bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transoral Vestibular Thyroidectomy: Current State of Affairs and Considerations for the Future
Authors: Russell Jonathon O , Razavi Christopher R , Shaear Mohammad , Chen Lena W , Lee Andrew H , Ranganath Rohit , Tufano Ralph P
Published: March 2019

Context

The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a recently described procedure for surgical management of select thyroid pathology that avoids a cutaneous scar. TOETVA is far from the first described remote-access approach to the thyroid. In fact, numerous such techniques have been described over the past 20 years, although none has gained widespread implementation in North America or Europe. However, with its rapid growth worldwide and excellent outcomes to date, TOETVA may succeed where these prior techniques have failed.

Evidence Acquisition

The English literature was reviewed using the following keywords: transoral thyroidectomy, remote-access thyroidectomy, minimally invasive thyroidectomy, and TOETVA. Because three systematic reviews of this technique were recently conducted, this manuscript does not seek to provide a fourth. Rather, we summarize salient findings from these reviews and focus on candidates for the procedure, technique-specific characteristics that have led to early success with TOETVA, and prospects for the future.

Evidence Synthesis

TOETVA is the only thyroidectomy approach obviating the need for a cutaneous incision, and it offers several advantages over previously described remote-access thyroidectomy techniques. These include a favorable anatomic surgical perspective, a comparatively short learning curve, no requirement for expensive instrumentation, and a broad inclusion criterion. These characteristics have facilitated the excellent surgical outcomes to date.

Conclusions

TOETVA is a suitable surgical option with proven safety and feasibility for a carefully selected patient population. The potential value of the procedure outside enhanced cosmesis continues to be defined.
Avian yolk androgens are metabolized instead of taken up by the embryo during the first days of incubation
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , van Dam Annie , Permentier Hjalmar , van Faassen Martijn , Kema Ido , Gahr Manfred , Groothuis Ton G. G.
Published: March 2019

Several studies show effects of yolk androgens in avian eggs on the phenotype of the offspring. Yolk hormone concentrations decline strongly already in the first few days of incubation. Although early embryonic uptake of yolk androgens is suggested by the presence of radioactivity in the embryo when eggs are injected with radiolabelled androgens, these studies do not verify the chemical identity of radioactive compound(s), while it is known that these androgens can be metabolized substantially. By using stable isotope labelled testosterone and androstenedione in combination with mass spectrometry, enabling verification of the exact molecular identity of labelled compounds in the embryo, we found that after five days of incubation the androgens are not taken up by the embryo. Yet their concentrations in the entire yolk-albumen homogenates decline strongly, even when corrected for dilution by albumen and water. Our results indicate metabolism of maternal androgens, very likely to 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol, etiocholanolone, and their conjugated forms. The results imply that the effects of increased exposure of the embryo to maternal androgens either take place before this early conversion or are mediated by these metabolites with a so far unknown function, opening new avenues for understanding hormone mediated maternal effects in vertebrates.
Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation of Open-Cage Silsesquioxanes toward Thermally Stable and Highly Dispersible Nanofillers
Authors: Wada Satoshi , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: March 2019

Incompletely condensed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (IC-POSS) are promising building blocks for the development of organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Pd-catalyzed arylation of heptaphenyl IC-POSS has been developed to introduce various substituents on to the open moieties without using highly moisture-sensitive chlorosilane derivatives. The substituents drastically affected the thermal behavior of the corresponding IC-POSSs. The obtained IC-POSSs were well dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices to tune the thermal and optical properties of their composite films.
Review Essay on Why Muslim Integration Fails in Christian-Heritage Societies by Claire Adida, David Laitin and Marie-Anne Valfort
Authors: Verdier Thierry
Published: March 2019

This paper reviews the book Why Muslim Integration Fails in Christian-Heritage Societies by Claire Adida, David Laitin and Marie-Anne Valfort (hereafter, ALV), providing an analytical perspective on the issues related to minority discrimination and integration in a host society. Building upon the sociological and recent economic approaches to cultural integration, we highlight the different mechanisms behind the existence of a discriminatory equilibrium between a majority group and a minority group in a given social context. The paper then discusses the specific case of the Muslim minority groups in the French context and outlines the strengths and limitations of the research approach expanded by ALV. We finally consider the policy proposals provided by ALV, assessing their viability, as well as the dynamic political economy constraints they might face in a Christian-heritage society. (JEL J15, Z12, Z13)
The Devil Is in the Details: Implications of Samuel Bowles’s The Moral Economy for Economics and Policy Research
Authors: Kranton Rachel
Published: March 2019

All economists should buy and read The Moral Economy by Samuel Bowles. The book challenges basic premises of economic theory and questions policies based on monetary incentives. Incentives not only crowd out intrinsic motivations, they erode the ethical and moral codes necessary for the workings of markets. Bowles boldly suggests that successful policies must combine incentives and moral messages, exploiting complementarities between the two. This essay argues that to achieve this objective, economists must study the local institutions and social context and engage untraditional data to uncover the interplay of incentives and identity. ( JEL A11, A13, D04, D83, E60, Z13)
Information Design: A Unified Perspective
Authors: Bergemann Dirk , Morris Stephen
Published: March 2019

