bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth Factor-Reinforced ECM Fabricated from Chemically Hypoxic MSC Sheet with Improved In Vivo Wound Repair Activity
Authors: Du Hui-Cong , Jiang Lin , Geng Wen-Xin , Li Jing , Zhang Rui , Dang Jin-Ge , Shu Mao-Guo , Li Li-Wen
Published: September 2017

MSC treatment can promote cutaneous wound repair through multiple mechanisms, and paracrine mediators secreted by MSC are responsible for most of its therapeutic benefits. Recently, MSC sheet composed of live MSCs and their secreted ECMs was reported to promote wound healing; however, whether its ECM alone could accelerate wound closure remained unknown. In this study, Nc-ECM and Cc-ECM were prepared from nonconditioned and CoCl2-conditioned MSC sheets, respectively, and their wound healing properties were evaluated in a mouse model of full-thickness skin defect. Our results showed that Nc-ECM can significantly promote wound repair through early adipocyte recruitment, rapid reepithelialization, enhanced granulation tissue growth, and augmented angiogenesis. Moreover, conditioning of MSC sheet with CoCl2 dramatically enriched its ECM with collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, VEGF, and bFGF via activation of HIF-1α and hence remarkably improved its ECM’s in vivo wound healing potency. All the Cc-ECM-treated wounds completely healed on day 7, while Nc-ECM-treated wounds healed about 85.0%±8.6%, and no-treatment wounds only healed 69.8%±9.6% (p<0.05). Therefore, we believe that such growth factor-reinforced ECM fabricated from chemically hypoxic MSC sheet has the potential for clinical translation and will lead to a MSC-derived, cost-effective, bankable biomaterial for wound management.
Renaissance of Conventional First-Line Antibiotics inSalmonella entericaClinical Isolates: Assessment of MICs for Therapeutic Antimicrobials in Enteric Fever Cases from Nepal
Authors: Khanal Puspa Raj , Satyal Deepa , Bhetwal Anjeela , Maharjan Anjila , Shakya Shreena , Tandukar Snehika , Parajuli Narayan Prasad
Published: September 2017

Enteric fever caused bySalmonella entericais a life-threatening systemic illness of gastrointestinal tract especially in tropical countries. Antimicrobial therapy is generally indicated but resistance towards commonly used antibiotics has limited their therapeutic usefulness. Therefore, we aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern by minimum inhibitory concentration method of common therapeutic regimens againstSalmonella entericafrom enteric fever clinical cases.Salmonella entericaclinical isolates recovered from the patients with suspected enteric fever whose blood samples were submitted to microbiology laboratory of Manmohan Memorial Community Hospital, Kathmandu, from March 2016 to August 2016, were studied. These isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against common therapeutic antimicrobials by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, and cefixime was determined by Agar dilution method based on the latest CLSI protocol. A total of 88 isolates ofSalmonella entericawere recovered from blood samples of enteric fever cases. Out of them, 74 (84.09%) wereSalmonellaTyphi and 14 (15.91%) wereSalmonellaParatyphi A. On Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing, entire isolates were susceptible to cotrimoxazole, cefixime, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and chloramphenicol. Sixty-four (72.7%)Salmonella entericaisolates were nalidixic acid resistant and nonsusceptible to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. On MIC determination, fourSalmonellaisolates were ciprofloxacin resistant with MIC 1 µg/ml and two isolates were ciprofloxacin intermediate with MIC 0.5 µg/ml. The MIC range of azithromycin was from 0.125 µg/ml to 2.0 µg/ml, whereas that for chloramphenicol was 2.0 µg/ml–8.0 µg/ml and for cefixime was 0.0075–0.5 µg/ml, respectively. Despite global surge of antimicrobial resistance amongSalmonella entericaclinical isolates, the level of drug resistance in our study was not so high. However, higher level of NARST strains limits therapeutic use of fluoroquinolones and necessitates the routine monitoring of such resistance determinants in order to effectively and rationally manage enteric fever cases.
Performance and Benchmarking of Multisurface UHF RFID Tags for Readability and Reliability
Authors: Bolton Joshua , Jones Erick , Punugu Raghavendra Kumar , Addy Ankan , Okate Samuel
Published: September 2017

As the price of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags continues to decrease, more and more companies are considering item-level tagging. Although the use of RFID is simple, its proper application should be studied to achieve maximum efficiency and utilization in the industry. This paper is intended to demonstrate the test results of various multisurface UHF tags from different manufacturers for their readability under varying conditions such as orientation of tags with respect to reader, distance of tag from the reader, and materials used for embedding tags. These conditions could affect the reliability of RFID systems used for varied applications. In this paper, we implement a Design for Six Sigma Research (DFSS-R) methodology that allows for reliability testing of RFID systems. In this paper, we have showcased our results about the benchmarking of UHF RFID tags and have put forward an important observation about the blind spots observed at different distances and orientations along different surfaces, which is primarily due to the polarity of the antenna chosen.
Expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 Receptors as Leptin-Breast Cancer Regulation Mechanisms
Authors: Mociño-Rodríguez Martha Daniela , Santillán-Benítez Jonnathan Guadalupe , Dozal-Domínguez David Salomón , Hernández-Navarro María Dolores , Flores-Merino Miriam Veronica , Sandoval-Cabrera Antonio , García Vázquez Francisco Javier
Published: September 2017

