bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of Bursaphelenchus rockyi n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) in peat moss from Russia
Authors: Wang Xu , Fang Yiwu , Maria Munawar , Gu Jianfeng , Ge Jianjun
Published: October 2018

Bursaphelenchus rockyi n. sp., isolated in Peking, China, from peat moss imported from Russia, is described. It is characterised by a lateral field with four lines, excretory pore located at the base of the nerve ring or slightly posterior, spicule 15.9 (15.1-17.3) μm long along the chord and with high condylus and a rounded tip, rostrum triangular or conical with bluntly pointed tip, lamina curvature becoming more pronounced at 60% of total length, six caudal papillae with P3 and P4 adjacent to each other, bursa small, starting posterior to P4, vulval lips hemispherical and protruding, and tail conical with finely rounded or mucronated terminus. The new species belongs to the fungivorus-group and is most similar to B. arthuri, B. arthuroides, B. fungivorus and B. seani, but can be distinguished from related species by morphological and sequencing results.
Cannabis Reform, ‘Medical and Scientific Purposes’ and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
Authors: Lines Rick , Barrett Damon
Published: October 2018

Treaty interpretation has long been a subject of interest for international legal scholars. However, it is only recently that advocates for drug policy reform have taken up these questions. This article examines the proposition put forward by several authors that a legally regulated market in cannabis may be permissible under the international drug control treaties if considered as a policy ‘experiment’. These authors contend that such measures conform to the general obligation of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to limit uses of cannabis ‘strictly to medical and scientific purposes’. Reviewing this position using the formal methods set out in Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, we conclude the interpretation proposed is untenable. While we share with these authors the objective of wider drug policy reform, we find the arguments supporting this position weak, and based on absent, flawed or incomplete interpretive methodology.
Regulated Legalization of Cannabis through Positive Human Rights Obligations and Inter se Treaty Modification
Authors: van Kempen Piet Hein , Fedorova Masha
Published: October 2018

Although the UN narcotic drugs conventions do not allow states parties to legalize cannabis cultivation and trade for recreational use, there are possibilities for states to do so anyhow while staying within the boundaries of international public law. A first option concerns positive human rights obligations, i.e. obligations that require states to take measures in order to offer the best protection of human rights. If a state convincingly argues that with cannabis regulation positive human rights obligations to protect society can be more effectively achieved than under a prohibitive approach, the priority position of human rights obligations over the drugs conventions can justify such regulation. The second option regards the modification of the drugs conventions through an inter se agreement on cannabis regulation between certain of the states parties only. The positive human rights approach and the inter se possibility can strengthen each other and are a supreme combination.
A Revised Checklist of the UK Silverfish (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae)
Authors: CHICK ANDREW I. R.
Published: October 2018

With the discovery of Ctenolepisma longicaudata by Goddard et al. (2016) and the record of Ctenolepisma lineata as a possible introduced pest by Notton (2018), as well as the changes to the higher classification reported by Barnard (2011), the current number of UK Lepismatidae (silverfish and firebrats) that an entomologist might encounter has doubled. Therefore, the most recent checklist (Kloet & Hicks 1964) is in need of revision. This paper aims to provide an updated check list, guide to keys that can be used to Identify UK Lepismatidae as well as to provide an overview of UK species.
A new species of Alvinocaris (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Alvinocarididae) from Costa Rican methane seeps
Authors: MARTIN JOEL W. , WALL ADAM R. , SHANK TIM , CHA HARIM , SEID CHARLOTTE A. , ROUSE GREG W.
Published: October 2018

A new caridean shrimp, Alvinocaris costaricensis, is described from methane seeps in the eastern Pacific off Costa Rica. The new species is the 16th described species of the genus, and by molecular analysis appears closest to Alvinocaris komaii from the Lau Basin, southwestern Pacific, but shares certain morphological characters with A. lusca from the Galapagos Rift and A. muricola from the West Florida Escarpment, as well as with A. kexueae from the Manus Basin in the Southwest Pacific.
Linkage between Interannual Variation of the East Asian Intraseasonal Oscillation and Mei-Yu Onset
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Lin Hai , Wu Qigang
Published: October 2018

