bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Muscle Reflex–Induced Sympathetic Dysregulation and Sensitization of Muscle Afferents in Type 1 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ishizawa Rie , Kim Han-Kyul , Hotta Norio , Iwamoto Gary A. , Vongpatanasin Wanpen , Mitchell Jere H. , Smith Scott A. , Mizuno Masaki
Published: February 2020

The blood pressure response to exercise is exaggerated in the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). An overactive exercise pressor reflex (EPR) contributes to the potentiated pressor response. However, the mechanism(s) underlying this abnormal EPR activity remains unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that the heightened blood pressure response to exercise in T1DM is mediated by EPR-induced sympathetic overactivity. Additionally, the study examined whether the single muscle afferents are sensitized by PKC (protein kinase C) activation in this disease. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered either 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (T1DM) or saline (control). At 1 to 3 weeks after administration, renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure responses to activation of the EPR, mechanoreflex, and metaboreflex were measured in decerebrate animals. Action potential responses to mechanical and chemical stimulation were determined in group IV afferents with pPKCα (phosphorylated-PKCα) levels assessed in dorsal root ganglia. Compared with control, EPR (58±18 versus 96±33%;
P
<0.05), mechanoreflex (21±13 versus 51±20%;
P
<0.05), and metaboreflex (40±20 versus 88±39%;
P
<0.01) activation in T1DM rats evoked significant increases in renal sympathetic nerve activity as well as mean arterial pressure. The response of group IV afferents to mechanical (18±24 versus 61±45 spikes;
P
<0.01) and chemical (0.3±0.4 versus 1.6±0.8 Hz;
P
<0.01) stimuli were significantly greater in T1DM than control. T1DM rats showed markedly increased pPKCα levels in dorsal root ganglia compared with control. These data suggest that in T1DM, abnormally muscle reflex-evoked increases in sympathetic activity mediate exaggerations in blood pressure. Further, sensitization of muscle afferents, potentially via PKC activation, may contribute to this abnormal circulatory responsiveness.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Burden During the Menopause Transition and Late Midlife Subclinical Vascular Disease: Does Race/Ethnicity Matter?
Authors: Barinas‐Mitchell Emma , Duan Chunzhe , Brooks Maria , El Khoudary Samar R. , Thurston Rebecca C. , Matthews Karen A. , Jackson Elizabeth A. , Lewis Tené T. , Derby Carol A.
Published: February 2020

Background

The extent to which cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) risk factors across the menopause explain racial/ethnic differences in subclinical vascular disease in late midlife women is not well documented and was explored in a multi‐ethnic cohort.

Methods and Results

Participants (n=1357; mean age 60 years) free of clinical
CVD
from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation had common carotid artery intima‐media thickness, interadventitial diameter, and carotid plaque presence assessed by ultrasonography on average 13.7 years after baseline visit. Early to late midlife time‐averaged cumulative burden of traditional
CVD
risk factors calculated using serial measures from baseline to the ultrasound visit were generally less favorable in black and Hispanic women compared with white and Chinese women, including education and smoking status and time‐averaged cumulative blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting insulin. Independent of these risk factors,
BMI
, and medications, common carotid artery intima‐media thickness was thicker in black women, interadventitial diameter was wider in Chinese women, yet plaque presence was lower in black and Hispanic women compared with white women.
CVD
risk factor associations with subclinical vascular measures did not vary by race/ethnicity except for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol on common carotid artery intima‐media thickness; an inverse association between high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and common carotid artery intima‐media thickness was observed in Chinese and Hispanic but not in white or black women.

Conclusions

Race/ethnicity did not particularly moderate the association between traditional
CVD
risk factors measured across the menopause transition and late midlife subclinical vascular disease. Unmeasured socioeconomic, cultural, and nontraditional biological risk factors likely play a role in racial/ethnic differences in vascular health and merit further exploration.
Do Sex Differences Exist in the Establishment of “Do Not Attempt Resuscitation” Orders and Survival in Patients Successfully Resuscitated From In‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest?
Authors: Perman Sarah M. , Beaty Brenda L. , Daugherty Stacie L. , Havranek Edward P. , Haukoos Jason S. , Juarez‐Colunga Elizabeth , Bradley Steven M. , Fendler Timothy J. , Chan Paul S. , Grossestreuer Anne V. , Moskowitz Ari , Edelson Dana , Ornato Joseph , Berg Katherine , Peberdy Mary Ann , Churpek Matthew , Kurz Michael , Starks Monique Anderson , Girotra Saket , Goldberger Zachary
Published: February 2020

Background

Women have higher utilization of “do not attempt resuscitation” (
DNAR
) orders during treatment for critical illness. Occurrence of sex differences in the establishment of DNAR orders after resuscitation from in‐hospital cardiac arrest is unknown. Whether differences in
DNAR
use by sex lead to disparities in survival remains unclear.

