bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir plus dasabuvir for East Asian non‐cirrhotic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Liu Chen‐Hua , Shih Yu‐Lueng , Yang Sheng‐Shun , Lin Chih‐Lin , Fang Yu‐Jen , Cheng Pin‐Nan , Chen Chi‐Yi , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Hsieh Tsai‐Yuan , Chiu Yen‐Cheng , Su Tung‐Hung , Liu Chun‐Jen , Yang Hung‐Chih , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: April 2019

Background and Aim

Data regarding the efficacy and safety of paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir plus dasabuvir (PrOD) for East Asian non‐cirrhotic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (HCV GT1b) patients receiving hemodialysis were limited.

Methods

Forty‐six HCV GT1b non‐cirrhotic patients receiving hemodialysis who received PrOD for 12 weeks were prospectively enrolled in seven academic centers in Taiwan. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks off‐therapy (SVR12). Patients' baseline characteristics, early virokinetics, and HCV resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) potentially related to SVR12 were analyzed. The safety profiles were also assessed.

Results

The SVR12 rate was 100% (46 of 46 patients). Patients' baseline characteristics, on‐treatment viral decline, and baseline HCV resistance‐associated substitutions did not affect SVR12. All patients tolerated treatment well. One patient with folliculitis temporarily discontinued treatment, and another two patients had serious adverse events (SAEs), which were considered not related to PrOD treatment. The common adverse events were pruritus (19.6%), fatigue (15.2%), and upper respiratory tract infection (6.5%). Twelve (19.6%) and one (2.2%) patients had hemoglobin levels < 10 and 8.5 g/dL, respectively, which were related to renal impairment. Five (10.9%) patients had on‐treatment total bilirubin level of 1.5–3.0 mg/dL, but none developed hepatic decompensation. The bilirubin levels peaked at week 1 of treatment and then declined with continuous treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment with PrOD for 12 weeks is efficacious and well‐tolerated for East Asian non‐cirrhotic HCV GT1b patients receiving hemodialysis.
Environmental impacts and limitations of third‐generation biobutanol: Life cycle assessment of n‐butanol produced by genetically engineered cyanobacteria
Authors: Nilsson Astrid , Shabestary Kiyan , Brandão Miguel , Hudson Elton P.
Published: April 2019

Photosynthetic cyanobacteria have attracted interest as production organisms for third‐generation biofuels, where sunlight and CO2 are used by microbes directly to synthesize fuel molecules. A particularly suitable biofuel is n‐butanol, and there have been several laboratory reports of genetically engineered photosynthetic cyanobacteria capable of synthesizing and secreting n‐butanol. This work evaluates the environmental impacts and cumulative energy demand (CED) of cyanobacteria‐produced n‐butanol through a cradle‐to‐grave consequential life cycle assessment (LCA). A hypothetical production plant in northern Sweden (area 1 ha, producing 5–85 m3 n‐butanol per year) was considered, and a range of cultivation formats and cellular productivity scenarios assessed. Depending on the scenario, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) ranged from 16.9 to 58.6 gCO2eq/MJBuOH and the CED from 3.8 to 13 MJ/MJBuOH. Only with the assumption of a nearby paper mill to supply waste sources for heat and CO2 was the sustainability requirement of at least 60% GHGe savings compared to fossil fuels reached, though placement in northern Sweden reduced energy needed for reactor cooling. A high CED in all scenarios shows that significant metabolic engineering is necessary, such as a carbon partitioning of >90% to n‐butanol, as well as improved light utilization, to begin to displace fossil fuels or even first‐ and second‐generation bioethanol.
Skin cancer‐related coping appraisal among farmers of rural areas: Applying protection motivation theory
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Rakhshandehrou Sakineh , Tezval Jafar , Harooni Javad , Armoon Bahram
Published: April 2019

Background

Skin cancers are the most common malignancies in Iran. According to the statistics, skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Ilam city. This study is conducted to evaluate skin cancer coping of farmers in rural areas of Ilam city.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study. Samples were collected by multistage random sampling. The required data were collected by a researcher‐made questionnaire from 248 farmers in rural areas of Ilam city. Questions were based on the protection motivation theory, and they were related to the subscales of response efficacy, self‐efficacy, and response costs. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

Results

Results of this study indicated that efficacy and perceived self‐efficacy in farmers were low and response cost was high. The efficacy and perceived self‐efficacy were high in 18.1% and 4.8% of farmers, respectively, and only 4.4% of them had low response costs, in association with protective behaviors. Regarding coping appraisal status also results showed that 204 people of farmers (82.3%) were unacceptable, one person (0.4%) was in the borderline, and 43 people (17.3%) were acceptable. There was a statistically significant association between coping appraisal status and education level and also income amount (P < 0.001) but there was no statistically significant association between coping appraisal status and family size (P > 0.670).

