bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of an Integrated Child Nutrition Intervention on the Complementary Food Intake of Young Children in Rural North Viet Nam
Authors: Pachón Helena , Schroeder Dirk G. , Marsh David R. , Dearden Kirk A. , Ha Tran Thu , Lang Tran Thi
Published: November 2018

Forty-two percent of Vietnamese children are stunted by two years of age. Since 1990, Save the Children Federation/US (SC) has implemented integrated nutrition programs targeting young children. We evaluated the effect of SC's nutrition program on the complementary food intake of young rural Vietnamese children. Using a longitudinal, prospective, randomized design, we followed 238 children (119 each from intervention and comparison communes) age 5 to 25 months old for six months with a re-survey at 12 months. We gathered 24-hour recall data at baseline and at months 2, 4, 6, and 12. Dietary energy intake was calculated using the 1972 Vietnamese food composition table. Key outcomes were daily frequency of consuming intervention-promoted food and non-breastmilk liquids and food, daily quantity of non-breastmilk liquids and food consumed, daily energy intake, and proportion of children meeting daily median energy requirements. Young rural children exposed to SC's program consumed intervention-promoted and any foods more frequently, ate a greater quantity of any food, consumed more energy, and were more likely to meet their daily energy requirements than comparison children. Some effects were only observed during the intensive intervention period; others persisted into or were evident only at the 12-month follow-up, approximately four months after program completion. Based on the mothers’ reports, the intervention did not apparently compromise breastfeeding prevalence or frequency. The intervention improved children's food and energy intake and protected them from declining as rapidly as comparison children in meeting their energy requirements.
Identification of Model Newborn Care Practices through a Positive Deviance Inquiry to Guide Behavior-Change Interventions in Haripur, Pakistan
Authors: Marsh David R. , Sternin Monique , Khadduri Rolla , Ihsan Tariq , Nazir Raheel , Bari Abdul , Lapping Karin
Published: November 2018

A positive deviance (PD) inquiry identifies uncommon, model practices that a follow-on program can spread. PD has been used to rehabilitate malnourished children, but not for improving newborn health. Save the Children Federation/US (SC) conducted newborn PD cycles in communities (total population about 5,000 each) in two project areas in Haripur District, Pakistan among Afghan refugees and among local Pakistanis. Each PD cycle included planning, community orientation, situation analysis, PD inquiries, and community feedback with action planning. PD inquiries were in-depth interviews to identify uncommon behaviors among surviving asphyxiated newborns, thriving low birthweight babies, surviving newborns who had danger signs, and normal newborns. The Afghan caregivers showed better use of services and some household practices than their Pakistani counterparts, consistent with duration of SC presence (15 years vs. 18 months, respectively). The practices of both groups for clean delivery, thermal control, immediate and exclusive breastfeeding, and fathers’ involvement were weak. But PD individuals, families, and/or birth attendants modeled good maternal care and immediate, routine and special newborn care. Communities enthusiastically committed to change behavior and form neighborhood support groups for better newborn care, including a demand for hygienic delivery. The PD approach for the newborn is more complex than for child nutrition. Yet this pilot-test proposed a conceptual framework for household newborn care, suggested tools and methods for information gathering, identified PDs in two settings of different risk, galvanized SC staff to the potential of the approach, mobilized communities for better newborn health, and drafted a newborn PD training curricula.
A Multinutrient Package of Iron, Vitamin A, and Iodine Improved the Productivity and Earnings of Women Tea Pickers in South India
Authors: Gopaldas Tara , Gujral Sunder
Published: November 2018

Tea-picking is a highly skilled activity that is usually performed by women. This study, conducted on the Balanoor Plantations, India, from 1996 to 1998, was successful in empowering 339 women pickers and their families to take iron (60 mg of elemental iron two times a week) and vitamin A (1,600 IU) once a week, and to purchase subsidized iodized salt (30 ppm) from the plantation ration shop. The average hemoglobin level of the pickers rose significantly (p < .001) from 11.0 g/dl at baseline to 11.9 g/dl at the end of the nine months of intervention. The average amount of tea per picker increased significantly (p < .001) from 22.9 to 25.6 kg. There was a significant decrease in the number of “moderate pickers,” who picked between 14 and 25 kg per day, and a significant increase in the number of “good pickers,” who picked more than 25 kg per day, and the earnings of the majority of the pickers increased. The management of the estate where the intervention occurred benefited from a decrease in the number of pickers needed during the supplement period from 2,857 to 2,763, with no significant change in the yield per hectare in the two years. The yield per hectare on the control estate was not significantly different from that on the intervention estate, and the average amount of tea picked per worker was the same for the two periods (20.8 and 20.7 kg).
Combating Hidden Hunger: The Role of International Agencies
Authors: Dalmiya Nita , Schultink Werner
Published: November 2018

