bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A stable proportional–proportional integral tracking controller with self-organizing fuzzy-tuned gains for parallel robots
Authors: Salas Francisco G , Orrante-Sakanassi Jorge , Juarez-del-Toro Raymundo , Parada Ricardo P
Published: January 2019

Parallel robots are nowadays used in many high-precision tasks. The dynamics of parallel robots is naturally more complex than the dynamics of serial robots, due to their kinematic structure composed by closed chains. In addition, their current high-precision applications demand the innovation of more effective and robust motion controllers. This has motivated researchers to propose novel and more robust controllers that can perform the motion control tasks of these manipulators. In this article, a two-loop proportional–proportional integral controller for trajectory tracking control of parallel robots is proposed. In the proposed scheme, the gains of the proportional integral control loop are constant, while the gains of the proportional control loop are online tuned by a novel self-organizing fuzzy algorithm. This algorithm generates a performance index of the overall controller based on the past and the current tracking error. Such a performance index is then used to modify some parameters of fuzzy membership functions, which are part of a fuzzy inference engine. This fuzzy engine receives, in turn, the tracking error as input and produces an increment (positive or negative) to the current gain. The stability analysis of the closed-loop system of the proposed controller applied to the model of a parallel manipulator is carried on, which results in the uniform ultimate boundedness of the solutions of the closed-loop system. Moreover, the stability analysis developed for proportional–proportional integral variable gains schemes is valid not only when using a self-organizing fuzzy algorithm for gain-tuning but also with other gain-tuning algorithms, only providing that the produced gains meet the criterion for boundedness of the solutions. Furthermore, the superior performance of the proposed controller is validated by numerical simulations of its application to the model of a planar three-degree-of-freedom parallel robot. The results of numerical simulations of a proportional integral derivative controller and a fuzzy-tuned proportional derivative controller applied to the model of the robot are also obtained for comparison purposes.
Glucose Management Technologies for the Critically Ill
Authors: Salinas Pedro D. , Mendez Carlos E.
Published: January 2019

Hyperglycemia is common in the intensive care unit (ICU) both in patients with and without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. The optimal glucose range in the ICU population is still a matter of debate. Given the risk of hypoglycemia associated with intensive insulin therapy, current recommendations include treating hyperglycemia after two consecutive glucose >180 mg/dL with target levels of 140-180 mg/dL for most patients. The optimal method of sampling glucose and delivery of insulin in critically ill patients remains elusive. While point of care glucose meters are not consistently accurate and have to be used with caution, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is not standard of care, nor is it generally recommended for inpatient use. Intravenous insulin therapy using paper or electronic protocols remains the preferred approach for critically ill patients. The advent of new technologies, such as electronic glucose management, CGM, and closed-loop systems, promises to improve inpatient glycemic control in the critically ill with lower rates of hypoglycemia.
The Implications of Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivities for Franchising Firms: Theory and Evidence From the Restaurant Industry
Authors: Dogru Tarik , Upneja Arun
Published: January 2019

Expansion through franchising could help restaurant firms solve financial constraints, but it could also make overinvestment easier for misaligned CEOs. Whereas the former topic has been extensively examined, the latter has received scant attention from researchers. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether franchising alleviates financial constraints or leads to overinvestment problems in restaurant firms. For this purpose, we analyzed and compared investment–cash flow sensitivities between constrained and unconstrained; franchising and nonfranchising; constrained, franchising and unconstrained, franchising; and constrained, nonfranchising and unconstrained, nonfranchising restaurant firms. The results show that unlike other industries, unconstrained restaurant firms depend more on cash flows for investment than constrained restaurant firms do. Although investment–cash flow sensitivity in nonfranchising restaurant firms was similar to that of firms in other industries, unconstrained restaurant firms that expand through franchising rely more on cash flows. These findings suggest that restaurant firms’ expansion through franchising is likely to increase overinvestment problems. Franchising could serve as a long-term method of financing for financially constrained firms as well as a short-term financing tool. However, unconstrained, franchising firms should distribute their excess cash flows to shareholders. Theoretical implications are discussed within the realms of the franchising, pecking order, and free cash flow theories.
Proximal, Distal, and Contralateral Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on the Lower Extremities: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bowman Eric N. , Elshaar Rami , Milligan Heather , Jue Gregory , Mohr Karen , Brown Patty , Watanabe Drew M. , Limpisvasti Orr
Published: January 2019

Background:

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training involves low-weight exercises performed under vascular occlusion via an inflatable cuff. For patients who cannot tolerate high-load exercises, BFR training reportedly provides the benefits of high-load regimens, with the advantage of less tissue and joint stress.