Conclusion

The founding proved that a coping appraisal is a beneficial approach for predicting cognitive determinants of skin cancer behavior among rural farmers. The most farmers have been the low level of coping appraisal (82.3% were unacceptable).
Study of antioxidant properties of thylakoids and application in UV protection and repair of UV‐induced damage
Authors: St‐Pierre Annabelle , Blondeau Dorian , Boivin Michelle , Beaupré Vickie , Boucher Nathalie , Desgagné‐Penix Isabel
Published: April 2019

Background

Skin is affected by environmental stress such as ultraviolet exposure. Topically applied antioxidants confer protection against this stress. Spinach thylakoid extracts are plant samples known as photosynthetic membranes containing antioxidant molecules able to dissipate excess of energy and oxidative stress.

Methods

Antioxidant contents and activities were tested in thylakoid extracts stored for different periods at 4°C to compare their efficacities. Cytotoxicity of thylakoids was tested on human THP‐1 cells along with the capacity to protect from oxidative stress using flow cytometry. Protection of thylakoids against ultraviolet was tested on engineered human skin using two formulations and evaluated by electronic microscopy.

Results

Results indicate that thylakoid extracts possess antioxidant molecules that were not significantly affected by storage at 4°C whereas photosynthetic activity was storage‐dependent. Thylakoid extracts were not cytotoxic to human THP‐1 cells, and three extracts protected cells against reactive oxygen species. Moreover, formulation comprising 0.1% or 0.01% of thylakoids and sunscreen provided a synergetic protection against UV exposure. Thylakoid extracts mixed with a neutral cream were also able to repair UV damages on engineered human skin.

Conclusions

Thylakoid extracts contained various antioxidant molecules, and their properties were maintained in over storage at 4°C for more than 72 months. Molecules and enzymes present in thylakoid extracts are involved in protecting and restoring the harmful effects of UV exposure. The involvement of antioxidant molecules such as carotenoids, SOD, and Fe‐S clusters in cellular and regulatory metabolic reactions may explain the observed protective effects.
Health Status and Transitions in Cohabiting Relationships of American Young Adults
Authors: Wagner Brandon
Published: April 2019

Objective: This study examines whether individual health predicts cohabiters' union transitions to marriage in American young adults.

Background: Associations between health and subsequent marital transitions are well documented, but less is known about how health influences transitions of cohabiting relationships. As cohabitation has become a common relationship experience, understanding how health may influence cohabiters' union transitions is an important component of how health shapes relationship exposures more broadly.

Method: Data were taken from Waves III and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, including the supplemental collection of relationship partners conducted during Wave III. Competing‐risk regressions for the transition of cohabiting unions to marriage were estimated in two samples: individuals and a smaller sample of cohabiting couples with information from both partners.

Results: Healthier cohabiters are more likely to marry than are their less healthy counterparts, but only women's health is significantly associated with the transition to marriage. In the dyadic sample with information from both partners, the significant association between the female partner's health and the transition to marriage is robust to male partner characteristics, including health.

Conclusion: Health is an important predictor of cohabitation transitions in early adulthood, but these transitions may only be sensitive to the female partner's health.
Mapping a Reliable Stroke Onset Time Course Using Signal Intensity on DWI Scans
Authors: Chen Michael M. , Chen Patrick M. , Hailey Lovella , Mortin Melissa , Rapp Karen , Agrawal Kunal , Huisa Branko , Modir Royya , Meyer Dawn M. , Hemmen Thomas , Meyer Brett C.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Identifying a last known well (LKW) time surrogate for acute stroke is vital to increase stroke treatment. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) signal intensity initially increases from onset of stroke but mapping a reliable time course to the signal intensity has not been demonstrated.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed stroke code patients between 1/2016 and 6/2017 from the prospective; Institutional review board (IRB) approved University of California San Diego Stroke Registry. Patients who had magnetic resonance imaging of brain from onset, with or without intervention, are included. All ischemic strokes were confirmed and timing from onset to imaging was calculated. Raw DWI intensity is measured using IMPAX software and compared to contralateral side for control for a relative DWI intensity (rDWI). LKW and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) time were collected by chart review. Correlation is assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient between DWI intensity, rDWI, and time to MRI imaging. 1.5T, 3T, and combined modalities were examined.

RESULTS

Seventy‐eight patients were included in this analysis. Overall, there was statistically significant positive correlation (.53, P < .001) between DWI intensity and LKW time irrespective of scanner strength. Using 1.5T analyses, there was good correlation (.46, P < .001). 3T MRI analysis further showed comparatively stronger positive correlation (.66, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is good correlation between DWI intensity and minutes from onset to MRI. This suggests a time‐dependent DWI intensity response and supports the potential use of DWI intensity measurements to extrapolate an LKW time. Further studies are being pursued to increase both experience and generalizability.
An Economic Analysis of Updating and Expanding School Breakfast Program Offerings in High Schools
Authors: Shanafelt Amy , Magliocco Brandon , Milbrath Kathleen , Nanney Marilyn (Susie) , Caspi Caitlin
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

School breakfast is an important nutritional component of a student's day. Many schools operate a school breakfast program, but high schools have low rates of participation. This study aimed to investigate the economic impact on school food service, of expanding the school breakfast program to increase participation in high schools.

