bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract P3047: Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Stimulators And Activators Inhibit Hypoxia-induced Placental Sflt-1 Levels
Authors: Patel Bijalben , Bakrania Bhavisha , Granger Joey
Published: September 2019

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by placental ischemia, maternal endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension. The ischemic placenta releases anti-angiogenic factors, such as sFlt-1, which antagonizes the angiogenic factors, Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), causing endothelial dysfunction and impaired nitric oxide (NO) signaling. During normal pregnancy, NO would bind soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) increasing cGMP levels leading to vasodilation. However, in PE this signaling is reduced. sGC stimulators and activators are a novel class of drug that directly stimulate sGC despite low levels of NO. Our preliminary data suggest that sGC modulators reduce hypertension in an animal model of PE, but the mechanisms are not known. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that sGC stimulators (Riociguat) and activators (Cinaciguat) attenuate sFlt-1 production and increase PlGF levels in the placenta. Placentas were obtained from normal pregnant rats on gestational day 19. Isolated placental villi were plated (1 per well) and coated with Matrix Matrigel Basement Membrane. The villi were treated with various doses of sGC modulators (0.2μM, 1μM, 10μM, 30μM) and then exposed to a hypoxic environment (1% oxygen) for 48 hours. Levels of sFlt-1, PlGF, and VEGF were determined using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit.sFlt-1 concentration was significantly reduced in both groups treated with the stimulator or activator compared to the untreated group. The greatest attenuation was observed with the 30μM sGC activator treatment (Untreated, 5117±1313 pg/mL; 30μM sGC stimulator, 3975±621pg/mL, 30μM sGC activator, 3811±712 pg/mL, P<0.05). PlGF was not significantly different between groups, however, VEGF concentrations were significantly increased at higher doses (Untreated, 3099±100 pg/mL; 30μM sGC stimulator, 3871±449 pg/mL 30μM sGC activator, 3952±252 pg/mL; p<0.05). These data suggest that sGC modulators significantly attenuate sFlt-1 and thus, improve the sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1/VEGF ratios. Therefore, a potential mechanism whereby sGC modulators reduce blood pressure in PE is by inhibiting hypoxia-induced placental sFlt-1 levels.
Abstract P3048: The 5-ht
7
Receptor is Essential for 5-ht-Induced Hypotension in the Doca Salt Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Seitz Bridget , Fink Gregory , Watts Stephanie
Published: September 2019

Infusions of 5-HT into normotensive rats reduce blood pressure over a one week period. Pharmacological studies show the 5-HT
7
receptor is necessary for at least the initial (first 24 hours) hypotension. However, if serotonergic agonists are to be considered as therapeutic tools for the treatment of hypertension, the receptor mechanisms causing sustained hypotension must be identified and shown to be effective in individuals with chronic hypertension. We hypothesized that the 5-HT
7
receptor would be essential for sustained 5-HT-stimulated hypotension in both normal and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt hypertensive rats. We further investigated whether endogenous activation of the 5-HT
7
receptor contributed to blood pressure regulation in normal or DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. We used a newly created 5-HT
7
receptor KO rat and WT littermates (derived on a Sprague-Dawley background). Both male and female genotyped rats were implanted with a radio-telemeter at approximately 3 months of age, uninephrectomized and implanted with DOCA (200 mg/kg) and given salt (1.0% NaCl + 0.2% KCl) for four weeks. At this point, animals were given an Alzet minipump that infused 5-HT (25 ug/kg/min) for 7 days; pumps were then removed. Prior to DOCA-salt administration, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP; mm Hg) of male and female KO rats did not differ from that of their respective wildtype (WT) littermates. After 4 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment MAPs in KO rats were not different from their WT littermates (Male WT = 158±12 vs KO 173±9.7; Female WT = 155±9.5; KO = 144±8.4). 5-HT infusion reduced MAP (mm Hg) in the WT DOCA salt males from 158±12 to 113±7.7, and in WT DOCA-salt females from 155±9.5 to 123.4±1.9. In marked contrast, 5-HT infusion did
not
significantly reduce the blood pressure of either male or female KO rats. These findings support two important conclusions. First, the 5-HT
7
receptor does not affect blood pressure regulation in the male or female DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Second, exogenous 5-HT administration profoundly reduced blood pressure in both male and female DOCA-salt (WT) rats via continued activation of the 5-HT
7
receptor. This study supports the potential of using 5-HT
7
receptor agonists as a novel antihypertensive therapy.
Abstract P3054: A Cultural Dance Program Proves Efficacious for Hypertension Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kaholokula Joseph K , Mabellos Tricia M , Choi So Yung , Seto Todd B , Wills Thomas , de Silva Mapuana , Dillard Adrienne , Gonsalves Joseph , Austin Seabury A. Aukahi , Vegas J. Kahaulahilahi , Haumea Stacy L , Palakiko Donna-Marie , Look Mele A
Published: September 2019

Minority populations are at high risk for hypertension (HTN) and its sequellae. Native Hawaiians (NH) are 70% more likely to have HTN; 4 times more likely to have coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke than Whites. Hula, the traditional dance of NH, offers the promise of a culturally responsive strategy to improve HTN control.

