bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A mussel inspired self-expandable tubular hydrogel with shape memory under NIR for potential biomedical applications
Authors: Obiweluozor Francis O. , GhavamiNejad Amin , Maharjan Bikendra , Kim Jinwoo , Park Chan Hee , Kim Cheol Sang
Published: June 2017

We engineered a novel shape memory polymer (SMP), a nanocomposite hydrogel containing polydopamine nanospheres (PDNs) as a self-expandable tubular hydrogel under near infrared (NIR) irradiation.
Sc3+-induced morphology, phase structure, and upconversion luminescence evolution of YF3:Yb/Er nanocrystals
Authors: Li Hongyu , Huang Qianwen , Wang Yangbo , Chen Kun , Xie Juan , Pan Yue , Su Haiquan , Xie Xiaoji , Huang Ling , Huang Wei
Published: June 2017

The comprehensive studies of Sc3+-induced morphology, phase structure, and upconversion luminescence modulation of YF3:Yb/Er nanocrystals have been reported.
The role of perivascular innervation and neurally mediated vasoreactivity in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Nizari Shereen , Romero Ignacio A. , Hawkes Cheryl A.
Published: June 2017

Neuronal death is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and considerable work has been done to understand how the loss of interconnectivity between neurons contributes to the associated dementia. Often overlooked however, is how the loss of neuronal innervation of blood vessels, termed perivascular innervation, may also contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. There is now considerable evidence supporting a crucial role for the neurovascular unit (NVU) in mediating the clearance of the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, one of the main pathological constituents of AD, from the brain. Moreover, efficient removal appears to be dependent on the communication of cells within the NVU to maintain adequate vascular tone and pulsatility. This review summarizes the composition of the NVU, including the sources of perivascular innervation and how the NVU mediates Aβ clearance from the brain. It also explores evidence supporting the hypothesis that loss of neurally mediated vasoreactivity contributes to Aβ pathology in the AD brain.
Measuring abdominal fatness using principle of Salisbury screen
Authors: Park J. , Lee J. , Lee B. , Poon A.S.Y. , Lee S. , Kim S.
Published: June 2017

The Salisbury‐screen characteristics of the human abdomen are demonstrated. The skin–fat–muscle structure in the human abdomen resembles that of the Salisbury screen, which consists of a resistive sheet, a dielectric slab, and a conducting plane. Using this similarity, the authors can estimate the degree of obesity based on the reflectivity of electromagnetic waves. The Salisbury screen acts as a wave absorber when the thickness of the dielectric matches the quarter wavelength. This characteristic is similar to the human abdominal structure. Fat, which has much lower conductivity than skin or muscle, plays the role of the dielectric in the Salisbury screen. Therefore, by measuring the frequency where reflection is minimised, fat thickness can be estimated.
EPatient Survey 2017: Die App ersetzt nicht den Arzt
Authors: Schachinger Alexander
Published: June 2017

Immer mehr Bürger und Patienten nutzen Gesundheits-Apps, welche Therapiepotenzial haben. Doch den Kliniken fehlt es an Strategiewissen und Umsetzungserfahrung, um selbst etwas auf die Beine zu stellen.
Raum für neue Ideen: Jetzt für cdgw-Zukunftspreis bewerben
Authors: Emmrich Michael
Published: June 2017

Der Club der Gesundheitswirtschaft (cdgw) bietet Innovationen Raum, indem er neue Ideen und potenzielle Anwender zusammenbringt: Genau dafür gibt es den Zukunftspreis Gesundheitswirtschaft.
Nachhaltige Finanzierung des Gesundheitswesens: Heißes Eisen: Vergütung nach Qualität
Authors: Völker Ingrid , Fink Ulf
Published: June 2017

Der Hauptstadtkongress Medizin und Gesundheit ist das bedeutendste Kongressereignis des deutschen Gesundheitswesens. „Qualität und nachhaltige Finanzierung“ lautet in diesem Jahr das Motto des Kongresses, der 2017 zwanzigsten Geburtstag feiert. In Berlin treffen über 8.000 Entscheidungsträger aus Politik, Kliniken und Gesundheitswirtschaft, aus Medizin und Pflege, aus den Reihen der Kostenträger sowie aus Wissenschaft und Forschung zusammen.
Deutscher Pflegekongress 2017: Der Netzwerkertreff – beim Hauptstadtkongress Medizin und Gesundheit
Authors: François-Kettner Hedwig
Published: June 2017

Beim Hauptstadtkongress Medizin und Gesundheit 2017 haben Profis aus den Pflege- und Gesundheitsberufen vom Berufseinsteiger bis zum etablierten Pflegemanager die einmalige Chance, ihre künftigen Arbeitgeber live zu erleben: Bei Vorträgen und Podiumsdiskussionen können sie sich ein Bild machen, welche Einrichtung mit welcher Wertschätzung und welchen innovativen Programmen im Gesundheitswesen „unterwegs“ ist und bei welcher Arbeitsstelle es lukrativ ist, die eigenen Berufsziele zu verwirklichen.
Deutsches Ärzteform 2017: Medizinische Qualität – neu definiert
Authors: Ekkernkamp Axel
Published: June 2017

