bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Coffee Intake Reduce Postoperative Ileus After Laparoscopic Elective Colorectal Surgery? A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study: The Coffee Study
Authors: Hasler-Gehrer Simone , Linecker Michael , Keerl Andreas , Slieker Juliette , Descloux Alexandre , Rosenberg Robert , Seifert Burkhardt , Nocito Antonio
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND:

Postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery is a frequent problem that significantly prolongs hospital stay and increases perioperative costs.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim was to evaluate the effect of standardized coffee intake on postoperative bowel movement after elective laparoscopic colorectal resection.

DESIGN:

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial that was conducted between September 2014 and December 2016.

SETTINGS:

This study was performed in a public cantonal hospital in Switzerland with accreditation for colon and rectum cancer surgery.

PATIENTS:

Patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were included.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients were randomly assigned either to the intervention group receiving coffee or the control group receiving tea. A total of 150 mL of the respective beverage was drunk 3 times per day every postoperative day until discharge.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The primary end point was time to first bowel movement. Secondary end points included the use of laxative, insertion of a nasogastric tube, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS:

A total of 115 patients were randomly assigned: 56 were allocated to the coffee group and 59 to the tea group. After coffee intake, the first bowel movement occurred after a median of 65.2 hours versus 74.1 hours in the control group (intention-to-treat analysis; p = 0.008). The HR for earlier first bowel movement after coffee intake was 1.67 (p = 0.009). In the per-protocol analysis, hospital stay was shorter in the coffee group (6 d in the coffee group vs 7 d in the tea group; p = 0.043).

LIMITATIONS:

The rate of protocol violation, mostly coffee consumption in the tea arm, was relatively high, even if patients were clearly instructed not to consume coffee if they were in the tea arm.

CONCLUSIONS:

Coffee intake after elective laparoscopic colorectal resection leads to faster recovery of bowel function. Therefore, coffee intake represents a simple and effective strategy to prevent postoperative ileus. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A955.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02469441.
Utilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017
Authors: Wilkerson Eric C. , Van Acker Monica M. , Bloom Bradley S. , Goldberg David J.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Due to concerns regarding maternal and fetal safety and the absence of evidence to the contrary, laser treatment during pregnancy has traditionally been limited to situations of absolute necessity.

OBJECTIVE

This review seeks to examine the available evidence to determine the safety of laser therapy during pregnancy.

METHODS

Medical databases were searched for relevant reports from all specialties regarding the use of lasers during pregnancy from 1960 to 2017. A legal case review was also performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-two publications in the literature reported the use of various laser wavelengths in 380 pregnant women during all trimesters. Other than 1 case of premature rupture of membranes questionably related to the laser treatment, there were no cases of maternal or fetal morbidity or mortality, premature labor, or identifiable fetal stress.

CONCLUSION

The available evidence, limited to low evidence level case reports and series, indicates cutaneous laser treatment during pregnancy is safe for both mother and fetus. Furthermore, laser physics and optics dictate there should theoretically be no risk of fetal laser exposure from commonly used cutaneous lasers.
Purging of malignant cell contamination prior to spermatogonia stem cell autotransplantation to preserve fertility: progress & prospects
Authors: Abdelaal Omar , Barber Heather , Atala Anthony , Sadri-Ardekani Hooman
Published: April 2019

Purpose of review

This systematic review evaluates the state of the art in terms of strategies used to detect and remove contaminated malignant cells from testicular biopsy prior to spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs) autotransplantation to restore fertility.

Recent findings

Several trials have been done in past two decades to determine the reliable methods of detecting and purging cancer cells prior to SSCs autotransplantation.

The success in treating childhood cancer has dramatically increased over the past few decades. This leads to increasing demand for a method of fertility preservation for patients with pediatric cancer, as many cancer therapies can be gonadotoxic. Storing the SSCs prior to chemo- or radiation therapies and transplanting them back has been tested as a method of restoring fertility in rodents and nonhuman primate models. This has promise for restoring fertility in childhood cancer survivors. One of the major concerns is the possibility of malignant cell presence in testicular tissue biopsies that could re-introduce cancer to the patient after SSCs autotransplantation. Non-solid cancers – especially hematologic malignancies – have the risk of being transplanted back into patients after SSCs cryopreservation even if they were only present in small number in the stored testicular tissue biopsy.
Psychological Symptoms and Stress Are Associated With Decrements in Attentional Function in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Authors: Atallah Marie , Cooper Bruce , Muñoz Ricardo F. , Paul Steven M. , Anguera Joaquin , Levine Jon D. , Hammer Marilyn , Wright Fay , Chen Lee-May , Melisko Michelle , Conley Yvette P. , Miaskowski Christine , Dunn Laura B.
Published: April 2019

Background

Decrements in attentional function—perceived effectiveness in everyday functioning related to cognitive dysfunction—are frequently reported by cancer patients during treatment. However, patients vary widely in their experiences of changes in attentional function.