METHODS

Ten rural high schools participated in the economic analysis of expanding their school breakfast program. Schools provided data on costs of daily operation and start‐up costs. Analyses calculated the daily breakeven point, revenue, cost, and days needed to recoup costs.

RESULTS

Schools sold enough breakfast meals to break even on daily costs of operating an expanded program. Schools saw daily profits ranging from $196–$432 and recouped costs associated with expanding the breakfast program within 15–46 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Expanding the school breakfast program can be economical for schools, while increasing student exposure to the health and academic benefits of school breakfast.
Fast and slow thinking; and the problem of conflating clinical reasoning and ethical deliberation in acute decision‐making
Authors: Preisz Anne
Published: April 2019

Expertise in a medical specialty requires countless hours of learning and practice and a combination of neural plasticity and contextual case experience resulting in advanced gestalt clinical reasoning. This holistic thinking assimilates complex segmented information and is advantageous for timely clinical decision‐making in the emergency department and paediatric or neonatal intensive care units. However, the same agile reasoning that is essential acutely may be at odds with the slow deliberative thought required for ethical reasoning and weighing the probability of patient morbidity. Recent studies suggest that inadequate ethical decision‐making results in increased morbidity for patients and that clinical ethics consultation may reduce the inappropriate use of life‐sustaining treatment. Behavioural psychology research suggests there are two systems of thinking – fast and slow – that control our thoughts and therefore our actions. The problem for experienced clinicians is that fast thinking, which is instinctual and reflexive, is particularly vulnerable to experiential biases or assumptions. While it has significant utility for clinical reasoning when timely life and death decisions are crucial, I contend it may simultaneously undermine the deliberative slow thought required for ethical reasoning to determine appropriate therapeutic interventions that reduce future patient morbidity. Whilst health‐care providers generally make excellent therapeutic choices leading to good outcomes, a type of substitutive thinking that conflates clinical reasoning and ethical deliberation in acute decision‐making may impinge on therapeutic relationships, have adverse effects on patient outcomes and inflict lifelong burdens on some children and their families.
Intestinal microbiota of broilers submitted to feeding restriction and its relationship to hepatic metabolism and fat mass: Fast‐growing strain
Authors: Lunedo Raquel , Furlan Luiz R. , Fernandez‐Alarcon Miguel F. , Squassoni Gustavo H. , Campos Daniel M. B. , Perondi Dani , Macari Marcos
Published: April 2019

The present study was conducted to verify how feed restriction affects gut microbiota and gene hepatic expression in broiler chickens and how these variables are related to body weight gain. For the experiment, 21‐d‐old Cobb500TM birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments: T1. Control (ad libitum—3.176 Mcal/kg ME—metabolizable energy—and 19% CP—crude protein); T2. Energetic restriction (2.224 Mcal/kg ME and 19% CP) from 22 to 42 days with consumption equivalent to control; T3. Quantitative restriction (70% restriction, i.e., restricted broilers ingested only 30% of the quantity consumed by the control group—3.176 Mcal/kg ME and 19% CP) for 7 days, followed by refeeding ad libitum from 28 to 42 days. Ileum and caecum microbiota collections were made at 21, 28 and 42 days of age. Hepatic tissue was collected at 28 and 42 days old for relative gene expression analyses. At 43‐d‐old, body composition was quantified by DXA (Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry). Both feed restriction programmes decreased Lactobacillus and increased Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae counts. No differences were found in the refeeding period. Energetic restriction induced the expression of CPT1‐A (Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A) gene, and decreased body fat mass. Quantitative feed restriction increased lipogenic and decreased lipolytic gene expression. In the refeeding period, CPT1‐A gene expression was induced, without changing the broilers body composition. Positive associations were found between BWG (Body Weight Gain) and Lactobacillus and Clostridium cluster IV groups, and negatively associations with Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus bacterial groups. In conclusion, differences found in microbiota were similar between the two feed restriction programmes, however, hepatic gene expression differences were only found in quantitative restriction. Higher counts of Lactobacillus and Clostridium cluster IV groups in ileum are likely to be related to better broiler performance and low expression of lipogenic genes.
Respiratory polygraphy in children with sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Gudnadottir Gunnhildur , Hafsten Louise , Redfors Staffan , Ellegård Eva , Hellgren Johan
Published: April 2019