The development of breast cancer is influenced by the adipose tissue through the proteins leptin and adiponectin. However, there is little research concerning AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 receptors and the influence of leptin over them. The objective of this work was to analyze the expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, modulated by differential concentrations of leptin in an obesity model (10 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, and 1000 ng/mL) associated with breast cancer in MCF-7 and HCC1937 cell lines. Each cell line was characterized through immunohistochemistry, and the expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was analyzed by PCR in real time using TaqMan® probes. Leptin induced an increase in cell population of MCF-7 (23.8%, 10 ng/mL, 48 h) and HCC1937 (17.24%, 1000 ng/mL, 72 h). In MCF-7, the expression of AdipoR1 decreased (3.81%, 1000 ng/mL) and the expression of AdipoR2 increased by 13.74 times (10 ng/mL) with regard to the control. In HCC1937, the expression of AdipoR1 decreased by 86.28% (10 ng/mL), as well as the expression of AdipoR2 (50.3%, 100 ng/mL). In regard to the results obtained, it could be concluded that leptin has an effect over the expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA.
Preventing Neurodegenerative Memory Loss in Hopfield Neuronal Networks Using Cerebral Organoids or External Microelectronics
Authors: Morrison M. , Maia P. D. , Kutz J. N.
Published: September 2017

Developing technologies have made significant progress towards linking the brain with brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) which have the potential to aid damaged brains to perform their original motor and cognitive functions. We consider the viability of such devices for mitigating the deleterious effects of memory loss that is induced by neurodegenerative diseases and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our computational study considers the widely used Hopfield network, an autoassociative memory model in which neurons converge to a stable state pattern after receiving an input resembling the given memory. In this study, we connect an auxiliary network of neurons, which models the BMI device, to the original Hopfield network and train it to converge to its own auxiliary memory patterns. Injuries to the original Hopfield memory network, induced through neurodegeneration, for instance, can then be analyzed with the goal of evaluating the ability of the BMI to aid in memory retrieval tasks. Dense connectivity between the auxiliary and Hopfield networks is shown to promote robustness of memory retrieval tasks for both optimal and nonoptimal memory sets. Our computations estimate damage levels and parameter ranges for which full or partial memory recovery is achievable, providing a starting point for novel therapeutic strategies.
The Mechanical Properties and Biometrical Effect of 3D Preformed Titanium Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration on Alveolar Bone Defect
Authors: Lee So-Hyoun , Moon Jong-Hoon , Jeong Chang-Mo , Bae Eun-Bin , Park Chung-Eun , Jeon Gye-Rok , Lee Jin-Ju , Jeon Young-Chan , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of three-dimensional preformed titanium membrane (3D-PFTM) to enhance mechanical properties and ability of bone regeneration on the peri-implant bone defect. 3D-PFTMs by new mechanically compressive molding technology and manually shaped- (MS-) PFTMs by hand manipulation were applied in artificial peri-implant bone defect model for static compressive load test and cyclic fatigue load test. In 12 implants installed in the mandibular of three beagle dogs, six 3D-PFTMs, and six collagen membranes (CM) randomly were applied to 2.5 mm peri-implant buccal bone defect with particulate bone graft materials for guided bone regeneration (GBR). The 3D-PFTM group showed about 7.4 times higher mechanical stiffness and 5 times higher fatigue resistance than the MS-PFTM group. The levels of the new bone area (NBA, %), the bone-to-implant contact (BIC, %), distance from the new bone to the old bone (NB-OB, %), and distance from the osseointegration to the old bone (OI-OB, %) were significantly higher in the 3D-PFTM group than the CM group (p<.001). It was verified that the 3D-PFTM increased mechanical properties which were effective in supporting the space maintenance ability and stabilizing the particulate bone grafts, which led to highly efficient bone regeneration.
Extended Cystogastrostomy with Hydrogen Peroxide Irrigation Facilitates Endoscopic Pancreatic Necrosectomy
Authors: Othman Mohamed O. , Elhanafi Sherif , Saadi Mohammed , Yu Christine , Davis Brian R.
Published: September 2017

Introduction. Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is a major complication of acute pancreatitis. We hypothesized that an extended (2 cm) cystogastrostomy opening combined with hydrogen peroxide irrigation can increase the success of endoscopic necrosectomy and decrease the number of required endoscopic interventions. The aim of the study is to assess the safety and feasibility of the technique in the management of WOPN. Methods. This is a retrospective chart review of all cases that underwent EUS with extended cystogastrostomy and hydrogen peroxide irrigation prior to necrosectomy in a tertiary referral medical center. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of the cyst cavity or a cyst cavity less than 2 cm in size on follow-up imaging. Results. 19 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean size of the walled-off cavity was 11+0.9 cm. Technical success of the procedure was 100%. The median number of necrosectomy sessions was 2 (range 1 to 7). Cavity resolution was noted in 18 out of 19 patients resulting in a clinical success of 94.7%. The median follow-up period was 12 months. The adverse events rate in our cohort was 15.7%. Conclusion. Extended cystogastrostomy coupled with hydrogen peroxide irrigation of WOPN cavity is safe and feasible.
A Case of Infective Endocarditis and Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Streptococcus mitis Bacteremia
Authors: Byrd Victoria S. , Nemeth Attila S.
Published: September 2017