The mei-yu onset over the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV) varies considerably from early June to mid-July, which leads to large interannual changes in rainy-season length, total summer rainfall, and flooding potential. Previous studies have investigated the impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the mei-yu onset. This study shows that a strong (weak) East Asian and western North Pacific (EAWNP) intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in spring leads to an early (late) onset of the mei-yu over the MLYRV, and this ISO–mei-yu relationship is attributed to different types of ENSO in the preceding winter. A strong EAWNP ISO in spring is related to an eastern Pacific El Niño (EP El Niño) in the previous winter, and negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern Indian Ocean and the South China Sea (SCS) in May, which can cause an early onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon that also favors an early mei-yu onset. In contrast, a weak EAWNP ISO in spring is associated with a central Pacific El Niño (CP El Niño) before April, but with an EP El Niño after April, and positive SST anomalies in both the eastern Indian Ocean and the SCS in May. A statistical forecast model combining the intensity of spring EAWNP ISO, CP ENSO, and EP ENSO indices shows a high prediction skill of the observed mei-yu onset date.
All-Sky Radiance Assimilation of ATMS in HWRF: A Demonstration Study
Authors: Wu Ting-Chi , Zupanski Milija , Grasso Lewis D. , Kummerow Christian D. , Boukabara Sid-Ahmed
Published: October 2018

Satellite all-sky radiances from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) are assimilated into the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) Model using the hybrid Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation analysis system (GSI). To extend the all-sky capability recently developed for global applications to HWRF, some modifications in HWRF and GSI are facilitated. In particular, total condensate is added as a control variable, and six distinct hydrometeor habits are added as state variables in hybrid GSI within HWRF. That is, clear-sky together with cloudy and precipitation-affected satellite pixels are assimilated using the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) as a forward operator that includes hydrometeor information and Jacobians with respect to hydrometeor variables. A single case study with the 2014 Atlantic storm Hurricane Cristobal is used to demonstrate the methodology of extending the global all-sky capability to HWRF due to ATMS data availability. Two data assimilation experiments are carried out. One experiment uses the operational configuration and assimilates ATMS radiances under the clear-sky condition, and the other experiment uses the modified HWRF system and assimilates ATMS radiances under the all-sky condition with the inclusion of total condensate update and cycling. Observed and synthetic Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-13 data along with Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) data from the two experiments are used to show that the experiment with all-sky ATMS radiances assimilation has cloud signatures that are supported by observations. In contrast, there is lack of clouds in the initial state that led to a noticeable lag of cloud development in the experiment that assimilates clear-sky radiances.
Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke after Dental Treatments
Authors: Chen T.T. , D’Aiuto F. , Yeh Y.C. , Lai M.S. , Chien K.L. , Tu Y.K.
Published: October 2018

The association between invasive dental treatments (IDTs) and a short-term risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS) remains controversial. Bacterial dissemination from the oral cavity and systemic inflammation linked to IDT can induce a state of acute vascular dysfunction. The aim of study is to investigate the relation of IDTs to MI and IS by using case-only study designs to analyze data from a large Taiwanese cohort. A nationwide population-based study was undertaken by using the case-crossover and self-controlled case series design to analyze the Taiwanese National Health Care Claim database. Conditional logistic regression model and conditional Poisson regression model were used to estimate the risks of MI/IS. In addition, we used burn patients as negative controls to explore the potential effect of residual confounding. In total, 123,819 MI patients and 327,179 IS patients in the case-crossover design and 117,655 MI patients and 298,757 IS patients were included in the self-controlled case series design. Results from both study designs showed that the risk of MI within the first 24 wk after IDT was not significantly different from or close to unity except for a modest risk during the first week for patients without other comorbidities (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] of 1.31 [1.08–1.58] and 1.15 [1.01–1.31] for 3 d and 7 d, respectively). We also observed no association between IDTs and IS, or the risk ratio was close to unity. IDTs did not appear to be associated with a transient risk of MI and IS in the Taiwanese population, with consistent findings from both case-only study designs. However, we cannot exclude that dental infections and diseases may yield a long-term risk of MI and IS.
Initiation and Generalization of Self-Instructed Video Activity Schedules for Elementary Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Shepley Sally B. , Spriggs Amy D. , Samudre Mark D. , Sartini Emily C.
Published: October 2018

This study evaluated the effects of progressive time delay (PTD) to teach four elementary students with intellectual disability on how to self-instruct using a video activity schedule. A single-case multiple probe across participants design with a multiple probe across environments design for each participant was used to assess the generalization of the self-instruction behavior to novel environments. All participants acquired the self-instruction behavior in their target environments. One participant generalized this behavior to a novel environment by the completion of the study, and the other three participants required introduction of the independent variable (PTD) to master acquisition in the two generalization environments. Implications for practitioners and suggestions for effective programming of generalization in future research are discussed.
Pulmonary embolism, frostbite and high-altitude retinopathy – a combination of life- and sight-threatening vascular complications at high altitude
Authors: Rehan Shahzaib , Pynn Harvey J , Williams Ian , Morris Daniel S
Published: October 2018