Given a game with uncertain payoffs, information design analyzes the extent to which the provision of information alone can influence the behavior of the players. Information design has a literal interpretation, under which there is a real information designer who can commit to the choice of the best information structure (from her perspective) for a set of participants in a game. We emphasize a metaphorical interpretation, under which the information design problem is used by the analyst to characterize play in the game under many different information structures. We provide an introduction to the basic issues and insights of a rapidly growing literature in information design. We show how the literal and metaphorical interpretations of information design unify a large body of existing work, including that on communication in games (Myerson 1991), Bayesian persuasion (Kamenica and Gentzkow 2011), and some of our own recent work on robust predictions in games of incomplete information. ( JEL C70, D82, D83)
Predictive validity of a Uniform Entrance Test for the health professionals
Authors: Ali Rahila , Ali Syeda Kausar , Afzal Azam
Published: March 2019

Objective: To investigate the predictive validity of Uniform Entrance Test for academic performance in the first two years in various health science degree programs.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of admissions data and academic performance of students admitted in under-graduate programs of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy of three cohorts was taken. The independent and dependent variables were entry test scores and semester scores respectively. Spearman’s Correlation co-efficient was computed to determine the association between entrance test scores and semester scores for three groups.

Results: Majority of the students were from the MBBS degree program (61%) with majority of female students (65%) in all three programs. In MBBS the highest correlation coefficient between entry test and semester scores was observed for semester one rs = 0.334 and lowest in semester four rs= 0.208. In BDS degree program both highest and lowest correlations were in semester one. In the Pharm-D degree program, a significant correlation was only seen in cohort 1 but not in the subsequent cohorts.

Conclusion: The uniform entrance test has an incremental predictive validity for the MBBS and BDS programs as compared to Pharm-D. Better performance in the entrance test predicts higher semester scores and more likelihood of achieving higher scores in the first year as compared to the second year.

How to cite this:Ali R, Ali SK, Afzal A. Predictive validity of a Uniform Entrance Test for the health professionals. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):330-336.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.334

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
scClustViz – Single-cell RNAseq cluster assessment and visualization
Authors: Innes Brendan T. , Bader Gary D.
Published: March 2019

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) represents a new kind of microscope that can measure the transcriptome profiles of thousands of individual cells from complex cellular mixtures, such as in a tissue, in a single experiment. This technology is particularly valuable for characterization of tissue heterogeneity because it can be used to identify and classify all cell types in a tissue. This is generally done by clustering the data, based on the assumption that cells of a particular type share similar transcriptomes, distinct from other cell types in the tissue. However, nearly all clustering algorithms have tunable parameters which affect the number of clusters they will identify in data.

The R Shiny software tool described here, scClustViz, provides a simple interactive graphical user interface for exploring scRNAseq data and assessing the biological relevance of clustering results. Given that cell types are expected to have distinct gene expression patterns, scClustViz uses differential gene expression between clusters as a metric for assessing the fit of a clustering result to the data at multiple cluster resolution levels. This helps select a clustering parameter for further analysis. scClustViz also provides interactive visualisation of: cluster-specific distributions of technical factors, such as predicted cell cycle stage and other metadata; cluster-wise gene expression statistics to simplify annotation of cell types and identification of cell type specific marker genes; and gene expression distributions over all cells and cell types.

scClustViz provides an interactive interface for visualisation, assessment, and biological interpretation of cell-type classifications in scRNAseq experiments that can be easily added to existing analysis pipelines, enabling customization by bioinformaticians while enabling biologists to explore their results without the need for computational expertise. It is available at https://baderlab.github.io/scClustViz/.
Causes of reporting bias: a theoretical framework
Authors: van der Steen Jenny T , ter Riet Gerben , van den Bogert Cornelis A , Bouter Lex M
Published: March 2019

Reporting of research findings is often selective. This threatens the validity of the published body of knowledge if the decision to report depends on the nature of the results. Studies on causes and mechanisms underlying selective reporting may help to avoid or reduce reporting bias. Such research should be guided by a theoretical framework of possible causal pathways that lead to reporting bias. We build upon a classification of determinants of selective reporting that we recently developed in a systematic review of the topic. The resulting theoretical framework features four clusters of causes. There are two clusters of necessary causes: (A) motivations (e.g. a preference for positive findings) and (B) means (e.g. a flexible study design). These two combined represent a sufficient cause for reporting bias to occur. The framework also features two clusters of component causes: (C) conflicts and balancing of interests referring to the individual or the team, and (D) pressures from science and society. The component causes may modify the effect of the necessary causes or may lead to reporting bias mediated through the necessary causes. Our theoretical framework is meant to inspire further research and to create awareness among researchers and end-users of research about reporting bias and its causes.
Case Report: a novel chromosomal insertion, 46, XY, inv ins(18;2)(q11.2;q13q22), in a patient with infertility and mild intellectual disability
Authors: Kaya Murat , Suer İlknur , Öztürk Şükrü , ÇEFLE Kıvanç , Karaman Birsen , Palanduz Şükrü
Published: March 2019