The importance of micronutrient deficiencies or “hidden hunger” was clearly emphasized by the inclusion of specific goals on iron, vitamin A, and iodine deficiency at the 1990 World Summit for Children and other major international nutrition conferences. Significant progress has since been made toward eliminating vitamin A and iodine deficiencies, with less progress made toward reducing the burden of iron-deficiency anemia. The role of international agencies, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, Food and Agricultural Organization, and World Bank in assisting countries to make progress toward the World Summit for Children goals has been very important. International agencies have played a critical role in advocating for and raising awareness of these issues at the international, regional, and national levels among policymakers and the general population. Using a rights-based approach, UNICEF and other agencies have been instrumental in elevating to the highest political level the discussion of every child's right to adequate nutrition. International agencies have also been very supportive at the national level in providing technical guidance for programs, including monitoring and evaluation. These agencies have played a critical role in engaging the cooperation of other partners, including bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector for micronutrient programs. Furthermore, international agencies provide financial and material support for micronutrient programs. In the future, such agencies must continue to be heavily involved in programs to achieve the newly confirmed goals for 2010.

The present paper focuses on the role of international agencies in combating micronutrient deficiencies, drawing on the lessons learned over the last decade. The first section of the paper summarizes the progress achieved since 1990, and the second section describes the specific role of international agencies in contributing to that progress.
Vitamin A Deficiency Disorders in Children and Women
Authors: West Keith P.
Published: November 2018

Vitamin A deficiency is an endemic nutrition problem throughout much of the developing world, especially affecting the health and survival of infants, young children, and pregnant and lactating women. These age and life-stage groups represent periods when both nutrition stress is high and diet likely to be chronically deficient in vitamin A. Approximately 127 million preschool-aged children and 7 million pregnant women are vitamin A deficient. Health consequences of vitamin A deficiency include mild to severe systemic effects on innate and acquired mechanisms of host resistance to infection and growth, increased burden of infectious morbidity, mild to severe (blinding) stages of xerophthalmia, and increased risk of mortality. These consequences are defined as vitamin A deficiency disorders (VADD). Globally, 4.4 million preschool children have xerophthalmia and 6 million mothers suffer night blindness during pregnancy. Both conditions are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. While reductions of child mortality of 19–54% following vitamin A treatment have been widely reported, more recent work suggests that dosing newborns with vitamin A may, in some settings, lower infant mortality. Among women, one large trial has so far reported a ≥ 40% reduction in mortality related to pregnancy with weekly, low-dose vitamin A supplementation. Epidemiologic data on vitamin A deficiency disorders can be useful in planning, designing, and targeting interventions.
Multiple-Micronutrient Fortification Technology Development and Evaluation: From Lab to Market
Authors: Mehansho Haile , Mellican Renee I. , Hughes Don L. , Compton Don B. , Walter Tomas
Published: November 2018

At the World Summit for Children (New York, 1990), a resolution was passed to eliminate vitamin A and iodine deficiencies and significantly reduce iron-deficiency anemia by the year 2000. In responding to this urgent call, we developed a unique multiple-micronutrient fortification delivery system called “GrowthPlus/CreciPlus®.” Using this technology, a fortified powder fruit drink has been formulated and extensively evaluated. One serving of the product delivers the following US recommended dietary allowances: 20–30% of iron; 10–35% of vitamin A; 25–35% of iodine; 100–120% of vitamin C; 25–35% of zinc; 15–35% of folate; and 10–50% of vitamins E, B2, B6, and B12. This was accomplished through (a) identifying and selecting the right fortificants, and (b) understanding their chemical and physical properties that contribute to multiple problems (product acceptability, stability, and bioavailability). Data from a home-use test showed fortification with the “Multiple-Fortification Technology” has no effect on the appearance and taste of the eventually consumed powder fruit drink. One-year stability studies demonstrated that iodine and the vitamins have adequate stability. Bioavailability evaluation by using double-isotope labeling technique showed that the iron from the fortified powder drink has excellent bioavailability (23.4% ± 6.7). In conclusion, a powder fruit drink has been clinically demonstrated to deliver multiple micronutrients, which include adequate levels of bioavailable iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins, without compromising taste, appearance, and bioavailability. The critical limiting step in the micronutrient fortification program is the production and distribution of the multiplemicronutrient-fortified product. The fortified powder drink was marketed in Venezuela under the brand name NutriStar®.
Drinking to Their Health: Social Analysis of a Micronutrient-Fortified Beverage Field Trial
Authors: Benjamin Martin , Ash Deborah M.
Published: November 2018

