Moriz , Borggrefe Jan , Krischek Boris , Stavrinou Pantelis , Dorn Franziska , Liebig Thomas
Published: July 2019

Background

Intrasaccular flow disruption represents a new paradigm in endovascular treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms.

Objective

To perform a matched case–control study comparing complications and angiographic outcome using the Woven Endobridge (WEB) device and stent-assisted coiling (SAC).

Methods

Sixty-six patients treated with the WEB at three German tertiary care centers were included and matched with 66 patients treated with SAC based on aneurysm location and unruptured/ruptured aneurysm status. Parameters were retrospectively analysed and compared between the treatment groups using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity scores.

Results

Procedural complication rates were 12.1% in the WEB group and 21.2% in the SAC group, which was statistically significant after IPTW adjustment (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.4, p=0.03). Favourable outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≤2) was achieved by 57/66 (86.4%) in the WEB group and 57/66 (86.4%) in the SAC group (p=1.0). At mid-term follow-up, a similar number of aneurysms achieved adequate occlusion (complete occlusion or neck remnant) in the WEB group (93.9%) and in the SAC group (93.9%, p=1.0). Re-treatment was performed in 10.6% after WEB embolization and 12.1% after SAC (p=1.0).

Conclusions

The WEB provides similar mid-term aneurysm occlusion rates to those of SAC, with no additional morbidity and potentially lower complication rates. Long-term outcome analysis will provide a definite conclusion on the use of WEB for intracranial aneurysms.
Insula stroke: the weird and the worrisome
Authors: Raghu Ashley Laurence Bharat , Parker Tariq , van Wyk André , Green Alexander Laurence
Published: July 2019

Infarction of the insula is a common scenario with large tissue-volume strokes in the middle cerebral artery territory. Considered to be part of the central autonomic network, infarction of this region is associated with autonomic disturbances, in particular cardiovascular dysregulation. Risk of aspiration following stroke is also associated with involvement of the insula, consistent with its purported participation in complex functions of the mouth and pharynx. Strokes restricted to the insula are rare and present with a broad range of symptoms that offer a window of insight into the diverse functionality of the insular cortex. Chemosensory, autonomic, vestibular, auditory, somatosensory, language and oropharyngeal functional deficits are all recognised, among others. Long-term sequelae are unknown but profound symptoms, such as hemiparesis, are usually transient. Understanding the patterns of dysfunction highlighted provides the basis for future strategies to optimise stroke management on the discovery of insula involvement.
Why it's a bright idea to look on the bright side
Authors: Barker Penny
Published: July 2019

In the frequently stressful environment that is veterinary practice, it can be tricky to retain a positive outlook. But, as Penny Barker explains, there can be real benefits from a conscious effort to focus on the good.
Five ways to reinforce your mental wellbeing
Authors: Allister Rosie
Published: July 2019

The often demanding nature of veterinary practice can have a negative impact on mental health. Rosie Allister, helpline manager at Vetlife, offers five top tips that can help reinforce your wellbeing.
Reproductive ecology of impoverished pinweed (Lechea intermediavar.depauperata), a fire-associated narrow endemic from the boreal forest
Authors: Crisfield V.E. , Haughland D.L. , Pyle L.A.
Published: July 2019

Impoverished pinweed (Lechea intermedia var. depauperata Hodgdon, Cistaceae) is a narrow endemic restricted to the dry, fire-prone Athabasca Plain in northeastern Alberta and northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. Little is known about the ecology or life history of the taxon that could be used to inform conservation or management decisions. We investigated the reproductive biology of impoverished pinweed to determine whether it exhibits the suite of traits characterizing the temporal disperser syndrome, which is prevalent among Cistaceae species inhabiting fire-prone environments. Specifically, we examined the soil seedbank, characterized seed production, and conducted three sets of germination trials examining the interaction of heat and scarification, burial, and alternate wetting and drying. Our results show that impoverished pinweed is similar to other Cistaceae with respect to seed production, dispersal, and germination, supporting the classification of impoverished pinweed as a temporal disperser. Exposing seeds to temperatures between 125 and 175 °C significantly increased germination as compared with the untreated controls. We discovered an additional cause of seed loss incidentally; here we report the first western Canadian records of Anthonomus pusillus Le Conte, a seed-predating weevil. Our results suggest that the temporal and spatial dynamics of impoverished pinweed populations are strongly shaped by fire and the distribution of soil seedbanks.
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Tests monitored by LabVIEW and Comsol software for electrical and mechanical characteristics.
Authors: sharma snigdha
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a unique cheaper battery safety test bench for electrical and mechanical performance evaluation of lithium-ion batteries where mechanical performance is tested using software and electrical characteristic is tested using hardware. In this work, simulation of mechanical performance of lithium-ion battery such as thermal modelling test at various temperature has been carried out using Comsol software, where battery voltage and temperature are monitored as a control input during a drive cycle and state of charge of the battery on the positive (65-80%) and a negative electrode (14-29%) is monitored and triggered as a control output. A hardware test bench has been developed to execute various electrical tests for evaluating battery performance during a discharge cycle. These electrical tests have been carried out on the LabVIEW software to obtain real-time data and display the battery related information such as voltage and current curves. Further, a battery safety test like external short circuit test has been performed and also for improving the battery efficiency capacitors are connected parallelly with varied load condition. Overall, in this exploration, a newly evolved, accurate, affordable battery testing and monitoring system has been developed.
Antimicrobial Activity of an Amnion-Chorion Membrane to Oral Microbes
Authors: Ashraf Haroon , Font Kerri , Powell Charles , Schurr Michael
Published: July 2019