Infertility is an important health problem affecting 15% of couples worldwide. Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized with significant impairment of intellectual function, adaptive daily life skills and social skills. Insertion is a rare chromosomal rearrangement causing infertility and ID. Here, we report a 39-year-old man presenting with primary infertility and mild ID. The patient’s spermiogram was consistent with azoospermia. Conventional cytogenetic analysis showed a novel inversion/insertion type of chromosomal aberration involving chromosomes 18 and 2: 46, XY, inv ins(18;2)(q11.2;q13q22). We carried out the array comparative genomic hybridization analysis to confirm the cytogenetic findings. Y micro-deletion analysis demonstrated that the AZF region as intact. We suggest that the novel insertion found in this case [46, XY, inv ins(18;2)(q11.2;q13q22)] may have caused infertility and mild ID in our patient. To the best of our knowledge, this chromosomal insertion has not previously been reported.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONTENT OF THE DRIGALSKI LACTOSE AGAR NUTRIENT MEDIUM
Authors: Ермаков Владимир , Ermakov Vlyadimir , Датченко Оксана , Datchenko Oksana , Курлыкова Юлия , Kurlykova Yuliya
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study is to improve the mix formulation of the Drigalski Lactose Agar breeding ground, produced by AppliChem, and aimed at enterobacteria isolation and differentiation. Development of a new mix formulation for the Drigalski Lactose Agar breeding ground, efficient assessment of cultivation of enterobacteria on its improved base and other breeding grounds used in the laboratory practice by the authors was the task of the study. The im-proved agar Drigalsky differential medium with lactose is recommended for cultivation (isolation) of different enter-obacteria of Enterobacteriaceae family.Differentiation of enterobacteria on improved medium is carried out accord-ing to their ability to ferment lactose, mannitol, glucose, sucrose, gelatin and form hydrogen sulfide. The medium can also be used for sanitary and microbiological examination of environmental objects.The medium can be used also to conduct the ONPG test. The efficiency of cultivation of enterobacteria isolated from various animal species on the most frequently used differential diagnostic medium, including new formulation of the Drigalski Lactose Agar, ranged from 16.28 ± 1.44 to 42.18 ± 4.12 hours. Enterobacteria isolated from farm and wild animals formed colo-nies on improved Drygalsky agar with lactose during 24 hours, and enterobacteria isolated from zoo animals within
25-31 hours.
INDICATORS OF USE OF MINERAL SUBSTANCES BY LAYING HENS FROM MIXTURE WITH GRAIN SORGO KAMYSHENSKY-75
Authors: Плешакова Инна , Pleshakova Inna , Баймишев Хамидулла , Baymishev Khamidulla
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study is to increase the production efficiency of the hatching eggs by using the Kamyshenskoye-75 sorghum grain in the layer diet. For research, four groups of laying hens were formed from parent stock of 60 ones each (control, experimental-1, experimental-2, experimental-3). The duration of the scientific and economic study was 52 weeks. The layer diet of the control group was provided by the pedigree producer JV «Svetly». In Layer di-et, grain maize was replaced by sorghum: the first group content – 25.0%; the second group – 50.0%; the third group – 100.0%. The conditions of keeping and feeding of laying hens met the requirements of the parent flock of Hisex Brown. On the basis of the conducted studies, it was established that the balance of nitrogen utilization de-pends on the dose of sorghum grain for experimental layer diet. With sorghum grain in a volume of 50.0% in the layer diet, the balance of nitrogen use was 53.14%, which is more than when using grain sorghum 25.0 and 100.0%, and also exceeds the indicator of the control group by 2.06%. The balance of use of calcium by the control group of laying hens is 0.17% less than in the group with 100% grain maize substitution for sorghum in mixed feed. 50.0% sorghum grain use in mixed feed increases phosphorus performance efficiency by 2.36%, lysine amino ac-ids and methionine compared with the control. Grain maize substitution in mixed feed for the layer hen diet for grain sorghum cultivar Kamyshinsky-75 in the amount of 50.0% increases the nutritional value of mineral and availability of amino acids lysine and methionine.
AUTOMATION CONTROL EQUIPMENT FOR MATERIAL WINDING INTO A ROLL
Authors: Симанин Николай , Simanin Nikolay , Коновалов Владимир , Konovalov Vladimir , Лянденбурский Владимир , Lyandenburskiy Vladimir
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the study is the theoretical justification of the equipment main parameters for winding materials into a roll with automatic control. Various synthetic films are used to provide soft covering. Long materials are wound into a roll for convenience of transportation and storage. Appropriate equipment is needed for the operation to be performed. Main problems arising during material winding into a roll have been considered. The first problem is related to the weight increase of the roll due to its diameter change during the winding process. This augments the load on the horizontal rollers and their supports. The second challenge follows the first one: roll parameters change leads to a change of friction forces between the material wound and rollers, which in turn reduces the quality of the roll winding and affects its geometry and density. The presence of skew material during the roll winding leading to an increase in the length of the roll and its looseness is one of mentioned above disadvantage. This significantly complicates both the winding of the material into the roll, its transportation and film unwinding. The equipment for the winding of the film (material) offered is to be provided with automatic devices to compensate the roll weight able to eliminate this disadvantage. The design description for winding roll equipment is supplied. The original designs for equipment with automatically operated drives have been developed to improve the quality of winding. The roll-ers rotation speed was estimated according to the film thickness on the basis of the power analysis performed. The results of studies allow establishing the critical parameters of the hydraulic system for proving control over the work-ing process.
Transforming asthma care in schools in Islington: The Asthma Friendly Schools Project UK
Authors: Datt Colette , Rodesano Karen , Moreiras John
Published: March 2019