Viele Parameter, mit denen bislang Qualität gemessen wurde, haben ihre Bedeutung eingebüßt. Es wird Zeit, Ziele und Anforderungen neu zu bestimmen. Wichtige Weichen dafür werden beim Deutschen Ärzteforum gestellt. Denn es geht um die Zukunft der Medizin und des Arztberufs in Deutschland.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund: Rehabilitation: individuell, flexibel und wirksam
Authors: Roßbach Gundula
Published: June 2017

Deutschland befindet sich in einer Phase des rasanten gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Wandels. Demografie und Migration sind dabei wesentliche Treiber. Die Rehabilitation muss sich diesen Herausforderungen stellen und ihre Angebote an die sich verändernden Bedürfnisse und Bedarfe anpassen.
The Horizontal Neck Lift
Authors: Mittelman Harry , Schreiber Nathan
Published: June 2017

The horizontal neck lift is a procedure involving direct excision of a horizontally oriented ellipse of skin from the neck. This procedure was developed for neck rejuvenation in patients with significant horizontal creases and excess skin of the middle and lower neck, areas that often cannot be adequately addressed with traditional techniques. This article describes the procedure, indications, patient counseling, and postoperative care in detail from the senior author's (H. M.) experience.
Hip and Pelvis: MRI of Musculotendinous Trauma and Mimickers
Authors: Kraniotis Pantelis , Karantanas Apostolos , Tsifountoudis Ioannis
Published: June 2017

The spectrum of disorders in musculotendinous trauma (MTt) includes acute traumatic and subacute/chronic lesions caused by repetitive microtrauma. The imaging findings differ in the immature versus the mature skeleton in both categories. Sport-related MTt also depends on age, sex, and type of activity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for exploring most MTt injuries and is invaluable for assessing severity and for planning management and return to activity. In some circumstances such as minimally displaced avulsion injuries, MRI findings need to be matched with plain radiographs or computed tomography. Ultrasonography is helpful in exploring superficial structures such as tendons, particularly if dynamic studies are required. Rarely, inflammatory or neoplastic disorders may simulate MTt in the hip and pelvis.
Decision Making for Selection of Transarterial Locoregional Therapy of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Mendoza-Elias Nasya , Morrison Joseph , Valeshabad Ali , Lipnik Andrew , Gaba Ron
Published: June 2017

Transarterial locoregional therapies (LRTs) are indispensable components of the modern interventional oncologic therapy of liver-dominant metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The scope of available LRTs and their nuanced differences mandates a thorough understanding of their relative applicability and effectiveness in certain clinical circumstances to prescribe appropriate, patient-specific, image-guided therapy. This article aims to provide an overview of transarterial LRT options for liver-dominant metastatic NETs and therapy selection by reviewing procedure types, their advantages and disadvantages, and comparative efficacy in common case scenarios.
Decision Making: Intra-arterial Therapies for Cholangiocarcinoma—TACE and TARE
Authors: Currie Brian , Soulen Michael
Published: June 2017

The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has been increasing in recent years and now represents the second most common primary hepatic cancer in the United States. The prognosis is dismal without surgical resection. In patients ineligible to receive curative treatments, locoregional therapies represent a diverse array of techniques that can stabilize or reverse tumor progression to improve overall survival and reduce tumor-related symptoms. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) have been demonstrated to be efficacious methods for this patient population. Deciding between these two options is challenging. This article reviews the differences in patient selection, preprocedural evaluation, financial considerations and availability, quality of life, and rates of complications and overall survival.
Metastatic Liver Disease: Indications for Locoregional Therapy and Supporting Data
Authors: Shamimi-Noori Susan , Gonsalves Carin , Shaw Colette
Published: June 2017

Metastatic liver disease is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Surgical resection is considered the only curative treatment, yet only a minority is eligible. Patients who present with unresectable disease are treated with systemic agents and/or locoregional therapies. The latter include thermal ablation and catheter-based transarterial interventions. Thermal ablation is reserved for those with limited tumor burden. It is used to downstage the disease to enable curative surgical resection, as an adjunct to surgery, or in select patients it is potentially curative. Transarterial therapies are indicated in those with more diffuse disease. The goals of care are to palliate symptoms and prolong survival. The indications and supporting data for thermal ablation and transarterial interventions are reviewed, technical and tumor factors that need to be considered prior to intervention are outlined, and finally several cases are presented.
Implant Alternatives for Tibial Osteotomies
Authors: Getgood Alan , Degen Ryan
Published: June 2017

Tibial osteotomies have commonly been used to treat varus malalignment with associated medial compartment degeneration. Initially, lateral closing wedge osteotomies were commonly used. However, with the advent of improved plate osteosynthesis techniques, medial opening wedge osteotomies have become the mainstay of treatment. Presently, there are several available fixation devices, with no clear consensus on which represents the superior option. This article will serve to review the technological evolution of tibial osteotomy fixation devices, highlighting the comparative biomechanical evidence of available constructs.
“An authentic ghost story”: manipulating the gothic in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Authors: Liu Faith
Published: June 2017