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate wound biomodification by assessing antimicrobial properties present within a human-derived composite amnion-chorion membrane (ACM). Methods. Membranes analyzed were the human-derived ACM BioXclude™ and the porcine-derived collagen membrane Bio-Gide®. Paper discs with and without tetracycline served as positive and negative controls, respectively. The same number of colony-forming units per milliliter for each bacterial species (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus oralis) was inoculated on each of the discs. Discs from each group were removed at 12 and 24 hours and sonicated to remove the bacteria off the membranes. A serial dilution was performed to quantify bacterial growth. Results. The ACM inhibited growth at all time points, with all bacterial strains, identical to the negative control tetracycline discs. The collagen membrane and positive controls did not inhibit growth of any of the bacterial species throughout the 24-hour study period. P<0.05 for microbial growth on ACM or negative control vs. either collagen membrane or positive control. Conclusion. ACM was proven to be as bactericidal as paper discs inoculated with tetracycline at its minimum bactericidal concentration. The ACM bactericidal property may be beneficial in the early wound healing process.
Noise Source Separation of an Internal Combustion Engine Based on a Single‐Channel Algorithm
Authors: Yao Jiachi , Xiang Yang , Qian Sichong , Wang Shuai
Published: July 2019

The separation and identification technology of noise sources is the focus and hot spot in the field of internal combustion engine noise research. Combustion noise and piston slap noise are the main noise sources of an internal combustion engine. However, both combustion noise and piston slap noise occur almost at the top dead center. They mix in the time domain and frequency domain. It is difficult to accurately and effectively separate them. A single‐channel algorithm which combines time‐varying filtering‐based empirical mode decomposition (TVF‐EMD) and robust independent component analysis (RobustICA) methods is proposed to separate them. Firstly, the TVF‐EMD method is utilized to decompose the single‐channel noise signal into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then, the RobustICA method is applied to extract the independent components. Finally, related prior knowledge and time‐frequency analysis are employed to identify noise sources. Furthermore, the spectral filtering method and the calculation method of piston slap noise based on the dynamic model are further carried out to verify separation results. The simulation and experimental research results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Combination Therapy with Disulfiram, Copper, and Doxorubicin for Osteosarcoma: In Vitro Support for a Novel Drug Repurposing Strategy
Authors: Mandell Jonathan B. , Lu Feiqi , Fisch Matthew , Beumer Jan H. , Guo Jianxia , Watters Rebecca J. , Weiss Kurt R.
Published: July 2019

Although many cancer cells have significantly higher copper concentrations compared with normal cells and tissues, the role of copper in cancer biology and metastatic disease remains poorly understood. Here, we study the importance of copper in osteosarcoma, which frequently metastasizes to the lungs and is often chemoresistant. K12 and K7M2 are murine OS cells with differing metastatic phenotypes: K7M2 is highly metastatic, whereas K12 is much less so. Intracellular copper levels were determined using atomic absorption. Copper transporters were quantified by qPCR. Cytotoxicity of doxorubicin, disulfiram, and copper(II) chloride was assessed with a cell viability fluorescence stain. Additionally, K7M2 viable cell counts were determined by trypan blue exclusion staining after 72 hours of treatment. Copper levels were found to be significantly higher in K12 OS cells than in K7M2 cells. qPCR showed that K12 cells upregulate the copper influx pump CTR1 and downregulate the copper efflux pump ATP7A compared to K7M2 OS cells. Combination treatment of copper chloride (50 nM) with disulfiram (80 nM) was only cytotoxic to K12 cells. Triple treatment with doxorubicin, disulfiram, and copper displayed potent and durable cytotoxicity of highly metastatic K7M2 cells. We demonstrate here that murine OS cell lines differing in metastatic potential also vary in endogenous copper levels and regulation. Additionally, these differences in copper regulation may contribute to selective cytotoxicity of K12 cells by extremely low doses of copper-potentiated disulfiram. The combination of doxorubicin, disulfiram, and copper should be explored as a therapeutic strategy against OS metastases.
Rainwater as a Source of Drinking Water: Health Impacts and Rainwater Treatment
Authors: Khayan Khayan , Heru Husodo Adi , Astuti Indwiani , Sudarmadji Sudarmadji , Sugandawaty Djohan Tjut
Published: July 2019