The effects of high altitude on the human vascular system are well described. This case demonstrates an interesting combination of vascular complications at high altitude which were both life- and sight-threatening. In May 2017, during an attempt on Mount Everest, a 58-year-old man was forced to descend from 8000 m because of adverse weather. He suffered significant frostbite of his right hand, later requiring termination of the distal phalanx of one of the affected digits. He also experienced increasing breathlessness and went on to develop pleuritic chest pain. A CT pulmonary angiogram performed upon return to sea level revealed multiple small sub-segmental pulmonary emboli. He was anticoagulated for three months and made a full recovery. The patient also reported visual loss in the left eye and on ophthalmic examination was found to have multiple retinal haemorrhages including a left macular haemorrhage, consistent with high altitude retinopathy. The retinal haemorrhages settled with conservative management. The vascular complications suffered by this patient demonstrate the potentially fatal changes that can occur at altitude. They also serve to act as a reminder for physicians, even at sea level of the potential complications in patients returning from high altitude.
Experimental study of moisture content effects on horizontal flame spread over thin cotton fabric
Authors: Gao Yunji , Zhu Guoqing , Zhu Hui , An Weiguang , Xia Yu
Published: October 2018

In this paper, moisture content effects on horizontal flame spread were experimentally investigated using 0.245 mm thick, 28 cm tall and 28 cm wide untreated cotton fabric sheets with various moisture contents varying from 0 to 34%. The pyrolysis spread rates, flame heights and ignition times were obtained and analyzed. The corresponding results are as follows: as moisture content increases, the flame height and spread rate first increase and then decrease. In contrast, the ignition time shows an opposite trend with moisture content. The extreme values are observed in cases of 2% moisture content samples. Moreover, the flame spread rate in the warp direction is larger than that in the weft direction. For horizontal flame spread, the moisture content has the effect of consuming part of the heat feedback, which can play a role in reducing the flame spread rate; simultaneously, the moisture content can enlarge flame size and increase the convective heat transfer coefficient, thereby resulting in an increase in flame spread rate. The non-monotonous trend in pyrolysis spread rate is the result of competition between these effects.
Efficient information-based cooperative guidance law of multi-missiles
Authors: Jianguo Guo , Xinming Wang , Jun Zhou
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates a novel cooperative guidance law for the task of salvo attack based on efficient information. The concept of efficient information is first introduced as the basis of a multi-missile cooperative structure in a nominal engagement situation. The effective time of the efficient information, which can be regarded as an important parameter to indicate the ability of a missile to attack a given stationary target, is estimated by modifying the current time-to-go estimation method in the presence of a lateral acceleration constraint. Utilizing the effective time, a novel cooperative guidance law with better adaptiveness and robustness is proposed for multi-missile systems to realize the simultaneous attack. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed cooperative guidance law is demonstrated via simulations.
Toward a Precarious Projectariat? Project dynamics in Slovenian and French social services
Authors: Greer Ian , Samaluk Barbara , Umney Charles
Published: October 2018

Project organization is used extensively to promote creativity, innovation and responsiveness to local context, but can lead to precarious employment. This paper compares European Social Fund (ESF)-supported projects supporting ‘active inclusion’ of disadvantaged clients in Slovenia and France. Despite many similarities between the two social protection fields in task, temporality, teams and socio-economic context, the projects had different dynamics with important implications for workers. In Slovenia project dynamics have been precarious, leading to insecure jobs and reduced status for front-line staff; in France, by contrast, projects and employment have been relatively stable. Our explanation highlights the transaction, more specifically, the capacity of government agencies to function as intermediaries managing the transactions through which ESF money is disbursed to organizations providing services. We find that transnational pressures on the state affect its capacity as a transaction organizer to stabilize the organizational field. In Slovenia, transnational pressures associated with austerity and European Union integration have stripped away this capacity more radically than in France, leading to precarious project dynamics and risk shifting onto project workers.
From ‘History as Told’ to ‘History as Experienced’: Contextualizing the Uses of the Past
Authors: Lubinski Christina
Published: October 2018

Research has made great strides in understanding how and why organizational actors use the past. So far, scholars have largely focused the level of analysis on the organization, without exploring the intertwined nature of historical claim-making with the organizational field or society at large. This article extends the status quo by conceptualizing the role of context for organizational uses-of-the-past. It identifies three key aspects of context that shape how history contributes to the social construction of reality: the existence of multiple audiences, the landscape of pre-existing historical narratives and the experience of social practices giving credibility to historical claims.