At‐home respiratory polygraphy has been shown to be a reliable substitute for in‐laboratory polysomnography in adults for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, but this is less well studied in children. One aim of this study was to examine the quality of at‐home respiratory polygraphy in children with sleep‐disordered breathing and to evaluate the interrater reliability of the results. Another aim was to study whether calibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) flow can be used for the scoring of respiratory events when the airflow measurements are unreliable. Children aged 4–10 years, with sleep‐disordered breathing, underwent at‐home respiratory polygraphy. Of 113 polygraphies, only 46% were of acceptable quality, with missing nasal airflow being the most common problem (40%). The median recorded time with artifact‐free signal present in three traces simultaneously was 228 min (0–610 min). Seventeen polygraphy studies were selected for further study. Each study was scored by two independent scorers, with and without the nasal airflow signal present, the latter relying on RIP flow for the scoring of respiratory events. The apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) from the four different measurements was compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Comparison of the two scorers showed moderate agreement, with (ICC = 0.66) and without (ICC = 0.53) nasal airflow. One scorer had good agreement between AHI with and without nasal airflow (ICC = 0.81), whereas the other had poor agreement (ICC = 0.12). In conclusion, the scoring of respiratory events based on RIP flow is scorer dependent even for experienced scorers. The nasal airflow signal is frequently missing in paediatric respiratory polygraphies, which limits the usefulness of the method.
Pharmacokinetics of levamisole in the red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Corum Orhan , Durna Corum Duygu , Atik Orkun , Altan Feray , Er Ayse , Uney Kamil
Published: April 2019

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of levamisole were determined in red‐eared slider turtles after single intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administration. Nine turtles received levamisole (10 mg/kg) by each route in a three‐way crossover design with a washout period of 30 days. Blood samples were collected at time 0 (pretreatment), and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hr after drug administration. Plasma levamisole concentrations were determined by a high‐performance liquid chromatography assay. Data were analyzed by noncompartmental methods. The mean elimination half‐life was 5.00, 7.88, and 9.43 hr for IV, IM, and SC routes, respectively. The total clearance and volume of distribution at steady state for the IV route were 0.14 L hr−1 kg−1 and 0.81 L/kg, respectively. For the IM and SC routes, the peak plasma concentration was 9.63 and 10.51 μg/ml, respectively, with 0.5 hr of Tmax. The bioavailability was 93.03 and 115.25% for the IM and SC routes, respectively. The IM and SC route of levamisole, which showed the high bioavailability and long t1/2ʎz, can be recommended as an effective way for treating nematodes in turtles.
Environmental factor(s) and animal vector(s) associated with atypical Aeromonas hydrophila abundance and dissemination among channel catfish ponds
Authors: Cunningham Fred L. , Hanson‐Dorr Katie C. , Ford Lorelei , Middleton David R. , Crain Alex , Durst Lanna , Ware Cynthia , Griffin Matt J. , Mischke Charles C. , Wan Xiu‐Feng , Hanson Larry A.
Published: April 2019

Fish‐eating birds prey and scavenge on catfish ponds with outbreaks of an emergent, atypical Aeromonas hydrophila (AAH) and may play a critical role in the pond‐to‐pond spread of AAH. The objectives of this study were to: (a) determine if great egrets that consumed AAH‐infected fish shed enough AAH in their feces to cause a disease outbreak and (b) determine the environmental factor(s) and animal vector(s) associated with epidemic AAH dissemination. Three experimental catfish ponds within an aviary facility were stocked with naïve channel catfish fingerlings. Individually housed egrets were fed catfish fingerlings injected with AAH (treatment, Ponds 1 and 3) or uninfected catfish (control, Pond 2) and then placed in their ponds. Ponds 1 and 2 had no detectable fish mortality, whereas in Pond 3, mortality occurred on Days 15–29. Beginning on Day 15, AAH was recovered from fish, pond water, chironomids, aquatic invertebrates, snails, and mud from Pond 3. Egrets can transfer viable AAH between ponds, resulting in AAH colonization of invertebrates and fish mortality. This information is critical to understand the risk factors and epidemiology associated with the spread of AAH between catfish ponds and farms to develop best management practices for ponds before and after an AAH mortality event.
The copyright reward system and content owners in the creative industry: A study of the Malaysian film and TV industry
Authors: Alavi Rokiah , Azmi Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani
Published: April 2019

The creative industry is identified as one of the key drivers to move Malaysia into a high income and knowledge‐based economy. Copyright law and complementary policies were used as measures to stimulate the creative industry. However, the industry's growth is far from the expectation. This leads to a two‐prong inquiry. First, the paper attempts to examine the adequacy of copyright rules and provisions in securing the rights of the creators and provide them with the motivation to produce more creative works. The aim is to explore the dynamics between the various copyright beneficiaries in the creative industry in Malaysia to understand what are the actual problems that deprive the copyright owners from reaping the full value of the exclusive rights granted to them. The second objective is to examine whether the copyright provisions are aligned with complementary policies implemented to boost the creative content industry. Our primary contention is that both the legal reforms and complementary policies used to support the industry need to be revisited. The legal reforms must be aligned with the structure and dynamics of power in the industry to give all the beneficiaries an equal bargaining plane to take advantage of the copyright system.
Emission permits and the dynamics of clean and dirty firms in an evolutionary competition model
Authors: Antoci Angelo , Borghesi Simone , Iannucci Gianluca , Russu Paolo
Published: April 2019