Objective

The aim of this study was to understand differences in attentional function among cancer patients during chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients (n = 1329) undergoing chemotherapy were assessed at 6 time points during 2 rounds of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients based on patterns in changes on the Attentional Function Index. Differences among the subgroups in demographic and clinical characteristics, psychological symptoms, and stress were evaluated.

Results

Three latent classes (ie, high, moderate, and low attentional function) were identified. Patients in the low and moderate classes were younger, more likely to be female, and less likely to be employed compared with those in the high class. Patients in the low class had higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, cancer-related distress, and perceived stress compared with those in the moderate class, who, in turn, reported higher levels of these symptoms compared with those in the high class.

Conclusions

Different experiences of changes in self-perceived attentional function are associated with psychological symptoms in cancer patients.

Implications for Practice

Relationships between changes in attentional function and psychological symptoms and stress suggest that clinicians should attend to the potential that patients’ cognitive and psychological experiences may be closely linked and may need to be addressed as related phenomena. Clinical trials are needed that evaluate treatments for both attentional and psychological symptoms.
The Influence of Four Different Treatment Protocols on Maxillofacial Growth in Patients with Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip, Palate, and Alveolus
Authors: Xu Xue , Cao Congcong , Zheng Qian , Shi Bing
Published: April 2019

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different treatment protocols on maxillofacial growth in patients aged 7 to 8 years with unilateral complete cleft lip, palate, and alveolus.

Methods:

Sixty-one patients with nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip, palate, and alveolus were entered into this study and grouped as follows: group 1 patients had a repaired lip and an unrepaired palate; group 2 patients underwent one-stage palatoplasty; group 3 patients underwent two-stage palatoplasty; and group 4 patients underwent lip adhesion and two-stage palatoplasty. The control group was composed of 16 patients with unilateral incomplete cleft lip. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the nature of data distribution. The Bonferroni test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for multiple comparisons.

Results:

Group 5 showed a more protruding maxilla (basion-nasion-A point, basion-nasion-anterior nasal spine, sella-nasion-anterior nasal spine; p < 0.05), longer maxillary sagittal length (anterior nasal spine-posterior maxillary point; p < 0.05) and maxillary basal sagittal length (A point-posterior maxillary point; p < 0.05), and a better jaw relationship (A point-nasion-B point angle; p < 0.05) than groups 2, 3, and 4. Group 2 had higher anterior facial height (anterior nasal spine-nasion, anterior nasal spine-menton, nasion-menton; p < 0.05) and posterior facial height (registration point-posterior maxillary point; p < 0.05) than groups 3 and 4. Groups 2 and 3 had better maxillary position (sella-pterygomaxillary fissure; p < 0.05) and deeper bony pharynx (basion-posterior maxillary point; p < 0.05) than group 4.

Conclusions:

In patients aged 7 to 8 years with unilateral complete cleft lip, palate, and alveolus, both one- and two-stage palatoplasty inhibited maxillary sagittal growth. Vomer flap repair with denuded bone inhibited maxillary vertical growth. Lip adhesion did adversely affect maxilla position.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
String Fat/Dermis Graft for Correction of Wrinkles and Scars
Authors: Guyuron Bahman , Son Ji H.
Published: April 2019

Established creases and wrinkles do not predictably respond to the fat injection technique. The authors describe a minimally invasive yet simple technique to address recalcitrant facial rhytides and minor depressed scars. This technique optimally requires a concomitant procedure whereby suitable fat or dermis graft could be available for grafting without having to make another incision. However, if needed, the graft can be harvested from an easily concealed area such as postauricular sulcus. Preferably, dermis or a combination of fat and dermis is harvested in the form of strings using a pair of straight iris scissors. The sharp end of an 18-gauge needle is then used to create a tunnel in the subcutaneous plane beneath each line while releasing any fibrous bands. The string of dermis/fat is then engaged at the end of the 18-gauge needle and delivered into the subcutaneous tunnel with rotation and advancement of the needle. The authors have used this graft on 49 sites on 39 patients. The mean age of the patients was 57.6 years, with eight male and 31 female patients. The sites included rhytides in upper and lower lips, oral commissure, labial mental groove, and frown lines, and scars in the forehead, nasal dorsum, nasal tip, and eyebrows. String fat grafting is a simple and reliable method to address limited rhytides or depressed scars.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, V.
Presentation, Management, and Outcome of Lingual Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in Pediatric and Adult Populations
Authors: Li Wei , Ren Yi-peng , Shi Yue-yi , Zhang Lei , Bu Rong-fa
Published: April 2019