Rainwater is the main source of drinking water in tropical communities, especially in West Kalimantan. Air contamination causes rainwater to become acidic and cloudy and adds heavy metals such as Pb into rainwater. In addition to pollution, the way in which the rainwater is collected such as through zinc roofing also exposes the rainwater to heavy metals. The presence of Pb in rainwater will have an impact on the health of the community in the long run. The model of simple water treatment using filtration is needed to overcome this problem with the use of media available in the region. The media used are in the form of mollusk sand and activated carbon. In the end, the mollusk sand filtration model and activated carbon sorption were effectively used to filter polluted rainwater to be safe for consumption.
Stopping the Cyberattack in the Early Stage: Assessing the Security Risks of Social Network Users
Authors: Feng Bo , Li Qiang , Ji Yuede , Guo Dong , Meng Xiangyu
Published: July 2019

Online social networks have become an essential part of our daily life. While we are enjoying the benefits from the social networks, we are inevitably exposed to the security threats, especially the serious Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attack. The attackers can launch targeted cyberattacks on a user by analyzing its personal information and social behaviors. Due to the wide variety of social engineering techniques and undetectable zero-day exploits being used by attackers, the detection techniques of intrusion are increasingly difficult. Motivated by the fact that the attackers usually penetrate the social network to either propagate malwares or collect sensitive information, we propose a method to assess the security risk of the user being attacked so that we can take defensive measures such as security education, training, and awareness before users are attacked. In this paper, we propose a novel user analysis model to find potential victims by analyzing a large number of users’ personal information and social behaviors in social networks. For each user, we extract three kinds of features, i.e., statistical features, social-graph features, and semantic features. These features will become the input of our user analysis model, and the security risk score will be calculated. The users with high security risk score will be alarmed so that the risk of being attacked can be reduced. We have implemented an effective user analysis model and evaluated it on a real-world dataset collected from a social network, namely, Sina Weibo (Weibo). The results show that our model can effectively assess the risk of users’ activities in social networks with a high area under the ROC curve of 0.9607.
Drought Analyses of the Horné Požitavie Region (Slovakia) in the Period 1966–2013
Authors: Vido Jaroslav , Nalevanková Paulína , Valach Ján , Šustek Zbyšek , Tadesse Tsegaye
Published: July 2019

This study focuses on the characterization of historical drought occurrences in the Horné Požitavie region of Slovakia over the period 1966–2013 using Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Trend analyses were evaluated by the Mann–Kendall (MK) test as well as cumulative sum of rank difference (CRD) test. The results showed that drought occurs in the region regularly (recurrent climate feature), while the trend analysis indicated the trend toward more arid climatic conditions. However, CRD trend analyses showed that the subtrend changed direction toward less drier conditions in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Analyses of SPEI trends in individual months showed a decreasing trend of drought occurrences during the cold months of the year (i.e., October to March), while an increasing trend was indicated from April to August. The evaluation of the impact of drought on agricultural production based on the oilseed rape yield indicated that drought represents a significant natural risk for the agrarian sector of the region. In addition, August value of the SPEI for six months was evaluated as a good indicator of drought impacts on agriculture. The trend analyses revealed no significant increase of drought impacts on agricultural production within the studied period.
Prolongation Structures and N‐Soliton Solutions for a New Nonlinear Schrödinger‐Type Equation via Riemann‐Hilbert Approach
Authors: Lin Yuxin , Fang Yong , Dong Huanhe
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a new integrable nonlinear Schrödinger‐type (NLST) equation is investigated by prolongation structures theory and Riemann‐Hilbert (R‐H) approach. Via prolongation structures theory, the Lax pair of the NLST equation, a 2 × 2 matrix spectral problem, is derived. Depending on the analysis of red the spectral problem, a R‐H problem of the NLST equation is formulated. Furthermore, through a specific R‐H problem with the vanishing scattering coefficient, N‐soliton solutions of the NLST equation are expressed explicitly. Moreover, a few key differences are presented, which exist in the implementation of the inverse scattering transform for NLST equation and cubic nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. Finally, the dynamic behaviors of soliton solutions are shown by selecting appropriate spectral parameter λ, respectively.
Investigation on the Properties and Distribution of Air Voids in Porous Asphalt with Relevance to the Pb(II) Removal Performance
Authors: Zhao Yao , Tong Lei , Zhu Yating
Published: July 2019