Perhaps the most memorable—and almost certainly the most harrowing—portions of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin occur during Tom’s time at the Legree plantation: a narrative plunge into the horrors of slavery in the Deep South, and a stylistic plunge into the realm of the Gothic. This study seeks to engage this section of Uncle Tom’s Cabin within the context of the Gothic genre, and, in so doing, reveal Stowe’s Gothic turn to be not, as some scholars have suggested, merely superficial appropriation, but rather a sophisticated manipulation of genre that culminates in a Christianization of the Gothic. By exploring Stowe’s use of Gothic figures and devices—the setting of the crumbling Louisiana plantation, the threefold Gothic female represented by Cassy, and the “haunting” of Legree—in the light of both European and American Gothic fiction, this study demonstrates how the trappings of the Gothic genre can be used to refresh and further Stowe’s progressive Christian narrative, one which ultimately refutes the Gothic by seeding it in a universe where peace, freedom, and Christian redemption are possible. This article is published as part of a collection on Gothic and horror.
Turbulent water flow in a channel at Re
τ = 400 laden with 0.25 mm diameter air-bubbles clustered near the wall
Authors: Lakehal D. , Métrailler D. , Reboux S.
Published: June 2017

This paper presents Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) results of a turbulent water flow in a channel at Reτ = 400 laden with 0.25 mm diameter air bubbles clustered near the wall (maximum void fraction of α = 8% at y+ ∼ 20). The bubbles were fully resolved using the level set approach built within the CFD/CMFD code TransAT. The fluid properties (air and water) were kept real, including density, viscosity, and surface tension coefficient. The aim of this work is to understand the effects of the bubbles on near-wall turbulence, paving the way towards convective wall-boiling flow studies. The interactions between the gas bubbles and the water stream were studied through an in-depth analysis of the turbulence statistics. The near-wall flow is overall affected by the bubbles, which act like roughness elements during the early phase, prior to their departure from the wall. The average profiles are clearly altered by the bubbles dynamics near the wall, which somewhat contrasts with the findings from similar studies [J. Lu and G. Tryggvason, “Dynamics of nearly spherical bubbles in a turbulent channel upflow,” J. Fluid Mech. 732, 166 (2013)], most probably because the bubbles were introduced uniformly in the flow and not concentrated at the wall. The shape of the bubbles measured as the apparent to initial diameter ratio is found to change by a factor of at least two, in particular at the later stages when the bubbles burst out from the boundary layer. The clustering of the bubbles seems to be primarily localized in the zone populated by high-speed streaks and independent of their size. More importantly, the bubbly flow seems to differ from the single-phase flow in terms of turbulent stress distribution and energy exchange, in which all the stress components seem to be increased in the region very close to the wall, by up to 40%. The decay in the energy spectra near the wall was found to be significantly slower for the bubbly flow than for a single-phase flow, which confirms that the bubbles increase the energy at smaller scales. The coherent structures in the boundary layer are broken by the bubbles, which disrupts the formation of long structures, reducing the streamwise integral length scale.
Thermoelectric properties of [Ca2CoO3−δ][CoO2]1,62 as a function of Co/Ca defects and Co3O4 inclusions
Authors: Büttner Gesine , Populoh Sascha , Xie Wenjie , Trottmann Matthias , Hertrampf Jan , Döbeli Max , Karvonen Lassi , Yoon Songhak , Thiel Philipp , Niewa Rainer , Weidenkaff Anke
Published: June 2017

The misfit-layered cobalt oxide [Ca2-wCoO3-δ][CoO2]1.62 is a promising material for high-temperature thermoelectric heat recovery. Here, we show that discrepancies in the numerously reported thermoelectric performances can result from Co3O4 impurities or a change of the defects, i.e., the relative Co content in the [Ca2-wCoO3-δ][CoO2]1.62 phase. We observe that increasing the relative Co content in the [Ca2-wCoO3-δ][CoO2]1.62 phase leads to a larger figure of merit ZT. We attribute this increase of ZT to additional p-type charge carriers introduced by Ca vacancies and the resulting reduction of the electrical resistivity. For Co/Ca ratios above the miscibility limit, the increase in thermal conductivity due to the formation of Co3O4 impurities leads to a reduction of ZT when the volume fraction of the Co3O4 phase is increased from 1% to 3%. Hence, the best figure of merit is expected close to the upper phase boundary of the [Ca2-wCoO3-δ][CoO2]1.62 phase.
Dielectric and phonon spectroscopy of Nb-doped Pb(Zr1-yTiy)O3-CoFe2O4 composites
Authors: Sakanas Aurimas , Nuzhnyy Dmitry , Grigalaitis Robertas , Banys Juras , Borodavka Fedir , Kamba Stanislav , Ciomaga Cristina Elena , Mitoseriu Liliana
Published: June 2017