Asthma remains the most common chronic disease of childhood, associated with significant morbidity and high rates of school absenteeism. Children spend the equivalent of 190 days a year in school with approximately 3 children with asthma per class of 30. Thus, schools are a key stakeholder in any successful asthma care network. The Asthma Friendly Schools project is ambitious cross-sector initiative, which aims to make schools safer for children with asthma, reducing asthma-related school absence and improving local morbidity and mortality rates. An Asthma Friendly Schools nurse worked collaboratively with participating schools to implement 5 asthma friendly standards. Standards were designed by the project team and placed a focus on getting the basics right; a key recommendation of the National Review of Asthma Deaths. Building partnerships between education and health has allowed The Asthma Friendly Schools Project to implement a comprehensive change to in-school asthma care. The authors propose that this has had a direct effect on school absence rates, indicative of better asthma control.
Improvements and Evaluation of an In-Field Bin Filler for Apple Bruising and Distribution
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Pothula Anand Kumar , Lu Renfu
Published: March 2019

Abstract.

Automatic bin filling is needed for apple harvest and in-field sorting. A commercially viable bin filler for in-field use should be simple, compact, low in cost, and be able to distribute apples evenly in the bin without causing bruising damage. An innovative bin filling technology was developed for incorporation with the new apple harvest and in-field sorting machine recently developed by our group. Field tests of the first version of the bin filler in the 2016 harvest season showed relatively high bruising rates and uneven fruit distributions. Subsequently, a second version of the bin filler was developed with several major improvements. A new pair of foam rollers for better control of apples exiting the sorting system and avoiding fruit collisions during free falling was added below the sorter. An improved pinwheel with nine longer soft pads, instead of four short pads as in the original version, was installed for better fruit distribution. Foam guides, attached to the long pads, reduced the rolling speed of fruit from the pads into the bin. Field tests conducted in the 2017 harvest season showed that the second, improved version of the bin filler achieved superior performance in reducing bruise damage, with 99% of ‘Gala’ apples and 98% ‘Blondee’ of apples graded Extra Fancy. Furthermore, a depth imaging method, using a Kinect-v2 camera, was proposed to quantitatively compare the performance of the two bin fillers for distribution of fruit in the bin under uniform and non-uniform feeding conditions. Analysis of the fruit height data showed that the apple distributions were not significantly affected by feeding method for both bin fillers. Overall, the second version of the bin filler resulted in better distributions of apples in the bin, compared to the first version, and uneven distributions mainly occurred in the corners of the bin, which could not be reached by the bin filler’s pinwheel. The improved bin filler meets the requirements for apple harvest and in-field sorting, and it has potential for use with other harvest platforms. Keywords: 3D imaging, Apple, Bin filling, Bruising, Harvest, Sorting.
The Effect of Laboratory Test–Based Clinical Decision Support Tools on Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events: A Laboratory Medicine Best Practices Systematic Review
Authors: Whitehead Nedra S , Williams Laurina , Meleth Sreelatha , Kennedy Sara , Ubaka-Blackmoore Nneka , Kanter Michael , O'Leary Kevin J , Classen David , Jackson Brian , Murphy Daniel R , Nichols James , Stockwell David , Lorey Thomas , Epner Paul , Taylor Jennifer , Graber Mark L
Published: March 2019

Background

Laboratory and medication data in electronic health records create opportunities for clinical decision support (CDS) tools to improve medication dosing, laboratory monitoring, and detection of side effects. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of such tools in preventing medication-related harm.

Methods

We followed the Laboratory Medicine Best Practice (LMBP) initiative's A-6 methodology. Searches of 6 bibliographic databases retrieved 8508 abstracts. Fifteen articles examined the effect of CDS tools on (a) appropriate dose or medication (n = 5), (b) laboratory monitoring (n = 4), (c) compliance with guidelines (n = 2), and (d) adverse drug events (n = 5). We conducted meta-analyses by using random-effects modeling.