A 57-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, hematemesis, and melena. He reported taking high-dose ibuprofen for back pain and drinking several 24-ounce beers daily. Examination was remarkable for icteric sclera, poor dentition, tachycardia, and crescendo-decrescendo murmur at right upper sternal border, radiating to the carotids. Labs revealed leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver function tests and INR. Endoscopy demonstrated antral ulcers, duodenitis, and esophagitis. Blood cultures were obtained and broad-spectrum antibiotics started; cultures later grew Streptococcus mitis, and antibiotic coverage was narrowed. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) demonstrated aortic stenosis and regurgitation, but no vegetation. Repeat blood cultures were negative; however, the patient developed neurological symptoms concerning for cauda equina syndrome, and MRI revealed epidural abscess. Emergent decompression could not be performed as the patient developed hematemesis and required intubation. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), initially deferred due to friable esophageal mucosa, was performed and revealed small aortic valve vegetation. Poor oral hygiene was felt to be the probable source of the patient’s S. mitis bacteremia, epidural abscess, and infective endocarditis. The patient’s neurological symptoms resolved without intervention and remaining teeth were extracted. This case demonstrates that Streptococcus mitis can result in clinically significant bacteremia, particularly in immunocompromised patients, including chronic heavy alcohol users.
A High Frequency Geometric Focusing Transducer Based on 1-3 Piezocomposite for Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Jian Xiaohua , Han Zhile , Liu Pengbo , Xu Jie , Li Zhangjian , Li Peiyang , Shao Weiwei , Cui Yaoyao
Published: September 2017

Due to the small aperture of blood vessel, a considerable disadvantage to current intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging transducers is that their lateral imaging resolution is much lower than their axial resolution. To solve this problem, a single-element, 50 MHz, 0.6 mm diameter IVUS transducer with a geometric focus at 3 mm was proposed in this paper. The focusing transducer was based on a geometric-shaped 1-3 piezocomposite. The impedance/phase, pulse echo, acoustic intensity field, and imaging resolution of the focusing transducer were tested. For comparison, a flat IVUS transducer with the same diameter and 1-3 piezocomposite was made and tested too. Compared with their results, the fabricated focusing transducer exhibits broad bandwidth (107.21%), high sensitivity (404 mV), high axial imaging resolution (80 μm), and lateral imaging resolution (100 μm). The experimental results demonstrated that the high frequency geometric focusing piezocomposite transducer is capable of visualizing high axial and lateral resolution structure and improving the imaging quality of related interventional ultrasound imaging.
The Effects of Curcumin on Wound Healing in a Rat Model of Nasal Mucosal Trauma
Authors: Emiroglu Gokhan , Ozergin Coskun Zerrin , Kalkan Yildiray , Celebi Erdivanli Ozlem , Tumkaya Levent , Terzi Suat , Özgür Abdulkadir , Demirci Munir , Dursun Engin
Published: September 2017

We explored the effects of topical curcumin on the healing of nasal mucosal wounds. A total of 32 Sprague‐Dawley Albino rats were randomized in equal numbers into four groups, and unilateral nasal wounds were created using an interdental brush. Group 1 (the sham‐control group) contained untreated rats with traumatized right‐side nasal cavities; Group 2 and 3 rats were similarly traumatized and treated with topical curcumin (5 and 10 mg/mL) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide daily for 7 days after trauma; Group 4 rats were treated with topical dimethyl sulfoxide only. All rats were decapitated on day 15 and the healing sites evaluated by blinded observers in terms of the presence of cellular hyperplasia, goblet cell hypertrophy and degeneration, leucocytic infiltration, ciliary loss and degeneration, edema, and vascular dilation. On histopathological evaluation, all of cellular hyperplasia, leukocytic infiltration, and edema were significantly reduced in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (p = 0.001, p = 0.004, and p = 0.008, resp.). Thus, curcumin reduced the inflammatory response and significantly accelerated wound healing.
Risk Factors for the Development of Refeeding Syndrome-Like Hypophosphatemia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Igarashi Aiko , Okuno Takashi , Ohta Genrei , Tokuriki Shuko , Ohshima Yusei
Published: September 2017