Broad-band dielectric and phonon response of Nb-doped (1-x)Pb(Zr1-yTiy)O3-xCoFe2O4 composites with x = 10%–30% was investigated between 0.1 MHz and 100 THz. At room temperature, a broad distribution of relaxation times causes a constant dielectric loss below 1 GHz. Above room temperature, a strong Maxwell-Wagner relaxation process dominates below 1 GHz due to the conductivity of CoFe2O4 (CF). Two additional relaxation processes are seen between 1 GHz and 1 THz. The lower-frequency one, coming from domain wall motion, disappears above TC ≈ 650 K. The higher-frequency component slows down on heating towards TC, because it is the central mode, which drives the ferroelectric phase transition. Time-domain THz transmission and infrared reflectivity spectra reveal a mixture of polar phonons from both ferroelectric Nb-doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZTN) and magnetic CoFe2O4 (CF) components, while the micro-Raman scattering spectra allow to study phonons from both components separately. Similar temperature behavior of phonons as in the pure PZTN and CF was observed. While in CoFe2O4 the Raman-active phonons gradually reduce their intensities on heating due to increasing conductivity and related reduced Raman-scattering volume, some phonons in PZTN disappear above TC due to change of selection rules in the paraelectric phase. Like in the pure Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, the soft phonon and central modes were also observed.
Topologically nontrivial electronic states in CaSn3
Authors: Gupta Sunny , Juneja Rinkle , Shinde Ravindra , Singh Abhishek K.
Published: June 2017

Based on the first-principles calculations, we theoretically propose topologically non-trivial states in a recently experimentally discovered superconducting material CaSn3. When the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is ignored, the material is a host to three-dimensional topological nodal-line semimetal states. Drumhead like surface states protected by the coexistence of time-reversal and mirror symmetry emerge within the two-dimensional regions of the surface Brillouin zone connecting the nodal lines. When SOC is included, unexpectedly, each nodal line evolves into two Weyl nodes (W1 and W2) in this centrosymmetric material. Berry curvature calculations show that these nodes occur in a pair and act as either a source or a sink of Berry flux. This material also has unique surface states in the form of Fermi arcs, which unlike other known Weyl semimetals forms closed loops of surface states on the Fermi surface. Our theoretical realization of topologically non-trivial states in a superconducting material paves the way towards unraveling the interconnection between topological physics and superconductivity.
Population dynamics of graphene driven by a few-cycle laser pulse
Authors: Ding Chunling , Yu Rong , Hao Xiangying , Zhang Duo , Zu Fengxia
Published: June 2017

We study the time evolution of the populations in a two-dimensional (2D) graphene system by employing a few-cycle laser pulse with a linear polarization. Specifically, we present a comparative numerical analysis of the population dynamics of graphene in three different model configurations. Our results show that the Rabi-like oscillations and intraband population inversion can be observed in the population spectrum, which originated from the periodicity of a few-cycle laser pulse and the intraband Coulomb scattering. Also, coherent population oscillations are produced across the Dirac point when the Rabi frequency of the laser field which is used to couple the interband transition is much larger than that couples the intraband transition, and vice versa. These investigations may be helpful to enhance the performance of graphene-based ultrafast electronic and optoelectronic devices, including light-emitting devices, touch screens, photodetectors, and ultrafast lasers.
An effective low-temperature solution synthesis of Co-doped [0001]-oriented ZnO nanorods
Authors: Alnoor Hatim , Savoyant Adrien , Liu Xianjie , Pozina Galia , Willander Magnus , Nur Omer
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate an efficient possibility to synthesize vertically aligned pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and Co-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs) using the low-temperature aqueous chemical synthesis (90 °C). Two different mixing methods of the synthesis solutions were investigated for the Co-doped samples. The synthesized samples were compared to pure ZnO NRs regarding the Co incorporation and crystal quality. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements confirmed the substitution of Co2+ inside the ZnO NRs, giving a highly anisotropic magnetic Co2+ signal. The substitution of Zn2+ by Co2+ was observed to be combined with a drastic reduction in the core-defect (CD) signal (g ∼ 1.956) which is seen in pure ZnO NRs. As revealed by the cathodoluminescence (CL), the incorporation of Co causes a slight red-shift of the UV peak position combined with an enhancement in the intensity of the defect-related yellow-orange emission compared to pure ZnO NRs. Furthermore, the EPR and the CL measurements allow a possible model of the defect configuration in the samples. It is proposed that the as-synthesized pure ZnO NRs likely contain Zn interstitial (Zni+) as CDs and oxygen vacancy (VO) or oxygen interstitial (Oi) as surface defects. As a result, Co was found to likely occupy the Zni+, leading to the observed CDs reduction and hence enhancing the crystal quality. These results open the possibility of synthesis of highly crystalline quality ZnO NRs-based diluted magnetic semiconductors using the low-temperature aqueous chemical method.
College-level project-based learning gains popularity
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: June 2017

The approach can develop undergraduates’ skills in teamwork, communications, entrepreneurship, and tackling real-life problems.
An analysis of the role of the ShSUT1 sucrose transporter in sugarcane using RNAi suppression
Authors: Glassop Donna , Stiller Jiri , Bonnett Graham D. , Grof Christopher P. L. , Rae Anne L.
Published: June 2017