Methods and Results

We identified 71 820 patients with return of spontaneous circulation (
ROSC
) after in‐hospital cardiac arrest from the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation registry. Multivariable models evaluated the association between de novo
DNAR
(anytime after
ROSC
, within 12 hours of
ROSC
, or within 72 hours of
ROSC
) by sex and the association between sex and survival to discharge accounting for
DNAR
. All models accounted for clustering of patients within hospital and adjusted for demographic and cardiac arrest characteristics. The cohort included 30 454 (42.4%) women, who were slightly more likely than male participants to establish
DNAR
orders anytime after
ROSC
(45.0% versus 43.5%; adjusted relative risk: 1.15 [95%
CI
, 1.10–1.20];
P
<0.0001). Of those with DNAR orders, women were more likely to be
DNAR
status within the first 12 hours (51.8% versus 46.5%; adjusted relative risk: 1.40 [95% CI, 1.30–1.52];
P
<0.0001) and within 72 hours after
ROSC
(75.9% versus 70.9%; adjusted relative risk: 1.35 [95% CI, 1.26–1.45];
P
<0.0001). However, no difference in survival to hospital discharge between women and men (34.5% versus 36.7%; adjusted relative risk: 1.00 [95%
CI
, 0.99–1.02];
P
=0.74) was appreciated.

Conclusions

In patients successfully resuscitated from in‐hospital cardiac arrest, there was no survival difference between men and women while accounting for
DNAR
. However, women had a higher rate of
DNAR
status early after resuscitation (<12 and <72 hours) in comparison to men.
Duration of Elevated Heart Rate Is an Important Predictor of Exercise‐Induced Troponin Elevation
Authors: Bjørkavoll‐Bergseth Magnus , Kleiven Øyunn , Auestad Bjørn , Eftestøl Trygve , Oskal Kay , Nygård Martin , Skadberg Øyvind , Aakre Kristin Moberg , Melberg Tor , Gjesdal Knut , Ørn Stein
Published: February 2020

Background

The precise mechanisms causing cardiac troponin (
cT
n) increase after exercise remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of heart rate (HR) on exercise‐induced
cT
n increase by using sports watch data from a large bicycle competition.

Methods and Results

Participants were recruited from NEEDED (North Sea Race Endurance Exercise Study). All completed a 91‐km recreational mountain bike race (North Sea Race). Clinical status,
ECG
, blood pressure, and blood samples were obtained 24 hours before and 3 and 24 hours after the race. Participants (n=177) were, on average, 44 years old; 31 (18%) were women. Both
cTnI
and
cTnT
increased in all individuals, reaching the highest level (of the 3 time points assessed) at 3 hours after the race (
P
<0.001). In multiple regression models, the duration of exercise with an
HR
>150 beats per minute was a significant predictor of both
cTnI
and
cTnT
, at both 3 and 24 hours after exercise. Neither mean
HR
nor mean
HR
in percentage of maximum
HR
was a significant predictor of the
cT
n response at 3 and 24 hours after exercise.

Conclusions

The duration of elevated
HR
is an important predictor of physiological exercise‐induced
cT
n elevation.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02166216.
Efficacy and Safety of High Potent P2Y
12
Inhibitors Prasugrel and Ticagrelor in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Treated With Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: A Sex‐Specific Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Schreuder Michelle M. , Badal Ricardo , Boersma Eric , Kavousi Maryam , Roos‐Hesselink Jolien , Versmissen Jorie , Visser Loes E. , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine E.
Published: February 2020

Background

Sex differences in efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy remain uncertain because of the underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular trials. The aim of this study was to perform a sex‐specific analysis of the pooled efficacy and safety data of clinical trials comparing a high potent P2Y
12
inhibitor+aspirin with clopidogrel+aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results

A systematic literature search was performed. Randomized clinical trials that compared patients following percutaneous coronary intervention/acute coronary syndrome who were taking high potent P2Y
12
inhibitors+aspirin versus clopidogrel+aspirin were selected. Random effects estimates were calculated and relative risks with 95%
CIs
on efficacy and safety end points were determined per sex. We included 6 randomized clinical trials comparing prasugrel/ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in 43 990 patients (13 030 women), with a median follow‐up time of 1.06 years. Women and men had similar relative risk (RR) reduction for major cardiovascular events (women:
RR
, 0.89 [95%
CI
, 0.80–1.00; men:
RR
, 0.84 [95%
CI
, 0.79–0.91) (
P
for interaction=0.39). Regarding safety, women and men had similar risk of major bleeding by high‐potency dual antiplatelet therapy (
RR
, 1.18 [95%
CI
, 0.98–1.41] versus
RR
, 1.03 [95%
CI
, 0.93–1.14]) (
P
for interaction=0.20).