Hypothesis:

Low-load BFR training is safe and efficacious for strengthening muscle groups proximal, distal, and contralateral to tourniquet placement in the lower extremities.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 1.

Methods:

This was a randomized controlled trial of healthy participants completing a standardized 6-week course of BFR training. Patients were randomized to BFR training on 1 extremity or to a control group. Patients were excluded for cardiac, pulmonary, or hematologic disease; pregnancy; or previous surgery in the extremity. Data collected at baseline and completion included limb circumferences and strength testing.

Results:

The protocol was completed by 26 patients, providing 16 BFR and 10 control patients (mean patient age, 27 years; 62% female). A statistically greater increase in strength was seen proximal and distal to the BFR tourniquet when compared with both the nontourniquet extremity and the control group ( P < 0.05). Approximately twice the improvement was seen in the BFR group compared with controls. Isokinetic testing showed greater increases in knee extension peak torque (3% vs 11%), total work (6% vs 15%), and average power (4% vs 12%) for the BFR group ( P < 0.04). Limb circumference significantly increased in both the thigh (0.8% vs 3.5%) and the leg (0.4% vs 2.8%) compared with the control group ( P < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase occurred in thigh girth (0.8% vs 2.3%) and knee extension strength (3% vs 8%) in the nontourniquet BFR extremity compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no reported adverse events.

Conclusion:

Low-load BFR training led to a greater increase in muscle strength and limb circumference. BFR training had similar strengthening effects on both proximal and distal muscle groups. Gains in the contralateral extremity may corroborate a systemic or crossover effect.

Clinical Relevance:

BFR training strengthens muscle groups proximal, distal, and contralateral to cuff placement. Patients undergoing therapy for various orthopaedic conditions may benefit from low-load BFR training with the advantage of less tissue stress.
Successful treatment of mixed depth flame burns using enzymatic debridement with Nexobrid™ in a patient with aggressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Authors: Wickham Neil , Alexander K. Skaria , Fletcher Anthony , O’Boyle Ciaran
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Enzymatic debridement for mixed depth and full thickness burns is gaining recognition as an important technique available to the burns surgeon. Reductions in blood loss, the need for autologous skin grafting and the number of wounds requiring surgical excision are among the benefits of this evolving treatment modality. We present a case of successful treatment using enzymatic debridement of mixed depth flame burns in a young patient with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

Methods:

A 24-year-old man with rapidly progressive limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis suffered approximately 6% mixed depth flame burns to the right leg including areas of likely deep partial thickness burn totalling approximately 2% total body surface area (TBSA). Enzymatic debridement using Nexobrid™ was performed under spinal anaesthesia in accordance with unit protocol. Pain was well controlled and at 4 h the Nexobrid™ was removed and replaced with saline-soaked gauze initially then simple dressings. After liaison with Rheumatology, he was also started on iloprost infusions over five days. He was discharged home on day 9 and completely healed by day 31. Scarring was minimal, the skin was soft and full, and pain-free range of movement of the right knee was maintained.