We conducted a randomized clinical trial (RCT) with a waitlist control to test the impact of a hula-based intervention on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in 263 NH with uncontrolled HTN (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or ≥ 130 mmHg if diabetes) but no prior CHD or stroke. All participants received HTN education (e.g., diet, exercise, medication) during 3 1-hr sessions over 2 weeks, and were then randomly assigned to hula-based intervention (HI;
n
= 131) or waitlist control (
n
= 132). The HI received 6 months of hula (2 1hr sessions/week x 3 months, then 1 lesson/month x 3 months with self-directed practice), with group activities to reinforce HTN education and healthy behaviors. Waitlist control received the initial HTN education and then offered hula after the study. Assessments were done at 0-, 3- and 6-month, with 12-month for HI only. We used standard approaches to assess clinical and other measures.

Baseline characteristics were balanced between the groups, except for weight. Adjusting for weight and baseline SBP in intent-to-treat analysis, HI achieved significant reductions (
p
< .05) in SBP (-15.3 mmHg;
SE
= 1.6) and DBP (-6.4 mmHg;
SE
= 1.0) compared to controls (-11.8 mmHg,
SE
= 1.7; -2.6 mmHg,
SE
= 1.0, respectively). From 6 to 12 months, HI maintained their SBP (mean change: 1.47 mmHg,
SE
= 1.26;
p
= .16) and DBP (mean change: 0.82 mmHg,
SE
= 0.81;
p
= .63) improvements at 12 months. HI were more likely to achieve SBP reduction ≥ 10 mmHg than control, 60% vs 48% (
p
= .03), respectively. Retention was similar for both groups at 6 (83%; 218 of 263) and 12 (77%; 101 of 131) month follow-up.

A hula-based intervention improved HTN control in NH with elevated SBP. Notably, our study demonstrates the feasibility of recruiting and retaining a high-risk minority population for a RCT. With strong implications for other indigenous populations, to our knowledge, these findings represent one of the few rigorously performed examinations of an indigenous practice leveraged for health promotion.
Abstract P3057: Slow Breathing Training Reduces Blood Pressure in Healthy Normotensive Subjects
Authors: Gamboa Alfredo , Smith Emily C , Paranjape Sachin , Nelson Katrina M , Diedrich Andre , Birdee Gurjeet
Published: September 2019

Slow breathing, an integral part of different body mind relaxation practices, might modulate autonomic tone and lower bp. It is unknown if extended exhalation technique (E>I) will have different effects than common slow breathing (E=I). We hypothesized that E>I will have a greater impact on blood pressure. We studied 86 healthy participants (41±4 years, 76% female) randomly assigned to E=I (n=41) or E>I (n=45) daily exercise guided by Yoga teachers over 12 weeks. We measured blood pressure, autonomic tone by spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability and cardio-vagal baroreflex sensitivity by spontaneous sequence technique (BRS) at baseline and at 12 weeks. For comparison, we included two groups without breathing interventions: normotensives (NTN), n=14 SBP 114± 5 mm Hg and hypertensives (HTN), n=15 SBP 141± 3 mm Hg, that were studied on two separate visits at least one month apart. SBP significantly decreased at 12 weeks for both intervention groups, 3.5 ± 6.6 mm Hg for E>I (p<0.001) and 3.5 ± 5.5 mm Hg for E=I (p<0.001). No differences were found between groups or for the controls. The blood pressure drop was significantly greater among subjects with higher initial SBP [SBP=123±2 mm Hg, n=24, (HBP)] as compared with lower SBP [SBP=96±1 mmHg, n=24 (LBP)]: SBP changed 6.3 ± 7.3 mm Hg (p<0.001) for HBP, with no significant drop for LBP (figure). BRS changed differently by time and group with increase in E>I (E>I: 3.07±1.2 ms/mmHg, E=I:-0.24±0.8 ms/mmHg, p(time)=0.013, p(timeXgroup)=0.019.In conclusion, 12 weeks of slow breathing exercises resulted in a significant reduction of blood pressure and changes in baroreflex sensitivity independently of the type of breathing.
Abstract P3059: ACE S: A NOVEL ANGIOTENSIN BASED MARKER FOR MONITORING PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIVITY OF ACE INHIBITORS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Domenig Oliver , Ahmed Ashraf H , Guo Zeng , Stoller Andrea , Burkard Thilo , Haschke Manuel , Stowasser Michael , Poglitsch Marko
Published: September 2019

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitors (ACEi) are widely used for treating hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and block Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) formation from Angiotensin-I (Ang-I). The therapeutic response to ACE inhibition critically depends on
in vivo
pharmacologic efficacy and affected by dosing, patient compliance and patient specific compensatory mechanisms, all being relevant topics for the clinical management of hypertension.

Samples were collected from 19 hypertensive patients and 7 confirmed primary aldosteronism (PA) patients. Hypertensive patients were investigated at baseline and after 4 weeks on therapy with a single daily dose of perindopril. PA patients were sampled before and after 14 day administration of ramipril. All samples were analysed by LC-MS/MS based RAAS Triple-A testing which involves the calculation of ACE-S, the ratio between plasma equilibrium levels of Ang-II and Ang-I as a novel marker for circulating ACE activity. ACE activity was further measured by analyzing the time dependent conversion of spiked Ang-I (LC-MS/MS) and by performing a clinical colorimetric ACE assay. Treatment adherence was confirmed by quantification of plasma drug levels.