By analysing the historical case of German business in colonial India, the paper makes three broader claims that could move research toward a more contextualized conception of the uses-of-the-past: (i) historical claims are validated in a continuous dialogue with multiple audiences; (ii) they revise previously existing narratives by critiquing or ‘outpasting’, i.e. invoking earlier origins; (iii) they often result in ‘rhetorical frictions’ that require continuous and skilful history revisions to mitigate emerging conflicts in their reception. By contextualizing the uses-of-the-past in this way, the paper moves beyond ‘hypermuscular’ organizational actors bending history to their will and foregrounds the situated nature of historical rhetoric.
Emerging Mission from the Czech Republic
Authors: Symon David
Published: October 2018

This article focuses on international mission from Protestant churches in the Czech Republic since 1989. It analyses the contemporary missiological literature related to the Czech context and engages the cross-cultural aspects of Czech mission, both inside and outside of the Czech Republic. The author argues for greater missiological reflection on international Czech mission.
From France to the Church: The Generalization of Parish Registers in the Catholic Countries
Authors: Laplante Benoît
Published: October 2018

The generalization of the registration of baptism and marriage in the Catholic countries is shown to be the result of a process in which France used the authority of the Council of Trent to impose on the whole Church a system of public registration it had started to implement through temporal law at home in 1539, so that the clerics in charge of the registration be subject to canonical penalties if they failed to comply. The registration of baptism and marriage was integrated into the Decree on the Reformation of Marriage that France maneuvered to impose on the Church to curb clandestine marriages which had dire effects on estate planning in France, given the peculiarities of its inheritance and matrimonial law.
Millennial First-Time Homebuyers and Location Choice
Authors: Raymond Elora Lee , Dill Jessica , Lee Yongsung
Published: October 2018

We research whether Millennial first-time homebuyers are more likely to purchase homes near city centers than Generation X. We use a random sample of individual credit records data to examine first-time mortgaged homebuyers from 2000 to 2016 in the fifty largest US cities. In a logistic regression controlling for age and generation, we estimate separate age and period effects. We also control for car ownership, income, credit score, mortgage size, mortgage payment, and student debt levels. We find that the odds Millennials buy near city centers 21 percent higher than Generation X. This suggests that as Millennials purchase homes, they do not move to the suburbs at the same rate as Generation X.
Bidirectional IPV Among Adolescent Sexual Minorities
Authors: Messinger Adam M. , Sessarego Stephanie N. , Edwards Katie M. , Banyard Victoria L.
Published: October 2018

Research repeatedly concludes that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (i.e., sexual minorities) are at increased risk of experiencing abuse in a romantic or sexual relationship. For service providers, a vital but largely unanswered question is how common it is for victims of sexual minority intimate partner violence (SM-IPV) to also have perpetrated IPV, particularly in regard to adolescent relationships. To our knowledge, the present article is only the second in the literature to examine adolescent SM-IPV directionality, and it is the first to compare adolescent SM-IPV directionality and heterosexual IPV (H-IPV) directionality within the same sample. In 25 high schools across three northern New England states, sexual minority ( n = 398) and heterosexual ( n = 2,687) high school-aged adolescents aged 13 years to 19 years (where sexual orientation is defined indirectly via sexual attraction) completed a questionnaire as part of a broader evaluation study of a bystander-focused violence prevention curriculum (we utilized baseline data in this article). Chi-square tests revealed that experiencing victimization was significantly associated with engaging in perpetration for all forms of IPV assessed for both sexual minority and heterosexual youths. The sole exception was threatening IPV, for which a significant association was found among heterosexual but not sexual minority individuals. Bidirectional IPV rates did not differ substantially by sexual attraction: Verbal abuse was most likely to be bidirectional for both sexual attraction groups and all other assessed IPV forms occurring overwhelmingly in unidirectional patterns. Although replication is needed, study results suggest that adolescent IPV is not generally bidirectional. Directions for future research are discussed, including the need for sampling plans that enable further disaggregation by age and sexual orientations.
The effects of cylinder deactivation on the thermal behaviour and fuel economy of a three-cylinder direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine
Authors: McGhee Michael , Wang Ziman , Bech Alexander , Shayler Paul J , Witt Dennis
Published: October 2018

The changes in thermal state, emissions and fuel economy of a 1.0-L, three-cylinder direct injection spark ignition engine when a cylinder is deactivated have been explored experimentally. Cylinder deactivation improved engine fuel economy by up to 15% at light engine loads by reducing pumping work, raising indicated thermal efficiency and raising combustion efficiency. Penalties included an increase in NOx emissions and small increases in rubbing friction and gas work losses of the deactivated cylinder. The cyclic pressure variation in the deactivated cylinder falls rapidly after deactivation through blow-by and heat transfer losses. After around seven cycles, the motoring loss is ~2 J/cycle. Engine structural temperatures settle within an 8- to 13-s interval after a switch between two- and three-cylinder operation. Engine heat rejection to coolant is reduced by ~13% by deactivating a cylinder, extending coolant warm-up time to thermostat-opening by 102 s.
PM2.5 stimulated the release of cytokines from BEAS-2B cells through activation of IKK/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Wang J , Zhang WJ , Xiong W , Lu WH , Zheng HY , Zhou X , Yuan J
Published: October 2018