Discussion and Conclusion:

This case demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of enzymatic debridement of mixed depth burns in a patient with very compromised wound healing. Enzymatic debridement combined with iloprost infusion provided maximum preservation of viable dermis. The authors recommend that this treatment strategy is considered in similar cases.
Data-Driven School Counseling: The Role of the Research–Practice Partnership
Authors: Savitz-Romer Mandy S. , Nicola Tara P. , Jensen Amelia , Hill Nancy E. , Liang Belle , Perella John
Published: January 2019

Research–practice partnerships (RPPs) are ripe contexts for school counselors to employ data-driven practices to improve student outcomes. We leveraged an RPP between two universities and a high school to assist the latter’s school counseling department in examining students’ satisfaction with their counselor interactions. The RPP created the capacity for the counselors to gather and use data to implement targeted interventions for improving students’ awareness and perceptions of their school counselors.
Effect of Gender, Age, Grade Level, Subjects, and Family Income on the Locus of Control of Secondary School Students
Authors: Siddiquah Aishah
Published: January 2019

The purpose of the present study was to identify the effect of different variables on the locus of control of secondary school students. About 520 students participated in the study. Brown Locus of Control Scale (BLOCS) was used to assess the internal, external social, and external other loci of control of students. The t-test and ANOVA were applied to find out the difference in locus of control of students of different gender, age, grade level, subjects, and family income. Results revealed that external social and external other loci of control of female students were significantly higher than the male students. External other locus of control of younger age group (12-to-14-year) and lower grade level (9th) students was significantly higher than the students of older age groups (16-to-17 and 18-to-19-year-old) and higher grade level (10th) students. Internality and other externality of arts group students were significantly higher than the science group students. Family income was found to have significant effect on external social locus of control. However, the effect was not decisive as social externality of students of only one low-income group was significantly higher than the students of a high family income group.
Private Heterotopia and the Public Space: An Incongruity Explored Through Orhan Pamuk’s My Name Is Red
Authors: Sajjad Noor-ul-Ain , Perveen Ayesha
Published: January 2019

The article studies art, as presented in Orhan Pamuk’s My Name Is Red, as a heterotopia based on Michel Foucault’s six principles. After outlining the six principles of heterotopia as enunciated by Foucault, the study excavates heterotopia of crisis and deviation from the novel. Art as a medium of representation has cathartic potential creating heterotopia in societies dominated by public discourses against art. It provides the artist with a medium for personal and private expression, thus creating a desanctified space. The notion that art that is made public restricts such liberty for the artist is proposed and justified. In My Name Is Red, characters such as Elegant Effendi and Olive can be seen tormented by the conflict between the social and the heterotopic. True expression of their art makes both of them lose their place, albeit in different ways. This implies that if a heterotopia of deviation has to be made public, in most cases, the honesty of expression is tampered with by the artist, even if unconsciously, because of societal pressures. Heterotopia of deviation is not compatible with the public gaze and making it public will create a heterotopia of crisis for the honest artists. This is why the artist hides his real creative inspiration. If art could be accepted as a desanctified medium without any moral or hegemonic judgment, it might attain its desired impact which politicization of the medium restricts in many judgmental societies. Pamuk pens this dilemma down by taking his readers back to the 16th-century Istanbul while drawing a parallel to the present era.
Academic Expectations Questionnaire: A Proposal for a Short Version
Authors: Casanova Joana R. , Almeida Leandro S. , Peixoto Francisco , Ribeiro Rui-Bártolo , Marôco João
Published: January 2019

Academic expectations play a significant role in the quality of student adaptation and academic success. Previous research suggests that expectations are a multidimensional construct, making it crucial to test the measures used for this important characteristic. Because assessment of student adaptation to higher education comprises a multitude of personal and contextual variables, including expectations, shortened versions of assessment instruments are critical. In this article, confirmatory factor analysis was used to obtain a short version of the Academic Perceptions Questionnaire–Expectations (APQ-E). Participants were 3,017 first-year Portuguese college students. The results support the use of a shorter version of 24 items, distributed over six dimensions, with good reliability and validity.
Assessment of Quality of Multimodal Transportation for Containerized Exports
Authors: Dua Aman , Sinha Deepankar
Published: January 2019