Background. Refeeding syndrome is characterized by metabolic disturbance including hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia upon reinstitution of nutrition in severely malnourished patients. Objective. The present study sought to identify the risk factors for the development of refeeding syndrome-like metabolic disturbance in very low birth weight infants. Methods. The correlations of severe hypophosphatemia with the serum levels of potassium and ionized calcium, daily calorie and phosphate intake, and umbilical cord blood flow on ultrasonography were analyzed in 49 very low birth weight infants. Results. Fifteen infants (36%) presented with hypophosphatemia during the first postnatal week. Hypophosphatemia was significantly associated with birth weight z score (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.47; p=0.034) and umbilical artery resistance index (odds ratio, 7.72E−04; 95% confidence interval, 1.14E−06–0.523; p=0.031). Multiple regression analysis revealed that umbilical artery resistance index was independently associated with hypophosphatemia. Conclusions. Umbilical artery resistance index may serve as a useful marker for future development of refeeding syndrome-like hypophosphatemia in very low birth weight infants. Close monitoring of serum phosphorus and potassium levels and early intervention are important for the management of very low birth weight infants with intrauterine growth restriction due to placental dysfunction.
Muscle-Sparing ADM-Assisted Breast Reconstruction Technique Using Complete Breast Implant Coverage: A Dual-Institute UK-Based Experience
Authors: Vidya Raghavan , Cawthorn Simon J.
Published: September 2017

Background: We report our early experience of a novel muscle-sparing breast (prepectoral) reconstruction technique using a pre-shaped Braxon® mesh (acellular dermal matrix) which completely wraps around the breast implant. Methods: All patients who underwent prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction between April 2014 and September 2015 were included in the analysis. The dermal matrix Braxon® used is a pre-shaped matrix which forms a complete implant mesh wrap. The new breast created is placed over the chest wall without disturbing the pectoralis musculature. Results: A total of 51 (42 unilateral and 9 bilateral) muscle-sparing breast reconstructions were carried out. Complications included implant loss (n = 1; 1.7%) secondary to wound infection, seroma (n = 4; 6.7%), and superficial wound dehiscence (n = 1; 1.7%) which was re-sutured without further complication. The median follow-up period was 16.4 (range 8-25) months. Conclusion: The early experience appears highly satisfactory with good clinical outcome. The novel prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction using the mesh wrap provides an effective alternative to the more traditional submuscular implant-based technique.
A Novel Long Non-Coding RNA, SOX21-AS1, Indicates a Poor Prognosis and Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Proliferation
Authors: Lu Xiyi , Huang Chenjun , He Xuezhi , Liu Xinyin , Ji Jianmei , Zhang Erbao , Wang Wei , Guo Renhua
Published: September 2017

Background: In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be a novel class of regulators of cancer biological processes. Although lncRNAs are dysregulated in numerous cancer types, limited data are available on the expression profiles and potential functions of lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study evaluated the expression and biological roles of lncRNA SOX21 antisense RNA 1 (SOX21-AS1) in LUAD. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of SOX21-AS1 in 68 pairs of LUAD tissues and corresponding non-tumor tissues. The effect of SOX21-AS1 on proliferation was evaluated by MTT, colony formation, EdU assays, flow-cytometric analysis and in vivo tumor formation assays. Real-time PCR, western-blot and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of p57. Results: Higher expression levels of SOX21-AS1 positively correlated with tumor size and advanced tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage. Multivariate analyses indicated that SOX21-AS1 expression could serve as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of LUAD. Furthermore, knockdown of SOX21-AS1 significantly inhibited LUAD cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo and induced cell cycle phase arrest and cell apoptosis. Importantly, through qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, we found that inhibition of SOX21-AS1 remarkably induced p57 expression. Conclusions: Collectively, our study demonstrates that SOX21-AS1 is involved in the development and progression of LUAD and that SOX21-AS1 may be a potential diagnostic factor as well as a target for new therapies for patients with LUAD.
A new species of Drypetes (Putranjivaceae/Euphorbiaceae s.l.) from West Bengal, India
Authors: KRISHNA GOPAL , KARTHIGEYAN K. , ARISDASON W. , CHAKRABARTY T.
Published: September 2017

A new species, Drypetes kalamii, collected from the subtropical forests of two different Protected Areas, Buxa National Park and Jaldapara National Park in the state of West Bengal, India, is described and illustrated. This new species closely resembles Drypetes ellisii, but differs in being small shrub (female plants) or scrambling shrub (male plants) with corrugated branches and puberulous branchlets, longer petioles, laminae abruptly acuminate with pointed apices, slender and puberulent fruiting pedicels with bracts and bracteoles and smaller, ovoid-globose drupes.
Petrocosmea magnifica (Gesneriaceae): a new species from limestone caves in Yunnan, China
Authors: HAN MENG-QI , LÜ TIAN-FENG , LIU YAN
Published: September 2017

Petrocosmea magnifica M.Q.Han & Yan Liu, from eastern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. P. magnifica is most similar to P. melanophthalma in having highly reflexed backward and shortly semi-orbicular upper corolla lobes, but it differs by having leaves covered with pannose hairs on both surfaces and cordate at base.
A new species of corkscrew plant (Genlisea, Lentibulariaceae) from the Amazon lowlands of Brazil, including a key to all species occurring north of the Amazon River
Authors: FLEISCHMANN ANDREAS , COSTA SUZANA M. , BITTRICH VOLKER , DO CARMO ESTANISLAU DO AMARAL MARIA , HOPKINS MICHAEL
Published: September 2017