Previous studies indicated that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was related to pulmonary inflammatory diseases through activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway to trigger cytokine secretions in human lung carcinoma cells. To investigate the potential mechanisms underlying expression of cytokines via activated NF-κB by PM2.5, human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) were treated with PM2.5 extracts at different concentrations (6, 13, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg mL−1) for 6 and 24 h. We found that 100 µg mL−1 PM2.5 increased interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 expression at 24 h ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Moreover, 100 µg mL−1 PM2.5 upregulated phosphorylated IκB kinase (IKK), p65, and IκBα at 6 h, which could be reversed by the IKK inhibitor Bay11-7082 ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The p65 subunit of NF-κB was translocated into the nucleus of the cells treated with 100 µg mL−1 PM2.5 at 6 and 24 h. Bay11-7082 partly inhibited PM2.5-induced increases of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. The results indicated that PM2.5 extract increased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in BEAS-2B cells through activation of IKK/NF-κB pathway. Our study will contribute to better understanding of the mechanism of PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammatory diseases.
The Role of Primary Care Physicians in Providing End-of-Life Care
Authors: Liu Jan Tse , Kovar-Gough Iris , Farabi Nabila , Animikwam Frank , Weers Sarah Beth , Phillips Julie
Published: October 2018

Background:

Primary care physicians (PCPs) frequently have long-term relationships with patients as well as their families. As such they are well positioned to care for their patients at the end of their lives. As the number of patients in need of end-of-life care continues to grow, it is critical to understand how PCPs can fulfill that need. The purpose of our study is to perform a narrative review of the literature and develop a theoretical model delineating the overarching roles played by PCPs in caring for patients at the end of life.

Methods:

For this narrative review, the authors searched Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to March 22, 2017. Articles were not limited by geography.

Results:

Review of existing literature generally supports 4 broad categories as the primary roles for PCP involvement in end of life: pain and symptom management; information management, including transmitting and clarifying information, setting care priorities, and assisting patients with treatment decisions; coordinating care and collaborating with other providers; and addressing patients’ social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Conclusions:

Based on the results of this review, PCPs provide a wide range of services to patients at the end of life. Promoting the provision of the full scope of services by PCPs will help ensure improved continuity of care while providing the highest quality of care for patients, both in the United States and around the world.
Strong conformity requires a greater proportion of asocial learning and achieves lower fitness than a payoff-based equivalent
Authors: Grove Matt
Published: October 2018

There is a growing interest in the relative benefits of the different social learning strategies used to transmit information between conspecifics and in the extent to which they require input from asocial learning. Two strategies in particular, conformist and payoff-based social learning, have been subject to considerable theoretical analysis, yet previous models have tended to examine their efficacy in relation to specific parameters or circumstances. This study employs individual-based simulations to derive the optimal proportion of individual learning that coexists with conformist and payoff-based strategies in populations experiencing wide-ranging variation in levels of environmental change, reproductive turnover, learning error and individual learning costs. Results demonstrate that conformity coexists with a greater proportion of asocial learning under all parameter combinations, and that payoff-based social learning is more adaptive in 97.43% of such combinations. These results are discussed in relation to the conjecture that the most successful social learning strategy will be the one that can persist with the lowest frequency of asocial learning, and the possibility that punishment of non-conformists may be required for conformity to confer adaptive benefits over payoff-based strategies in temporally heterogeneous environments.
Age, Aggression, and Pleasure in Popular Online Pornographic Videos
Authors: Shor Eran
Published: October 2018

This article analyzes the content of 172 popular videos from the pornographic website PornHub.com . Although I found no difference between the levels of aggression in videos featuring teenage performers and those featuring adult performers, the former were more likely to have a title that suggests aggression and to include anal penetration and facial ejaculation. In addition, although all female performers were more likely to express pleasure following aggression, this association was stronger in videos featuring teenage performers. These videos portray aggression and degradation as both consensual— i.e., men dominating willing women—and sensual— i.e., producing pleasure for both men and women.
Agitated saline bubble–enhanced ultrasound for the positioning of cuffed, tunneled dialysis catheters in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Passos Rogerio da Hora , Ribeiro Michel , da Conceição Luis Filipe Miranda Rebelo , Ramos Joao Gabriel Rosa , Ribeiro Juliana Caldas , Batista Paulo Benigno Pena , Dutra Margarida Maria Dantas , Rouby Jean Jacques
Published: October 2018

Background:

In patients with end-stage renal disease, the use of cuffed, tunneled dialysis catheters for hemodialysis has become integral to treatment plans. Fluoroscopy is a widely accepted method for the insertion and positioning of cuffed dialysis catheters, because it is easy to use, accurate and reliable, and has a relatively low incidence of complications. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of tunneled hemodialysis catheter placement without the use of fluoroscopy but with a dynamic ultrasound-imaging-based guided technique.