Emission Trading Systems (ETSs) are today regarded as the pillar of market‐based environmental policies in many countries. This paper studies the impact of an ETS on the dynamics of the market made up of two types of firms: clean and dirty. Using an evolutionary context, we study how the share of clean firms evolves at different parameter values, such as increasing values of the permits’ price floor, and show that an ETS can have positive effects on the diffusion of the clean technology. However, numerical simulations show that under specific parameter values the opposite result may emerge with clean firms leaving the market.
‘Blinded by the Desire of Riches’: Corruption, Anger and Resolution in the Two‐Part Notre Dame Conductus Repertory
Authors: WOODWARD REBEKAH E.
Published: April 2019

This article examines anger and one of the ways it was expressed by the secular clergy at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Applying Barbara Rosenwein's idea of an ‘emotional community’ to the secular clergy, I consider what we know about the authors and composers of the mostly anonymous conductus repertory and how these men might have acceptably expressed their anger at wrongdoing in the Church. I also examine George Lakoff and Zoltán Kövecses's responses to anger and discuss how the secular clergy react to feelings of anger through non‐prototypical responses. I examine briefly the texts of the nineteen two‐part conductus without melismas in the manuscript Florence, Biblioteca Medicea‐Laurenziana, Pluteus 29.1 (F), before focusing on five of these conductus, the texts of which convey anger. An analysis of the frequency and use of intervals in these works places their composition at the time when the celebrated theologian Peter the Chanter and his students were at Notre Dame; in addition, it demonstrates the way that intervals highlight significant words that convey the angry theme of the text. I also discuss the use of descending melodic motives, one of which occurs most frequently in the conductus with texts that express anger.
Role of echocardiography in the assessment of right ventricular function in the pediatric population
Authors: Kamra Komal , Punn Rajesh
Published: April 2019

This review article summarizes the use of echocardiography in the evaluation of the right ventricle with special emphasis on pediatric patients. After reading this article, anesthesiologists will develop a better understanding of the anatomy and echocardiographic parameters for hemodynamic and functional assessment of the right ventricle. This knowledge will assist with the perioperative management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorder.
Idiopathic toxic epidermal necrolysis in an adolescent
Authors: O'Brien Kathleen F. , Maiman Rachel E. , Marathe Kalyani
Published: April 2019

A 10‐year‐old girl, suspected 2 days prior to have streptococcal pharyngitis, presented with diffuse erythema, tense bullae, Nikolsky‐positive desquamation, as well as ulcerations of her oral and genital mucosa. She denied recent travel, sick contacts, or preceding and concurrent use of medications, including over‐the‐counter and herbal supplements. A comprehensive viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel, Mycoplasma pneumoniae PCR and IgM, streptococcal molecular antigen test, urine culture, blood culture, and rheumatologic serologies were negative. Based on the patient's clinical presentation and biopsy results, she was diagnosed with idiopathic toxic epidermal necrolysis.
The Perils of Parole Hearings: California Lifers, Performative Disadvantage, and the Ideology of Insight
Authors: Shammas Victor L.
Published: April 2019

Following a series of transformative political and legal battles, California's overcrowded prison system has moved in the direction of moderate decarceration. A softer stance on punishment means that thousands of previously ineligible inmates serving indeterminate sentences are now being considered for release on parole. Drawing on ethnographic observations of twenty parole hearings in one California men's prison, this study outlines how rehabilitation has come to be enmeshed in a logic of punitivity, as parole commissioners subject inmates to an individualizing gaze that misrecognizes the socially embedded nature of their performance. Parole commissioners are tasked with assessing dangerousness, deploying a multifaceted conception of risk that combines formalized actuarial instruments and evaluative judgments to form the inchoate and contradictory notion of “insight.” Inmates are expected to demonstrate this if they are to be released, but what is insight? Parole boards assume that it is a valid indicator of future behavior and probable recidivism, and parole commissioners posit that successful inmates will be capable of demonstrating authentic remorse and insight, unimpeded by the constraints of an austere and dangerous carceral environment. However, the discretionary criteria established by the penal system are limited by the deleterious living conditions established by this same penal system.
The Effect of Group Polarization on Opposition to Donald Trump
Authors: Bekafigo Marija A. , Stepanova Elena V. , Eiler Brian A. , Noguchi Kenji , Ramsey Kathleen L.
Published: April 2019

Using focus groups, we examined support and opposition for Donald Trump prior to the 2016 presidential election. When ingroup members participate in discussion, this conversation alone typically strengthens and intensifies members’ initial attitudes. We used a pre‐ to post‐focus‐group questionnaire to assess attitudes toward Trump, his campaign, and policies. We argue that group polarization influenced people’s opinions about Trump such that attitudes became more extreme after discussion with like‐minded individuals. We report changes for Trump nonsupporters for which group polarization occurred on attitudes toward illegal immigration, political correctness, the military, women, and veterans after the group discussion. For each, level of support for Trump’s views decreased. To further explore potential psychological mechanisms associated with group polarization, we employed network science methods to examine the structure of the language associated with these issues and identify potential drivers of attitude change. Results provide some support for a common mechanism for group polarization, which may be driven by language dynamics specific to individual attitudes.
Tinocladia sanrikuensis sp. nov. (Ectocarpales s.l., Phaeophyceae) from Japan
Authors: Hanyuda Takeaki , Takeuchi Kazusa , Kawai Hiroshi
Published: April 2019