A new species of Genlisea section Genlisea from the white-sand savannas (“campinaranas”) of Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated, providing remarks on habitat and ecology as well as SEM seed images. Genlisea multiflora has been recorded from Viruá National Park, and is of affinity to the large, purple-flowered species G. sanariapoana and G. guianensis. An identification key to all Genlisea species north of the Amazon is presented.
The Resin and Carder bees of south India (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Anthidiini)
Authors: KUMAR VEERESH , GRISWOLD TERRY , BELAVADI VASUKI V.
Published: September 2017

Little is known about the Anthidiini of southern India. A study focused on the state of Karnataka found a hitherto unknown diversity of thirteen species. Though the number of species is not large, the generic diversity is noteworthy (eight genera represented): Anthidiellum (2 species), Anthidium (2 species), Eoanthidium (2 species), Euaspis (2 species), Pachyanthidium (1 species), Pseudoanthidium (2 species), Stelis (1 species) and Trachusoides (1 species) are recorded from southern India. Eoanthidium tricolor Pasteels is here synonymized with E. salemense (Cockerell). The identity of a species of Anthidium (Anthidium) remains unclear. Species descriptions, floral associations, flight periods and specimen records are provided.
Two new species of Eutardigrada from Victoria Land, Antarctica
Authors: PILATO GIOVANNI , SABELLA GIORGIO , D’URSO VERA , LISI OSCAR
Published: September 2017

Two new species are recorded from Victoria Land (Antarctica): Mixibius felix sp. nov. and Milnesium validum sp. nov. A third species, Diphascon sanae Dastych, Ryan & Watkins, 1990, is a new report for this region of the Antarctic continent. Mixibius felix sp. nov. has a smooth cuticle, eyes present, bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Mixibius type (rigid buccal tube without ventral lamina and with hook-shaped asymmetrical apophyses for the insertion of the stylet muscles); stylet supports inserted on the buccal tube at 65.7–68.0% of its length; pharyngeal bulb with apophyses and two macroplacoids; microplacoid and septulum absent; as is characteristic of the genus, the external claws are of Isohypsibius type and the internal are a modified Isohypsibius type. Milnesium validum sp. nov. has smooth cuticle; eye spots present; six triangular peribuccal lamellae with basal stripes; stylet supports inserted on the cylindrical buccal tube at 61.1–64.8% of its length; claw configuration [3-3]-[3-3] (i.e. all secondary claws with three points); secondary claws stout, with distal portion clearly wider than the basal portion and each with a rounded basal thickening (lunule); primary claws with accessory points; a long cuticular bar present under claws I–III. Adding the three above mentioned species, the list of species present in Victoria Land rises from 12 to 15; 11 of these are recorded exclusively to this region of the Antarctic continent.
A review of the macrochelid mites of Turkey (Acari: Macrochelidae), with new records and descriptions of three new species
Authors: ÖZBEK HASAN HÜSEYİN
Published: September 2017

This study reviews the family Macrochelidae in Turkey, with new information about species diversity. Nothrholaspis scutivagus sp. nov., Macrocheles niksarensis sp. nov. and Holostaspella bidentata sp. nov. are described as new species from Turkey. Nothrholaspis scutivagus has a characteristic dorsal shield chaetotaxy, and post-genital platelets that are sometimes fused to the ventri-anal shield. Macrocheles niksarensis has 29 pairs of pilose dorsal shield setae and a machete-like cheliceral dorsal seta. The genus Holostaspella is recorded from Turkey for the first time, on the basis of H. bidentata. Macrocheles peniculatus and M. insignitus are reported from Turkey for the first time. Also, Macrholaspis recki and M. evansi are presented here with some notes on the Turkish specimens.
Siegius, a replacement name for Bilobatus Sieg, 1993 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Apseudidae), preoccupied by Bilobatus Machatschke, 1970 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae)
Authors: ALLSOPP PETER G.
Published: September 2017

Sieg (1993) established the then monotypic genus Bilobatus for his new species crenulatus, an apseudomorphan tanaidacean from Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. The genus was later synonymised under Apseudes Leach, 1814 by Bamber (2000), but then revalidated by Guţu (2002); it is currently considered valid (Blazewicz-Paszkowycz1 et al. 2012; Anderson 2016).
A triethylene glycol dimethacrylate- free dental composite for reduced water-sorption and shrinkage
Authors: Xu Yuling , Xie Dong
Published: September 2017

A number of new liquid urethane-based oligomers were synthesized, characterized and used to formulate the dental composites. Compressive strength and viscosity were used as a screen tool to evaluate the formed composites. Commercial available bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate and urethane dimethacrylate-based systems were used as controls. Degree of conversion, shrinkage, water-sorption, solubility, flexural strength and diametrial tensile strength were evaluated. The results show that using mixed acrylate/methacrylate or methacrylates with different length to derivatize diisocyanates could be a good strategy to synthesize urethane-based oligomers in a liquid state. The developed triethylene glycol dimethacrylate-free urethane-based composites showed significantly reduced water sorption and solubility, decreased shrinkage and enhanced mechanical strength as compared to commercial resin-based ones.
A Qualitative Investigation of Australian Young Adult Responses to Pictorial and Graphic Alcohol Product Warnings
Authors: Coomber Kerri , Hayley Alexa , Giorgi Caterina , Miller Peter G.
Published: September 2017