The role of ShSUT1 in sucrose mobilisation and storage in sugarcane was investigated by employing RNAi technology to reduce the expression of this gene. Transcript profiling in non-transformed plants showed an alignment between expression and sucrose concentration, with strongest expression in source leaves and increasing expression through the daylight period of a diurnal cycle. Five transgenic plant lines were produced with reduced ShSUT1 expression ranging from 52 to 92% lower than control plants. Differential suppression of ShSUT1 sequence variants in the highly polyploid sugarcane genome were also investigated. Amplicon sequencing of the ShSUT1 variants within the transgenic lines and controls showed no preferential suppression with only minor differences in the proportional expression of the variants. A range of altered sugar, fibre and moisture contents were measured in mature leaf and internode samples, but no phenotype was consistently exhibited by all five transgenic lines. Phenotypes observed indicate that ShSUT1 does not play a direct role in phloem loading. ShSUT1 is likely involved with retrieving sucrose from intercellular spaces for transport and storage.
Effect of seminal plasma from high- and low-fertility bulls on cauda epididymal sperm function
Authors: Holden S. A. , Fernandez-Fuertes B. , Murphy E. M. , Lonergan P. , Fair S.
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of seminal plasma (SP) from bulls of high or low fertility on sperm function. First, the effect of SP on the motility of fresh cauda epididymal spermatozoa (CES) and frozen–thawed ejaculated spermatozoa was assessed (Experiment 1a). Seminal plasma was then collected from bulls of known high and low fertility. Pooled CES were incubated in the SP from each bull, diluted and assessed for motility and viability on Days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after packaging as fresh semen (Experiment 1b). Also assessed were motility, kinematics, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential after thawing (Experiment 1c) as well as hypotonic resistance (Experiment 2) and fertilisation potential using in vitro fertilisation (Experiment 3). Seminal plasma increased the motility of CES (P < 0.05); however, there was no effect of SP on the motility and viability of fresh CES or on CES post-thaw motility, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (P > 0.05). The hypotonic resistance of CES was reduced by SP (P < 0.05), irrespective of whether the SP was from high- or low-fertility bulls. Seminal plasma from high- or low-fertility bulls had no effect on cleavage or blastocyst rates (P > 0.05). In conclusion, SP affects the physiological function of CES but there is no difference between SP from high- or low-fertility bulls.
Spatial language and cognition among the last Ixcatec-Spanish bilinguals (Mexico)
Authors: Adamou Evangelia
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses spatial language and bilingual cognition with evidence from the last four speakers of Ixcatec who have shifted to Spanish in their everyday life. Based on a free-speech corpus, Study 1 shows that the Ixcatec spatial expressions are mainly intrinsic and geocentric, similar to what is reported for other Mesoamerican languages. Study 2 investigates co-speech gesture in a localization task and reveals the predominance of the geocentric frame of reference (FoR) with a switch to the egocentric FoR triggered by the Spanish word ‘left’. Study 3 is a nonverbal experiment which shows that the egocentric, geocentric, and intrinsic frames of reference are all available. To conclude, although the use of Spanish has added new spatial conceptualizations, the native ones are not lost.
Naming businesses – in the context of bilingual Finnish cityscapes
Authors: Syrjälä Väinö
Published: June 2017

Linguistic landscapes do not only function as a source for quantitative information about language use. They can also mediate information about power relations and identities in a society that constructs a specific linguistic place. Through a discussion of the commercial names that can be seen on the streets of bilingual Finnish towns, this study sheds light on how (or if) the bilingualism of the community is reflected in the naming of businesses. While all official signs (and names) use Finnish and Swedish in parallel, the commercial language use is more diverse. The names of businesses can be part of one or both (or neither) of the national languages. The analysis of the names of local businesses in two small-sized towns shows that in a town with Finnish majority, Finnish names dominate the scene. A Swedish majority is needed for both languages to be visible in the commercial sphere (i.e. for Swedish to gain status in commercial naming). Even English or universal names are popular, irrespective of the linguistic situation. Commercial names have a role in the construction of the linguistic place, but that place is not necessarily a bilingual Finland.
The perception of Somali place names among immigrant Somali youth in Helsinki
Authors: Ainiala Terhi , Halonen Mia
Published: June 2017

Immigrant Somali youth living in Helsinki are the focus of this article. The study investigates what kind of Somali place names Somali teenagers use in their home surroundings and what kind of perceptions and beliefs they have about these names and their use. The study also discusses Finnish people’s perceptions of these Somali names. Methodologically, the study belongs to the field of folk onomastics which can be defined as the study of people’s beliefs and perceptions about names and name use. The study demonstrates that Mogadishu, which started out as a racist name, has been appropriated by the Somalis themselves. The study also shows how a number of Somali words are used for certain places in Helsinki. Finally, the study discusses the methodological challenges that interviews are faced with in folk onomastic investigations.
The macro-event property and the layered structure of the clause
Authors: Bohnemeyer Jürgen , Van Valin Robert D.
Published: June 2017