ACE-S was significantly lower in all patients on perindopril or ramipril therapy compared to baseline (MEDIANS: 0.35 vs. 2.75 pM/pM, p<0.001). While eqAng-II levels were increased up to 5-fold compared to baseline levels in a subset of patients due to renin up-regulation, ACE-S stayed significantly suppressed in all samples investigated. In contrast, ACE inhibition appeared to be less effective using classical enzymatic approaches assessing ACE activity.

The novel angiotensin based marker ACE-S can be used to monitor pharmacologic efficacy of ACE inhibitors independent of their chemical structure. As part of the RAAS Triple-A test that is currently validated in screening for secondary forms of hypertension, ACE-S has the potential to support the clinical management of first-line non-responders in terms of optimizing ACEi dosing and visualizing patient specific compensatory mechanisms, thereby improving the overall control rates in hypertension.
Abstract P3060: Cardiovascular Regulatory Actions of Apelin in Normotensive Rats: Central versus Peripheral Effects
Authors: Guo Lirong , Niloy Sayeman Islam , O'Rourke Stephen T , Sun Chengwen
Published: September 2019

Apelin and its receptor APJ are expressed in both cardiovascular system (CVS) and central nervous system (CNS). Although the apelin/APJ system have already been shown to be involved in cardiovascular homeostasis, the mechanisms in the regulation of CVS are still not fully clear. Thus, this study was undertaken to compare central versus peripheral effect of apelin in the regulation of hemodynamic in SD rats. The chronic recording of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were performed using radiotelemetry. Chronic infusion of apelin-13 (100 μg/kg/day) into the lateral cerebral ventricle using osmotic minipumps significantly elevated BP by 15.2±0.9 mmHg, The water intake was also increased from 38±2 to 51±3 ml/day before and after brain infusion of apelin-13. However, the HR was not significantly altered. Furthermore, this chronic pressor effect of apelin-13 was associated with a dramatic increase in the number of Fra-LI positive neurons within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), which were measured with immunohistochemistry using c-Fos antibodies, suggesting an elevated neuronal activity in the brain cardiovascular regulatory areas. Thus, apelin-13 was microinjected into the PVN to confirm the neuronal effect on the BP. The BP of rats was recorded using femoral arterial cannulation. The results demonstrated that acute microinjection of apelin-13 into the PVN significantly increased BP and HR. In peripheral CVS, acute intravenous injections of apelin-13 induced a transient reduction in BP by 25±3 mmHg as expected. Surprisingly, in the same group of rats, the cardiac contractility (dP/dt
Max
from 8131±512 to 7822±484 mmHg/s) was not significantly altered by apelin-13. In addition, chronic subcutaneous infusion of apelin-13 did not significantly alter either BP or cardiac contractility, which were detected with ratiotelemetry and echocardiography in rats. In conclusion, peripheral administration of apelin-13 only induced a transient decrease in BP without chronic BP regulatory and cardiotonic effects. In contrast, central application of apelin-13 leaded to a chronic elevation in the BP, suggesting that apelin-13 acting as an important neuropeptide in the CNS may contribute to the long-term control of BP.
Abstract P3062: Single-nucleus Rna-sequencing Reveals Cell-specific Transcriptome Changes In The Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus In Response To Prolonged High-fat Diet
Authors: Deng Guorui , Morselli Lisa , Sapouckey Sarah , Wagner Valerie , Kwitek Anne , Cui Huxing , Grobe Justin
Published: September 2019

Selective leptin resistance (SLR) is a pathological state caused by prolonged high fat diet (HFD) feeding in which cardiovascular responses to leptin are preserved, but metabolic effects are attenuated. Thus, SLR is hypothesized to contribute to obesity-associated hypertension, but the mechanisms causing SLR are unclear. Desensitization of leptin signaling in cells of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus has been proposed as one of potential mechanisms contributing to SLR. Tanycytes, located along the walls of the third ventricle, play critical roles in the regulation of energy balance through the transport of blood-borne metabolic hormones such as leptin and ghrelin into the cerebrospinal fluid. Previous studies have reported that 10 weeks of 45% HFD (D12451) feeding is sufficient to cause SLR in wildtype C57BL/6J mice. To examine the transcriptomic changes induced by prolonged HFD exposure in tanycytes, we performed single-nucleus RNA-sequencing on nuclei isolated from ARC of
ad libitum
fed male C57BL/6J mice fed chow diet (7013; CD, n=7) or HFD (n=8) from 8 to 18 weeks of age. At 18 weeks, fat mass (+10.1±1.4 vs +3.2±0.4g, p<0.01) and plasma leptin (486±148 vs 119±43 pg/mL, p<0.05) were increased in mice fed HFD vs CD, energy expenditure was decreased (p<0.05), and caloric intake was normal after correction for body mass. After pooling replicates and filtering out nuclei with low quality reads, a total of 6,621 (CD) & 14,396 (HFD) nuclei remained. Unbiased clustering (Seurat) identified 23 major clusters of cell types within the arcuate. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated enrichment (z-score +0.45, p<0.05) of the canonical “Leptin Signaling in Obesity” pathway in β2 tanycytes (which transport circulating leptin into the cerebrospinal fluid), but such pathways were de-enriched/inhibited in downstream neuronal clusters such as Agouti-related peptide (
Agrp
) neurons (z-score -1.6, p=0.009) and unchanged in neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin (
Pomc
) (p=0.2). Collectively, these results lead us to hypothesize that SLR is associated with normal transport of circulating leptin into the arcuate nucleus, while the primary dysfunction that causes SLR instead occurs within selected neuronal populations such as
Agrp
neurons.
Christological Punctuation
Authors: Calhoun Robert Matthew
Published: September 2019