Conclusions

The small and statistically insignificant difference in efficacy and safety estimates of high‐potency dual antiplatelet therapy between women and men following percutaneous coronary intervention/acute coronary syndrome do not justify differential dual antiplatelet therapy treatment for both sexes.
Sex Differences in Long‐Term Outcomes in Patients With Deferred Revascularization Following Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment: International Collaboration Registry of Comprehensive Physiologic Evaluation
Authors: Hoshino Masahiro , Hamaya Rikuta , Kanaji Yoshihisa , Kanno Yoshinori , Hada Masahiro , Yamaguchi Masao , Sumino Yohei , Hirano Hidenori , Horie Tomoki , Usui Eisuke , Sugiyama Tomoyo , Murai Tadashi , Lee Tetsumin , Yonetsu Taishi , Lee Joo Myung , Choi Ki Hong , Hwang Doyeon , Park Jonghanne , Jung Ji‐Hyun , Kim Hyung Yoon , Jung Hae Won , Cho Yun‐Kyeong , Yoon Hyuck‐Jun , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo‐Yong , Doh Joon‐Hyung , Nam Chang‐Wook , Shin Eun‐Seok , Hur Seung‐Ho , Mejía‐Rentería Hernán , Lauri Francesco , Goto Sonoka , Macaya Fernando , McInerney Angela , Gravina Giacomo , Vera Rafael , Gonzalo Nieves , Jimenez‐Quevedo Pilar , Nuñez‐Gil Ivan , Salinas Pablo , Nombela‐Franco Luis , del Trigo Maria , Fernández‐Ortiz Antonio , Macaya Carlos , Koo Bon‐Kwon , Escaned Javier , Kakuta Tsunekazu
Published: February 2020

Background

Sex‐specific differences may influence prognosis after deferred revascularization following fractional flow reserve (
FFR
) measurement. This study sought to investigate the sex differences in long‐term prognosis of patients with deferred revascularization following
FFR
assessment.

Methods and Results

A total of 879 patients (879 vessels) with deferred revascularization with
FFR
>0.75 who underwent
FFR
and coronary flow reserve measurements were enrolled from 3 countries (Korea, Japan, and Spain). Long‐term outcomes were assessed in 649 men and 230 women by the patient‐oriented composite outcome (
POCO
, a composite of any death, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization). We applied inverse‐probability weighting based on propensity scores to account for differences at baseline between women and men (age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, multivessel disease,
FFR
, coronary flow reserve. The median follow‐up duration was 1855 days (745–1855 days). Median
FFR
values were 0.88 (0.83–0.93) in men and 0.89 (0.85–0.94) in women, respectively. The occurrences of
POCO
were significantly high in men compared with that in women (10.5% versus 4.2%,
P
=0.007). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that women had a significantly lower risk of
POCO
(χ
2
=7.2,
P
=0.007). Multivariate
COX
proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that age, male, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, and coronary flow reserve were independent predictors of
POCO
. After applying
IPW
, the hazard ratio of males for
POCO
was 2.07 (95% CI, 1.07–4.04,
P
=0.032).

Conclusions

This large multinational study reveals that long‐term outcome differs between women and men in favor of women after
FFR
‐guided revascularization deferral.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02186093.
Measures of Poor Sleep Quality Are Associated With Higher Energy Intake and Poor Diet Quality in a Diverse Sample of Women From the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network
Authors: Zuraikat Faris M. , Makarem Nour , Liao Ming , St‐Onge Marie‐Pierre , Aggarwal Brooke
Published: February 2020

Background

Poor sleep increases cardiovascular disease risk, and diet likely contributes to this relationship. However, there are limited epidemiological data on the relationship between measures of sleep quality and habitual dietary patterns. This study examined these associations in a diverse sample of women.

Methods and Results

Baseline data from 495 participants in the
AHA
Go Red for Women prospective cohort study (age: 20–76 years; 61% racial/ethnic minority) were examined. Sleep quality and sleep‐onset latency were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (
PSQI
) and insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index. The validated Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess diet quantity and quality. Linear regression models adjusted for confounding variables tested relationships between sleep and diet variables. Results showed that higher
PSQI
scores, indicative of poorer sleep quality, were associated with lower unsaturated fat intake (β=−0.14,
P
<0.05) and higher food weight (β=14.9,
P
=0.02) and added sugars consumed (β=0.44,
P
=0.04). Women with sleep‐onset latency >60 minutes had higher intakes of food by weight (β=235.2,
P<
0.01) and energy (β=426,
P
<0.01), and lower intakes of whole grains (β=−0.37,
P
=0.01) than women with sleep‐onset latency ≤15 minutes. Greater insomnia severity was associated with higher food weight (β=9.4,
P
=0.02) and energy (β=17,
P
=0.01) consumed and lower total (β=−0.15,
P
=0.01) and unsaturated fat intakes (β=−0.11,
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

Poor sleep quality was associated with greater food intake and lower‐quality diet, which can increase cardiovascular disease risk. Future studies should test whether promoting sleep quality could augment efforts to improve cardiometabolic health in women.
Sex‐Specific Associations of Vascular Risk Factors With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Findings From 1.5 Million Women and 0.8 Million Men in the United States and United Kingdom
Authors: Carter Jennifer L. , Morris Dylan R. , Sherliker Paul , Clack Rachel , Lam Kin Bong Hubert , Halliday Alison , Clarke Robert , Lewington Sarah , Bulbulia Richard
Published: February 2020

Background

Large studies are required for reliable estimates of important risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm (
AAA
). This could guide targeted
AAA
screening programs, particularly in subgroups like women who are currently excluded from such programs.