In this study, one type of porous asphalt (PA) mixture was designed at two different air void (AV) contents. Direct information regarding both the dimensional properties and AV distribution within two PA specimens in their natural states were observed, compared, and analyzed based on the X-ray CT (computed tomography) and digital image analysis techniques and fractal geometry theory. The characteristics of AV distribution, including AV content, AV number, and AV volume were quantified by comparing pore structure at different specimen heights. The dimensional properties of voids at different specimen heights were characterized by parameters in terms of equivalent diameter, specific surface area, and fractal dimension. The Pb(II) removal performance of the two PA mixtures was examined by an artificial rainfall event. The relationship between the PA microstructure and Pb(II) removal rate was then determined. It is observed from this study that the overall distribution pattern of AV inside PA specimen is independent of AV content. The distributional parameters including AV content, AV number, and AV volume show good correlations with three dimensional parameters, respectively. The Pb(II) removal in general appears to be independent of AV content because both PA mixtures have the same level of performance in removing Pb(II) during the rainfall period. The removal rate of Pb(II) shows good correlation with AV content, AV number, AV volume, and equivalent diameter of AV, indicating that a perfect distribution of AV within PA mixture is more important than the complex geometries of voids for getting a higher Pb(II) removal during rainfall event and without providing a temporary storage of stormwater in PA mixture. These findings provide an effective evidence to reveal that the AV distribution and properties characteristics have significant implications for pollutant removal in field PA pavement system.
Characterization of Oestrus Cycles in Namibian Swakara and Damara Sheep through Determination of Circannual Plasma Progesterone Levels
Authors: Kandiwa Erick , Mushonga Borden , Madzingira Oscar , Samkange Alaster , Bishi Alec , Tuaandi Dolly
Published: July 2019

A year-long prospective study characterized the seasonality of oestrus cycles in primiparous, nonpregnant Swakara (n=8) and Damara (n=5) ewes through surveillance of plasma progesterone (P4) levels. During this period, Swakara and Damara groups evidently averaged 23 oestrus cycles with an average length of 17 days. Damara ewes showed greater mean peak plasma P4 levels (11.4±0.16ng/ml) than Swakara ewes (5.4±0.11ng/ml) (P<0.05). Oestrus cycles in Damara ewes showed relatively uniform plasma P4 peaks throughout the year ranging from 10.6±0.16 to 12.6±0.24ng/ml. In Swakara ewes, P4 peaks were highest in the autumn oestrus cycles (from 7.1±0.16 to 7.5±0.11ng/ml), rapidly declining through winter to 2.2±0.08ng/ml by midspring and then rapidly increasing to 4.9±0.37ng/ml at the commencement of summer, followed by a gradual increase from 5.7± to 7.1±ng/ml by the start of autumn. The annual mean area under the curve temporal progesterone measurements (AUCPM) in Damara ewes (115.9±18.6ng⁎day/ml) was greater than that in Swakara ewes (58.6±25.3ng⁎day/ml) (p<0.05). For Swakara ewes, the mean AUCPM in summer and autumn cycles (68.2±14.7 and 79.5±10.0ng⁎day/ml, respectively) were greater than those in spring and winter cycles (28.7±12.3 and 55.0±27.3ng⁎day/ml), respectively (P<0.05). There was no seasonal variation in the exposure of the Damara ewes to P4 in between seasons (P>0.05), though, however, the Damara ewes had greater P4 levels than the Swakara ewes (P<0.05). Progesterone profiles showed that Swakara ewes possessed ‘residual’ seasonality, whereas the Damara ewes were no longer seasonal. The implications of this disparity in the seasonal exposure of Swakara and Damara ewes to luteal P4 on fertility warrant further investigation.
Lignosulfonates as Fire Retardants in Wood Flour-Based Particleboards
Authors: Angelini Stefania , Barrio Aitor , Cerruti Pierfrancesco , Scarinzi Gennaro , Garcia-Jaca Javier , Savy Davide , Piccolo Alessandro , Malinconico Mario
Published: July 2019