Methods:

From January 2015 to December 2017, we performed an observational prospective cohort study of 56 patients with end-stage renal disease who required tunneled dialysis catheter placement.

Results:

The overall success rate for ultrasound-guided central access was 100%, with a mean number of 1.16 (±0.4) attempts per patient. There were no incidences of guide wire coiling/kinking, carotid puncture, pneumothorax, or catheter malfunction. Catheter flow during dialysis was 286 (±38) mL/min. The total number of catheter days was 7451, with a mean of 133 days and a range of 46–322 days. Life table analysis revealed primary patency rates of 100%, 96%, and 53% at 30, 60, and 120 days, respectively.

Conclusion:

Dynamic ultrasound-based visualization of microbubbles in the right atrium is a highly accurate method to detect percutaneous implantation of large-lumen, tunneled, central venous catheters without the need for fluoroscopic guidance technology. Future research should further develop and confirm these initial findings.
Life-threatening vitamin D intoxication due to intake of ultra-high doses in multiple sclerosis: A note of caution
Authors: Feige Julia , Salmhofer Hermann , Hecker Constantin , Kunz Alexander Baden , Franzen Michael , Moré Elena , Sellner Johann
Published: October 2018

Knowledge about complications of chronic ultra-high dose vitamin D supplementation is limited. We report a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) who presented with generalized weakness caused by hypercalcemia after uncontrolled intake of more than 50,000 IU of cholecalciferol per day over several months. Various treatment strategies were required to achieve normocalcemia. However, renal function improved only partly and further progression of MS was observed. We conclude that patients need to be informed about the risks of uncontrolled vitamin D intake and neurologists need to be alert of biochemical alterations and symptoms of vitamin D toxicity.
Use of respiratory rates and heart rate variability in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with functional somatic symptoms
Authors: Chudleigh Catherine , Savage Blanche , Cruz Catherine , Lim Melissa , McClure Georgia , Palmer Donna M , Spooner Chris J , Kozlowska Kasia
Published: October 2018

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) emerge when the stress system is activated in response to physical or emotional stress that is either chronic or especially intense. In such cases, the heightened state of physiological arousal and motor activation can be measured through biological markers. Our team have integrated the use of biological markers of body state – respiratory rate, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements – as a way of helping families to understand how physical symptoms can signal activation of the body’s stress systems. This study measured respiratory rates, HR and HRV in children and adolescents with FSS (and healthy controls) during baseline assessment to determine whether these biological markers were effective at differentiating patients with FSS. The study also implemented a biofeedback intervention during the assessment to determine whether patients with FSS were able to slow their respiratory rates and increase HRV. Patients with FSS had faster respiratory rates, faster HR, and lower HRV, suggesting activation of the autonomic nervous system coupled with activation of the respiratory motor system. Like controls, patients were able to slow their respiratory rates, but in contrast to controls, they were unable to increase their HRV. Our findings suggest that patients with FSS present in a state of physiological activation and struggle to regulate their body state. Patients with FSS are likely to need ongoing training and practice to regulate body state coupled with interventions that target regulatory capacity across multiple systems.
Healthy adjustment for new residents with dementia using SettleIN: A feasibility study in UK care homes
Authors: Hayward Janine K , Nunez Kayleigh Marie , Ballard Clive , Spector Aimee
Published: October 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to develop and explore feasibility of SettleIN, a staff-led programme about healthy adjustment for people with dementia following care home placement. The main foci were intervention feasibility and the impact of the programme on resident quality of life and mood.

Method

A manualised intervention developed through consultation with 47 experts was trialled using a mixed-method design. Thirteen new residents with dementia and 24 staff were recruited from six UK care homes. Outcomes were measured at baseline, intervention completion and four-week follow-up. Analysis of staff interviews and field notes is reported.

Results

Most experts deemed SettleIN to be well structured, comprehensive and appropriate. However, uptake of SettleIN was low. When implemented, staff emphasised integration ease and staff benefits, but that SettleIN may not be universally suitable. High attrition, most commonly due to death and hospitalisation, and partial results from only four participants meant that there was a lack of support for the positive outcomes. Feasibility problems included a lack of staff time and dependency on families for some components.