Method and Results

In a cross‐sectional study, 1.5 million women and 0.8 million men without known vascular disease attended commercial screening clinics in the United Kingdom or United States from 2008 to 2013. Measurements of vascular risk factors were related to
AAA
using logistic regression with correction for regression dilution bias. Screening detected 12 729 new
AAA
cases (0.6%). Compared with never smoking, current smoking was associated with 15 times the risk of
AAA
among women (risk ratio 15.0, 95%
CI
13.2–17.0) and 7 times among men (7.3, 6.4–8.2). In women aged <75 years, the risk of
AAA
was nearly 30 times greater in current smokers (26.4, 20.3–34.2). In every age group, the prevalence of
AAA
in female smokers was greater than in male never‐smokers. Positive log‐linear associations with
AAA
for women and men were also observed for usual body mass index, usual systolic blood pressure, height, usual low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and usual triglycerides.

Conclusions

Log‐linear increases in the risks of
AAA
with traditional vascular risk factors should be considered when evaluating populations that may be at‐risk for the development of
AAA
, and when considering potential treatments. However, at any given age, female smokers are at higher risk of
AAA
than male never‐smokers, and a policy of screening male never‐smokers but not higher‐risk female smokers is questionable.
The Lycopodiaceae of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana

Authors: ØLLGAARD BENJAMIN , BOUDRIE MICHEL , CREMERS GEORGES
Published: February 2020

The present paper provides keys to the genera and species of Lycopodiaceae for the 5 genera and 25 species recorded from Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The treatment includes nomenclature, descriptions of species, and information about distribution and habitats, and notes on problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation. All species are illustrated, and representative specimens are cited.
A new species of the genus Tatargina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from Cambodia
Authors: BAYARSAIKHAN ULZIIJARGAL , KO JAE˗HO , KWON HYUNG-WOOK , BAE YANG-SEOP
Published: February 2020

A new species of the Tatargina Butler, T. erythromelaena Bayarsaikhan & Bae, n. sp., is described from Cambodia, with a recorded species, T. picta (Walker). Illustrations of adults and male genitalia of Cambodia and Thailand species are presented.
Afromelampsalta, a new genus, a new species, and five new combinations of African cicadettine cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae)
Authors: SANBORN ALLEN F. , VILLET MARTIN H.
Published: February 2020

Afromelampsalta n. gen. is described for African species currently assigned to the genera Melampsalta Kolenati, 1857. Cicadetta Kolenati, 1857 and Pauropsalta Goding & Froggatt, 1904, and the new species Afromelampsalta luteofasciata n. gen., n. sp. is described. Afromelampsalta aethiopica (Distant, 1905) n. comb., A. cadisia (Walker, 1850) n. comb. and A. leucoptera (Germar, 1830) n. comb. are reassigned from Melampsalta to Afromelampsalta n. gen., A. limitata (Walker, 1852) n. comb. is transferred from Cicadetta Kolenati, 1857 and A. mimica (Distant ,1907) n. comb. is transferred from Pauropsalta Goding & Froggatt, 1904 to Afromelampsalta n. gen. Notes on the biology of the new species, a description of the exuvia of A. mimica n. comb., and a key to the species of African Cicadettini are provided.
Neotropical jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) associated with plants of the tribe Detarieae (Leguminosae, Detarioideae)
Authors: BURCKHARDT DANIEL , QUEIROZ DALVA L.
Published: February 2020

The Detarieae, a small tribe of tropical arborescent Leguminosae, has been reported as host of two species of jumping plant-lice: the Neotropical Macrocorsa beeryi (Caldwell) on Hymenaea courbaril and the Afrotropical Retroacizzia mopanei (Pettey) on Colophospermum mopane. Here we add from Brazil 18 new species of Colophorina, Jataiba gen. nov. and Mitrapsylla from Copaifera, as well as nine species of Jataiba gen. nov. and Platycorypha from Hymenaea. In addition to Jataiba, a new genus which is created for five new species on Copaifera and one on Hymenaea, we erect the new genus Apsyllopsis for Psyllopsis mexicana, which is synonymised with Psyllia beeryi Caldwell. Two new combinations are proposed: Apsyllopsis mexicana (Crawford), comb. nov. from Psyllopsis, and Epiacizzia favis (Brown & Hodkinson), comb. nov. from Euphalerus. The new taxa are described and illustrated, and keys are provided for the identification of adults and immatures, as far as known. Immatures of Apsyllopsis and Colophorina induce galls on the leaves whereas those of the other taxa are free-living. Colophorina spp. seem to be monophagous whereas members of the other genera tend to be oligophagous. All host species are associated with two or more psyllid species. Copaifera langsdorffii, which hosts 11 species of three genera, constitutes a super-host.
Exploring the Usefulness of Meteorological Data for Predicting Malaria Cases in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Sehgal Meena , Ghosh Sujit
Published: February 2020