Wood flour particleboards (WFP), like other wood-based items, require the addition of fire retardants (FRs) to reduce their high flammability. In this work, a waste lignosulfonate (CaLS) from paper mill is used as a low-cost FR to reduce WFP flammability. CaLS is purified by dialysis and the dialysed lignosulfonate (LD) is used, alone or combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), as a FR additive in the preparation of urea-formaldehyde WFP. The fire behaviour of the modified WFPs is studied by cone calorimetry. The use of 15 wt.% LD reduces the peak of heat release rate (HRR) and total smoke production by 25%, also increasing char formation. HRR peak is further reduced up to 40%, if APP is introduced in the formulation. This work discloses a viable and cost-effective strategy for improving the fire retardancy performance of WFP by partial replacement of a commercial FR with a fully renewable additive, isolated through a green and cost-effective process.
Surveillance Opportunities and the Need for Intersectoral Collaboration on Rabies in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nihal Pushpakumara Don Bamunusinghage , Dangolla Ashoka , Hettiarachchi Ranjani , Abeynayake Preeni , Stephen Craig
Published: July 2019

Sri Lanka is progressing towards its goal of eliminating human rabies. This goal rests on programs designed to limit canine rabies, which in turn requires a combination of targeted dog rabies control and a better understanding of the movement of the virus between domestic animals, people, and wildlife. Coordinated and integrated surveillance of the disease between human and animal health sectors underpins successful rabies elimination. Our objective was to review surveillance data from 2005 to 2014 to assemble the first multispecies synthesis of rabies information in Sri Lanka and, in doing so, assess needs and opportunities for a One Health approach to rabies surveillance in the country. Our descriptive epidemiological findings were consistent with other studies showing a decline in human cases, endemic and unchanging numbers of dog cases, a relationship between human density and the occurrence of human and animal cases, and significant gaps in understanding trends in rabies incidences in livestock and wildlife. Assessing the trends in the data from the three government organizations responsible for rabies surveillance was difficult due to lack of information on animal population sizes, unquantified sampling biases due to inequities in access to diagnostic capacities, regulatory and administrative barriers, and a continued reliance on clinical means to establish a diagnosis. The information required for a comprehensive rabies control programme was not standardized or consistent, was not in one place, showed significant gaps in completeness, and was not amenable to routine and rapid analysis. Achieving rabies elimination in Sri Lanka would benefit from harmonization of diagnostic and information management standards across animal and human health sectors as well as equitable access to diagnostic capacity for all regions and species.
Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Reversals in Highly Mature Coal-Derived Gases: A Case Study of Paleozoic Gases in the Southern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Liu Dan
Published: July 2019

The compositional carbon isotopic seriesδ13C-CH4<δ13C-C2H6<δ13C-C3H8<δ13C-C4H10is common in thermogenic gases. With the exploration of deeper strata, however, isotopic reversals (δ13C-CH4>δ13C-C2H6>δ13C-C3H8) in overmature unconventional shale gases and conventional (coal-derived) gases have been identified. Paleozoic gases in the southern Ordos Basin, China, with partial or complete isotopic reversals, were studied as examples of isotopic fractionation in overmature coal-derived gases. Isotopic compositions of gases of different maturities from the Ordos Basin and shale gases from around the world were compared. Results indicate that carbon isotopic series are related to maturity. Complete isotopic reversal occurs mostly in regions with vitrinite reflectanceRo>2.4%. Where2.4%>Ro>2.0%, almost all gases display partial isotopic reversal, withδ13C-CH4>δ13C-C2H6orδ13C-C2H6>δ13C-C3H8. Carbon isotopic reversal in coal-derived gases is not caused by abiotic origin, the mixing of gases from different types of source rock, abiotic polymerization, wet gas cracking, and other mechanisms that contribute to reversal in shale gases. Based on the unique structure of coaly source rock and the geology of the Ordos Basin, closed-system aromatization-polycondensation reactions are considered the most likely cause of carbon isotopic reversal. During the reactions, isotopically light gases are generated by recombination of previously formed hydrocarbons and residual kerogen-coal. Hydrogen isotopic reversal in the southern Ordos Basin might also be caused by aromatization-polycondensation reactions.
Unilateral Retinal Pigment Epithelium Dysgenesis: Long-Term Natural Evolution and Multimodal Imaging
Authors: Riga Paraskevi , Dastiridou Anna , Tzetzi Despoina , Androudi Sofia , Brazitikos Periklis
Published: July 2019