Lingual thyroglossal duct cysts (LTDCs) are rare congenital anomalies of the neck. The authors described the presentation, management, and outcome of LTDC in pediatric and adult cases through a retrospective observational analysis between 2008 and 2018. Data included patients’ demographics, main complaint, preoperative investigations, surgical management, and recurrences. Seventeen patients were included: 8 pediatric and 9 adult patients. The most common presenting symptom was foreign body sensation (35.3%). In all, 50% (4/8) of the children had respiratory problems, while the most common symptom in adults was difficulty swallowing (8/9). Five patients were of recurrent LTDC; 3 referred patients were suspected of having recurrent epiglottic cysts. The total misdiagnosis rate was 35.3% (6/17): 14.3% (1/7) in children and 55.6% (5/9) in adults. Fiber optic laryngoscopic examination revealed that LTDCs mostly occurred at the base of the tongue (53.3%) and vallecula epiglottica (33.3%). Ultrasound examination revealed low to anechoic masses on the root of the tongue; 50% were regular in shape and 50% were irregular. All pediatric patients had regular masses (100%), but most adults had irregular masses (85.7%). In total, 76.5% of the patients underwent the Sistrunk procedure, and 23.5% underwent marsupialization alone. The mean follow-up length was 37.5 ± 32.8 months. All patients were well at follow-up. In conclusion, direct laryngoscopy and ultrasound examination are essential for diagnosis as LTDCs can be confused with vallecular cysts. Surgical treatment such as marsupialization or the Sistrunk operation must be performed thoroughly.
Prehospital Blood Product and Crystalloid Resuscitation in the Severely Injured Patient
Authors: Guyette Francis X. , Sperry Jason L. , Peitzman Andrew B. , Billiar Timothy R. , Daley Brian J. , Miller Richard S. , Harbrecht Brian G. , Claridge Jeffrey A. , Putnam Tyler , Duane Therese M. , Phelan Herb A. , Brown Joshua B.
Published: April 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine whether prehospital blood products reduce 30-day mortality in patients at risk for hemorrhagic shock compared with crystalloid only resuscitation.

Summary of Background Data:

Hemorrhage is the primary cause of preventable death after injury. Large volume crystalloid resuscitation can be deleterious. The benefits of prehospital packed red blood cells (PRBCs), plasma, or transfusion of both products among trauma patients is unknown compared with crystalloid.

Methods:

Secondary analysis of the multicenter PAMPer trial was performed on hypotensive injured patients from the scene. The trial randomized 27 helicopter bases to prehospital plasma or standard resuscitation. Standard resuscitation at the sites was equally divided between crystalloid and crystalloid + PRBC. This led to 4 prehospital resuscitation groups: crystalloid only; PRBC; plasma; and PRBC+plasma. Cox regression determined the association between resuscitation groups and risk-adjusted 30-day mortality. The dose effect of resuscitation fluids was also explored.

Results:

Four hundred seven patients were included. PRBC+plasma had the greatest benefit [hazard ratio (HR) 0.38; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.26–0.55, P < 0.001], followed by plasma (HR 0.57; 95% CI 0.36–0.91, P = 0.017) and PRBC (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.49–0.95, P = 0.025) versus crystalloid only. Mortality was lower per-unit of PRBC (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.52–0.92, p = 0.009) and plasma (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54–0.88, P = 0.003). Crystalloid volume was associated with increased mortality among patients receiving blood products (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.17–2.32, P = 0.004).

Conclusion:

Patients receiving prehospital PRBC+plasma had the greatest mortality benefit. Crystalloid only had the worst survival. Patients with hemorrhagic shock should receive prehospital blood products when available, preferably PRBC+plasma. Prehospital whole blood may be ideal in this population.
Long noncoding RNAs sustain high expression of exogenous Oct4 by sponging miRNA during reprogramming
Authors: Kong Qingran , Zhang Xiaolei , Zhang Jiaming , Zheng Kailun , Zhang Heng , Pei Xixiang , Yin Zhi , Wen Duancheng , Liu Zhonghua
Published: April 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate gene expression as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) via sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the extent and functional consequences of ceRNAs in diverse cellular context still need to be proven. Using a doxycycline inducible expression of Yamanaka four factors to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we found the miRNAs from MEFs remained highly expressed from day 0 to day 6 after doxycycline induction; unexpectedly, many genes targeted by these miRNAs were actually up-regulated; meanwhile, long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) which have complementary binding sites with the miRNAs were highly expressed, indicating lincRNAs and circRNAs (linc/circRNAs) may serve as sponges for miRNAs to block their activities during reprogramming. Intriguingly, the knockdown of the linc/circRNAs sponging the miRNAs targeting Oct4 mRNA resulted in down-regulation of exogenous Oct4 expression, decrease of reprogramming efficiency, and low-grade chimera forming iPSCs. Our results suggest that the ceRNA network plays an important role in reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells.
Qualitative analyses of polishing and pre-coating FIB milled crystals for MicroED
Authors: Martynowycz Michael W. , Zhao Wei , Hattne Johan , Jensen Grant J. , Gonen Tamir
Published: April 2019

Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) leverages the strong interaction between matter and electrons to determine protein structures from vanishingly small crystals. This strong interaction limits the thickness of crystals that can be investigated by MicroED, mainly due to absorption. Recent studies have demonstrated that focused ion beam (FIB) can thin even very large crystals into ideal sized lamellae however it is not clear how to best apply FIB-milling for MicroED. Here, The effects of polishing the lamellae, whereby the last few nanometers are milled away using a low-current gallium beam, are explored in both platinum pre-coated and uncoated samples. Our results suggest that pre-coating samples with a thin layer of platinum followed by polishing the crystal surfaces prior to data collection consistently led to superior results as indicated by higher signal/noise ratio, higher resolution and better refinement statistics. This study lays the foundation for routine and reproducible methodology for sample preparation in MicroED.
The Impact of Informal Financial Groups on Socio‐economic Development in Tanzania
Authors: Kinyondo Abel , Kagaruki Gibson
Published: April 2019

Financial deepening is universally considered to be one of the vital means to trigger inclusive growth, in economies the world over, Tanzania being no exception. However, the lack of traditional collateral among the poor has made it virtually impossible for them to have access to financial services particularly in the formal financial institutions. It is in this context that the informal financial groups (IFGs) are so crucial in filling the financial inclusiveness gap among the poor in Tanzania. It is thus crucial that the efficacy of IFGs in improving the well‐being of the poor is assessed. It is in this context that the present study employs a quasi‐experiment mixed methodology to answer research questions. Findings have categorically shown that membership to IFGs has a positive and significant impact on various socio‐economic variables. Efforts to intensify education and training activities in IFGs, and their access to loans are some of the key recommendations that this paper suggests. It is hoped that the newly promulgated 2017 National Microfinance Policy shall be implemented to that effect.
Effect of high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy Australian adults (OLIVAUS): A protocol for a double‐blind randomised, controlled, cross‐over study
Authors: Marx Wolfgang , George Elena S. , Mayr Hannah L. , Thomas Colleen J. , Sarapis Katerina , Moschonis George , Kennedy Greg , Pipingas Andrew , Willcox Jane C. , Prendergast Luke A. , Itsiopoulos Catherine
Published: April 2019

Background

Previous clinical studies have suggested that high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) provides a superior cardioprotective effect compared to low polyphenol olive oil. However, further studies are required to replicate these results in non‐Mediterranean populations.

Aim

To investigate the effect of high polyphenol EVOO versus low polyphenol olive oil with known polyphenol composition on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in a healthy non‐Mediterranean cohort.

Methods

In a double‐blind randomised cross‐over trial, the present study will examine the effect of high polyphenol EVOO versus low polyphenol olive oil in 50 healthy participants. Each intervention phase will be 3 weeks long with a 2‐week washout period between each phase. Outcomes to be assessed include HDL cholesterol efflux, oxidised LDL, blood lipids, C‐reactive protein, arterial stiffness, blood pressure and cognitive function. Dietary intake, physical activity levels and anthropometry will also be collected.

Discussion

Because of the rigorous trial design, novel and clinically relevant outcomes, the use of a well‐characterised EVOO, and, in contrast to the current literature, the non‐Mediterranean study population, the present study will provide a significant contribution to the understanding of the clinical importance of polyphenol intake in the Australian sociocultural context.
Association between sitting time and obesity: A population‐based study in Peru
Authors: Paz‐Krumdiek Melissa , Rodriguez‐Vélez Sylvia G. , Mayta‐Tristán Percy , Bernabe‐Ortiz Antonio
Published: April 2019

Aim

To assess if there is an association between sitting time and obesity among adult Peruvian population, using three different anthropometric measurements.

Methods

A secondary analysis using data from a population‐based study, the National Household Survey (ENAHO, in Spanish), was conducted enrolling adults aged ≥18 years from the 25 regions of Peru using a multistage random sampling technique. The outcome of interest was obesity, determined by body mass index (BMI > 30 kg/m2), waist circumference (WC > 80 and >90 cm in women and men, respectively) and waist to height ratio (WHR > 0.5); while the exposure was sitting time, measured using the last domain of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and then categorised in <4 hours/day, 4 to <8 hours/day and 8+ hours/day. Associations were estimated using Poisson regression models, reporting prevalence ratios (PRs) and their respective 95% CI.

Results

Data from 8587 subjects were analysed; mean age was 38.4 (SD: 13.5) and 53.6% were females. The prevalence of obesity was 16.3% (95% CI: 15.2–17.5%) by BMI, 58.5% (95% CI: 56.9–60.0%) by WC, and 78.0% (95% CI: 76.5–79.3%) by WHR. In the multivariable model, subjects reporting a sitting time of 8+ hours/day were more likely to be obese than those reporting <4 hours/day according to BMI (PR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.15–1.65), WC (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.12–1.28) and WHR (PR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01–1.10).

Conclusions

Subjects with greater sitting time were more likely to be obese, and this association was evident with three different anthropometric indicators. Findings suggest the need of generating public health actions to reduce sedentary behaviour.
Inactivation of Potato Polyphenol Oxidase Using Microwave Cold Plasma Treatment
Authors: Kang Joo Hyun , Roh Si Hyeon , Min Sea Cheol
Published: April 2019

This study was conducted to examine the effects of microwave cold plasma (CP) treatment on inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of potato. The PPO activity and treatment variables were fit to first‐order kinetics, the Weibull model, and the second‐order model. The optimum CP‐generation power and treatment time for inactivating PPO in the PPO extract were found to be 900 W and 40 min, respectively, which resulted in the highest inactivation of PPO (49.5%). PPO activity after CP treatment of potato slices decreased from 72.4% to 59.0% as the sample surface‐to‐volume ratio increased from 7.1 to 9.0. CP treatment delayed the browning of potato slices. Microwave CP treatment effectively inactivated PPO in potatoes, demonstrating the potential of CP treatment for controlling PPO activity in foods.