Malaria and dengue fever are among the most important vectorborne diseases in the tropics and subtropics. Average weekly meteorological parameters—specifically, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, humidity, and rainfall—were collected using data from 100 automated weather stations from the Indian Space Research Organization. We obtained district-level weekly reported malaria cases from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Andhra Pradesh, India, for three years, 2014–16. We used a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution and default logarithm-link to estimate model parameters, and we used a quasi-Poisson method with a generalized additive model that uses nonparametric regression with smoothing splines. It appears that higher minimum temperatures (e.g., >24°C) tend to lead to higher malaria counts but lower values do not seem to have an impact on the malaria counts. On the other hand, higher values of maximum temperature (e.g., >32°C) seem to negatively affect the malaria counts. The relationships with rainfall and humidity appear to be not as strong once we account for smooth (weekly) trends and temperatures; both smooth curves seem to hover around zero across all of their values. We note that a rainfall amount between 40 and 50 mm seems to have a positive impact on malaria counts. Our analyses show that the incremental increase in meteorological parameters does not lead to an increase in reported malaria cases in the same manner for all of the districts within the same state. This suggests that other factors such as vegetation, elevation, and water index in the environment also influence disease occurrence.
The effect of Sports-based Physical Activity programme on teachers’ relatedness, stress and exercise motivation
Authors: Kim Gi-cheol , Gurvitch Rachel
Published: February 2020

Background:

Teacher wellness affects teaching performance and students’ academic achievement; hence, teacher wellness matters and should be a concern to educational researchers and practitioners. There are several teacher wellness approaches, but no one of them specifically focuses on a Sports-based Physical Activity programme.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of a Sports-based Physical Activity programme on teachers’ relatedness, stress and motivation towards physical activity.

Method:

Middle school teachers ( n = 32) volunteered to participate in the research as programme participants ( n = 12) or non-programme participants ( n = 20). The Sports-based Physical Activity programme included 7 weeks of training in Catchball, a team sport and a tournament as the culminating event. The study adopted a mixed-methods design: a quasi-experimental design collecting quantitative data from online surveys and a case study design collecting qualitative data from interviews with the programme participants, non-participants and the school principal.

Results:

Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the Sports-based Physical Activity programme was effective in relatedness, F(1, 30) = 5.16, p = .031, [Formula: see text] = .147, and in one of the six motivation subscales, external regulation, F(1, 30) = 4.23, p = .048, [Formula: see text] = .124. The qualitative analysis findings supported the programme’s contribution to teachers’ relationship, stress and exercise motivation.

Conclusion:

Overall, the programme was effective in promoting teachers’ relationships in school, controlling levels of teachers’ stress and fostering teachers’ motivation towards physical activity. Further studies are required to examine the impact of a Sports-based Physical Activity approach in diverse school contexts and its impact on student learning.
Concealed Infant Deaths in Turkey and Regional Inequality
Authors: Hamzaoglu Onur
Published: February 2020

The primary purpose of the present study was to determine whether there are infant deaths not included in infant mortality rate calculations declared by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health since 2009, and if so, to investigate the dimension of these deaths. The secondary purpose of this study was to calculate the presence, magnitude, and the direction of change of interregional inequalities over the years. The study revealed that infant mortality rates included in statistics by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health since 2009 do not reflect real mortality rates and conceal 36% to 57% of infant deaths occurring annually. In addition, the study also showed an increase in interregional inequalities over the years with respect to infant mortality rates.
Structural and mechanical characterization of stir cast Al–Al2O3–TiO2 hybrid metal matrix composites
Authors: Ahamad Naseem , Mohammad Aas , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Gupta Pallav
Published: February 2020

The present paper reports the effect of aluminium oxide and titanium oxide reinforcement on the properties of aluminium matrix. Aluminium matrix reinforced with aluminium oxide–titanium oxide (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 wt.%) in equal proportion were prepared by stir casting. Phase, microstructure, energy dispersive spectroscopy, density, hardness, impact strength and tensile strength of prepared samples have been investigated. X-ray diffraction reports the intermediate phase formation between the matrix and reinforcement phases due to interfacial bonding between them. Scanning electron microscopy shows that aluminium matrix has uniform distribution of reinforcement particle i.e. aluminium oxide and titanium oxide. Density of composite decreases due to variation of reinforcement and it shows low density after preheating. Hardness decreases due to the amalgamation of reinforcements. Impact strength was found to increase with the addition of reinforcements. Hybrid composite of aluminium matrix and (5% aluminium oxide + 5% titanium oxide) reinforcements have maximum engineering and true ultimate tensile strength. It is expected that the present hybrid metal matrix composites will be useful for aircraft rivets.
Using multidimensional scaling in model choice for congenital oesophageal atresia: similarity analysis of human autopsy organ weights with those from a comparative assessment of Aachen Minipig and Pietrain piglets
Authors: Baumgart Jan , Deigendesch Nikolaus , Lindner Andreas , Muensterer Oliver J. , Schröder Arne , Heimann Axel , Oetzmann von Sochaczewski Christina
Published: February 2020