This qualitative study aimed to understand whether pictorial and graphic alcohol warnings would be an effective intervention to reduce alcohol-related harms among young adult drinkers. Four focus groups ( n = 26) were conducted examining impressions, reactions, and thoughts about five pictorial warnings and five graphic warnings. Students (58% female) from Melbourne, Australia, aged 18 to 25 years who consumed alcohol participated. The warnings used in this study elicited strong negative emotional reactions, including avoidance. While the use of images increased the salience of the warnings, participants discussed the likelihood of habituation, indicating warning rotation is needed. Targeted messages and statistics appealed to the participants. However, they were unlikely to change their drinking behavior due to the warnings. Consistent with tobacco warning literature, and in line with behavior change and message persuasion theory, warning labels with photographic images and targeted statistics were found to have the most persuasive impact against risky drinking within this sample.
The role of segmental and durational cues in the processing of reduced words
Authors: van de Ven Marco , Ernestus Mirjam
Published: September 2017

In natural conversations, words are generally shorter and they often lack segments. It is unclear to what extent such durational and segmental reductions affect word recognition. The present study investigates to what extent reduction in the initial syllable hinders word comprehension, which types of segments listeners mostly rely on, and whether listeners use word duration as a cue in word recognition. We conducted three experiments in Dutch, in which we adapted the gating paradigm to study the comprehension of spontaneously uttered conversational speech by aligning the gates with the edges of consonant clusters or vowels. Participants heard the context and some segmental and/or durational information from reduced target words with unstressed initial syllables. The initial syllable varied in its degree of reduction, and in half of the stimuli the vowel was not clearly present. Participants gave too short answers if they were only provided with durational information from the target words, which shows that listeners are unaware of the reductions that can occur in spontaneous speech. More importantly, listeners required fewer segments to recognize target words if the vowel in the initial syllable was absent. This result strongly suggests that this vowel hardly plays a role in word comprehension, and that its presence may even delay this process. More important are the consonants and the stressed vowel.
Empowering the Music Educator through Action Research
Authors: Laprise Richard
Published: September 2017

Action research is an empowering experience for educators, yet many believe that they do not have the time, resources, or knowledge to make it a worthwhile experience. What do you need to know to feel confident in making action research a method of bettering your teaching and your students’ learning? This article reveals how to make this process approachable while piquing your curiosity about how it can be used to better your own classroom. Developing meaningful research specific to our own teaching moves beyond reflective practice and gives us evidence to support and inform our actions.
Facing Death in Medical Training
Authors: Río Asunción Álvarez-del , Marván Ma. Luisa , Gómez Avalos Julieta
Published: September 2017

This study explores how medical students feel about caring for terminally ill patients as well as how their medical courses prepare them for addressing end-of-life (EOL) issues with patients. Four hundred and five Mexican medical students were surveyed through the Student Views on Death questionnaire. The vast majority of students (94%) felt that physicians should inform patients of their impending death. Most students said they felt comfortable talking with (61%) or examining (76%) terminally ill patients. However, only half the students actually talked with patients about death. Participants in our study were interested in learning about EOL medical attention, yet most considered themselves poorly prepared to offer this type of care to terminally ill patients. The study provides objective data on a topic that has scarcely been explored in Mexico, data that will be useful in designing educational activities to improve EOL medical training.
Gentrification 1.0: Urban transformations in late-19th-century Berlin
Authors: Reick Philipp
Published: September 2017

This article explores how contemporary theories of gentrification improve our understanding of past urban change. Discussing municipal housing statistics and local newspaper coverage from late-19th-century Berlin, it first illustrates the tremendous increase in rents that the German capital witnessed in the second half of the century. Rather than focusing on the rise of highly segregated neighbourhoods as urban historians usually do, the article then studies to what extent the growth of industrial cities like Berlin was accompanied by physical displacement in existing proletarian and middle-class quarters. Based on a methodologically innovative use of historical address books, it thus portrays an uneven geography of inner-city transformation. By compiling samples of socio-demographic change on the micro-level of individual streets, this article reveals that historical patterns of displacement followed a peculiar logic that affected socio-economic groups very differently. The article indicates that there exists a contentious pre-history of gentrification that has been utterly neglected in urban studies so far. At the same time, it epitomises the potential of historical research for the advancement of urban theory.
Discovering the Fault Lines in American Civil–Military Relations
Authors: Travis Donald S.
Published: September 2017