Conclusion

SettleIN is acceptable to a wide range of stakeholders though does not appear to be feasible in its current form and improvements are recommended. A second pilot phase is required, which will address the reasons for the high attrition rate in this study and amend the methodology accordingly. This is an important work, as a manualised and standardised approach to healthy adjustment in care is unique and could have huge clinical significance if effective.
Vibration-based damage detection with uncertainty quantification by structural identification using nonlinear constraint satisfaction with interval arithmetic
Authors: Kernicky Timothy , Whelan Matthew , Al-Shaer Ehab
Published: October 2018

Structural identification has received increased attention over recent years for performance-based structural assessment and health monitoring. Recently, an approach for formulating the finite element model updating problem as a constraint satisfaction problem has been developed. In contrast to widely used probabilistic model updating through Bayesian inference methods, the technique naturally accounts for measurement and modeling errors through the use of interval arithmetic to determine the set of all feasible solutions to the partially described and incompletely measured inverse eigenvalue problem. This article presents extensions of the constraint satisfaction approach permitting the application to larger multiple degree-of-freedom system models. To accommodate for the drastic increase in the dimensionality of the inverse problem, the extended methodology replaces computation of the complete set of solutions with an approach that contracts the initial search space to the interval hull, which encompasses the complete set of feasible solutions with a single interval vector solution. The capabilities are demonstrated using vibration data acquired through hybrid simulation of a 45-degree-of-freedom planar truss, where a two-bar specimen with bolted connections representing a single member of the truss serves as the experimental substructure. Structural identification is performed using data acquired with the undamaged experimental member as well as over a number of damage scenarios with progressively increased severity developed by exceeding a limit-state capacity of the member. Interval hull solutions obtained through application of the nonlinear constraint satisfaction methodology demonstrate the capability to correctly identify and quantify the extent of the damage in the truss while incorporating measurement uncertainties in the parameter identification.
Genomic Literacy and Awareness of Ethical Guidance for Genomic Research in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Prepared Are Biomedical Researchers?
Authors: Ogunrin Olubunmi , Taiwo Funmilola , Frith Lucy
Published: October 2018

Achieving the objectives of rolling out genomic research programs in sub-Saharan Africa depends on how prepared indigenous biomedical researchers are for this type of research. We explored the level of preparedness of biomedical researchers in a sub-Saharan African country using in-depth interviews to obtain data on their understanding of genomics and genomic research and assess their awareness of the scope of the country’s code of health research ethics. Thirty biomedical researchers were interviewed. Only eight were familiar with concepts of genomics, a form of “genomic health literacy.” The majority were not aware of the country’s code of research ethics. This study showed that generally biomedical researchers were not genomic health literate, unaware of the code and its limitations as a source of ethical guidance for the conduct of genomic research. These findings underscore the need for educational training in genomics and creating awareness of ethical oversight for genomic research in sub-Saharan Africa.
Learning to Be Old
Authors: van den Hoonaard Deborah K.
Published: October 2018

Today, we have a life expectancy that earlier eras could not have dreamed of. An aging population is the hallmark of a successful society. How is it, then, that we consider one of the greatest achievements of society to be a disaster? This talk argues that the beliefs underlying ageism, based on the premise that all old people are the same, pervade contemporary thinking. Despite the fact that becoming old involves physical changes, aging has a significant social component. This presentation marks the culmination of 25 years of qualitative research in gerontology. Given the theme of the conference, the talk begins by discussing how the Trojan horse of positivist approaches is eroding the inductive nature of qualitative research. It then illustrates, based on inductive, interpretive research, how we learn to be old and accept myths associated with aging through the way people treat us.
Association of TRPV1 and TLR4 through the TIR domain potentiates TRPV1 activity by blocking activation-induced desensitization
Authors: Min Hyunjung , Cho Woo-Hyun , Lee Hyunkyoung , Choi Boomin , Kim Yoon-Jung , Lee Han Kyu , Joo Yeonhee , Jung Sung Jun , Choi Se-Young , Lee Soojin , Lee Sung Joong
Published: October 2018

Background

We have previously reported that histamine-induced pruritus was attenuated in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) knockout mice due to decreased transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) sensitivity. Our results implied that TLR4 potentiated TRPV1 activation in sensory neurons; however, the molecular mechanism has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of TLR4-mediated TRPV1 potentiation using TLR4-deficient sensory neurons and a heterologous expression system.