Swine models had been popular in paediatric oesophageal surgery in the past. Although being largely replaced by rodent models, swine experienced a revival with the establishment of minipig models. However, none of them has ever been investigated for similarity to humans. We conducted a pilot study to determine whether three-week old Pietrain piglets and three-month old Aachen Minipigs are suitable for experimental paediatric oesophageal atresia surgery. We tested the operation's feasibility, performed a necropsy, weighed organs, measured organ length and calculated relative weights and lengths, and measured laboratory parameters. We used multidimensional scaling to assess the similarity of the swine breeds with previously published human data. Pietrain piglets had a higher a priori bodyweight than Aachen Minipigs (Δ = 1.31 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37–2.23, p = 0.015), while snout-to-tail length was similar. Pietrain piglets had higher absolute and relative oesophageal lengths (Δ = 5.43 cm, 95% CI: 2.2–8.6; p = 0.0062, [Formula: see text] = 0.0083 and Δ = 11.4%, 95% CI: 5.1–17.6; p = 0.0025, [Formula: see text] = 0.0053). Likewise, absolute and relative small intestinal lengths were higher in Pietrains, but all other parameters did not differ, with the exception of minor differences in laboratory parameters. Multidimensional scaling revealed three-week old Pietrain piglets to be similar to two-month old humans based on their thoracoabdominal organ weights. This result indicates three-week old Pietrain piglets are a suitable model of paediatric oesophageal atresia surgery, because clinically many procedures are performed at around eight weeks age. Three-month old Aachen Minipigs were more dissimilar to eight-week old humans than three-week old Pietrain piglets.
A novel welfare and scientific approach to conducting dog metabolism studies allowing dogs to be pair housed
Authors: Kendrick John , Stow Ruth , Ibbotson Neil , Adjin-Tettey Georgina , Murphy Beverley , Bailey Glynn , Miller James , Helleberg Hans , Finderup Grove Mette , Øvlisen Kirstine , Hansen Jesper Juhl
Published: February 2020

Metabolism cages are designed to conduct absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies, enabling an ‘excretion balance’ scientific objective to be met. Historically, the design of dog metabolism cages has involved single housing. This type of housing has limitations for normal social behaviours and has been largely unchanged for 25–30 years. Improving animal welfare is a focus area for the authorities as well as the industry throughout the European Union. A collaboration was developed between Novo Nordisk and Covance to enhance the design of metabolism cages, allowing dogs to be pair housed. The purpose of the study was to compare excretion balance data from pair-housed and singly housed dogs in order to demonstrate that conducting excretion balance studies with a pair-housing design improves animal welfare without compromising the scientific integrity of the study. A radiolabelled test compound, [14C]-Quetiapine, was selected for this investigation based on its excretion profile. The assessment of the dogs’ stress levels was investigated by measuring the levels of serum cortisol as an indicative biomarker. Results were inconclusive due to large variations in cortisol levels. However, dogs appeared calmer in the pair-housing setting. The overall mean recovery (±standard deviation) for pair-housed animals (94.0 ± 0.66% of the dose) was equivalent to that from singly housed dogs (93.0 ± 2.29%). Based on these data, we conclude that pair housing of dogs for future metabolism ADME studies does not compromise the scientific integrity, and therefore is a major progression in the design of these studies, enhancing welfare.
The Walking School Bus: Critical Community-Engaged Learning in Action?
Authors: Johnston Joseph B.
Published: February 2020

The U.S. K–12 public education system is fundamentally unequal. What efforts can facilitate students to become deeply immersed in the realities of the system and to embody the need for social change? This article investigates scaffolded, semester-long writing assignments to demonstrate patterns in the three tenets of critical community-engaged learning (authentic relationship development, reducing power differentials, social change orientation). The assignments come from three cohorts of a Sociology of Education course in which undergraduates spent early mornings walking with elementary school children. As efforts were made to deepen the community-engaged partnership, there is corresponding evidence in (1) the ways students humanized social problems through authentic relationship development, (2) the ways they detailed moments of youth-led activities in which power differentials were diminished, and (3) how students’ reflective thoughts more frequently focused upon social change.
What does a radical exemplar view not predict? A commentary on Ambridge (2020)
Authors: Zettersten Martin , Schonberg Christina , Lupyan Gary
Published: February 2020

This article reviews two aspects of human learning: (1) people draw inferences that appear to rely on hierarchical conceptual representations; (2) some categories are much easier to learn than others given the same number of exemplars, and some categories remain difficult despite extensive training. Both of these results are difficult to reconcile with a learning and categorization system that operates only on specific exemplars. More generally, the article argues that specifying the empirical phenomena that a radical exemplar does not predict would aid in clarifying the radical exemplar proposal.
Syntax and the failure of analogical generalization: A commentary on Ambridge (2020)
Authors: Adger David
Published: February 2020

The syntactic behaviour of human beings cannot be explained by analogical generalization on the basis of concrete exemplars: analogies in surface form are insufficient to account for human grammatical knowledge, because they fail to hold in situations where they should, and fail to extend in situations where they need to.
Who Signs Up for E-Verify? Insights from DHS Enrollment Records
Authors: Orrenius Pia M. , Zavodny Madeline , Greer Sarah
Published: February 2020