Anthropologic research was conducted among pregnant and lactating women in rural Tanzania in conjunction with clinical trials of a micronutrient-fortified beverage. Use of the beverage was examined through interviews and ethnographic observation in clinics and at home. Women liked the taste of the beverage, considered it beneficial to their health, preferred it to pills or injections, and most were willing and able to use it according to instructions. Most consumed the beverage according to schedule in the hope of improving pregnancy outcomes. However, public health facilities in Tanzania are not currently equipped to ensure regular delivery of micronutrient supplements, and many of the women with the worst nutrition profiles are also those who would be least able to purchase supplements on the open market. Successful distribution of micronutrient supplements in forms that appeal to consumers, such as a fortified beverage, will require programmatic attention to locally appropriate social marketing and to the challenges of reaching those with extremely low incomes.
Treatment of Sorghum Grains with Calcium Hydroxide for Calcium Enrichment
Authors: Bharati Pushpa , Vaidehi M. P.
Published: November 2018

Four varieties of sorghum grain (SB-1079, DSH-1, CSH-5, and SB-905) were subjected to four methods of treatment with saturated calcium hydroxide solution (soaking and drying with and without washing for germinated and ungerminated grains) for five different periods: dipping only, or 4, 8, 16, or 32 hours of soaking. Among all the varieties, treated germinated grain showed a higher calcium content than treated ungerminated grain. Irrespective of the method or duration of soaking, SB-905 showed a significantly lower calcium content than the other varieties. A maximum calcium content of 253.6 mg per 100 g of grain was obtained in the DSH-1 variety when germinated grain was soaked and dried, compared to a 55.0 mg per 100 g in the untreated sample.

Washing after soaking resulted in a decreased calcium content in both germinated and ungerminated grains. Increasing the soaking time from simple dipping to four or eight hours resulted in a significant increase in calcium content. Further increases in soaking time to 16 or 32 hours caused a significant reduction in calcium content.
Effects of Vitamin-A Status on Hamster Tracheal Epithellum in Viva in Vitro
Authors: De Luca Luigi M. , McDowell Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2018

In this paper we have suggested the new concept of exotrophic cells, i.e. cells that have conditionally escaped the need for an essential nutrient, such as vitamin A. These exotrophs might become fixed by a mutation and eventually contribute to the tumorigenic phenotype.

The discovery of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) has opened up new horizons in the search for the mechanism of action of retinoic acid [17; 18]. It is intriguing that a second retinoic acid receptor, RARE, is abundantly expressed in hepatoma tissue and not in normal liver; Benbrook et al. [191 suggest that the erroneous expression of the RARE might contribute to tumour development in liver. How and whether these findings relate to the vitamin-A-deficient status of hepatoma cells remains to be understood.
Sorghum Malt-Based Weaning Food Formulations: Preparation, Functional Properties, and Nutritive Value
Authors: Kulkarni Karuna D. , Kulkarni D. N. , Ingle U. M.
Published: November 2018

The high-volume/high-viscosity character of many commercially available weaning foods is a major constraint in providing children with enough calorie density. An attempt was made to formulate low-cost, nutritive but bulk-reduced weaning foods using sorghum malt, green gram malt, and sesame flour. The formulations thus prepared were evaluated for functional properties such as particle size, water absorption, dispersibility hot-paste and cold-paste viscosities, colour, and nutritive value with respect to calories, vitamin C, minerals, and available lysine. The ingredients showed variation in particle size: green gram malt was finer than sorghum malt, and sesame flour was much coarser. The laboratory formulations had finer particle size than a commercial sample. Green gram malt had a higher water-absorption capacity and a lower percentage of dispersibility in water than sorghum malt. The experimental formulations had lower water-absorption capacities and higher percentages of dispersibility than the commercial sample. The viscosities of 10% and 15% gruel concentrations of the experimental formulations were much lower than those of the commercial sample. CSH-I sorghum malt was darker than the other ingredients. Sensory evaluation found the experimental preparations to have good acceptability. A weaning food containing 60% sorghum malt, 30% green gram malt, and 10% sesame flour was found to have satisfactory functional characteristics and nutritive value and is recommended.
Comparison of Food-Frequency and 24-Hour-Recall Instruments for Estimating Vitamin A Intake
Authors: Portocarrero Lilian , de Serrano Julieta Quan , Lopez Carmen Yolanda , de Zepeda Elien , Bulux Alejandrina Vasquez Jesus , Solomons Noel W.
Published: November 2018

The purpose of the study was to compare the 24-hour-recall method with the seven-day food-frequency questionnaire to estimate the dietary intake of vitamin A. Thirty-three women from a pert-urban neighbourhood in (Guatemala City were interviewed using both methods with a seven-day interval. The reproducibility of the results was analysed at both the individual and group levels. The 24-hour-recall method gave consistently higher average values for vitamin A intake, but the median was higher with the frequency method. The correlation coefficients between the repeated interviews were r = .49 for food frequency and r = -.07 for 24-hour-recalls. Diagnostic classification with the two methods was in good agreement at the 750-retinol-equivalents cut-off criterion for adequacy of vitamin A intake, but fell progressively as sequentially lower cutoffs were applied.
Evaluation of the Impact of Messages to Improve the Diets of Lactating Rural Bangladeshi Women on Their Dietary Practices and the of Their Breast-Fed Infants
Authors: Brown Laurine V. , Zeitlin Marian F. , Weld Leisa H. , Rogers Beatrice L. , Peterson Karen E. , Huq Nasreen , Gershoff Stanley N.
Published: November 2018