The new species Tinocladia sanrikuensis sp. nov. H.Kawai, K.Takeuchi & T.Hanyuda (Ectocarpales s.l., Phaeophyceae) is described from the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region, northern Japan based on morphology and DNA sequences. The species is a spring–summer annual growing on lower intertidal to upper subtidal rocks and cobbles on relatively protected sites. T. sanrikuensis has a slimy, cylindrical, multiaxial erect thallus, slightly hollow when fully developed, branching once to twice, and resembles T. crassa in gross morphology. The erect thalli are composed of a dense medullary layer, long subcortical filaments, and assimilatory filaments of 11–35 cells, up to 425 μm long and curved in the upper portion. Unilocular zoidangia are formed on the basal part of assimilatory filaments. The species is genetically most closely related to T. crassa and has the same basic thallus structures but differs in having thinner and longer assimilatory filaments. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cox1 and cox3, chloroplast atpB, psaA, psbA and rbcL genes support the distinctness of this species.
Abnormal performance monitoring but intact response inhibition in sensation seeking
Authors: Zheng Ya , Mei Shuting , Yi Wei , Li Qi , Liu Xun
Published: April 2019

The sensation‐seeking trait is a potential endophenotype for various addictive behaviors. Using a nonclinical sample, the current ERP study examined the effects of sensation seeking on performance monitoring and response inhibition. Twenty high sensation seekers and 21 low sensation seekers were selected from a large sample based on their sensation‐seeking score and performed a stop‐signal task while their EEG was recorded. High relative to low sensation seekers displayed similar response inhibition in terms of performance measure and stop‐P3 amplitudes. Compared to low sensation seekers, however, high sensation seekers exhibited a reduced stop‐N2 for unsuccessful, but not successful, inhibition. Moreover, an enhanced go‐N2 in response to go signals was observed for high versus low sensation seekers, irrespective of whether the go signals were followed by a stop signal or not. Together, our findings suggest that sensation seeking in nonclinical populations is related to individual variability in performance monitoring rather than response inhibition, which provides important implications for the prevention and intervention of addictive behaviors that are driven by trait sensation seeking.
Alternatives to post‐processing posterior predictive p values
Authors: Gåsemyr Jørund , Scheel Ida
Published: April 2019

The posterior predictive p value (ppp) was invented as a Bayesian counterpart to classical p values. The methodology can be applied to discrepancy measures involving both data and parameters and can, hence, be targeted to check for various modeling assumptions. The interpretation can, however, be difficult since the distribution of the ppp value under modeling assumptions varies substantially between cases. A calibration procedure has been suggested, treating the ppp value as a test statistic in a prior predictive test. In this paper, we suggest that a prior predictive test may instead be based on the expected posterior discrepancy, which is somewhat simpler, both conceptually and computationally. Since both these methods require the simulation of a large posterior parameter sample for each of an equally large prior predictive data sample, we furthermore suggest to look for ways to match the given discrepancy by a computation‐saving conflict measure. This approach is also based on simulations but only requires sampling from two different distributions representing two contrasting information sources about a model parameter. The conflict measure methodology is also more flexible in that it handles non‐informative priors without difficulty. We compare the different approaches theoretically in some simple models and in a more complex applied example.
Suicidal Thinking and Behavior in Adolescents at Ultra‐High Risk of Psychosis: A Two‐year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Pelizza Lorenzo , Poletti Michele , Azzali Silvia , Paterlini Federica , Garlassi Sara , Scazza Ilaria , Chiri Luigi Rocco , Pupo Simona , Raballo Andrea
Published: April 2019

Objective

Suicide risk in subjects at Ultra‐High Risk of psychosis (UHR) has been rarely assessed in adolescence, but it is of obvious importance for prognostic and clinical care reasons. In this study, we aimed to prospectively assess suicide risk and behaviors in UHR adolescents.

Method

We examined 112 help‐seeking adolescents (13–18 years, 50% males, 83.9% Caucasian) that were enrolled in the Reggio Emilia At‐Risk Mental States (ReARMS) project and followed up for 2 years. Specific items derived from the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) were used to assess suicide risk. Suicide attempts and completed suicides were also recorded.

Results

Baseline assessment detected 40 UHR adolescents, 32 FEP (first‐episode psychosis), and 40 non‐UHR/FEP. We found that 67.5% of UHR adolescents had suicidal ideation, and 18.5% to severe degree. Attempted suicide before enrollment was higher in the UHR group than in non‐UHR/FEP peers (17.5% vs. 2.5%). BDI‐II suicidal ideation severity was stable at 12‐month follow‐up and decreased at 24‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of suicidal ideation among UHR adolescents was found and supports the routine monitoring of risk of self‐injurious thinking and behavior in this at‐risk population.
Association of self‐reported physical fitness with pain during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT Project
Authors: Marín‐Jiménez Nuria , Acosta‐Manzano Pedro , Borges‐Cosic Milkana , Baena‐García Laura , Coll‐Risco Irene , Romero‐Gallardo Lidia , Aparicio Virginia A.
Published: April 2019

Aims

To explore the association of self‐reported physical fitness with bodily, lumbar and sciatic pain, and pain disability during pregnancy.