E-Verify is a federal electronic verification system that allows employers to check whether their newly hired workers are authorized to work in the United States. To use E-Verify, firms first must enroll with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Participation is voluntary for most private-sector employers in the United States, but eight states currently require all or most employers to use E-Verify. This article uses confidential data from DHS to examine patterns of employer enrollment in E-Verify. The results indicate that employers are much more likely to sign up in mandatory E-Verify states than in states without such mandates, but enrollment is still below 50 percent in states that require its use. Large employers are far more likely to sign up than small employers. In addition, employers are more likely to newly enroll in E-Verify when a state’s unemployment rate or the state’s population share of likely unauthorized immigrants rises. However, enrollment rates are lower in industries with higher shares of unauthorized workers. Taken as a whole, the results suggest that enrolling in the program is costly for employers in terms of both compliance and difficulty in hiring workers. A strictly enforced nationwide mandate that all employers use an employment eligibility program like E-Verify would be incompatible with the current reliance on a large unauthorized workforce. Allowing more workers to enter legally or legalizing existing workers might be necessary before implementing E-Verify nationally.
Contesting effectuation theory: Why it does not explain new venture creation
Authors: Kitching John , Rouse Julia
Published: February 2020

We evaluate whether the theory of effectuation provides – or could provide – a powerful causal explanation of the process of new venture creation. We do this by conducting an analysis of the principal concepts introduced by effectuation theory. Effectuation theory has become a highly influential cognitive science-based approach to understanding how nascent entrepreneurs start businesses under conditions of uncertainty. But by reducing the process of venture creation to a decision-making logic, effectuation theory pays insufficient regard to the substantial, pervasive and enduring influence of social-structural and cultural contexts on venture creation. Powerful explanations should conceive of venture creation as a sociohistorical process emergent from the interaction of structural, cultural and agential causal powers and must be able to theorise, fallibly, how nascent entrepreneurs form particular firms in particular times and places. We conclude that effectuation’s contribution to entrepreneurship scholarship is more limited than its advocates claim because it can offer only an under-socialised, ahistorical account of venture creation. Failure to theorise adequately the influence of structural and cultural contexts on venture creation implicitly grants nascent entrepreneurs excessive powers of agency.
New medium, old strategies? Comparing online and traditional campaign posters for German Bundestag elections, 2013–2017
Authors: Steffan Dennis , Venema Niklas
Published: February 2020

Election campaigns in hybrid media systems are characterised by the integration of newer and older media. With the rise of social media platforms, newer tools of political communication emerge, such as online campaign posters, complementing older tools, such as traditional campaign posters. This raises the question whether the newer medium online campaign posters replicates strategies of professionalised political communication (i.e. personalisation, de-ideologisation and negative campaigning), and whether major and minor parties differ in their use of these strategies in online campaign posters. Against this background, we conducted a quantitative content analysis of visual and textual elements of online campaign posters and traditional campaign posters ( N = 1,069) for the 2013 and 2017 German Bundestag elections. The results indicate that online campaign posters are significantly more negative than traditional campaign posters. Moreover, the use of online campaign posters tends to moderate the inter-party competition in the social media environment.
‘They can’t fool me, but they can fool the others!’ Third person effect and fake news detection
Authors: Corbu Nicoleta , Oprea Denisa-Adriana , Negrea-Busuioc Elena , Radu Loredana
Published: February 2020

The aftermath of the 2016 US Presidential Elections and the Brexit campaign in Europe have opened the floor to heated debates about fake news and the dangers that these phenomena pose to elections and to democracy, in general. Despite a growing body of scholarly literature on fake news and its close relatives misinformation, disinformation or, more encompassing, communication and information disorders, few studies have so far attempted to empirically account for the effects that fake news might have, especially with respect to what communication scholars call the third person effect. This study aims to provide empirical evidence for the third person effect in the case of people’s self-perceived ability to detect fake news and of their perception of others’ ability to detect it. Based on a survey run in August 2018 and comprising a national, diverse sample of Romanian adults ( N = 813), this research reveals that there is a significant third person effect regarding people’s self-reported ability to spot fake news and that this effect is stronger when people compare their fake news detection literacy to that of distant others than to that close others. Furthermore, this study shows that the most important predictors of third person effect related to fake news detection are education, income, interest in politics, Facebook dependency and confirmation bias, with age being a non-significant predictor.
Venous disruption affects white matter integrity through increased interstitial fluid in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Zhang Ruiting , Huang Peiyu , Jiaerken Yeerfan , Wang Shuyue , Hong Hui , Luo Xiao , Xu Xiaopei , Yu Xinfeng , Li Kaicheng , Zeng Qingze , Wu Xiao , Lou Min , Zhang Minming
Published: February 2020

Deep medullary veins (DMVs) participate in the drainage of surrounding white matter. In cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), disrupted DMVs were often observed together with damaged white matter, but the phenomenon lacked validation and explanation. We hypothesized that venous disruption might cause white matter damage through increased interstitial fluid resulting from hemodynamic alteration, and we designed a comprehensive multi-modality MRI study to testify our hypothesis. Susceptibility-weighted imaging was used to investigate the characteristics of DMVs and derive DMVs scores. Free water elimination diffusion tensor imaging model was used to analyze interstitial fluid fraction (fraction of free water, fFW) and white matter integrity (tissue fractional anisotropy, FAt). Totally, 104 CSVD patients were included. Total DMVs score was associated with FAt of DMVs drainage area. The effect of total DMVs score on FAt was mediated by fFW, after controlling for age, sex, hypertension, regional cerebral blood flow and lacune numbers. The relationships between DMVs score, fFW and FAt were also significant in most DMVs drainage subregions. Therefore, we discovered the DMVs disruption – increased interstitial fluid – white matter damage link in CSVD patients, which was independent of arterial perfusion variations.
Transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the rat brain reveals substantial hyperperfusion acutely post-stroke
Authors: Premilovac Dino , Blackwood Sarah J , Ramsay Ciaran J , Keske Michelle A , Howells David W , Sutherland Brad A
Published: February 2020