A community-based nutrition education intervention taught 48 Bangladeshi families with breast-feeding infants how to improve the mothers’ diet. The energy adequacy of the women's diets and of 30 comparable controls averaged 65% + 14% of the FAD/WHO/UNU requirement at baseline and declined to 55% + 7% immediately after the education (Post1) and to 52% + 6% after eight months of study (Post2). This decline was probably a seasonal effect resulting from lower food availability at Post1 and Post2. The adjusted declines in adequacy of treatments and controls did not differ at Post1 (- 9.9% v. - 9.5%; p = .806) when behavioural changes were expected.

Adjusted declines from baseline to Post2 were significantly less for treatments than controls (- 10.1% v. - 15.5%; p =.001), but results may have been influenced by flooding that affected food distribution and production. Arm circumferences (MUAC) of both groups remained along the fifth percentile of the international reference. No significant differences were found between the average weight for age (WAZ) or MUAC of the breast-fed children in the two groups, although a greater percentage of control children became severely malnourished (p =.011). The evaluation raises concerns about the effectiveness of nutrition education for improving the diets of poor women if given in isolation of programmes that make improvements affordable.
Vitamin A Supplementation and Child Morbidity and Mortality in Developing Countries
Authors: Beaton George H. , Martorell Reynaldo , Aronson Kristan A. , Edmonston Barry , Ross George McCabe. A. Catharine , Harvey Bart
Published: November 2018

A meta-analysis of eight mortality trials indicates that improving the vitamin A status of children aged six months to five years reduced mortality rates by about 23% in populations with at least low prevalence of clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency. The observed effect of supplementation, described in terms of relative risk (RR), was RR =0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.88; p < .001) and did not differ by sex or age. However, the number of lives saved was greater at younger ages because of higher mortality. A significant RR was shown for deaths attributed to diarrhoea and measles, but not for respiratory infection. Variability among the trials in effects was apparent, but attempts to explain it by descriptors of the population (baseline anthropometric status, prevalence of xerophthalmia, age profile, baseline mortality) were unsuccessful. Owing to the lack of data, firm conclusions could not be reached about effectiveness in children of less than six months and in settings where biochemical but not clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency exists.

Information about morbidity outcomes from about two dozen studies was reviewed. No consistent effects on frequency or prevalence of diarrhoeal and respiratory infections were found. Improvement in vitamin A status did appear to reduce severe morbidity, particularly in children with measles.
Sentinel Surveillance in Health and Nutrition: Experience in Guatemala
Authors: Delgado Hernán L. , Palmieri Mireya
Published: November 2018

Health information systems in most Central American countries fail to produce reliable, timely, representative, and useful information to define target groups and interventions. This situation originated the need to develop new methodologies for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information regarding health and nutrition, as well as health services. For this purpose, between 1985 and 1987, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) and the Ministry of Health and Social We/fare of Guatemala jointly implemented a sentinel surveillance subsystem. During this period, 119 rural communities of 1,000 + 250 inhabitants were longitudinally studied in four rounds of surveys. The Institute transferred the methodology and results to the Ministry of Health through INCAP's communication channels: dissemination of information, direct technical assistance, training, and research. The methodology has not been widely used by national health officialis; therefore, it has become necessary to develop operational research to assess the relationship between decision-making and information availability.
The Validity of Clinic-Based Nutrition Surveillance Data: A Study from Selected Sites in Northern Malawi
Authors: Pelletier David L. , Johnson F. Catherine
Published: November 2018

Many developing countries collect on the weight for age of children attending health facilities as one element of a nutrition surveillance system. This study compares the estimates of malnutrition from seven health clinics in northern Malawi with estimates derived from nearby community-level surveys. The results show that prevalence of underweight in clinics does not accurately reflect community prevalence. Clinic estimates often differ by two- to threefold from community estimates, and the direction of the bias is not constant across clinics, making these data an invalid basis for targeting programmes according to nutritional need. Similar results were reported in five other studies in the literature, indicating that the Malawi results are not unusual. It is suggested that, contrary to current practice, cross-sectional clinic-based data should be assumed invalid for targeting purposes unless proved otherwise in a given country. Trend data at regional and country levels require further validation.
Analysis of the Reconnaissance Project. Phase 2: The Individual
Authors: Solomons Noel W. , Mendoza Ivan , Gutierrez Luis , Monteiro Carlos
Published: November 2018