We ask whether there is a “macro-event phrase,” a uniform level of syntax at which complex scenarios may be described as single events under the Macro-Event Property (MEP). The MEP is a form-meaning mapping property that constrains the compatibility of event descriptions with time-positional modifiers. An examination of English infinitival complements, Ewe serial verb constructions, and Japanese converb constructions suggests that the putative crosslinguistic “macro-event phrase” is the verbal core of the Layered Structure of the Clause theory of Role and Reference Grammar. Across languages, simple cores necessarily have the MEP, whereas complex cores have it if and only if they are integrated by ‘cosubordinate’ nexus, defined as a symmetric union of two cores that together behave like a single core. We furthermore argue that this connection between core cosubordinations and the MEP may help explain why cosubordinate cores seem to always share an argument through control.
An Assessment of the Geographic Closure Assumption in Mark–Recapture Abundance Estimates of Anadromous Steelhead Populations
Authors: Wathen Gus , Weber Nicholas , Bennett Stephen , Bouwes Nicolaas , Jordan Chris E.
Published: June 2017

Closed population models are commonly used to estimate stream salmonid abundances using mark–recapture information collected during electrofishing surveys. To meet the model assumption of geographic closure, block nets are often used to prevent emigration and immigration of fish during the survey. Increased sampling and tagging efforts in an open site may be an appealing trade-off given the time it takes to properly deploy block nets, but it also increases an abundance estimate's vulnerability to bias. We assessed the extent of geographic closure violation from emigration in open sites between mark and recapture passes utilizing PIT antennas as virtual block nets. This allowed us to quantify emigration rates of juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from 60 fish surveys across multiple seasons and watersheds. Our goals were to determine how season and site length influence emigration, examine how the life history of an anadromous salmonid may induce bias on mark–recapture abundance estimates, and provide recommendations on minimizing the bias associated with violating the geographic closure assumption. Average emigration rate was low across all surveys and watersheds (5.1%), with higher emigration rates correlating with larger fish, shorter site length, and the season in which the site was sampled. We concluded that the bias associated with violating the geographic closure assumption in an open site can be minimized by avoiding times of migration and by sampling sites up to 650 m long depending on fish density and capture efficiency. Our findings provide useful information for planning mark–recapture studies that have multiple sampling objectives.

Received July 27, 2016; accepted May 24, 2017Published online August 4, 2017
The Decline of Directly Observed Physical Function Performance Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Dong XinQi , Bergren Stephanie M. , Simon Melissa A.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Physical function decline is a major public health concern and can predict later mortality. This study aims to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with physical function decline among U.S. Chinese older adults through a longitudinal population-based study.

Methods:

Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE) at two time points: 2011–2013 and 2013–2015. Physical function was measured by observed physical performance testing, including chair stand, tandem stand, and timed walk. Mixed-effect models were used to analyze the demographic risk factors associated with physical function decline.

Results:

Of the 2,713 participants in waves 1 and 2, their average age was 72.6 years old, 58.4% were female, with 8.7 years of education average, and 85.8% had an annual individual income of less than $10,000. Our findings show subjects of older age, female sex, lower education, lower income, and a greater number of medical comorbidities had lower physical function levels at baseline. Older adults experienced a faster decline in physical function for the overall performance measure (β = −.02, p < .001). Additionally, elderly adults with higher education have a faster decline of physical function in the overall performance measure (β = −.03, p < .01).

Discussion:

As the first to examine physical function decline among U.S. Chinese older adults, our study finds older age and higher education are two factors associated with a faster rate of physical function decline. In future research, long-term follow up and multiple waves of data are needed to investigate risk or resilience factors for disability or recovering from disability.
Population Aging and Health Trajectories at Older Ages
Authors: Vogelsang Eric M , Raymo James M , Liang Jersey , Kobayashi Erika , Fukaya Taro
Published: June 2017

Objective

This study examines relationships between municipal age structure and two types of self-rated health: general (SRH) and comparison with similar-aged peers (C-SRH).

Methods

Using a national sample of almost 5,000 Japanese older adults over two decades, we employ hierarchical growth curve models to estimate health trajectories. For municipal age structure, we consider both the relative prevalence of elderly adults in the local population and the pace of aging over time.

Results

Living in the oldest municipalities was generally associated with worse health, particularly between the ages of 70 and 80 years. For SRH, the speed of municipal population aging was also independently associated with worse health. For C-SRH, worse health in older areas was partially explained by less favorable economic conditions in those municipalities. Results also suggest that higher levels of employment and social integration among older adults living in the oldest municipalities operate in the opposite direction. That is, these attributes partially “protect” individuals from other factors that contribute to worse health.