Methods

The present study sample comprised 159 pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.7 years old). Self‐reported physical fitness was assessed with the International Fitness Scale (IFIS), where higher scores indicate greater physical fitness. Bodily pain was assessed with the 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36), where higher scores indicate lower pain. Lumbar and sciatic pain were measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire was employed to assess the disability resulting from pain. Measures were assessed at 16th and 34th gestational weeks (g. w.).

Results

Pregnant women showed low‐moderate pain during pregnancy course. Most of them showed medium self‐reported overall physical fitness. At 16th g. w., greater self‐reported overall physical fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with less bodily and lumbar pain, and pain disability (all, P < 0.05). Greater muscular strength was associated with less bodily pain and pain disability (both, P < 0.05). Greater speed‐agility was associated with less bodily pain (P < 0.01) and less pain disability (P < 0.05). Self‐reported flexibility was not associated with any outcome (P > 0.05). At 34th g. w., greater overall physical fitness and its components were associated with less bodily and sciatic pain (all, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Greater self‐reported overall physical fitness and its components are associated with less bodily, lumbar and sciatic pain, and reduced pain disability during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to explore whether increasing physical fitness before and during pregnancy could decrease pain in this relevant stage.
High‐resolution quantitative acoustic microscopy of cutaneous carcinoma and melanoma: Comparison with histology
Authors: Youssef Sarah , Seviaryna Inna , Shum David , Maeva Elena , Malyarenko Eugene , Rahman Naila , Maev Roman Gr.
Published: April 2019

Background

The increased incidence rate of skin cancers during the last decades is alarming. One of the significant difficulties in the histopathology of skin cancers is appearance variability due to the heterogeneity of diseases or tissue preparation and staining process. This study aims to investigate whether the high‐resolution acoustic microscopy has the potential for identifying and quantitatively classifying skin cancers.

Material/Methods

Unstained standard formalin‐fixed skin tissue samples were used for ultrasonic examination. The high‐frequency acoustic microscope equipped with the 320 MHz transducer was utilized to visualize skin structure. Fourier transform was performed to calculate the sound speed and attenuation in the tissue.

Results

The acoustic images demonstrate good concordance with the traditional histology images. All histological features in the tumour were easily identifiable on acoustic images. Each skin cancer type has its combination of ultrasonic properties significantly different from the healthy skin.

Conclusions

High‐resolution acoustic imaging strengthened with quantitative analysis shows a potential to work as an auxiliary imaging modality assisting pathologists to lean to the particular decision in doubtful cases. The method can also assist surgeon to ensure the complete resection of a tumour.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DRB1*14:207 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Elsermans Vincent , Visentin Jonathan , Top Isabelle , Varlet Pauline , Labalette Myriam
Published: April 2019

HLA‐DRB1*14:207 differs from HLA‐DRB1*14:54:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at codon 140 in exon 3.
“Rights of nature” in translation: Assemblage geographies, boundary objects, and translocal social movements
Authors: Kinkaid Eden
Published: April 2019

In the last 15 years, “rights of nature” as a concept and legal apparatus has spread across various sites and scales of environmental governance throughout the world. This paper examines the rights of nature phenomenon, focusing on a recent decision by the High Court of Uttarakhand, India to grant legal personhood to the Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna rivers and associated natural entities. Arguing against “diffusionist” and “global” approaches to understanding the rights of nature phenomenon, and drawing on the concept of translocal assemblages, I emphasise the place‐based specificities of these decisions in addition to their translocal connections. Through a close reading of the Uttarakhand case, I demonstrate the need to situate translocal social movements in place by attending to the manner in which “rights of nature” becomes articulated through specific practices, cultural meanings, material networks, human–environment relations, legal regimes, governance structures, and political projects in culturally and geographically specific ways with often counterintuitive outcomes. Rather than seeing “rights of nature” as a global movement or network manifesting at various scales, I consider it as a boundary object connecting translocal assemblages of environmental governance through acts of translation. In doing so, I push assemblage geographies to engage theoretical problems of difference, boundaries, and translation that have yet to be addressed in this emerging paradigm.
The association between platelet transfusions and mortality in patients with critical illness
Authors: Ning Shuoyan , Liu Yang , Barty Rebecca , Cook Richard , Rochwerg Bram , Iorio Alfonso , Warkentin Theodore E. , Heddle Nancy M. , Arnold Donald M.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Platelet (PLT) transfusions are frequently administered in the setting of critical illness but their clinical impacts remain unknown. This study examined the association between PLT transfusions and death in a large intensive care unit (ICU) patient population.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using a transfusion registry spanning 2008 to 2015, this study assessed effect of in‐ICU PLT transfusions on ICU and in‐hospital mortality using a stratified, time‐dependent Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for illness severity, thrombocytopenia, and other confounders. Patients with known malignancy were excluded. Exposure to PLT transfusions were analyzed dichotomously (ever or never transfused) and continuously (number of transfusions). Medical, general surgery, and cardiac surgery subgroups were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