The essential units for testing hypotheses about the influences of ageing and urbanization in the CRONOS (Cross-Cultural Research on the Nutrition of Older Subjects) process are the responses to the questions on the questionnaire and the physical measurements of individuals, aggregated into distributions by age, sex, geography, and their combinations. In the Reconnaissance experience, the number of subjects per country (about 24) was insufficient to provide meaningful group or subgroup averages. However, the process allowed the investigators to get a sense of which measurements were consistent across countries and which were aberrant in some sites. In general, despite the lack of inter-site standardization, most of the items in the protocol seem to have been measured with acceptable consistency and accuracy across geographic areas. Problem areas identified were in the measurement of arm span, the determination of arterial blood pressure, and the accuracy of 24-hour recall methods for total energy and nutrient intakes.
Developing a Simple 3-Day Insulin Delivery Device to Meet the Needs of People With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Lilly Leslie C. , Mader Julia K. , Warner Jay
Published: November 2018

Aim:

We sought to design an insulin delivery method that would overcome barriers to insulin therapy and meet the needs of the users, adults with diabetes, and their health care providers (HCPs).

Methods:

We conducted focus groups and human factors studies with users to learn about their needs and requirements. We then designed an insulin delivery device, PAQ, with features that met the user’s requirements. Iterative design and human factors testing (HFT) was performed with adults with diabetes on ⩾2 injections/day and HCPs. In parallel, studies were conducted to identify an adhesive that stayed adhered for 3 days and caused minimal, if any, dermal irritation. Pilot clinical studies were then initiated.

Results:

Users want a way to administer insulin that is simple, discreet, safe, and effective. A summative HFT found the device was easy to learn and use. All participants (30/30, 100%) successfully completed the key performance measures tested. An adhesive validation study in 30 adults with diabetes found 90% of the devices remained adhered to the participant’s application site at the end of 3 days with minimal skin irritation. Data from 3 clinical studies revealed 74-75% transitioned from injectable insulin to the device with the first fixed basal rate selected, improved glycemic control, and participants’ satisfaction with the device.

Conclusion:

The collective data from the HFT, adhesive, and clinical studies demonstrated that the device provides a method of insulin delivery that overcomes barriers to injectable insulin, meets the needs of the user, and achieves glycemic control.
Underrepresentation and the Perception of Others’ Racial Attitudes
Authors: Eason Arianne E. , Kaiser Cheryl R. , Sommerville Jessica A.
Published: November 2018

Across two experiments, we investigate racial attitude perceptions in low-diversity environments to explore whether friendships with members of numerically underrepresented groups serve as a stronger indication of individuals’ racial attitudes than friendships with members of the numeric majority. Children aged 7–10 years heard about a Black (Experiment 1) or White (Experiment 2) protagonist befriending two classmates who belonged to either the numeric minority or majority group. When protagonists befriended classmates from the numeric minority rather than the numeric majority, participants inferred racial preferences among Black protagonists who befriended in-group (but not out-group) children and White protagonists who befriended in-group and out-group children. Racial preferences were not assumed when children made inferences about others’ choice of future social partners. This work has implications for understanding how the racial composition of environments may affect perceptions of the same-race and cross-race friendships.
Measuring Young Consumers’ Response to Brand Scandals: A Brand Love Perspective
Authors: Nagar Komal , Kour Paramdeep
Published: November 2018

In the past few years, brand scandals have become increasingly common in the global marketplace, resulting in significantly declining consumer preferences and purchases for the brand implicated in a scandal. However, the nature of brand scandal and brand love has scarcely been explored. The present study experimentally investigates the effect of type of brand scandals on consumers’ attitude and purchase intentions towards a scandalous brand and examines the impact of brand love on consumer responses towards the scandalous brand. Results suggest that consumers having high brand love have positive attitude and purchase likelihood, while the nature of brand scandals and brand love does not influence consumers’ response for the scandalous brand. Furthermore, results of the study indicate that the two-way interaction effects with the types of brand scandals (intrinsic and extrinsic) and brand love (high/low) on consumer’s behavioural intentions are insignificant.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Case Report With a Brief Review of Literature
Authors: Morelli Maria Elisa , Sartori Arianna , Bosco Antonio , Manganotti Paolo
Published: November 2018