Methods

Primary sensory neurons were obtained from wild-type or TLR4 knockout mice, and HEK293T cells expressing TRPV1 and TLR4 were prepared by transient transfection. TRPV1 activity was analyzed by calcium imaging, fluorophotometry, and patch-clamp recording. Subcellular protein distribution was tested by immunocytochemistry and cell surface biotinylation assay. Protein interaction was assessed by western blot and immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

Direct association between TRPV1 and TLR4 was detected in HEK293T cells upon heterologous TRPV1 and TLR4 expression. In an immunoprecipitation assay using TLR4-deletion mutants and soluble toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) protein, the cytoplasmic TIR domain of TLR4 was required for TLR4-TRPV1 association and TRPV1 potentiation. In TLR4-deficient sensory neurons, the activation-induced desensitization of TRPV1 increased, accompanied by enhanced TRPV1 clearance from the cell membrane upon activation compared to wild-type neurons. In addition, heterologous TLR4 expression inhibited activation-induced TRPV1 endocytosis and lysosomal degradation in HEK293T cells.

Conclusion

Our data show that direct association between TRPV1 and TLR4 through the TIR domain enhances TRPV1 activity by blocking activation-induced TRPV1 desensitization.
Study of general education diploma students’ performance and prediction in Sultanate of Oman, based on data mining approaches
Authors: Al Mazidi Abdallah , Abusham Eimad
Published: October 2018

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the first countries in the Middle East to utilize technology in the management of the education process. Over time, education data have accumulated, and at the present, large volumes of data with numerous types of statistics have been collected as operational data. This research article takes the advantage of these data and applied predictive data mining approaches to study the performance of general education diploma students (year 12 of school). The decision tree as a classification method has been applied and a prediction model is constructed with ability to show relatively high accuracy of students’ performance prior to year 12 of school, using 30% test data of nearly 6000 student’s records. The significant variables that influence students’ performance are identified which would help stakeholders and decision makers plan ahead and have more time to prepare for decisions.
Mayan Homegardens in Decline: The Case of the Pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus), a Vine Cactus With Edible Fruit
Authors: Castro Andy , Lascurain-Rangel Maite , Gómez-Díaz Jorge Antonio , Sosa Victoria
Published: October 2018

Homegardens are small-scale agroforestry systems consisting of parcels of land on homesteads in which diverse plant species are cultivated in several strata, often integrating herbaceous, tree, vine, crop, and animal components. Among the vines in Mayan homegardens in Yucatán is the pitahaya ( Hylocereus undatus), a cactus with edible fruit. We use this species as a model to identify changes in the level of knowledge and management of homegardens due to modernization (increased tourism, paved roads, and urban expansion) in order to propose conservation strategies. Structured interviews were carried out in 100 homegardens; information regarding economics, language, school attendance, and the distance to cities were gathered. Currently, pitahaya is mostly eaten as a sorbet, and women harvest its fruit more often than men do. It is the elderly who teach the next generations about the use and care of pitahayas. The model that best explained the level of knowledge and management about pitahaya included variables such as the location of homegardens; their distance to the nearest city; as well as language, gross domestic product, and school attendance rate of home gardeners. We found that there is less traditional knowledge about pitahayas when home gardeners have higher school attendance and that not only pitahayas but also homegardens near cities are being neglected. We suggest that conservation planning for pitahayas and homegardens should include education programs on their ecological, nutritional, and economic importance. Homegardens, whose owners have the highest level of knowledge about their management and biodiversity, should be interactively conserved, and the knowledge of home gardeners should be acknowledged.
The effectiveness of antiviral agents with broad-spectrum activity against chikungunya virus varies between host cell lines
Authors: Franco Evelyn J , Rodriquez Jaime L , Pomeroy Justin J , Hanrahan Kaley C , Brown Ashley N
Published: October 2018

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that has recently emerged in the Western Hemisphere. Approved antiviral therapies or vaccines for the treatment or prevention of CHIKV infections are not available. This study aims to evaluate the antiviral activity of commercially available broad-spectrum antivirals against CHIKV. Due to host cell-specific variability in uptake and intracellular processing of drug, we evaluated the antiviral effects of each agent in three cell lines. Antiviral activities of ribavirin (RBV), interferon-alfa (IFN-α) and favipiravir (FAV) were assessed in CHIKV-infected Vero, HUH-7, and A549 cells. CHIKV-infected cells were treated with increasing concentrations of each agent for three days and viral burden was quantified by plaque assay on Vero cells. Cytotoxic effects of RBV, FAV and IFN-α were also evaluated. Antiviral activity differed depending on the cell line used for evaluation. RBV had the greatest antiviral effect in HUH-7 cells (EC50 = 2.575 µg/mL); IFN-α was most effective in A549 cells (EC50 = 4.235 IU/mL); and FAV in HUH-7 cells (EC50 = 20.00 μg/mL). The results of our study show FAV and IFN-α are the most promising candidates, as their use led to substantial reductions in viral burden at clinically achievable concentrations in two human-derived cell lines. FAV is an especially attractive candidate for further investigation due to its oral bioavailability. These findings also highlight the importance of cell line selection for preclinical drug trials.