Results

We found moderate and consistent evidence that CDS tools applied at medication ordering or dispensing can increase prescriptions of appropriate medications or dosages [6 results, pooled risk ratio (RR), 1.48; 95% CI, 1.27–1.74]. CDS tools also improve receipt of recommended laboratory monitoring and appropriate treatment in response to abnormal test results (6 results, pooled RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.05–1.87). The evidence that CDS tools reduced adverse drug events was inconsistent (5 results, pooled RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.46–1.03).

Conclusions

The findings support the practice of healthcare systems with the technological capability incorporating test-based CDS tools into their computerized physician ordering systems to (a) identify and flag prescription orders of inappropriate dose or medications at the time of ordering or dispensing and (b) alert providers to missing laboratory tests for medication monitoring or results that warrant a change in treatment. More research is needed to determine the ability of these tools to prevent adverse drug events.
Transparência na Gestão Pública Municipal: Um estudo sobre a aplicação da Lei de Acesso à Informação no Portal da Transparência / Transparency in Municipal Public Management: A study of the application of the Law on Access to Information on the Transparency Portal Website
Authors: Medeiros Neto Milton Augusto De , Sato Danilo Pereira
Published: March 2019

A Lei n° 12.527 de 18 de novembro de 2011, conhecida como a Lei de Acesso à Informação (LAI), veio para regulamentar as mudanças que a Constituição Federal Brasileira de 1988 introduziu para adequar-se às práticas da Nova Gestão Pública. A referida lei se apoia no uso da tecnologia da informação para fomentar a cultura da transparência na Administração Pública. Desse modo, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o portal da transparência do município de Petrolina-PE, através da investigação das ferramentas de seu sistema, conforme o que exige a legislação. A metodologia utilizada foi a de estudo de caso, com uma pesquisa descritiva elaborada a partir da LAI. Dentre os resultados encontrados, sobressaem a organização do portal, a disponibilização das informações requeridas pela legislação e o suporte à solicitação de informação dos cidadãos. Porém, apesar de o estudo demonstrar uma avaliação bastante satisfatória do portal de, ainda há pontos negativos, inclusive de grande relevância – como a ferramenta de busca que não funciona –, e que merecem atenção especial.
Investigation of the relationship between virulence factors and antibiotic resistance of Enterococci isolates
Authors: Say Coskun Umut Safiye
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between  aggregation factor (asa1), enterococcal surface protein (esp), cytolysin (cyl), gelatinase (gelE), hyaluronidase (hyl) virulence factors and antibiotic resistance in Enterococci. VITEK 2 ID system was used to identify the isolates and determine their antibiotic susceptibility. Virulence genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 93 isolates, 62 (66 %) were Enterococcus faecium, 31 (44 %) were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecialis ). E. faecium isolates were more resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, teicoplanin and vancomycin than E. faecalis. High-level gentamycin rate were higher in E. faecium than E. faecalis (p <0.05). The most prevalant virulence genes were esp (60.9 %) and asa1 (25 %) followed by gelE (22.8 %), cyl (16.3 %) and hyl (8.7 %). Asa1, cyl, gelE genes positivity were higer in E. faecalis than E. faecium. Hyl positivity was higher in E. faecalis than E. faecium isolates. Ampicillin resistance was higher in gelE positive E. faecalis than gelE negative E. faecalis (p <0.05). Ciprofloxacin resistance was higher in gelE negative E. faecalis than gelE positive E. faecalis (p <0.05). Asa, cyl, hyl, gelE positive E. faecium isolates were more susceptible to teicoplanin than the isolates that did not have these genes (p <0.05). Cyl, asa, gelE positive E. faecalis isolates were more susceptible to vancomycin than cyl, asa, gelE negative E. faecalis isoates (p <0.05). Hyl positive E. faecium isolates were more susceptible to vancomycin than hyl negative E. faecium isolates (p <0.05). E. faecalis isolates that have virulence genes were more susceptible to vancomycin (p <0.05). The resistance to antibiotics in E. faecalis should be a concern for the treatment of infectious disease.
Multigrid Methods Based on Hodge Decomposition for a Quad-Curl Problem
Authors: Brenner Susanne C. , Cui Jintao , Sung Li-yeng
Published: March 2019

In this paper we investigate multigrid methods for a quad-curl
problem on graded meshes. The approach is based on the Hodge decomposition. The solution
for the quad-curl problem is approximated by solving standard second-order elliptic
problems and optimal error estimates are obtained on graded meshes. We prove the
uniform convergence of the multigrid algorithm for the resulting discrete problem. The
performance of these methods is illustrated by numerical results.
The Magnitude and Direction of Collider Bias for Binary Variables
Authors: Nguyen Trang Quynh , Dafoe Allan , Ogburn Elizabeth L.
Published: March 2019