Introduction. According to the 2015 diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), in aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) seronegative patients, NMOSD can be diagnosed if stringent clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria are fulfilled; however, in these cases, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges could arise. Case Description. A young man presented a severe, bilateral optic neuritis and paraparesis in an acute phase. MRI evidenced 3 spinal cord T1-contrast-enhanced (T1-Gd+) myelitic lesions, extending <3 vertebral segments. AQP4-IgG and oligoclonal bands were negative. Following a relapse, MRI showed 2 T1-Gd+ spinal cord lesions, extending <3 vertebral segments, and a T1-Gd+ lesion in both optic nerves, near their confluence in the chiasm. After administering rituximab, there were no new relapses, with the consequent improvement of the clinical and MRI lesions. Conclusion. The concurrent display of bilateral optic neuritis and short myelitis constitutes a “borderline” case. Rituximab may represent the most appropriate therapeutic choice possible cases of NMOSD.
“Raced” Organizations and the Academic Success of Underrepresented Minority Faculty Members in Sociology
Authors: Spalter-Roth Roberta , Shin Jean H. , Smith Jason A. , Kalb Amber C. , Moore Kyle K. , Cid-Martinez Ismael , Toney Jermaine
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this research is to determine whether participating in “raced” organizations benefits underrepresented minority (URM) faculty members in their quest for tenure and promotion to associate professor of sociology. Raced organizations such as historically black colleges and universities began as segregated institutions because black students and faculty members were prevented from attending or working at white-dominated institutions. Over time, raced organizations developed within the white-dominated institutions and were often created in opposition to white or “mainstream” sociology. Latina/o organizations (including Hispanic-serving institutions) started years after organizations for black scholars and have followed a similar pattern and purpose. Although historically white institutions no longer legally segregate URM organizations and activities, these organizations and activities often remain marginalized and devalued. The authors examine the relationship of participating in such organizations in contrast to publishing in peer-reviewed journals for climbing the academic ladder at research-extensive and other institutions. The authors find that there is a significant relationship between publishing and being promoted. URM faculty members must follow the “publish or perish” model, following historically white male norms for an “ideal” career in the academic world. The work of black and Latina/o sociologists still appears to be marginalized. Only one type of raced organization or activity, belonging to a URM-oriented section of the American Sociological Association, is significantly related to upward mobility at either research-extensive or non-research-extensive institutions. The authors conclude with a series of policy recommendations for increasing the academic status and well-being of URM faculty members.
Apremilast in Combination With an Interleukin 17A Inhibitor in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Authors: Alomran Abdulaziz , Zancanaro Pedro , Prussick Lisa , Abudu Minawaer , Her Min Ji , Kachuk Courtney , Dumont Nicole , Gottlieb Alice B. , Rosmarin David
Published: November 2018

Background:

Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disorder affecting the palms and soles. Despite marked improvement in patient outcomes with use of biologic therapies, PPP remains hard to treat as the efficacy of systemic agents does not fully carry over to PPP trials.

Methods:

The study was approved by the institutional review board of Tufts Medical Center. It is a retrospective chart review of patients seen in Tufts Medical Center’s dermatology outpatient clinic who met the criteria of being diagnosed with PPP and received an anti-interleukin 17 A (IL-17A) concurrently with apremilast for a period of no less than 12 weeks. Four patients who met the criteria were included in the study, and descriptive analysis was performed due to the small sample size.

Results:

All 4 patients analyzed showed improvement in Palmoplantar Physician Global Assessment (PPPGA) while on combination apremilast and anti-IL17A therapy. Prior to anti-IL17A therapy, the first 3 patients had baseline PPPGAs of mild to severe. They then had PPPGAs of moderate while on anti-IL17A therapy and PPPGAs of clear/almost clear while on the combination of anti-IL17A therapy and apremilast. Patient 4 had a PPPGA of almost clear while on adalimumab, methotrexate, and acitretin and a PPPGA of clear after treatment with ixekizumab, apremilast, and methotrexate. Minimal side effects were reported on combination treatment.

Conclusion:

All 4 patients who were treated with combination anti-IL17A and apremilast achieved a PPPGA of clear or almost clear. Although the sample size is small, these encouraging results merit further investigation into combination therapy in the treatment of recalcitrant PPP.
Impact of intravenous exenatide infusion for perioperative blood glucose control on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuries after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: sub study of the phase II/III ExSTRESS randomized trial
Authors: Besch Guillaume , Perrotti Andrea , Salomon du Mont Lucie , Puyraveau Marc , Ben-Said Xavier , Baltres Maude , Barrucand Benoit , Flicoteaux Guillaume , Vettoretti Lucie , Samain Emmanuel , Chocron Sidney , Pili-Floury Sebastien
Published: November 2018

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate whether intravenous (iv) infusion of exenatide, a synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist, could provide a protective effect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods

A sub study analysis of patients > 18 years admitted for elective CABG and included in the ExSTRESS trial was conducted. Patients were randomized to receive either iv exenatide (1-h bolus of 0.05 µg min−1 followed by a constant infusion of 0.025 µg min−1) (exenatide group) or iv insulin therapy (control group) for blood glucose control (target range 100–139 mg dl−1) during the first 48 h after surgical incision. All serum levels of troponin I measured during routine care in the Cardiac Surgery ICU were recorded. The primary outcome was the highest value of plasma concentration of troponin I measured between 12 and 24 h after ICU admission. The proportion of patients presenting an echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 50% at the follow-up consultation was compared between the two groups.