The 26th edition of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, followed by the 27th and 28th editions, deleted a punctuation variant in Phil 2:7 noted in the 25th, which drew attention to a syntactical ambiguity in the construal of three successive participial phrases (7b–d). Resolutions of this ambiguity have significant consequences for the passage’s christological perspective. Future editions should revise and restore this variant.
Romans 7 and the Resurrection of Lament in Christ
Authors: Timmins Will N.
Published: September 2019

Relatively little attention has been paid to biblical parallels to the wretched “I” of Rom 7:14–25. A few scholars have observed features shared with the psalms of lament, but these studies have been limited in scope and have proved inconclusive in identifying the “I.” A comparison between Romans 7 and one of the psalms of lament, namely Psalm 119, reveals a number of significant verbal and conceptual correspondences, which throw fresh light onto previously unclear aspects of the “I”’s monologue. In addition, Paul’s wretched “I” is revealed as inhabiting the same symbolic world as the Christ-believers in Rome, experiencing with them the resurrection of lament in Christ.
“Through Whom He Made the Ages”
Authors: Harriman K. R.
Published: September 2019

The default translation of the phrase δι’ οὗ καὶ ἐποίησεν τοὺς αἰῶνας in Heb 1:2c is spatial: “through whom he made the worlds/universe.” The typical explanation for why this temporal term should have a spatial meaning is that αἰών can have the sense of “the ages and everything in them,” so that it is roughly equivalent to the universe of space and time. In contrast, this paper demonstrates on the bases of lexical-historical, broad contextual, and immediate contextual evidence that a temporal translation (“ages” as in history) is preferable and that this temporal sense is more specifically salvation-historical in meaning.
L’oncial 0171, témoin-clef du développement du texte néotestamentaire avant le 3e s. : Un point sur Mt 10,17-32
Authors: Pinchard Laurent
Published: September 2019

This essay discusses the text of the 3rd c. uncial 0171. The uncial consists of three fragments, two pertaining to the text of Luke, and one pertaining to the text of Matthew (10: 17-32), which is the focus of the present study. Despite its extremely fragmentary nature, certain letters are sufficiently legible to permit a faithful reconstruction of the text. Although the “Western” character of the manuscript is well-established, some of the earlier studies of the textual variants seem to have overlooked or misinterpreted a number of key elements. Through a verse by verse reassessment of the textual variants in MS 0171, this study suggests some new explanations for their origins, and concludes that this is an important witness to the transmission of the text of the Greek New Testament.
Black Pentecostal Hermeneutics?
Authors: Harris Antipas L.
Published: September 2019

This essay advances hermeneutical insights for emerging black pentecostal scholars to consider. The salient question is, “What distinguishes black Pentecostalism?” This study revisits James H. Cone’s sources for black theology for insight into the role of blackness in shaping black Pentecostalism. On the one hand, the study dispels the myth that black Pentecostalism is inherently a spiritual alternative to the fight for social justice. On the other hand, it calls for critical dialogue between Cone’s sources for black theology and black Pentecostalism to advance scholarship on the formation of black pentecostal hermeneutics. This essay explains that blackness is more than a cultural and experiential reality. Blackness is a theological source that correlates with other sources in shaping black Pentecostalism. Blackness, moreover, legitimates black pentecostal proclivities for the integration of the faith, spirituality, and social advocacy. Theological blackness in Pentecostalism has historically distinguished black Pentecostalism from subsequent white Pentecostalism.
“Do Not Curse Me for My Copying Errors: Sixteenth-Century Russian Manuscript Books”
Authors: Halperin Charles J.
Published: September 2019

On the basis of 734 dated colophons in sixteenth-century Russian manuscript books, Sergei Usachev examines where the books were written, who copied them, and who ordered them. He concludes that the books were produced in all regions of Russia and that members of all social classes ordered them and copied them, although in different proportions: the former had a higher social profile than the latter. His publication of the full texts of the colophons makes it possible for historians to explore additional themes of sixteenth-century Russian social and cultural history.
Methodological Traps, Pitfalls, and Fallacies in the Study of Intellectual Silence
Authors: Ostrowski Donald
Published: September 2019