Practical Application

This study demonstrated that microwave CP treatment, a nonthermal food processing technology, inactivates PPO activity in potatoes. The results showed that the inactivation effect of CP treatment on PPO corresponded to the surface‐to‐volume ratio of potato slices. Furthermore, this study proposed an enzyme inactivation model that is suitable for predicting the inactivation of PPO activity and confirmed that CP treatment delayed browning in potatoes.
Key dermoscopic signs in the diagnosis and progression of extrafacial lentigo maligna: Evaluation of a series of 41 cases
Authors: Gamo‐Villegas Reyes , Pampín‐Franco Ana , Floristán‐Murúzabal Uxúa , García‐Zamora Elena , Pinedo‐Moraleda Fernando , López‐Estebaranz José Luis
Published: April 2019

Background/Objectives

Lentigo maligna is usually located on the face. Extrafacial lentigo maligna is less common, and diagnosis of early forms is very difficult. Confocal microscopy of facial and extrafacial lentigo maligna shares the same features (abundant dendritic cells and generalised atypical junctional thickenings) and helps us to identify the dermoscopic features of extrafacial lentigo maligna.

Methods

We analysed dermoscopic and clinical features of 41 lesions diagnosed by confocal microscopy of extrafacial lentigo maligna confirmed on histology to identify dermoscopic signs of early lesions.

Results

Erased areas on dermoscopy were the clue to diagnose early lesions. At the borders of these areas, very small, round or triangular structures were found. At the lesion periphery, dermoscopy revealed a fine reticular pattern that helped to identify them as a melanocytic lesion. A progressive increase of the number and size of erased areas was accompanied by the appearance of various angulated structures around them (angulated lines, zig‐zag structures or polygonal structures). Analysis of invasive lesions revealed very large erased areas containing white lines and atypical vascularisation.

Conclusions

We have identified the dermoscopic early features and signs of progression by examining the dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy findings of early and invasive extrafacial lentigo maligna.
Linguistic Anthropology in 2018: Signifying Movement
Authors: Park Joseph Sung‐Yul
Published: April 2019

Using the keyword movement, this essay reviews linguistic anthropological research that appeared in 2018 (November 2017 to October 2018) to highlight how linguistic anthropology continues and extends the discipline's traditional focus on the deep embeddedness of language in the dynamism of sociocultural practice. Based on an overview of works on (1) itineraries of people, (2) tensions with the nation‐state, (3) shifts in the political economy, (4) digital communicative practices, (5) metasemiotic chains of interdiscursivity, and (6) movements of social transformation, the essay argues that the effort to signify movement is what allows linguistic anthropology to understand and represent the agentive yet constrained ways in which people engage with the world, navigating time‐space and enacting transformations of social and material conditions of life. It concludes by claiming that an orientation to movement suggests a way forward for the discipline, opening up doors for greater transdisciplinary and international collaborations. [year in review, linguistic anthropology, movement, mobility, social transformation, transdisciplinarity]
New Digs: Networks, Assemblages, and the Dissolution of Binary Categories in Anthropological Archaeology
Authors: Kosiba Steve
Published: April 2019

Anthropological archaeology has long been a process of categorization. The history of the subdiscipline could be rendered in terms of an ongoing project to create, critique, and then refashion the categories by which archaeologists understand and explain social and ecological processes. Despite ever‐changing theoretical tides, many archaeologists have continued to adhere to a lingua franca that demarcates their object of study, whether “the past,” “nature,” complexity, material culture, or historical knowledge. In 2018, strong currents in archaeological scholarship have both challenged and washed out the boundaries of many of these epistemological mainstays. This was more than a postmodern exercise to question metanarratives of history or to destabilize supposed social universals. The recent scholarship develops innovative theoretical perspectives and sophisticated methodological tools to shed light on the varied human interactions, practices, and projects that were previously occluded by research too sharply focused on bounded categories such as periods, polities, adaptations, and meanings. Furthermore, archaeologists are now more than ever critically examining the colonial institutions that they perpetuate and seeking to establish new common ground with Indigenous communities. A decidedly archaeological perspective seems to be taking shape. This is a view that sees social life from the ground up in terms of complicated relationships between people, things, and other organisms that cannot be reduced to catchall categories. [year in review, archaeology, archaeological theory, current issues, Indigenous archaeology, environmental anthropology]
Monetarizing Spillover Effects of Soil and Groundwater Contaminated Sites in Taiwan: How Much More Will People Pay for Housing to Avoid Contamination?
Authors: Liou Je‐Liang , Randall Alan , Wu Pei‐Ing , Chen Han‐Huei
Published: April 2019