Results

Finally, 43 and 49 patients were analyzed in the control and exenatide groups, respectively {age: 69 [61–76] versus 71 [63–75] years; baseline LVEF < 50%: 6 (14%) versus 16 (32%) patients; on-pump surgery: 29 (67%) versus 33 (67%) patients}. The primary outcome did not significantly differ between the two groups (3.34 [1.06–6.19] µg l−1 versus 2.64 [1.29–3.85] µg l−1 in the control and exenatide groups, respectively; mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] 0.16 [− 0.25; 0.57], p = 0.54). The highest troponin value measured during the first 72 h in the ICU was 6.34 [1.36–10.90] versus 5.04 [2.39–7.18] µg l−1, in the control and exenatide groups respectively (MD [95% CI] 0.20 [− 0.22; 0.61], p = 0.39). At the follow-up consultation, 5 (12%) versus 8 (16%) patients presented a LVEF < 50% in the control and in the exenatide groups respectively (relative risk [95% CI] 0.68 [0.16; 2.59], p = 0.56).

Conclusions

Postoperative iv exenatide did not provide any additional cardioprotective effect compared to iv insulin in low-risk patients undergoing scheduled CABG surgery.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01969149, date of registration: January 7th, 2015; EudraCT No. 2009-009254-25 A, date of registration: January 6th, 2009
Observing supermassive black holes in virtual reality
Authors: Davelaar Jordy , Bronzwaer Thomas , Kok Daniel , Younsi Ziri , Mościbrodzka Monika , Falcke Heino
Published: November 2018

We present a 360∘ (i.e., 4π steradian) general-relativistic ray-tracing and radiative transfer calculations of accreting supermassive black holes. We perform state-of-the-art three-dimensional general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamical simulations using the code, subsequently post-processing this data with the radiative transfer code . All relativistic and general-relativistic effects, such as Doppler boosting and gravitational redshift, as well as geometrical effects due to the local gravitational field and the observer’s changing position and state of motion, are therefore calculated self-consistently. Synthetic images at four astronomically-relevant observing frequencies are generated from the perspective of an observer with a full 360∘ view inside the accretion flow, who is advected with the flow as it evolves. As an example we calculated images based on recent best-fit models of observations of Sagittarius A*. These images are combined to generate a complete 360∘ Virtual Reality movie of the surrounding environment of the black hole and its event horizon. Our approach also enables the calculation of the local luminosity received at a given fluid element in the accretion flow, providing important applications in, e.g., radiation feedback calculations onto black hole accretion flows. In addition to scientific applications, the 360∘ Virtual Reality movies we present also represent a new medium through which to interactively communicate black hole physics to a wider audience, serving as a powerful educational tool.
Robust tensor-completion algorithm for 5D seismic-data reconstruction
Authors: Carozzi Fernanda , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: November 2018

Multidimensional seismic data reconstruction has emerged as a primary topic of research in the field of seismic data processing. Although there exists a large number of algorithms for multidimensional seismic data reconstruction, they often adopt the [Formula: see text] norm to measure the discrepancy between observed and reconstructed data. Strictly speaking, these algorithms assume well-behaved noise that ideally follows a Gaussian distribution. When erratic noise contaminates the seismic traces, a 5D reconstruction must adopt a robust criterion to measure the difference between observed and reconstructed data. We develop a new formulation to the parallel matrix factorization tensor completion method and adapt it for coping with erratic noise. We use synthetic and field-data examples to examine our robust reconstruction technique.
Elastic model low- to intermediate-wavenumber inversion using reflection traveltime and waveform of multicomponent seismic data
Authors: Xu Wencai , Wang Tengfei , Cheng Jiubing
Published: November 2018

Low-, intermediate-, and high-wavenumber components of P- and S-wave velocities jointly influence the elastic wave propagation and scattering in an isotropic medium. By taking advantage of all information in the data, elastic full-waveform inversion (E-FWI) has the potential to recover these model components. However, if the transmitted wave data are insufficient to illuminate the deeper part of the subsurface, we should rely on the solutions using reflection data. To reduce the nonlinearity of waveform inversion, we choose to decouple the effects of the model background and perturbation on the reflected waves within a linearized inversion framework. This resorts to three stages aiming to gradually fit the traveltimes and waveforms of the reflected PP and PS waves based on data or gradient preconditioning through P/S mode decomposition. For the first two stages, once the multicomponent seismograms have been separated into PP and PS reflection recordings, reflection traveltime inversion using an acoustic wave propagator (A-RTI) can successively recover the low-wavenumber components of P- and S-wave velocities. In the last stage, starting from the models having reliable low-wavenumber components, elastic reflection waveform inversion (E-RWI) can easily get out of the local minima and continue to retrieve the increasing wavenumber features sensitive to the waveform and amplitude variations. This is supported by gradient preconditioning through P/S mode decomposition of the extrapolated normal and adjoint wavefields, and alternately updating model background and high-wavenumber components in terms of linearized least-squares inversion. Numerical examples have demonstrated the performance of our E-RWI approach and the validity of the three-stage inversion workflow.
Characteristics of faults and their significance in controlling the oil accumulations in Honghe field, Ordos Basin
Authors: Sun Naiquan , Pan Jie , Zhou Sibin , Jiao Chunbo
Published: November 2018