This article is a response to four responses to my book Europe, Byzantium, and the “Intellectual Silence” of Rus’. That book in turn responded to the question posed by Francis Thompson, “Where was the Russian Peter Abelard?” It began with two premises − that theology was “the crown jewel of disciplined thought” in both the Eastern and Western Churches during the medieval period and that medieval Christian theology represented an amalgamation of prior Christian thought with Neoplatonism. The literature of early Rus’ was little more than what would have been contained in a large Byzantine monastic library, because those in charge of educating the newly baptized pagan Rus’ on the basic principles of Christianity felt compelled to provide them only necessary information to save their souls. But why did the package not include the seven liberal arts (including dialectic), which were the basis of the Western Church curriculum?
Introduction to the National Aerosol Chemical Composition Monitoring Network of China: Objectives, Current Status, and Outlook
Authors: Dao Xu , Lin Yu-Chi , Cao Fang , Di Shi-Ying , Hong Yihang , Xing Guanhua , Li Jianjun , Fu Pingqing , Zhang Yan-Lin
Published: September 2019

The North China Plain (NCP) is becoming one of the most polluted areas characterized by a high frequency of haze pollution. However, the spatial and temporal evolutions of aerosol chemical compositions in such a highly polluted region are not well understood due to the lack of a long-term and comprehensive observation-based network. China’s National Aerosol Composition Monitoring Network (NACMON) has conducted comprehensive offline and online measurements of compositions and optical properties of airborne aerosols in order to systematically investigate the formation process, source apportionments of haze, and interactions between haze pollution and climate change. The objective of the observations is to provide information for policy makers to make strategies for the alleviation of haze occurrence. In this paper, we present instrumentations and methodologies as well as the preliminary results of the offline observations in NACMON stations over the NCP region. The implications and future perspectives of the network are also summarized. Benefiting from simultaneous observations from this network, we found that secondary aerosols were the dominant component in haze pollution. High anthropogenic emissions, low wind speed, and high relative humidity (RH) facilitated gas-to-particle transformation and resulted in high PM2.5 formation (PM2.5 is particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter). Sulfate-dominant or nitrate-dominant aerosols during the haze period were driven by ambient RH. Moreover, the contributions of coal combustion and biomass burning to PM2.5 revealed downward trends, whereas secondary aerosols showed upward trends over the last decade. Thus, we highlighted that strict control of anthropogenic emissions of precursor gases, such as NOx, NH3, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), will be an important way to decrease PM2.5 pollution in the NCP region.
How Accurate Are Modern Atmospheric Reanalyses for the Data-Sparse Tibetan Plateau Region?
Authors: Bao Xinghua , Zhang Fuqing
Published: September 2019

More than 6000 independent radiosonde observations from three major Tibetan Plateau experiments during the warm seasons (May–August) of 1998, 2008, and 2015–16 are used to assess the quality of four leading modern atmospheric reanalysis products (CFSR/CFSv2, ERA-Interim, JRA-55, and MERRA-2), and the potential impact of satellite data changes on the quality of these reanalyses in the troposphere over this data-sparse region. Although these reanalyses can reproduce reasonably well the overall mean temperature, specific humidity, and horizontal wind profiles against the benchmark independent sounding observations, they have nonnegligible biases that can be potentially bigger than the analysis-simulated mean regional climate trends over this region. The mean biases and mean root-mean-square errors of winds, temperature, and specific humidity from almost all reanalyses are reduced from 1998 to the two later experiment periods. There are also considerable differences in almost all variables across different reanalysis products, though these differences also become smaller during the 2008 and 2015–16 experiments, in particular for the temperature fields. The enormous increase in the volume and quality of satellite observations assimilated into reanalysis systems is likely the primary reason for the improved quality of the reanalyses during the later field experiment periods. Besides differences in the forecast models and data assimilation methodology, the differences in performance between different reanalyses during different field experiment periods may also be contributed by differences in assimilated information (e.g., observation input sources, selected channels for a given satellite sensor, quality-control methods).
Gap Filling of Monthly Temperature Data and Its Effect on Climatic Variability and Trends
Authors: Beguería Santiago , Tomas-Burguera Miquel , Serrano-Notivoli Roberto , Peña-Angulo Dhais , Vicente-Serrano Sergio M. , González-Hidalgo José-Carlos
Published: September 2019

Observational datasets of climatic variables are frequently composed of fragmentary time series covering different time spans and plagued with data gaps. Most statistical methods and environmental models, however, require serially complete data, so gap filling is a routine procedure. However, very often this preliminary stage is undertaken with no consideration of the potentially adverse effects that it can have on further analyses. In addition to numerical effects and trade-offs that are inherent to any imputation method, observational climatic datasets often exhibit temporal changes in the number of available records, which result in further spurious effects if the gap-filling process is sensitive to it. We examined the effect of data reconstruction in a large dataset of monthly temperature records spanning over several decades, during which substantial changes occurred in terms of data availability. We made a thorough analysis in terms of goodness of fit (mean error) and bias in the first two moments (mean and variance), in the extreme quantiles, and in long-term trend magnitude and significance. We show that gap filling may result in biases in the mean and the variance of the reconstructed series, and also in the magnitude and significance of temporal trends. Introduction of a two-step bias correction in the gap-filling process solved some of these problems, although it did not allow us to produce completely unbiased trend estimates. Using only one (the best) neighbor and performing a one-step bias correction, being a simpler approach, closely rivaled this method, although it had similar problems with trend estimates. A trade-off must be assumed between goodness of fit (error minimization) and variance bias.
Gastric Ischemia: The Primary Factor in Neonatal Perforation
Authors: Touloukian ROBERT J.
Published: September 2019