Purpose: To present the natural course and describe the characteristic findings of a case of unilateral retinal pigment epithelium dysgenesis (URPED) and highlight the optical coherence tomography angiography characteristics of this rare fundus pattern. Methods: Case report. Results: A 52-year-old male was referred 8 years ago to our clinic due to a distinctive unilateral lesion in his left fundus, of which he was aware from early adulthood. Clinical evaluation revealed an irregularly shaped patch of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy surrounding his left optic nerve, with a characteristic scalloped border and with severe distortion of the overlying retinal and vascular tissue. Retinal pigment epithelial hyperplasia was noted in the margin as well as in distinct lacunae clustered around the periphery of the lesion. Right fundus examination was normal. The patient was diagnosed with URPED and was followed annually with multimodal imaging ever since. No choroidal neovascularization or other complication was noted. However, the lesion appeared to slowly but steadily grow to eventually affect the foveal region causing severe visual loss. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 at baseline and 20/200 at last follow-up 8 years after the original diagnosis. Conclusion: URPED is a rare retinal disease with unique clinical characteristics that can progress relentlessly even in the absence of secondary complications.
Trichophyton violaceum: An Emerging Pathogen in Southern Switzerland
Authors: Gaviria Morales Elizabeth , Iorizzo Matilde , Martinetti Lucchini Gladys , Mainetti Carlo
Published: July 2019

Background: Trichophyton violaceumis an anthropophilic dermatophyte, endemic in Africa and recently an emerging pathogen in Europe. Objective: To perform a retrospective analysis of dermatophytoses due to T. violaceum between 2007 and 2018, in order to evaluate epidemiological trends in Southern Switzerland (Ticino). Methods: We reviewed all medical records of patients affected by dermatophytosis due to T. violaceum between January 2007 and December 2018 in Bellinzona (Ticino, Switzerland). Results: Dermatophytoses due to T. violaceumwas diagnosed in 44 patients, 33 of which were in the last 4 years. The most affected sex was female (25/44) and the most frequent diagnosis was tinea capitis (30/44). The majority of tinea capitis patients were children younger than 13 years of age (27/30). The main source of contagion were people from endemic areas, especially from Eritrea. Conclusion: In Southern Switzerland T. violaceumhas been rarely diagnosed before 2014. Its increased occurrence seems linked to increased migratory flows from Eritrea. Since it is responsible mainly for tinea capitis, with most of the time no clearly defined alopecia patches, it is important to consider it as a possible diagnosis when facing scalp scaling. Tinea capitis due to T. violaceum is a benign affection, but if left untreated it can spread epidemically, especially among children in schools and kindergartens. Mycological examination is then required, not only for a correct diagnosis and epidemiological data, but also for planning the appropriate treatment.
representação musical do nativo americano no cinema
Authors: Oliveira Juliano de , Souza Rodolfo Coelho de
Published: July 2019

Este artigo busca demonstrar as formas de representação do nativo americano por meio da música no cinema ao longo do século XX, partindo das primeiras coletâneas utilizadas para acompanhamento musical durante o cinema silencioso até a música original composta para filmes dos anos 1930 a 1990. Para tal, estenderemos o conceito de tópica musical, tal como formulado por Ratner, Agawu e Hatten, para o âmbito da música de cinema, a fim de compreender o desenvolvimento das tópicas nativo americano selvagem e nativo americano nobre, bem como experiências de inclusão da autêntica música indígena na trilha musical cinematográfica.
Turbulent Flow Promotes Cleavage of VWF (von Willebrand Factor) by ADAMTS13 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With a Thrombospondin Type-1 Motif, Member 13)
Authors: Bortot Maria , Ashworth Katrina , Sharifi Alireza , Walker Faye , Crawford Nathan C. , Neeves Keith B. , Bark David , Di Paola Jorge
Published: July 2019

Objective—

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome is defined by excessive cleavage of the VWF (von Willebrand Factor) and is associated with impaired primary hemostasis and severe bleeding. It often develops when blood is exposed to nonphysiological flow such as in aortic stenosis or mechanical circulatory support. We evaluated the role of laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow on VWF cleavage and the effects on VWF function.