Suppose we are interested in the effect of variable X on variable Y. If X and Y both influence, or are associated with variables that influence, a common outcome, called a collider, then conditioning on the collider (or on a variable influenced by the collider – its “child”) induces a spurious association between X and Y, which is known as collider bias. Characterizing the magnitude and direction of collider bias is crucial for understanding the implications of selection bias and for adjudicating decisions about whether to control for variables that are known to be associated with both exposure and outcome but could be either confounders or colliders. Considering a class of situations where all variables are binary, and where X and Y either are, or are respectively influenced by, two marginally independent causes of a collider, we derive collider bias that results from (i) conditioning on specific levels of the collider or its child (on the covariance, risk difference, and in two cases odds ratio, scales), or (ii) linear regression adjustment for, the collider or its child. We also derive simple conditions that determine the sign of such bias.
Emulsifying Properties of Tremella Fuciformis: A Novel Promising Food Emulsifier
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Ya-Kun , Liu Yong , Wang Jun-Hui
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the emulsifying properties of Tremella fuciformis (TFS) were assessed in comparison with lotus seed (LTS), purple sweet potato (PSPP) and gum arabic (GA) in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Emulsifying properties were evaluated in terms of the emulsifying activity (EA), emulsifying stability, mean droplet size, zeta potential, shear viscosity and freeze-thaw stability of their emulsions. The results revealed that TFS exhibited excellent EA and best emulsifying stability (100 %) after 21 days at 21 °C. When exposure to 100 °C for 20 min, TFS emulsions showed reduced in droplet size, which was superior as compared to LTS, PSPP, and GA. In zeta-potential test, TFS was proved to be more suitable emulsifier as compared with LTS and GA as it had a comparatively larger magnitude. TFS emulsions showed the smallest droplet size at pH 10.0 followed by pH 3.0 and pH 6.5. Non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior of all four samples remained same at 4.0 % concentration while the apparent viscosity of TFS was the highest among all. The cream index of 4.0 % TFS was also the highest at freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, the TFS could be used as emulsifier and thickener in food industry.
Investigation of Geometry Effect on Heat and Mass Transfer in Buoyancy Assisting with the Vertical Backward and Forward Facing Steps
Authors: Issakhov Alibek , Zhandaulet Yeldos
Published: March 2019

This paper is a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of the temperature distribution in the flow with the forward and backward facing steps with buoyancy forces for different lengths of the bottom walls and flow regimes. The different lengths of the bottom walls effect were studied with buoyancy forces. A two-dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equation and equations for temperature transfer were used to describe this process. The obtained numerical solutions for the test problem, laminar flow with the backward facing step with buoyancy force, are compared with the numerical results of other authors. A verified numerical algorithm is applied to the problem with the forward and backward facing steps with buoyancy forces. The influence of changes in the bottom wall length on temperature distributions and velocity components is revealed. It was also revealed that the heat transfer characteristics of the bottom wall have strong changes in different lengths. In cases for the lengths of the bottom walls (

X
e

=
12
,

16

${X_e} = 12, \,16$

) at Re=1,000, the rotational movement of the vortices along the channel wall revealed an increase in the exchange of cold and hot fluids, which leads to temperature fluctuations from the lower wall to the upper wall of the channel.
Locally finite groups of finite centralizer dimension
Authors: Borovik Alexandre , Karhumäki Ulla
Published: March 2019

We describe the structure of locally finite groups of finite centralizer dimension.
Evaluation of benzthiazolidine-based formamidinium salts for the synthesis of penem-type β-lactams by uncatalysed carbonylation of acyclic diaminocarbenes
Authors: Jonek Markus , Buhl Hannes , Leibold Michael , Bruhn Clemens , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: March 2019

The reaction of [iPr2N=CHCl]Cl with 2-phenylbenzthiazolidine (Ph-BtzH) and subsequent anion metathesis afforded the formamidinium salt [(Ph-Btz)CH(NiPr2)][PF6] ([1aH][PF6]). The reaction of [1aH][PF6] with (Me3Si)2NNa in the presence of grey selenium furnished the selenourea derivative 1aSe as trapping product of the acyclic diaminocarbene 1a. In the absence of selenium, a 2H-1,4-benzothiazine derivative (2) was obtained, which is an isomer of 1a, whose formation is plausibly initiated by deprotonation of [1aH]+ not at the cationic N2CH unit, but at the neighbouring PhCH position. CO was ineffective as trapping reagent for 1a. [1aH][PF6], 1aSe and 2 have been structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction.
Modeling Neurodegenerative Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 13 in Zebrafish Using a Purkinje Neuron Specific Tunable Coexpression System
Authors: Namikawa Kazuhiko , Dorigo Alessandro , Zagrebelsky Marta , Russo Giulio , Kirmann Toni , Fahr Wieland , Dübel Stefan , Korte Martin , Köster Reinhard W.
Published: March 2019

Purkinje cells (PCs) are primarily affected in neurodegenerative spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). For generating animal models for SCAs, genetic regulatory elements specifically targeting PCs are required, thereby linking pathological molecular effects with impaired function and organismic behavior. Because cerebellar anatomy and function are evolutionary conserved, zebrafish represent an excellent model to study SCAsin vivo. We have isolated a 258 bp cross-species PC-specific enhancer element that can be used in a bidirectional manner for bioimaging of transgene-expressing PCs in zebrafish (both sexes) with variable copy numbers for tuning expression strength. Emerging ectopic expression at high copy numbers can be further eliminated by repurposing microRNA-mediated posttranslational mRNA regulation.