The incidence of perinatal asphyxia and evidence for gastric ischemia were investigated in six patients from the Yale-New Haven Hospital and 87 previously reported cases having neonatal gastric perforation. All our patients and 69 per cent of the collected series were found to have significant perinatal complications predisposing to asphyxia; five of our patients and 41 per cent of those reviewed had evidence of gastric ischemia as manifested by mucosal hemorrhage, ulceration, or necrosis. Gastric ischemia is the primary factor in neonatal perforation although pneumatic distention with separation of the gastric musculature, the effects of the acid pepsin response on the gastric mucosa, and direct trauma to the stomach wall are important contributing factors which make gastric perforation unique.
A Complication of Phototherapy in the Newborn: The “Bronze Baby”
Authors: Sharma RAJ K. , Ente GERALD , Collipp PLATON J. , Maddaiah VADDANAHALLY T. , Rezvani IRAJ
Published: September 2019

A newborn infant had an unusual reversible complication caused by light therapy for hyperbilirubinemia. A dark grey-brown color of the skin, urine, and serum developed on the fifth day, after 24 hours of light therapy. Serum bilirubin (direct and total), SGOT, and LDH were elevated. The infant recovered, and bilirubin and enzymes returned to normal after a period of three weeks. A possible pathologic mechanism for this complication is suggested.
Adolescent Sexuality
Authors: Wolfish MARTIN G.
Published: September 2019

Attitudes to sexuality have changed in the past generation. This is reflected in increased openness of sexual feelings and acceptance of sexual activity by today's adolescent. The physician treating teen-agers must be prepared to help these patients. At The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Adolescent Clinic, 20 per cent of the female patients requested such service in 1971. This included sexual counseling, contraceptive information and supply, pregnancy diagnosis, and referral for continuing care or termination. Facilities for diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease must be available. Evidence of sexual activity in teen-age patients must be ascertained and necessary assistance must be available.
“Freedom through this strange kind of love”: Impersonal be(com)ing and Barbara Adair’s In Tangier We Killed the Blue Parrot
Authors: Yen Yuan-Chih
Published: September 2019

Barbara Adair’s first novel In Tangier We Killed the Blue Parrot, published in South Africa in 2004, draws on the American writers Paul and Jane Bowles’s time in Tangier, Morocco, and fictionalizes their struggles to write as well as their efforts to love, not only each other but also their same-sex Moroccan lovers. In this article, I take seriously the notion of impersonal intimacy as articulated by Leo Bersani to explore the potentialities of realizing and sustaining an indeterminate in-between space of be(com)ing that In Tangier articulates. I further suggest in this article that the impersonal be(com)ing opened by In Tangier offers a response to the obsession with known and knowable categories of identification that Ashraf Jamal provocatively diagnosed over a decade ago as the predicament in South African cultural production and reception as well as his insistence on “rethink[ing] the human in South Africa and how, as a constitutive part of the process, [to] restore the capacity for love” (2005: 20).
Fatal external bleeding from self-severed arterial dialysis tube: An unusual method of suicide
Authors: Srettabunjong Supawon
Published: September 2019

A high risk of suicide has been observed in adults with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing haemodialysis. Since suicide is preventable, early screening, a prompt multidisciplinary approach and appropriate treatment of depression are critical and are recommended to treating physicians. Recently, the case of a woman with end-stage renal disease who had been undergoing haemodialysis was encountered. She died by suicide after self-severing the temporary haemodialysis catheter secured to the right side of her neck. This method of suicide is unusual and rare. This case not only underscores the association between haemodialysis and suicide in patients with end-stage renal disease but also raises awareness of the possibility of such deaths.
To what extent should expert psychiatric witnesses comment on criminal culpability?
Authors: Hallett Nicholas
Published: September 2019

Following the Court of Appeal case of R v Edwards in England and Wales, there has been increasing pressure for expert psychiatric witnesses to comment explicitly on how a defendant’s mental disorder affects their culpability. Culpability is the degree to which a person can be held morally or legally responsible for their conduct, but defining culpability has proved difficult. Mental disorder does not translate easily into degrees of legal culpability. Although psychiatric evidence will often be central to such cases, the determination of culpability is a matter for the court, and experts should not comment on it explicitly. Nevertheless, certain areas of psychiatry may have a bearing on culpability, and ways in which experts may comment on these are suggested. Given the pressure on judges to determine culpability, experts need to be honest about the limits of medical science to answer legal questions and the professional necessity to remain within their area of expertise.
Comparison of morphological, structural and antibacterial properties of different Apocynum venetum poly (lactic acid)/nanocellulose nanofiber films
Authors: Wang Lu , Wang Chenmeizi , Zhang Qingle , Liu Jianhua , Xia Xin
Published: September 2019