This study monetizes spillover effects of soil and groundwater contaminated sites using a quantile hedonic price model for different site types in Taoyuan City in Taiwan, which has 1664 sites, the highest number for any city in Taiwan. The results show that except for those living in the cheapest housing, most residents are willing to pay a higher price to live farther away from contaminated sites. Farmland makes up the largest share of the total contaminated site area and has the highest per square monetary spillover effects in Taoyuan City; remediation of farmland is one of the most urgent missions for the city. Overall, a NIMBY effect is found to exist for soil‐ and groundwater‐contamination in this city.
Cost Efficiency Analysis of Local Commercial Banks in Taiwan
Authors: Kashian Russell , Lin Elaine Yiling , Xue Yuhan
Published: April 2019

This study uses a stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) model to evaluate the relative cost efficiency of commercial banks in Taiwan in the wake of liberalization. The model is estimated using data made available through Taiwan's Banking Bureau and Financial Supervisory Commission. With data from before and after the 2008 financial crisis, our central result is that banks affiliated with bank holding companies (BHC) have become increasingly more efficient. While unaffiliated banks have generally increased their efficiency, they have not kept pace with respect to efficiency gains. Secondary findings are that, independent of ownership structure, both balance sheet and income statement composition affect efficiency. In particular, bank efficiency increases with growth in loans and capital prices. We also find evidence that labor productivity is a key explanatory factor behind efficiency differences across banks. As a result, a policy recommendation is made that banks invest in maximizing worker productivity. Finally, in addition to the insights gained from this study we contribute to the general literature on both bank efficiency and the use of the SFA model by applying it to new data in a new setting.
Academics' social media use over time is associated with individual, relational, cultural and political factors
Authors: Veletsianos George , Johnson Nicole , Belikov Olga
Published: April 2019

The use of social media in academics' lives is well documented; however, researchers have a limited understanding about whether, why and how academics' social media use changes over time. Through interviews with 12 scholars, we identify multiple reasons that lead them to change their use of social media over time. Specifically, scholars report their social media use changing as a result of personal life events; professional transitions; concerns related to online privacy and self‐protection; evolution of technology; their desire to develop and nurture relationships; awareness of the needs of others; and, the political climate. These findings reflect individual desires and broader cultural shifts, indicating that scholars’ use of social media is impacted not just by their individual preferences, but also by forces that impact upon them.
GAINS FROM TRADE WITH VARIABLE TRADE ELASTICITIES
Authors: Brooks Wyatt J. , Pujolas Pau S.
Published: April 2019

We measure gains from trade in multisector economies with nonhomothetic preferences where changes in trade costs generate reallocation of expenditure across sectors. We show how to measure the trade elasticity and how it relates to welfare. In this environment, the trade elasticity now varies both across countries and with levels of trade costs. In an application, we find that the trade elasticity varies substantially across countries and that the gains from moving from autarky to observed trade are on average between 24% and 28% greater than in a model where the trade elasticity is constant.
In vitro and in vivo investigation of chlorophyll binding sites involved in non‐photochemical quenching in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Perozeni Federico , Cazzaniga Stefano , Ballottari Matteo
Published: April 2019

Non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) of the light energy absorbed is one of the main photoprotective mechanisms evolved by oxygenic photosynthetic organisms to avoid photodamage, at a cost of reduced photosynthetic efficiency. Tuning of NPQ has been reported as a promising biotechnological strategy to increase productivity in both higher plants and unicellular microalgae. Engineering of NPQ induction requires the comprehension of its molecular mechanism(s), strongly debated in the last three decades with several different models proposed. In this work, the molecular details of NPQ induction was investigated at intramolecular level by in vitro and in vitro site‐specific mutagenesis on chlorophyll binding sites of the Light‐Harvesting Complex Stress‐Related 3 (LHCSR3) protein, the pigment binding complexes identified as the quencher during NPQ induction in the model organism for green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The results obtained demonstrate a correlation between the quenching activity of LHCSR3 variants in vitro and the NPQ phenotypes observed in vivo. In particular, multiple quenching sites in LHCSR3 cooperatively dissipating the excitation energy were revealed with a peculiar role of Chl 613, a chromophore located a close distance to carotenoid binding site L1.
Female Sex Workers’ Experiences Selling Sex during Pregnancy and Post‐Delivery in South Africa
Authors: Parmley Lauren , Rao Amrita , Young Katherine , Kose Zamakayise , Phaswana‐Mafuya Nancy , Mcingana Mfezi , Lambert Andy , Hausler Harry , Baral Stefan , Schwartz Sheree
Published: April 2019