Discussion

Relative differences in municipal age structure and the pace of population aging are largely unexplored and potentially important correlates of older adult health. This line of research is increasingly salient in a world with substantial and growing regional variation in population aging.
Identification of biomarker sets for predicting the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy against pollen-induced allergic rhinitis
Authors: Gotoh Minoru , Kaminuma Osamu , Nakaya Akihiro , Katayama Kazufumi , Motoi Yuji , Watanabe Nobumasa , Saeki Mayumi , Nishimura Tomoe , Kitamura Noriko , Yamaoka Kazuko , Okubo Kimihiro , Hiroi Takachika
Published: June 2017

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is effective against allergic rhinitis, although a substantial proportion of individuals is refractory. Herein, we describe a predictive modality to reliably identify SLIT non-responders (NRs). We conducted a 2-year clinical study in 193 adult patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis, with biweekly administration of 2000 Japanese allergy units of cedar pollen extract as the maintenance dose. After identifying high-responder (HR) patients with improved severity scores and NR patients with unchanged or exacerbated symptoms, differences in 33 HR and 34 NR patients were evaluated in terms of peripheral blood cellular profiles by flow cytometry and serum factors by ELISA and cytokine bead array, both pre- and post-SLIT. Improved clinical responses were seen in 72% of the treated patients. Pre-therapy IL-12p70 and post-therapy IgG1 serum levels were significantly different between HR and NR patients, although these parameters alone failed to distinguish NR from HR patients. However, the analysis of serum parameters in the pre-therapy samples with the Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) algorithm distinguished NR patients with high probability within the training data set. Cluster analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum Th1/Th2 cytokines and other cytokines/chemokines in HR patients after SLIT. Thus, processing of pre-therapy serum parameters with AdaBoost and cluster analysis can be reliably used to develop a prediction method for HR/NR patients.
Breast cancer screening effectiveness in Portugal central Region
Authors: Bastos Joana , Rodrigues Vitor , Paap Ellen , Broeders Mireille , Pina Miguel , Cruz Dário , Carrito Branca , António Silva Manuel
Published: June 2017

The central region of Portugal is covered by an organized population-based breast cancer screening programme. We designed a case-referent study to investigate the association of overall mortality with mammographic screening attendance. The study population (SP) included women aged 50–69 years who received at least one invitation to the breast cancer screening programme. A case was defined as a woman from the SP diagnosed with breast cancer between 2000 and 2006 who died before 1 August 2015. Index invitation (IV) was defined as the most recent invitation before diagnosis of the case. For each case, two referents were sampled from the SP. Referents were women who did not have a breast cancer diagnosis at the IV of the case and alive at time of death of the case. Exposure to screening was defined as participation in the screening examination following the IV and/or participation in the screening round preceding the IV. To correct for self-selection bias, we used a summary correction factor on the basis of published ones. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 227 cases and 454 referents were considered. The overall OR showed a mortality reduction of 47% (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.37–0.78). The estimated correction factor was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.06–1.25). This factor was used to correct the crude OR, resulting in a mortality reduction of 33% (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.45–1.00). Our results are in agreement with other case-referent studies worldwide, supporting the contribution of screening practices towards the decreasing breast cancer mortality in Portugal.
A prognostic model for resectable acral melanoma patients on the basis of preoperative inflammatory markers
Authors: Wang Yao , Wen Xi-Zhi , Ba Hong-Jun , Li Dan-Dan , Ding Ya , Wang Ke-Feng , Li Jing-Jing , Zhang Xiao-Shi
Published: June 2017

Acral melanoma is a rare disease, but is common in Asia. Knowledge of its prognostic indicators is limited. Growing evidence indicates that inflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of acral melanoma. We developed a novel prognostic model on the basis of preoperative inflammatory markers and examined its prognostic value in a cohort of patients. This retrospective study included 232 acral melanoma patients who underwent radical surgical resection between 2000 and 2010 at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Significant predictive factors were identified by multivariate Cox regression analyses, and a prognostic model on the basis of these variables was constructed to predict survival. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to estimate overall survival. Multivariate analyses showed that C-reactive protein, albumin/globulin ratio, age, lactic dehydrogenase, and lymph node positivity were related independently to survival. After analyzing these variables, we classified patients into three risk groups. The new prognostic model identified three categories of patients with different prognoses (P<0.001) and significantly stratified patient prognosis into different tumor stages. The area under the curve of the new prognostic model was 0.684 (95% confidence interval: 0.620–0.743), which was significantly higher than that of the other variables (P<0.001). C-reactive protein and albumin/globulin ratio were independently related to survival in our study population and the prognostic model developed using inflammatory-based scores was useful in stratifying patients into different risk groups. Thus, this model will be a valuable complement to the 2009 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for Asian patients with acral melanoma.
Development of a biclonal cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative process during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic melanoma
Authors: Davick Jonathan J. , Wick Mark R. , Gru Alejandro A.
Published: June 2017

The immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 pathway have recently shown promising therapeutic results in patients with metastatic melanoma. Dermatologic side effects of these agents occur in ∼30–40% of cases. Here, we report the development of a biclonal cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in a patient being treated with ipilimumab (a CTLA-4 inhibitor) for metastatic melanoma. Nivolumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) had also been administered to him previously. An 8 mm reddish papule appeared on the skin of the left forearm. A biopsy of that lesion showed an atypical population of predominantly CD4-positive, CD30-positive T-cells that also expressed PD-1 and PD-L1 immunohistochemically. PCR studies for T-cell receptor rearrangements showed the presence of two distinct clonal T-cell populations. The lesion was completely excised and the patient had no local recurrences. There was also no subsequent evidence of a systemic lymphoproliferative process. Although the development of a lymphoid skin lesion in our patient may have only been coincidentally related to his treatment, immunostimulatory drugs could theoretically cause clonal expansion of a population of lymphocytes that leads to a lymphoproliferative disorder.
Sequential analysis of child pain behavior and maternal responses: an observational study
Authors: Langer Shelby L. , Romano Joan , Brown Jonathon D. , Nielson Heather , Ou Bobby , Rauch Christina , Zullo Lirra , Levy Rona L.
Published: June 2017