Approach and Results—

We used a vane rheometer to generate laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow and evaluate the effect of each on VWF cleavage in the presence of ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type-1 motif, member 13). We performed functional assays to evaluate the effect of these flows on VWF structure and function. Computational fluid dynamics was used to estimate the flow fields and forces within the vane rheometer under each flow condition. Turbulent flow is required for excessive cleavage of VWF in an ADAMTS13-dependent manner. The assay was repeated with whole blood, and the turbulent flow had the same effect. Our computational fluid dynamics results show that under turbulent conditions, the Kolmogorov scale approaches the size of VWF. Finally, cleavage of VWF in this study has functional consequences under flow as the resulting VWF has decreased ability to bind platelets and collagen.

Conclusions—

Turbulent flow mediates VWF cleavage in the presence of ADAMTS13, decreasing the ability of VWF to sustain platelet adhesion. These findings impact the design of mechanical circulatory support devices and are relevant to pathological environments where turbulence is added to circulation.
In Defence of Speculative Materialism
Authors: Moir Cat
Published: July 2019

Ernst Bloch’s recourse to speculative philosophy has guaranteed him the position of a perpetual outsider in the history of Western Marxism. When Jürgen Habermas described Bloch’s philosophy in 1960 as a ‘speculative materialism’, it was to denounce him for crossing the boundaries of critical thought set down as much by Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason as by Marx’s critique of political economy. This article argues that Bloch’s speculative materialism deserves to be re-assessed. Contrary to Habermas’s assertion that speculation is divorced from critique, I argue with Bloch that (1) the speculative hypotheses we unavoidably use to interpret the world around us inform our political beliefs and actions, and (2) to stifle speculative thinking as that creative and inquisitive enterprise which questions and transgresses the given is not only a ‘crime against reason’, as Hilary Putnam once claimed, but also a crime against freedom.
Postnarrativism, Historiographical Evaluation, and Truth
Authors: Bricker Adam Michael
Published: July 2019

The problem of historiographical evaluation is simply this: By what evaluative criteria might we say that certain works of historiography are better than others? One recently proposed solution to this problem comes by way of Kuukkanen’s postnarrativist philosophy of historiography.1 Kuukkanen argues that because many historiographically interesting statements lack truth-values, we cannot evaluate historiographical claims on a truth-functional basis. In the place of truth, Kuukkanen suggests that we evaluate historiographical claims in terms of justification. The problem with this proposal, as I will argue here, is that it isn’t at all clear what it means for a neither-true-nor-false claim to be justified. Moreover, this proposal also runs into trouble with the factivity of knowledge. The solution I propose here might be called “two-valued” postnarrativism, which retains Kuukkanen’s framework, except with a stricter ontology devoid of neither-true-nor-false historiographical statements.

In arguing for this approach to historiographical evaluation, this paper will be structured in the following way: First, I’ll describe Kuukkanen’s postnarrativism in more detail, focusing especially on his account of historiographical evaluation (§1). Next, I’ll introduce two problems that accompany this account, one originating from the factivity of knowledge (§2) and the other from trying to divorce justification from the concept of truth (§3). Finally, I argue that not only might these problems be solved by simply committing to all historiographical claims being either true or false, but that Kuukkanen’s account is especially amenable to this (§4).
The Functions and Use of Roman Coinage
Authors: Kemmers Fleur
Published: July 2019

In this publication Fleur Kemmers gives an overview of 21st century scholarship on Roman coinage for students and scholars in the fields of ancient history and Roman archaeology. First, it addresses the study of numismatics as a discipline and the theoretical and methodological advances of the last decades. Secondly, it provides guidelines for how to consult numismatic reference works, including those available online. Recent scholarly approaches and insights in the functions of Roman coins as both vehicles of political communication and instruments for state payments are critically assessed. Furthermore, the publication reviews the evidence for a conscious monetary policy on the part of the Roman authorities. Finally, the impact of Roman expansion and imperialism on monetisation and coin use in Rome´s Empire is discussed.
Sphaeropezia leucocheila sp. nov. (Stictidaceae): a liverwort pathogen from New Zealand
Authors: JOHNSTON P. R. , PARK D. , RENNER M. A. M.
Published: July 2019

Sphaeropezia leucocheila is described as a new species from New Zealand. Known from a single specimen, its fruiting bodies were consistently associated with a patch of dead and dying leaves in a liverwort colony that included several species of Lepidoziaceae. A phylogenetic analysis places this fungus in Sphaeropezia, a genus that includes several putative parasites of liverworts and mosses from the Northern Hemisphere.
Crotalaria kanchiana (Fabaceae), a new species from Balaghat Ranges of Maharashtra, India
Authors: GHOLAVE AVINASH R. , MANE ROHIT N. , GORE RAMCHANDRA D. , KAMBALE SHARAD S. , GAIKWAD SAYAJIRAO P.
Published: July 2019