This essay is in response to Thomas Crosbie and Meredith Kleykamp’s article that investigates relationships between what they consider to be three fault lines in the American military profession: ethical lapses, expertise, and identity. As they explore the literature to contemplate how professionalism might help to prevent ethical lapses, they also seek to reveal relationships between lapses, military expertise, and identity. To enhance the relevance of their research, it is recommended that they examine ethical lapses more broadly. Their core subject is American civil–military relations, which is a complex, contentious, and often ambiguous topic. They can mitigate the ambiguity by developing a clear problem statement and a set of research assumptions. In addition, because not all lapses are treated the same, they can be categorized to identify more serious lapses, which will allow for a focused examination of institutional responses to the lapses. Also, integrating other academic approaches such as political science and history into their research will improve the theoretical and explanatory power of their investigation. Adopting these and other aspects of inquiry will support the testing of their six hypotheses and improve our understanding of the military profession.
Sine phase compensation combining an amplitude phase controller and a discrete feed-forward compensator for electro-hydraulic shaking tables
Authors: Li Ge , Shen Gang , Zhu Zhen-Cai , Li Xiang , Zang Wan-Shun
Published: September 2017

This article presents a novel control strategy on an electro-hydraulic shaking table under the acceleration control combining an amplitude phase controller and a zero phase error tracking controller with a discrete feed-forward compensator. Because of the electro-hydraulic system’s nonlinearity, phase delay and amplitude attenuation exist in the acceleration response signal inevitably when the electro-hydraulic shaking table system is excited by a sine vibration signal. Moreover, the phase delay of the electro-hydraulic shaking table is composed of phase deviation and actuator delay. For improving the acceleration tracking accuracy, an amplitude phase controller is employed to compensate the phase deviation and amplitude attenuation by introducing weights to adjust the reference signal. Meanwhile, the discrete feed-forward compensator is applied to compensate the actuator delay. As an offline compensator, the zero phase error tracking controller is employed to compensate the phase delay of the response signal and improve the convergence speed of the proposed controller. Overall, the proposed control strategy combines the merits of these three controllers with better tracking performance demonstrated by simulation and experimental results.
A Hidden Markov Model for Learning Trajectories in Cognitive Diagnosis With Application to Spatial Rotation Skills
Authors: Chen Yinghan , Culpepper Steven Andrew , Wang Shiyu , Douglas Jeffrey
Published: September 2017

The increasing presence of electronic and online learning resources presents challenges and opportunities for psychometric techniques that can assist in the measurement of abilities and even hasten their mastery. Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) are ideal for tracking many fine-grained skills that comprise a domain, and can assist in carefully navigating through the training and assessment of these skills in e-learning applications. A class of CDMs for modeling changes in attributes is proposed, which is referred to as learning trajectories. The authors focus on the development of Bayesian procedures for estimating parameters of a first-order hidden Markov model. An application of the developed model to a spatial rotation experimental intervention is presented.
Management of Bleeding in Exclusive Endoscopic Ear Surgery: Pilot Clinical Experience
Authors: Anschuetz Lukas , Bonali Marco , Guarino Pierre , Fabbri Filippo B. , Alicandri‐Ciufelli Matteo , Villari Domenico , Caversaccio Marco , Presutti Livio
Published: September 2017

Objective

Transcanal exclusive endoscopic ear surgery requires the management of the endoscope and the surgical instruments in the external auditory canal. Bleeding in this narrow space is one of the most challenging issues, especially for novice endoscopic ear surgeons. We aim to assess the severity and occurrence of bleeding and describe strategies to control the bleeding during endoscopic ear surgery. We hypothesize that bleeding is reasonably controllable in endoscopic ear surgery.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

We retrospectively assessed 104 consecutive cases of exclusive endoscopic ear surgery at the University Hospital of Modena, Italy. The surgical videos and the patient charts were carefully investigated and analyzed.

Results

Hemostatic agents included injection of diluted epinephrine (1:200,000, 2% mepivacaine), cottonoids soaked with epinephrine (1:1000), mono‐ or bipolar cautery, washing with hydrogen peroxide, and self‐suctioning instruments. The localization of bleeding in the external auditory canal was most frequently the posterior superior part, and inside of the middle ear, it was the pathology itself. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences comparing the mean arterial pressure and the type of intervention among bleeding scores.

Conclusion

The management of bleeding in endoscopic ear surgery is feasible through widely available hemostatic agents in reasonable frequency. This study gives an instructive overview on how to manage the bleeding in the exclusive endoscopic technique. Even the highest bleeding scores could be managed in an exclusively endoscopic technique.
Randomized Prospective Evaluation of Intraoperative Intravenous Acetaminophen in Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Roberts Christopher A. , Shah‐Becker Shivani , O’Connell Ferster Ashley , Baker Aaron , Stahl Lauren E. , Sedeek Khaled , Carr Michele M.
Published: September 2017

Objective

To establish the safety and efficacy of single‐dose intraoperative intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in postoperative pain management following adenotonsillectomy in addition to a standardized regimen of oral pain medication.

Study Design

Randomized, controlled prospective clinical trial.