Nearly 75 percent of female sex workers (FSWs) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa are mothers, many of whom engage in sex work during pregnancy or after delivery. We conducted in‐depth interviews with 22 postpartum and 8 pregnant FSWs in Port Elizabeth. Interview guides were used to probe women's experiences, challenges, and concerns about selling sex during pregnancy and post‐delivery in a high‐HIV‐prevalence context. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using thematic analysis. FSWs experienced and feared violence by clients during pregnancy, highlighting the need for safe work environments. Further, FSWs expressed concerns about HIV acquisition and vertical transmission during the perinatal period. Physical challenges related to pregnancy affected women's ability to work. Returning to work post‐delivery presented barriers to initiating and practicing exclusive breastfeeding. As a result, many FSWs practiced mixed feeding. Interventions, tailored to respond to FSW's challenges and experiences, may offer improved health outcomes in this context.
Cash for care and care employment: (Missing) debates and realities
Authors: Da Roit Barbara , Moreno‐Fuentes Francisco Javier
Published: April 2019

The introduction of cash‐for‐care (CfC) schemes in different European countries over the last years has responded to a plurality of strategies aimed at attending the rising demand and increasing costs of the long‐term care needs of an ageing population. The specific system of care provision in each country shaped the response given to those challenges, as well as the room for manoeuvre for policymakers when trying to transform the domain of care into a sphere where markets may play a larger role, partly relieving families, and also the state, from these responsibilities. Policy debates and scholarly analyses largely overlooked the contribution of these schemes to the creation and shaping of employment. This article provides a comparative analysis of how CfC‐based policies entail—alongside the regulation of informal care—a(n implicit or explicit) connection with care employment and may contribute to structuring employment relations in this sector. It looks jointly at the specific features of CfC and at the institutional context—welfare regime—in which they are embedded in order to assess the extent to which these schemes contributed (generally unintendedly) to a transformation of the care employment size and features in seven European countries.
Revisiting the influence of individual factors on heat exchange during exercise in dry heat using direct calorimetry
Authors: Notley Sean R. , Lamarche Dallon T. , Meade Robert D. , Flouris Andreas D. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: April 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The aim was to identify the greatest contributor(s) to the variation in whole‐body heat exchange, as assessed using direct calorimetry, among young men and women with heterogeneous characteristics during exercise at increasing metabolic heat production rates in dry heat.

What is the main finding and its importance?

The evaporative heat loss requirement, body morphology and aerobic fitness made the greatest contributions to the individual variation in evaporative and dry heat exchange, with the variance explained being exercise intensity dependent. These findings provide a foundation on which to build our ability to explain the individual variation in heat exchange during exercise‐induced heat stress.

Numerous individual factors (e.g. fitness, sex, body morphology) are known to independently modulate heat exchange during exercise in the heat. However, in our view, the individual factor(s) making the greatest contribution to the variation in heat exchange among men and women remains poorly understood, despite several studies. We therefore sought to revisit this question by assessing whole‐body dry and evaporative heat exchange using direct calorimetry in a heterogeneous sample of 100 young men (n = 57) and women (n = 43). Participants performed three 30 min bouts of cycling at very light (men/women; 300/250 W), light (400/325 W) and moderate (500/400 W) metabolic heat production rates, separated by a 15 min recovery, in dry heat (40°C, ∼12% relative humidity). Positive associations were observed between the evaporative heat loss requirement (metabolic heat production ± dry heat exchange) and evaporative heat loss (all P < 0.01), especially during moderate exercise (men, r = 0.62; women, r = 0.82), which explained 19–67% of individual variation. Peak aerobic power (in millilitres per kilogram per minute) was also positively related to evaporative heat loss in both sexes, albeit only during light and moderate exercise (r = 0.33–0.43; all P < 0.05), explaining a further 5–9% of individual variation. Dry heat exchange shared negative associations with body mass and surface area during all exercise bouts in both sexes (r = −0.29 to −0.55; all P < 0.05), explaining 9–30% of individual variation. We therefore demonstrate that the evaporative heat loss requirement, peak aerobic power and body morphology are the greatest contributors to the variation in whole‐body heat exchange among young men and women exercising in dry heat, with the strength of those relationships being heat‐load dependent.
Particle Physics: An Essential and Engaging Part of the High School Physics Program
Authors: Polen Carol
Published: April 2019

Particle physicists are literally rewriting what we know about the physical world; yet, the typical high school physics curriculum spends little to no time on particle physics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of the particle physics topic in the curriculum increased the engagement and knowledge of high school physics students.
CD4+T Cell Regulation of Antibodies Cross-Reactive with Fungal Cell Wall-Associated Carbohydrates afterPneumocystis murinaInfection
Authors: Rapaka Rekha R. , Dai Guixiang , Zheng Mingquan , Kolls Jay K.
Published: April 2019

Pneumocystispneumonia is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection observed in individuals with severe immunodeficiencies, such as AIDS. Molecules with the ability to bind β-glucan and signal at Fcγ receptors enhance defense againstPneumocystisf.
Infection of Primary Human Alveolar Macrophages Alters Staphylococcus aureus Toxin Production and Activity
Authors: Brann Katelynn R. , Fullerton Marissa S. , Onyilagha Frances I. , Prince Andrew A. , Kurten Richard C. , Rom Joseph S. , Blevins Jon S. , Smeltzer Mark S. , Voth Daniel E.
Published: April 2019