Direct and real-time assessment of cerebral hemodynamics is key to improving our understanding of cerebral blood flow regulation in health and disease states such as stroke. While a number of sophisticated imaging platforms enable assessment of cerebral perfusion, most are limited either spatially or temporally. Here, we applied transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) to measure cerebral perfusion in real-time through the intact rat skull before, during and after ischemic stroke, induced by intraluminal filament middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We demonstrate expected decreases in cortical and striatal blood volume, flow velocity and perfusion during MCAO. After filament retraction, blood volume and perfusion increased two-fold above baseline, indicative of acute hyperperfusion. Adjacent brain regions to the ischemic area and the contralateral hemisphere had increased blood volume during MCAO. We assessed our data using wavelet analysis to demonstrate striking vasomotion changes in the ischemic and contralateral cortices during MCAO and reperfusion. In conclusion, we demonstrate the application of CEU for real-time assessment of cerebral hemodynamics and show that the ischemic regions exhibit striking hyperemia post-MCAO. Whether this post-stoke hyperperfusion is sustained long-term and contributes to stroke severity is not known.
Insights into the dual role of angiogenesis following stroke
Authors: Rust Ruslan
Published: February 2020

Stroke remains a major cause of serious disability due to the brain’s limited capacity to regenerate. Current treatments focus on acute recanalization of the occluded blood vessels; however, currently there are no approved therapy options to regenerate neural circuits and reduce stroke-related disability. To promote recovery, therapeutic angiogenesis has been proposed as a promising target. Although restoration of blood vessels providing oxygen and nutrients to the peri-infarct regions may be beneficial, newly generated capillaries may also carry pathophysiological risk factors that need to be considered. One major concern are adverse effects including edema formation and haemorrhagic transformation due to the comprised endothelial barrier function during vascular remodelling. This brief opinion article will discuss the challenges and the newest advancements of angiogenesis as a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke.
Does axillary lymph node size predict better metastatic involvement than apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer?
Authors: Ramírez-Galván Yazmín Aseret , Cardona-Huerta Servando , Elizondo-Riojas Guillermo , Álvarez-Villalobos Neri Alejandro , Campos-Coy Mario Alberto , Ferrara-Chapa Carla Melissa
Published: February 2020

Background

It has been demonstrated that the number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (mALNs) influence disease-free and overall survival in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose

To determine if the ALN size is more accurate than the ALN apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value to predict metastatic involvement in newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Material and Methods

A total of 44 patients with breast cancer were included. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed on a 1.5-T system with sagittal T1-weighted fast spin-echo non-fat saturated, sagittal T2-weighted fast spin-echo non-fat saturated, axial diffusion-weighted imaging echo-planar (b values of 0 and 700 s/mm2), and non-contrast axial VIBRANT sequences. The size and the ADC value were obtained for ALN ipsilateral and contralateral to breast cancer. The reference standard was the histopathologic lymph node status.

Results

mALN had a greater cortical thickness compared to contralateral non-mALN (10.3 ± 5.32 mm vs. 4 ± 1.17 mm, P ≤ 0.001). The threshold of ≥6.7 mm for predicting axillary metastatic involvement had a sensitivity and a specificity of 80.0% and 97.7%, respectively. The ADC value of mALN was significantly higher than the contralateral non-mALN (0.90 ± 0.12 × 10−3mm2/s vs. 0.78 ± 0.12 × 10−3mm2/s; P = 0.001). The threshold of ≥0.86 × 10−3mm2/s had a sensitivity and a specificity of 66.7% and 76.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the cortical thickness has a better diagnostic performance in the differentiation of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes than the lymph node ADC.
Measure, machine, money
Authors: Engster Frank
Published: February 2020

The aim of the text is to clarify why machines are economically productive only in capitalism and therefore in our society are capitalistic machines. They are capitalist not only because they increase the productive power of the capitalist valorisation, but this valorisation first of all is producing these machines, or at least it produces their productivity and hence ‘the machinic’ of machines. To understand this production of the machinic, we must understand them, as, for example, Heidegger, Simondon or Deleuze and Guattari have shown, from their context: from their non-technical essence, from their connection with other machines and from the social essence of the machinic. But in this context, first of all and in the last instance, we have to understand with Marx their entanglement with the capitalist valorisation. This can be shown for three different types of machines: the physical machine, the calculation machine and the social machine: money. What all three have in common and almost defines them as machines is that all three naturalise relations by quantifying them. The classical physical machine quantifies the relation of nature, the calculation machine quantifies information and meaning, and the money machine quantifies the relations of our society. I will concentrate on the physical and the money machine only. The technique to quantify is for both the same: measurement. This quantification and naturalisation by measurement is why both are – although or especially because they are opposed types of machines – interfaces to the capitalist valorisation process, and in this functioning as interfaces, we have to search their non-technical essence.