Setting

Single academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Patients between the ages of 3 and 17 years scheduled for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy by a single surgeon between December 2014 and November 2016 were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups; group 1 received a single intraoperative dose of IV acetaminophen, and group 2 did not. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia, as well as operative technique, were standardized. Nursing pain scores, pain medications administered, and recovery times were reviewed during the 24‐hour postoperative period. Postoperative pain regimen included standing alternating oral acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Results

In total, 260 patients were included in the study, and 131 (50.4%) received a single intraoperative dose of IV acetaminophen. Patients receiving IV acetaminophen were more likely to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting than patients who did not receive IV acetaminophen (1.53% vs 0.00%, P =. 016). There were no significant differences noted for postoperative pain scores, requirements for breakthrough pain medications, time to discharge from the recovery room or hospital, or postoperative complications.

Conclusion

The use of a single intraoperative dose of IV acetaminophen was associated with minimal additional adverse effects. However, a single intraoperative IV dose of acetaminophen added to standard narcotic and nonnarcotic pain medication does not provide a statistically significant improvement in pain control.
Residual Cholesteatoma during Second‐Look Procedures following Primary Pediatric Endoscopic Ear Surgery
Authors: Cohen Michael S. , Basonbul Razan A. , Kozin Elliott D. , Lee Daniel J.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To determine the rate of residual cholesteatoma during planned second‐look procedures in pediatric patients following primary cholesteatoma resection using endoscopic and microscopic operative approaches.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Outcomes from pediatric patients undergoing cholesteatoma surgery from January 2011 through August 2015 were analyzed. Cholesteatoma extent at initial resection was staged, and comparison among endoscopic dissection and microscopic or endoscopic inspection groups was made. Presence of disease at time of planned second look was quantified. Descriptive analysis was performed.

Results

Fifty‐five patients (56 ears) with planned second‐look procedures were included and underwent a total of 120 procedures. Median age was 11 years (6.7‐13 years). Endoscopes were used for inspection in 25 (39%) primary resections and for dissection in 39 (61%) primary resections. Extent of disease at the time of primary resection was similar among groups (χ2, P =. 72). Cases where the endoscope was used for inspection only or not at all during primary resection had a 24% rate of residual cholesteatoma at the time of second look compared with a 23% rate for cases with endoscopic dissection (χ2, P =. 93). Rate of mastoidectomy significantly decreased from 63% to 33% over the study period (P =. 04) with similar disease extent (P =. 99).

Conclusions

Residual cholesteatoma rates during planned second‐look procedures were similar between the study groups. Use of the endoscope led to a lower rate of mastoidectomy for cases with similar disease extent.
Transmitral thrombectomy to treat a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zaikokuji Kenta , Sawazaki Masaru , Tomari Shiro , Uemura Tomonari
Published: September 2017

A 68-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder was admitted to another hospital with a gastric ulcer. On admission, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was suspected because her electrocardiogram was abnormal and the characteristic left ventricular wall motion was apparent. On hospital day 11, echocardiography revealed a thrombus in the apex of the left ventricle. She was transferred to our hospital and heparin treatment was commenced. On follow-up echocardiography, the left ventricular wall motion had normalized but thrombus mobility had increased. Thrombectomy was performed via a transmitral approach with endoscopic assistance. Endoscopy allowed excellent visualization of the intracardiac structure.
One hand clapping: Notes towards a methodology for debating planetary urbanization
Authors: Pratt Geraldine
Published: September 2017

This is an edited, curated transcript of the discussion that took place at a workshop on planetary urbanization in 2016. It is an effort to attend to the strategies that proved effective at sustaining dialogue across areas of theoretical disagreement. Precisely because an embodied conversation works differently than written papers exchanged between assumed theoretical adversaries, it might offer ideas for moving the debate forward. 'One hand clapping' is an invitation to engage beyond logic, to think beyond binaries, and to reflect on the change that can come from one side of a relationship
Staff-resident relationships in Approved Premises
Authors: Irwin-Rogers Keir
Published: September 2017

Whilst the majority of people released from prison in England and Wales return to private places of residence, a significant minority are required to live in Approved Premises as part of their post-custodial licence conditions. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, it provides an insight into life inside Approved Premises. This subject has largely been neglected in research to date, despite Approved Premises being important sites of supervision for many people leaving prison. Second, it explores the quality and dynamics of supervisory relationships between members of hostel staff and residents. Based on fieldwork in two Approved Premises, the findings indicate that, although formally equivalent, people subject to penal sanctions may experience and view these sanctions in markedly different ways. Seemingly innocuous variation in policies and practices at a local level, such as open or closed staff office door policies in Approved Premises, can in fact play a pivotal role in the facilitation or hindrance of constructive supervisory relationships, in shaping rehabilitative regimes, and ultimately in supporting people’s successful transitions from prisons to the community.
Epoprostenol for the treatment of increasing oxygenator pressure drop during cardiopulmonary bypass. A case report
Authors: Hjärpe Anders Karl , Reinsfelt Björn
Published: September 2017

A change of oxygenator during cardiopulmonary bypass is a technically high-risk procedure with potential for a serious adverse event for the patient. This case report describes a case of increased pressure drop and pre-oxygenator blood pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass successfully treated with pre-oxygenator-administered epoprostenol.