Subsequently, we generated a transgenic SCA type 13 (SCA13) model, using a zebrafish-variant mimicking a human pathological SCA13R420Hmutation, resulting in cell-autonomous progressive PC degeneration linked to cerebellum-driven eye-movement deficits as observed in SCA patients. This underscores that investigating PC-specific cerebellar neuropathologies in zebrafish allows for interconnecting bioimaging of disease mechanisms with behavioral analysis suitable for therapeutic compound testing.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSCA13 patients carrying aKCNC3R420Hallele have been shown to display mid-onset progressive cerebellar atrophy, but genetic modeling of SCA13 by expressing this pathogenic mutant in different animal models has not resulted in neuronal degeneration so far; likely because the transgene was expressed in heterologous cell types. We developed a genetic system for tunable PC-specific coexpression of several transgenes to manipulate and simultaneously monitor cerebellar PCs. We modeled a SCA13 zebrafish accessible for bioimaging to investigate disease progression, revealing robust PC degeneration, resulting in impaired eye movement. Our transgenic zebrafish mimicking both neuropathological and behavioral changes manifested in SCA-affected patients will be suitable for investigating causes of cerebellar diseasesin vivofrom the molecular to the behavioral level.
Digging In
Authors: Haeselin David
Published: March 2019

Sugar beets grown in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota are the most important source of American-made sugar. Contemporary sugar production and consumption provoke some bitter disagreements. Local growing and processing of sugar beets is an essential economic driver in the Red River Valley region, yet these gains would not be possible without massive federal subsidies. Moreover, genetically modified sugar beets are refined into a substance that is directly linked to national epidemics of diabetes and obesity. This article explores lessons the author learned by moonlighting as a truck driver for the sugar beet harvest. Rather than dismiss industrial food as fake on the one hand or “foodie culture” as entitled on the other, the author looks for how the quest for authenticity can transcend this divide. He argues that food work offers ways to see differently the priorities of people invested in both local food and industrial food systems.
A 25-year-old female with papulopustular rash, arthritis, and retinal vasculitis
Authors: Pollmann André S. , Seamone Mark E.
Published: March 2019

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Centracare: A history of the New Brunswick Provincial Lunatic Asylum
Authors: Wong Mike
Published: March 2019

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The effect of Steri-Strip orientation on wound healing: A survey of current applications and trends amongst surgeons
Authors: Sardiwalla Yaeesh , Zimmo Khader , Williams Jason , Bezuhly Michael
Published: March 2019

Wound closure strips are used in the repair of superficial, low tension wounds, lacerations, and surgical incisions.They represent an inexpensive, easy, and painless way to close such wounds or as an adjunct in a multi-layered closure. There is debate over correct orientation (transverse, oblique, zig-zag or parallel) and importance of wound closure strips relative to the incision.The purpose of this research was to examine the closure techniques amongst Canadian plastic surgeons and current applications of wound closure strips using an online survey circulated to members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery. Participants answered a series of multiple choice and short answer questions regarding their practice,closure techniques and use of wound closure strips.A total of 120 plastic surgeons (30.0%) completed the survey with 89.9% reporting wound closure strips usage. Of respondents who used wound closure strips, 57.2% used them in more than half of all wound closures. Parallel orientation to the wound (52.3%) and per- pendicular orientation (30.8%) were the most common techniques employed, and these were applied in a consistent fashion (90.6%) covering the whole wound (78.1%). Most plastic surgeons agreed there is a need to further study adhesive strips.This survey of Canadian plastic surgeons has demonstrated the variability that exists in wound closure strip application technique, orientation and intended function.These findings suggest further investigation of wound closure strip usage may be needed to help guide clinical practice.
Cultural competencies and tips to keep in mind when in- teracting with Muslim patients
Authors: Rafiq Farina , Jarrar Ameer , Hamodat Hayam , Ali Malik , Syed Saif , Haroon Babar
Published: March 2019

Muslims make up a significant portion of the world population, with an estimate of 1.8 billion people as of 2015. According to the 2011 Canadian census, Muslims make up 3.2% of the Canadian population. As future physicians, many of us will encounter Muslims in our practice. Muslims come from different ethnicities and speak different languages. It is, therefore, essential to be conscious of core cultural values and practices commonly held by Muslims. This article will highlight cultural competencies and tips to keep in mind when interacting with Muslim patients.
All thumbs:The philosophy of plastic and reconstructive surgery via Wassel's classification of thumb duplication
Authors: Oore Jonathan Jordan
Published: March 2019

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Género, juventud y violencia simbólica: Miradas cualitativas desde la diversidad juvenil en San Luis Potosí, México
Authors: Martínez Lozano Consuelo Patricia
Published: March 2019