Overall 32,842 adult patients were admitted to ICU, and 4927 patients received PLT transfusion(s). Crude in‐ICU and in‐hospital mortality were higher for PLT‐transfused patients compared to nontransfused patients (9.2% vs. 6.7% and 12.3% vs. 9.3%, respectively). After confounders were adjusted for, PLT transfusions (ever vs. never) were not associated with increased mortality in ICU (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60‐1.02; p = 0.06) or in hospital (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.68‐1.09; p = 0.41). Continuous exposure analysis also showed no association between PLT transfusions and death. PLT transfusions have a protective effect on in‐hospital mortality in the subgroup of general surgery patients (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51‐0.99; p = 0.04; ever or never analysis).

CONCLUSION

Platelet transfusions were not associated with increased risk of death in critically ill patients. Further studies are required to identify subgroups for which PLT transfusions may be beneficial.
BRANDING LANGKAWI ISLAND AS A GEOPARK DESTINATION
Authors: Mohd Yusof Mohd Fadil , Ismail Hairul Nizam , Ahmad Ghazali
Published: April 2019

The objective of this study is to examine the issues and challenges of making a geopark status as a destination brand to promote sustainable tourism. It briefly describes the process of obtaining geopark status based on the experience with Langkawi Island, Malaysia which was designated in 2007. 35 individuals were interviewed representing various important stakeholders such as different level of managers of a development authority, National Tourism Organization, tourism operators and local community concerning their expectations, government initiatives, and acceptance towards promoting Langkawi Geopark as a brand. The findings indicate that most of the stakeholders support and accept the Langkawi Geopark as a global brand that recognised by UNESCO. However, most of them are still confused about the Geopark concept in terms of its implementations and the actions needed to protect the brand. More concerted efforts are needed to create the Geopark brand awareness especially among local community and business operators. It is necessary to educate these stakeholders about the benefits of having the geopark status in order to use the brand to promote sustainable tourism development on the island.
FLEA MARKET TOURISM : A REVIEW OF MOTIVATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIALISED TOURIST SEGMENTATION
Authors: Mohd Hazlan Hazlina Aniza , Ismail Hairul Nizam , Syed Jaafar Syed Muhammad Rafy
Published: April 2019

This is a conceptual paper address the opportunity of flea market as a trend which begins to receive recognition as one of tourism product; or in other word so called flea market tourism. Nowadays, flea market capturing attention as one of the weekend activities for visitor and tourist either inbound or outbound region. One of the most establish flea market in Malaysia and listed in booklet titled Malaysia Flea Market Galore is an indoor flea market in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. It has been selling antique, collectibles and used goods from various era. However, while the rise of flea market tourism has been understood in developed country, the research in the developed country such as Malaysia is still limited. Therefore, this paper attended to examine the factors relevant to the motivation of this specialised tourism market. Understanding of the characteristics of flea market in Malaysia context is very vital to flourish the maximum experience in order to allow the activities to occurred. As a result, variable for flea market in creating demand and the need to capture the market can be fully understood. The variable of factor discussed in this paper involve uniqueness of the market, variety of products, leisure activities, treasure-hunting, affordable items and local cultures. Thus, the distinctive features of the flea market tourism will be able to be promoted as a complete tourism product.
THE PROPENSITY OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING AND INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Authors: Mohamed Salleh Rozana , Mustaffa Nur Emma , Abdul Rahiman Nafisah , Tajul Ariffin Hamizah Liyana , Othman Norazam
Published: April 2019

The Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation is to create a centralised knowledge sharing resource that contains all the necessary design and operational information about the project. BIM is a collaborative approach and integrated project delivery to design and delivery embraced by various construction teams in the construction projects. In the context of the most suitable project delivery to be used, with regards to the use of BIM, the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach is highlighted as the best method which correlates building procurement of the design-to-construction business process through literature review analysis. IPD is developed as project delivery system that integrates people in effective collaborative approach between the key players in the project. IPD is going to be particularly beneficial for BIM because the contracts relation between the contractor, designers, consultants, constructors, sub-contractors and suppliers were binded and expressly determined at earlier stage. This relationship between these two subjects will helped the project team to achieve the project goals in terms of timely schedule, life cycle costs, quality and sustainability in construction project. Therefore, this study investigates on the propensity of the best methodology of project delivery system which can correlate with procurement adoption for projects adapt BIM concept. This is a descriptive study and the method used is based on review of the literature in relation to BIM and IPD. The analysis revealed that propensity of adopting IPD project delivery and the adoption of BIM are based on these factors: improve the communication, closer collaboration; liability and legal relationships are specifically determined, the best quality outcome; and lastly with reductions in design and construction period, it provides a cost effectiveness and a saving in overall construction period.