The Chang 8 (C8) reservoir is a transitional oil pool type from a tight oil sandstone to a lithologic trap in the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation of the Honghe oil field, southwest Ordos Basin, China. Vertical faults play important roles in the formation and distribution of the sweetness. To predict favorable high-yield well areas and guide horizontal well deployment, 3D seismic data are used to analyze these faults’ distribution, formation phase, stress property, and control on the oil accumulation. The results indicate that the X shape of the east–northeast and north–northeast conjugate shear faults were formed during the Indosinian epoch, and the northwest faults were formed during the Yanshan epoch. Meanwhile, the earlier east–northeast faults partially experienced reactivity and rework later but the north–northeast faults ceased since the Indosinian. The strike-slip faults in the area are classified into three categories based on their intensity, density, formation stage, and oil control effectives: types I, II, and III. The type I faults extended in the northwest and east–northeast directions and were cut from the Ordovician up to the top Cretaceous. They are characterized by the maximum extensions aerially and vertically thereby faulting the thickest strata. Type II faults mainly extended in the east–northeast direction and were cut from the Triassic up to the top Cretaceous in small intension. Type III faults mainly extended in the north–northeast direction and were cut from the Ordovician up to the Upper Permian. The faults connect the C8 sandstone reservoir and the Chang 7 source shale by penetrating the interlayered silty mudrock in between them. The low permeable reservoir also requires additional permeability imparted by the type I faults. High-yield horizontal wells are distributed along intensive type I faults. The water-bearing zones or oily water zones are mostly related to no fault or to the type II and III faults.
Advanced Age Redistributes Positive but Not Negative Leg Joint Work during Walking
Authors: WAANDERS JEROEN B. , HORTOBÁGYI TIBOR , MURGIA ALESSIO , DEVITA PAUL , FRANZ JASON R.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Advanced age brings a distal-to-proximal redistribution of positive joint work during walking that is relevant to walking performance and economy. It is unclear whether negative joint work is similarly redistributed in old age. Negative work can affect positive work through elastic energy return in gait. We determined the effects of age, walking speed, and grade on positive and negative joint work in young and older adults.

Methods

Bilateral ground reaction force and marker data were collected from healthy young (age = 22.5 yr, n = 18) and older (age = 76.0 yr, n = 22) adults walking on a split-belt instrumented treadmill at 1.1, 1.4, and 1.7 m·s−1 at each of three grades (0%, 10%, and −10%). Subjects also performed maximal voluntary eccentric, isometric, and concentric contractions for the knee extensors (120°·s−1, 90°·s−1, and 0°·s−1) and plantarflexors (90°·s−1, 30°·s−1, and 0°·s−1).

Results

Compared with young adults, older adults exhibited a distal-to-proximal redistribution of positive leg joint work during level (P < 0.001) and uphill (P < 0.001) walking, with larger differences at faster walking speeds. However, the distribution of negative joint work was unaffected by age during level (P = 0.150) and downhill (P = 0.350) walking. Finally, the age-related loss of maximal voluntary knee extensor (P < 0.001) and plantarflexor (P = 0.001) strength was smaller during an eccentric contraction versus concentric contraction for the knee extensors (P < 0.001) but not for the plantarflexors (P = 0.320).

Conclusion

The distal-to-proximal redistribution of positive joint work during level and uphill walking is absent for negative joint work during level and downhill walking. Exercise prescription should focus on improving ankle muscle function while preserving knee muscle function in older adults trying to maintain their independence.
Research and development of new tuberculosis vaccines: a review
Authors: Schrager Lewis K. , Harris Rebecca C. , Vekemans Johan
Published: November 2018

Tuberculosis kills more people worldwide than any other single infectious disease agent, a threat made more dire by the spread of drug-resistant strains ofMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Development of new vaccines capable of preventing TB disease and newMtbinfection are an essential component of the strategy to combat the TB epidemic. Accordingly, the WHO considers the development of new TB vaccines a major public health priority. In October 2017, the WHO convened a consultation with global leaders in the TB vaccine development field to emphasize the WHO commitment to this effort and to facilitate creative approaches to the discovery and development of TB vaccine candidates. This review summarizes the presentations at this consultation, updated with scientific literature references, and includes discussions of the public health need for a TB vaccine; the status of efforts to develop vaccines to replace or potentiate BCG in infants and develop new TB vaccines for adolescents and adults; strategies being employed to diversify vaccine platforms; and new animal models being developed to facilitate TB vaccine development. A perspective on the status of these efforts from the major funders and organizational contributors also is included. This presentation highlights the extraordinary progress being made to develop new TB vaccines and provided a clear picture of the exciting development pathways that are being explored.