As new bio-based sustainable materials, this paper made a comparative study on the phloem and straw of Apocynum venetum. The cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) of Apocynum venetum phloem and straw were prepared by the acid hydrolysis method, and then different parts and proportions of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/CNF films were prepared via electrospinning, respectively. The results revealed the CNF with longer length and finer diameter network structure can be separated by straw, while the short nanostructure of the rod-like structure can be separated by phloem. It was also shown that the wettability and permeability of PLA improved significantly by adding these two kinds of CNFs, the water contact angle of PLA decreased from 130° to 101° and the permeability was up to 4658 g/(m2•d). As for antibacterial properties, the antibacterial rate of CNF from straw proved slightly better than that from phloem against E.coli, reaching more than 90%. It proved that the CNF from straw showed excellent performance as phloem, providing a novel material for the preparation of CNFs, which can be naturally antibacterial and environment-friendly. The obtained PLA/CNF films could be potentially applied in antibacterial medical dressings.
The frontier of digital opportunity: Smart city implementation in small, rural and remote communities in Canada
Authors: Spicer Zachary , Goodman Nicole , Olmstead Nathan
Published: September 2019

Studies of ‘smart cities’ in Canada primarily focus on large cities but not small, rural and remote communities. As a result, we have a limited understanding of the incentive structures for smaller, remote and rural communities to pursue smart city development. This knowledge deficit is concerning, since the introduction of technology can hold a number of unique benefits for these communities, including easier connections to the rest of Canada and large urban centres, reputation building, improved service delivery and enhanced opportunities for residents. Drawing upon localised forms of knowledge creation, policy development theories, adoption and local competition literature and primary interviews with private and public officials, we examine the challenges and opportunities of ‘smart city’ implementation through case studies of small and rural municipalities in Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia and a remote community, Iqaluit, Nunavut. We find that collaboration is essential for rural and remote pursuit of smart city development and is necessary to counteract the limitations of capacity, scale and digital divides. Challenges aside, however, the primary rationale for adoption of smart city technology remains the same regardless of size: enhanced quality of life for residents and sustained community health.
Creativity fostering teacher behavior on student creative achievement: Mediation of intrinsic motivation and moderation of openness to experience
Authors: Du Yaolin , Xie Leyuan , Zhong Jian An , Zou Hong , Law Raymond , Yan Xiaobing
Published: September 2019

The purpose of the current study was to explore the nature of the underlying relationship between creativity fostering teacher behavior and student creative achievement in science activities. In doing so, we examined the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between creativity fostering teacher behavior and student creative achievement in science activities, and the moderating effect of openness to experience. We conducted a two-wave survey study in three high schools in China and obtained data from 1035 students. Results from ordinary least squares regression analysis showed that creativity fostering teacher behavior was positively related to student creative achievement in science activities. We found that students' intrinsic motivation mediated the relationship between creativity fostering teacher behavior and student creative achievement. When a student had a high level of openness to experience, the relationship between intrinsic motivation and creative achievement was stronger. In addition, we discussed the implications and limitations of our study, as well as suggestions for future research.
Peer sexual harassment predicts African American girls’ psychological distress and sexual experimentation
Authors: Sagrestano Lynda M. , Ormerod Alayne J. , DeBlaere Cirleen
Published: September 2019

Peer sexual harassment (PSH) occurs frequently and across contexts during adolescence. The current study examined the relations among PSH in school, psychological distress, sexual experimentation, and sexual risk-taking in a sample of African American middle and high school girls. Results indicate that negative body appraisals mediated the relationship between PSH and psychological distress, suggesting that PSH is one way to operationalize interpersonal sexualization and sexual objectification. PSH was directly associated with sexual experimentation, but the association between PSH and sexual experimentation was not mediated by negative body appraisals. Neither PSH nor negative body appraisals were related to sexual risk-taking. This suggests that frequent exposure to high levels of sexualization and sexual objectification, in the form of PSH, is associated with more psychological distress and sexual experimentation, but not with sexual risk-taking, regardless of how girls feel about their bodies.
Low-cost similarity calculation on ontology fusion in knowledge bases
Authors: Lou Wen , Pi Ruofan , Wang Hui , Ju Yuan
Published: September 2019

Ontology fusion in knowledge bases has become less easy, due to the massive capacity involved in the process of semantic similarity calculation. Many similarity calculation methods have been developed, although they are hardly united. This article contributes a low-cost similarity calculation method for ontology fusion, based on the inspiration of binary metrics, with the aim of reducing the size of similarity calculations both spatially and logically. By introducing the definitions of a heterogeneous ontology, entities of ontologies and rules of ontology fusion on the basis of concept fusion and relationship fusion, we put forward the algorithm of main traverse procedure and calculated to be the least cost in time and space in comparison with traditional methods. We adopted three experiments to testify the usability of our approach from the perspective of actual library resources, small datasets and large datasets. In Experiment 1, the bibliographic data from East China Normal University Library were used to show the feasibility and capability of our proposal and present the process of the algorithm. In both Experiments 2 and 3, our approach had at least 88% confidence in detecting accurate merging mappings and also decreased time cost. The test demonstrated a good fusion result. The problem of lower recalls caused by error analysis results from the conflict between the complex structures in ontologies and the recursive functions, which will be improved in the future.
Two Ships Passing in the Night—But Shooting Up Flairs From Time to Time!
Authors: Simonton Dean Keith
Published: September 2019