Los fenómenos relacionados con la violencia tienen radical importancia en la sociedad mexicana. Especialmente, la población juvenil ha sido identificada como protagonista de situaciones relacionadas con la violencia en sus distintas modalidades. Los/las jóvenes constituyen una población heterogénea y múltiple. El género es una condición a partir de la cual configuran maneras de entender y significar las violencias. Bajo esta idea, se realizó una investigación cualitativa sobre género, juventud y violencia en San Luis Potosí (centro-norte). Se aplicaron 10 entrevistas grupales a jóvenes, hombres y mujeres, de diferentes estratos sociales y condición étnica. El estudio exploró sus percepciones, vivencias e interpretaciones de la violencia. Asimismo, se pretende elaborar una disertación teórica respecto a la violencia simbólica y la investigación sobre género y juventudes.
Convivencia ciudadana versus narciso: La batalla por un orden civil pacífico e igualitario
Authors: Bolívar Rangel Deivis
Published: March 2019

Se presenta la perspectiva que sobre el mal, como tendencia vanidosa en el fuero íntimo de la psiquis humana, ofrece la filósofa Martha Nussbaum. En torno de dicho referente conceptual, se muestra cómo el ideal de convivencia ciudadana se ha visto trastocado por quienes dividen el mundo, en un arrebato narcisista de asco proyectado, entre lo puro y lo impuro; y por quienes jerarquizan la dignidad en función de supuestos niveles de contaminación percibidos en un otro amenazante. Se ilustra cómo esa misma reacción narcisista se camufla en aquel proceder legalista que asegura estar consagrado al respeto por la diferencia; y se señalan aspectos negativos dentro de la educación en valores que precisan un re direccionamiento a fin de dotar a la ciudadanía de herramientas eficaces para vencer su propensión al egoísmo vanidoso.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВ РОЗВИТКУ РИНКУ РЕКЛАМИ В УКРАЇНІ
Authors: Мунтян І. В.
Published: March 2019

В статті досліджуються сучасні тенденції українського рекламного ринку. Виявлено, що се-ред найбільш впливових та пріоритетних каналів рекламних комунікацій залишаються Інтернет-реклама та реклама на телебаченні. Окреслені види та дана характеристика ролей реклами. Дос-ліджені основні засоби реклами, за допомогою яких вона доходить до споживача. На основі стати-стичних даних окреслені їх переваги та недоліки. Представлений аналіз та прогноз тенденцій роз-витку українського рекламного ринку в у мовах політичної та соціально-економічної кризи. Робитьсявисновок, що сучасний український рекламний сектор вимагає якісного наукового підходу щодоорганізації та управління рекламного ринку, налагодження ефективної, рекламної діяльності, якагарантувала б суб’єктам рекламного сектору якісний, конкурентоспроможний рекламний продукт.
THE INNOVATIVE WAY OF OVERCOMING OF FOOD INDUSTRY ENTERPRISES PROBLEMS
Authors: Nemchenko H.
Published: March 2019

Ukrainian sustainable development envisages the food industry reforming and the formation of amodern structure of the national economy. Regional financial decentralization should help to solve this problem. Fiscal decentralization should optimize the economic interests of agricultural, food businesses, regionsand the state. The analysis of the formation of the modern food industry structure in the conditions of financial decentralization was presented in the works of many scientists: both national and foreign ones. However, so far there is no single correct decision. All this makes the problem of improving the structure of the foodindustry relevant. It has been substantiated that financial decentralization should optimize the economic interests of enterprises, regions and the state. It is impossible to separate the management of the food business and the region. It may be about managing the food business and the region at the same time.For the rapid development of the food industry, only lending under current conditions is not enough,and sometimes impossible. All this involves the creation of a regional food industry support fund that wouldstimulate the production and consumption of environmental products, introduce innovative technologies, helpto reconstruct, modernize and, in some cases, re-profile enterprises, providing them with benefits, subsidies,and subventions.
Needs Assessment Lessons Learned in Qatar: A Flipped Classroom Approach
Authors: Berger Gabriela
Published: March 2019

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Continuing professional development (CPD) activities are expected to be purposeful and effective; the essential first step is a curriculum based on actual training needs. The Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) provides the oversight for accredited CPD programs for all groups of healthcare practitioners in Qatar this includes physicians, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals. In December 2017 several professionals created a local, collaborative and supportive network to share their expertise and to collaborate on accredited professional development initiatives. Network members included accredited CPD providers from two hospitals, Sidra Medicine and Aspetar, and from the College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q). The implementation of a needs analysis is key to continuous service improvements. Network members conducted an audit of 43 educational programs in 2018 and found that this step is frequently missed or misinterpreted by curriculum planners. A workshop on needs assessments was seen as the most germane intervention to upskill program planners. An evidence-based approach was suggested in the development of a needs assessment teaching module. A review of the literature influenced the curriculum design as did a re-examination of adult learning principles and validated new methods to teaching in the health professions. The flipped classroom was identified as the most appropriate approach regarding design and content delivery. It requires skilled facilitators and content matter experts that are familiar with diverse teaching formats to ensure that learning outcomes are integrated across the formats. It has been documented that 'flipping' the classroom from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered approach encourages participants' higher order learning and fosters engagement, exploration, evaluation and reflection.