Pulmonary pathogens encounter numerous insults, including phagocytic cells designed to degrade bacteria, while establishing infection in the human lung.
Staphylococcus aureus
is a versatile, opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe pneumonia, and methicillin-resistant isolates are of particular concern.
Oral Vaccination with Replication-Competent Adenovirus in Mice Reveals Dissemination of the Viral Vaccine beyond the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Goffin Emeline , Javaux Justine , Destexhe Eric , Pretto Carla D. , Spindler Katherine R. , Machiels Bénédicte , Gillet Laurent
Published: April 2019

Replication-competent adenoviruses appear to be promising vectors for the development of oral vaccines in humans. However, the study and development of these vaccines suffer from the lack of any reliable animal model. In this study, mouse adenovirus type 1 was used to develop a small-animal model for oral replication-competent adenovirus vaccines. While this model reproduced in mice what is observed with human adenovirus oral vaccines, it also highlighted that oral immunization with such a replication-competent vaccine is associated with the systemic spread of the virus. This study is therefore of major importance for the future development of such vaccine platforms and their use in large human populations.
Geophysical inversion contributions to mineral exploration: lessons from the Footprints project
Authors: Vallée Marc A. , Morris William A. , Perrouty Stéphane , Lee Robert G. , Wasyliuk Ken , King Julia J. , Ansdell Kevin , Mir Reza , Shamsipour Pejman , Farquharson Colin G. , Chouteau Michel , Enkin Randolph J. , Smith Richard S.
Published: April 2019

Magnetic and gravity inversions are used to create 2D or 3D models of the magnetic susceptibility and density, respectively, using potential field data. Unconstrained inversions generate an output based on mathematical constraints imposed by the inversion algorithm. Constrained inversions integrate lithological, structural, and petrophysical information in the inversion process to produce more geologically meaningful results. This study analyses the validity of this assertion in the context of the NSERC-CMIC Mineral Exploration Footprints project. Unconstrained and constrained geophysical inversions were computed for three mining sites: a gold site (Canadian Malartic, Québec), a copper site (Highland Valley, British Columbia), and a uranium site (Millennium – McArthur River, Saskatchewan). After initially computing unconstrained inversions, constrained inversions were developed using physical property measurements, which directly link geophysics to geology, and lithological boundaries extracted from an interpreted geological model. While each derived geological model is consistent with the geophysical data, each site exhibited some magnetic complexity that confounded the inversion. The gold site includes regions with a strong magnetic signature that masks the more weakly magnetic zone, thereby hiding the magnetic signature associated with the ore body. Initial unconstrained inversions for the copper site yielded solutions with invalid depth extent. A consistency between the constrained model and the geological model is reached with iterative changes to the depth extent of the model. At the uranium site, the observed magnetic signal is weak, but the inversion provided some insights that could be interpreted in terms of an already known complexly folded geological model.
Quantum fluctuations and the double-slit experiment
Authors: Giné Jaume
Published: April 2019

The double-slit experiment is a demonstration of wave-particle duality and one of the most fundamental experiments that help us understand the nature of quantum mechanics. In this work, we give a new explanation of this experiment in terms of the uncertainty principle and vacuum fluctuations. This explanation allows one to understand why the electron interferes with itself when being shot through the double-slit.
A beam optics design of the interaction region for the CEPC single-ring scheme
Authors: Wang Yiwei , Cui Xiaohao , Gao Jie
Published: April 2019

The interaction region is designed to provide strong focusing at the interaction point. A local correction scheme is adopted to get a large momentum acceptance. The interaction region consists of several modular sections. This paper presents the optics design of each section and its optimization. As an example, the optics design for the CEPC single-ring scheme is presented.
A study on low-cycle fatigue of high chromium heat-resistant steel
Authors: Jeong Il Heon , Park Yeong Min , Bae Mun Ki , Kim Chi Hwan , Kim Tae Gyu
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) characteristics of high-chrome heat-resistant steel, which is used in a high-temperature environment, at both ambient and high temperature. High-chrome heat-resistant steel, which is used for the turbine blades of a nuclear power plant, can be subject to plastic deformation due to overloading conditions at startup and shutdown. It is therefore very important to evaluate the damage caused by LCF, which is considered as fatigue damage due to plastic deformation. To examine the mechanical properties of high-chrome heat-resistant steel, the tensile strength was tested under different heat treatment conditions. In addition, the LCF characteristics were tested at ambient temperature and [Formula: see text].
Beyond the single course: teaching research throughout the curriculum
Authors: Mazzer Paula A. , Melroe Lehrman Bethany
Published: April 2019

Our STEM majors arrive on campus as rule followers—“Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it,” is their refrain. To break this mindset, we redesigned our suite of laboratory courses to scaffold research throughout the program. Every laboratory incorporates both discipline-specific and research-specific skills. Foundational courses introduce research skills, leading to upper level student-driven research. This model should be extensible to any curriculum and makes research an integral part of the undergraduate career.