Although this article’s author and Ellen Winner completed their graduate training at Harvard’s now extinct Department of Psychology and Social Relations in the 1970s, they pursued divergent paths that only intersected on a few critical occasions, especially two discomfiting events during scientific meetings (the first event for her and the second for the author). Yet these distressing events stimulated this author to produce new publications on two crucial issues: artistic talent and creative life cycles. He much later reciprocated by inviting her to contribute a chapter on child prodigies for his handbook on genius. Without ever having collaborated, a productive relationship still emerged, albeit almost entirely at a distance.
Quad Helical U-Loop Lip Bumper
Authors: Raghu Ram R. S. V. M. , Ranganayakulu I. , Sunil G.
Published: September 2019

Lip bumpers have become an integral part of treatment regime in interceptive and corrective orthodontics. The triumph of it depends on the sturdiness without distortion and fracture during the course of treatment. Most often, excessive stress engendered by the patient triggers its breakage. This article presents a modified lip bumper that aims to diminish the undue stress in the wire, which makes the appliance more fracture resistant and effective.
Primary headache and migraine in headache specialists – does personal history of doctors matter?
Authors: Evers Stefan , Brockmann Nicole , Summ Oliver , Husstedt Ingo W , Frese Achim
Published: September 2019

Objective

Migraine is a common disorder affecting more than 10% of the population. The prevalence of migraine among physicians and, in particular, among headache specialists is widely unknown as is the impact of suffering from migraine on the attitudes towards migraine and on treatment recommendations of physicians. We designed a survey among headache specialists and neurologists and compared the results to general pain specialists and general practitioners.

Methods

A standardized interview in randomly selected samples of these four groups of physicians was performed. The interview included data on the prevalence of migraine and other primary headache disorders in the physician groups, self-report on their own treatment, attitudes towards migraine, and treatment recommendations for migraine. The prevalence rates were also compared to an age- and sex-matched German general population sample.

Results

The lifetime prevalence of migraine was higher in headache specialists (53.0%) than in general neurologists (43.0%), pain specialists (21.7%), general practitioners (19.3%), and in the general age- and sex-matched population (16.8%). Cluster headache prevalence was high in neurologists (1.9%) and in headache specialists (1.3%); episodic tension-type headache prevalence was significantly lower in general practitioners (19.5%). One reason, among others, was that being a migraine (or cluster headache) patient more often prompted the sufferers to become a specialist in neurology. Physicians with migraine rated the biopsychosocial concept of lower importance for migraine than did physicians without migraine. The self-treatment of migraine in physicians differs from the treatment recommendations to the patients. For example, only 36.4% of the headache specialists with migraine take triptans whereas 94.4% recommend triptans to their patients.

Conclusions

We conclude that being a headache specialist or a neurologist is associated with an increased migraine or cluster headache prevalence. This personal history of migraine leads to a more somatic view of migraine as a disorder and to different treatment recommendations as compared to self-treatment.
Optimal Outcomes for Acute Avulsion Fracture of the Achilles Tendon Treated With the Insertional Reattachment Technique: A Case Series of 31 Cases With Over 2 Years of Follow-up
Authors: Pi Yanbin , Hu Yuelin , Jiao Chen , Ao Yingfang , Guo Qinwei
Published: September 2019

Background:

Avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon is a less common but debilitating disorder. There is a paucity of literature on this problem.

Purpose:

To present a retrospective case series assessing the clinical outcomes of avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon after a reattachment procedure and to identify potential factors predicting postoperative outcomes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A consecutive case series of 35 patients with acute insertional rupture of the Achilles tendon who received a reattachment procedure between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. All patients were measured and classified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical findings. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, Foot Function Index (FFI), Tegner score, and Ankle Activity Score (AAS). The range of motion and single-legged heel raise test were also conducted for both ankles.

Results:

Thirty-one out of 35 (88.57%) patients were followed up for an average of 43.65 months. The VAS pain score and AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score improved from 4.87 ± 1.61 preoperatively to 2.07 ± 1.57 postoperatively and from 58.32 ± 18.66 preoperatively to 87.32 ± 7.53 postoperatively, respectively (both P < .001). The mean FFI, AAS, and Tegner scores after the operation were 11.84 ± 1.62, 5.71 ± 2.18, and 4.61 ± 1.31, respectively. Compared with the intact ankle, the mean deficit in dorsiflexion in the involved ankle was 9.54°± 6.25° (range, 0.59°-23.70°; P < .001) and the mean deficit in plantarflexion in the involved ankle was 6.31°± 4.02° (range, 0.24°-14.92°; P < .001). Thirty patients could perform the single-legged heel raise on the operative leg. A larger body mass index was associated with worse postoperative AOFAS and FFI outcomes. Longer follow-up predicted statistically significantly better FFI scores. Better postoperative dorsiflexion was associated with better postoperative FFI, AAS, and Tegner scores, and a statistically significant interaction was found between the VAS score and plantarflexion deficit. Age, preoperative insertional tenderness, Haglund deformity, and MRI classification showed little association with postoperative outcomes.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that the reattachment procedure for acute avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon can achieve firm fixation and promising outcomes.