A new species Crotalaria kanchiana is described and illustrated from Balaghat Ranges and Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra (India). The new species is assigned to section-Calycinae based on its affinities with C. juncea. The Crotalaria kanchiana is morphologically resembling with C. juncea but differs in having 2–6 flowers in inflorescence and 2–4 seeds in a pod.
Redescription of Triplectides misakianus (Matsumura 1931) (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) in Japan with notes on its habitat

Authors: KATSUMA NOBUYUKI , KURANISHI RYOICHI B.
Published: July 2019

Triplectides misakianus (Matsumura 1931) is redescribed on the basis of adults, larvae, and pupae collected in Japan. This report describes the pupal morphology of this species for the first time. A 658-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as a potential “DNA barcode” is provided. The habitat and conservation of the species are discussed.
Structure of the antennal sensilla in the genera Molanna and Molannodes (Trichoptera, Molannidae)

Authors: MELNITSKY STANISLAV I. , IVANOV VLADIMIR D.
Published: July 2019

Sensilla on the antennal flagellum are studied in 6 species of the genus Molanna (M. nigra, M. submarginalis, M. uniophila, M. moesta, M. angustata, and M. albicans) and one species of Molannodes: M. tinctus (Molannidae). Ventrolateral surfaces of basal flagellomeres in molannids are provided with peculiar sensory fields devoid of long trichoids. These fields differ from species to species and have species-dependent morphological features. There are 5 types of sensilla found on the flagellum: Long serrated and ridge-bearing trichoids, short curved smooth trichoids, mushroom-like pseudoplacoids, basiconic and coronal. Functional asymmetry of pheromone communication occurs in Molanna where the volatiles produced only by females coincide with sex-dependent dimorphism of antennae. The structures of the sensory fields and sensilla, especially the pseudoplacoids, are species-specific and can be used for the species discrimination and studies of species relationships. Comparative analysis shows the importance of the characters of both the antennal morphology and the sensilla distribution for taxonomic studies and reconstructions of phylogeny.
Discovery of an obligate cave-dwelling caddisfly (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae) in Japan

Authors: NISHIMOTO HIROYUKI
Published: July 2019

I had a chance to examine polycentropodid caddisfly larvae collected in a cave in Fukui, central Honshu, Japan in 2009. These larvae are unusual in that their heads and pronota are entirely yellow without pigmented muscle scars and their eyes are very small. Surveys from late autumn in 2009 to 2011 in the cave have yielded additional larvae and several adult females. The adult has the usual features of large compound eyes and forewings with white spots on the black ground color. The wing venation is similar to that of Plectrocnemia. The habitat in the cave is described, with particular reference to the evidence of an obligate, troglobite cave-dwelling caddisfly. The larva and adult female are described and illustrated.
Current state of knowledge of a faunal inventory of Trichoptera (Hexapoda, Trichoptera) from the Ural Mountains and neighboring regions

Authors: PAN´KOV NIKOLAY N. , KRASHENINNIKOV ANDREY B.
Published: July 2019

According to current data, the caddisfly fauna of the Urals and neighboring territories consists of 169 species from 18 families. There are 64 species of Trichoptera listed in the Polar Urals and neighboring Yamal Peninsula, 80 species are recorded in the Northern Urals, 80 species inhabit the Middle Urals, 83 species are recorded in the Southern Urals. The highest species diversity is observed in the family Limnephilidae (66 species). Families Leptoceridae (27 species), Hydroptilidae (19 species) and Phryganeidae (13 species) are also characterized by high species richness.
Conducting Field Research Effectively
Authors: Crump Larry
Published: July 2019

This article is concerned primarily with preparing for and conducting field research by examining innovative methods and techniques that support the effectively utilization of our time in the field. Specifically, it examines innovations for identifying and communicating with potential respondents to secure interview appointments. Procuring interview notes is dependent first on the ability to secure interview appointments; however, this aspect of the field research life cycle has received insufficient attention. Securing interviews requires identifying potential respondents through our network of contacts, relevant websites, and traditional and social media. Field research has moved onto the Internet—an innovation that contributes to conducting field research effectively. Once potential respondents are identified, interview appointments are then secured by clearly understanding the mode, content and timing of respondent communication. Interview methods, data recording and data analysis are also considered. When conducted effectively, these purposeful activities produce the interview notes that then become the data used for case analysis. This article concludes by reviewing the field research life cycle.