This laboratory-based study examined lagged associations between child pain behavior and maternal responses as a function of maternal catastrophizing (CAT). Mothers completed the parent version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Children participated in a validated water ingestion procedure to induce abdominal discomfort with mothers present. Video recordings of their interactions were edited into 30-second segments and coded by 2 raters for presence of child pain behavior, maternal solicitousness, and nontask conversation. Kappa reliabilities ranged from 0.83 to 0.95. Maternal CAT was positively associated with child pain behavior and maternal solicitousness, P values <0.05. In lagged analyses, child pain behavior during a given segment (T) was positively associated with child pain behavior during the subsequent segment (T + 1), P <0.05. Maternal CAT moderated the association between (1) child pain behavior at T and maternal solicitousness at T + 1, and (2) solicitousness at T and child pain behavior at T + 1, P values <0.05. Mothers higher in CAT responded solicitously at T + 1 irrespective of their child's preceding pain behavior, and their children exhibited pain behavior at T + 1 irrespective of the mother's preceding solicitousness. Mothers lower in CAT were more likely to respond solicitously at T + 1 after child pain behavior, and their children were more likely to exhibit pain behavior at T + 1 after maternal solicitousness. These findings indicate that high CAT mothers and their children exhibit inflexible patterns of maternal solicitousness and child pain behavior, and that such families may benefit from interventions to decrease CAT and develop more adaptive responses.
Identifying High-alert Medications in a University Hospital by Applying Data From the Medication Error Reporting System
Authors: Tyynismaa Lotta , Honkala Anni , Airaksinen Marja , Shermock Kenneth , Lehtonen Lasse
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To facilitate safe use of high-alert medications, lists of medications posing higher risks for medication errors (MEs) and harmful effects have been compiled. These lists can be general or reflect clinical practices in specific settings. Less common has been to compile a hospital-specific list applying data from the organization’s ME reporting system. Our objective was to demonstrate a method for compiling such a high-alert medication list in a university hospital.

Methods

Of the eighteen 136 MEs reported during 2007 to 2013, ME reports with medications coded as a contributing factor to the incident were included (n = 249). The involved medications were identified and compared with the hospital’s drug consumption and Institute for Safe Medication Practice’s List of High-Alert Medications. The report narratives of MEs with most reported and high-alert medications (120 reports) were qualitatively content analyzed.

Results

The included 249 reports concerned 280 medications, of which 33% were classified as high-alert medications by the Institute for Safe Medication Practice. The most common therapeutic groups were antibacterials for systemic use (13%), psycholeptics (10%), analgesics (9%), and antithrombotic agents (9%). The most common high-alert medications were oxycodone (5%), enoxaparin (3%), and noradrenaline (3%). Serious patient harm (3%) was related to cefuroxime, enoxaparin, ibuprofen, midazolam, propofol, and warfarin. A half of the MEs were related to parenteral preparations. The qualitative content analysis revealed the key process safety risks of the most reported and high-alert medications.

Conclusions

The method is applicable for compiling a hospital-specific high-alert medication list and related analysis of key process safety risks contributing to MEs.
The Hippocampus and Cortex Together Generate the Scalp EEG Ictal Discharge in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Vossler David G. , Kraemer Diana L. , Bell Anthony J.
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

The scalp EEG ictal discharge in temporal lobe epilepsy is reportedly visible only after the intracranial discharge becomes well synchronized and present over 10 to 30 cm2 of cortex. We investigated the role of the hippocampal formation in the generation of the scalp EEG ictal discharge.

Methods:

Intracranial EEG video monitors were recorded using simultaneous scalp, stereotaxic depth, and subdural strip electrodes in 19 subjects with temporal lobe epilepsy. The location, frequency, morphology, and timing of the initial ictal discharge, and subsequent ictal patterns, were examined in hippocampal formation, medial paleocortex, and lateral temporal neocortex electrocorticographic and scalp temporal EEG recordings.

Results:

In every subject, a scalp ictal discharge was visible only after the intracranial ictal discharge had spread to involve the whole temporal lobe (hippocampal formation, medial paleocortex, and lateral temporal neocortex). Beta/gamma frequency and decremental electrocorticographic ictal discharges were never visualized in the EEG. The scalp EEG ictal discharge frequency was 2.4 to 10 Hz and appeared a median of 18 seconds after a faster frequency electrocorticographic initial ictal discharge, once the intracranial discharge slowed to an alpha, theta, or delta frequency.

Conclusions:

In temporal lobe epilepsy, an ictal pattern is not readily visible in the scalp EEG until the intracranial ictal discharge is ≤10 Hz and has propagated from its site of onset to involve the hippocampus, medial paleocortex, and lateral temporal neocortex.