The twin paradigm of e-commerce and just-in-time has impelled the global markets for door-to-door service. Shippers do not particularly seek special modes of transport but rather demand performance of transport such as door-to-door service from the multimodal transport service (MTS) operators. Door-to-door service has also led to shift in common terms of trade such as free on board (FOB) and cost insurance freight (CIF) to delivery at place (DAP) or delivery duty paid (DDP) International Commercial Terms (incoterms). In such a case, the sellers are required to plan end-to-end rather than concentrate on port-to-port leg of the delivery process. Multimodal transportation (MMT) includes multiple modes of transport, multiple nodes (terminals) and numerous stakeholders. So far, researchers have focused on the attributes of MTS providers that affect expectations of customers. The present study looks into factors affecting performance of MTS. The approach cuts across the spectrum of qualitative to quantitative assessment. The authors, here, propose opinion mining to decipher the sentiments of clients of logistics service providers followed by open discussion (in a semi-structured format) to collate the soft and hard aspects of MMT chain. The findings of these exercises are used to frame a structured questionnaire for quantitative analysis. Four dimensions affecting quality of MMT have been identified, and one of them is found to be significant only under certain conditions. This article suggests implementation of an integrated digital ecosystem to enhance the quality of MMT in emerging markets like India.
Long-term hip function in slipped capital femoral epiphysis treated with in situ pinning
Authors: Bond Elizabeth C , Phillips Paul , Larsen Peter D , Hunt Lynette , Willoughby Richard
Published: January 2019

Background:

In recent years, there has been a trend toward more aggressive management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) with acute anatomical realignment; however, the literature is unclear with regard to the indications for this.

Questions/purposes:

To collect long-term patient-reported outcome scores on a group of SCFE patients using modern hip scores. The second aim was to determine whether there is a threshold level of deformity beyond which patients have predictably poor outcomes following in situ pinning.

Patients and methods:

Patients presenting with SCFE between 2000 and 2009 completed a survey consisting of three modern hip scores and were classified into poor, intermediate, and good outcome groups. The posterior slope angle (PSA) was used to measure slip deformity. We examined the relationship between patient characteristics and functional outcomes. The relationship between PSA score and overall outcome was examined using receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis.

Results:

The total study population was 63; 14% patients had poor, 29% had intermediate, and 57% had good functional outcomes. The mean Non-Arthritic Hip Scores (NAHSs) for those with poor outcomes was 51, 76 in the intermediate group, and 95 in the good group ( p <0.001). PSA was significantly lower in those with good functional outcomes. ROC analysis demonstrated that a higher PSA was moderately predictive of a poor clinical outcome (area under the curve of 0.668). In both the poor and intermediate outcome groups, 50% of patients had a PSA of 40° or greater, whereas only 31% of those with good clinical outcomes had PSA of 40° or greater.

Conclusions:

A significant proportion of post-SCFE patients have ongoing suboptimal hip function after pinning in situ. Those with a PSA more than 40° have a higher chance of a poor outcome.
“It’s Hard to Be Around Here”: Criminalization of Daily Routines for Youth in Baltimore
Authors: Boyd Melody L. , Clampet-Lundquist Susan
Published: January 2019

The authors examine how youth in Baltimore experience criminalization in their everyday routines in two key social settings, schools and neighborhoods, and how this can affect their transition to adulthood. Respondents are African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 who have spent some of their childhood in Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods. The authors conducted qualitative, semistructured, in-depth interviews with 150 respondents. Many of the daily routines of low-income young African Americans are shaped by a punitive culture of formal social control that often results in exposure to microaggressions, which can act as a chronic stressor and negatively affect the transition to adulthood. This analysis adds to our understanding of how daily routines influence the activities, perceptions, and transitions to adulthood of youth who have grown up in poor neighborhoods.
Phonological awareness emergence in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Dynia Jaclyn M , Bean Allison , Justice Laura M , Kaderavek Joan N
Published: January 2019

Background and aims

Phonological awareness begins to develop during the preschool years and is a primary factor underlying later reading abilities. Previous research has found mixed results on the phonological awareness skills of children with autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to add to our understanding of phonological awareness in children with autism spectrum disorder by investigating residualized gains in phonological awareness skills over an academic year.

Methods

A total of 125 preschool (4- to 5-years old) children including 27 children with autism spectrum disorder, 28 children with language impairment, and 70 typically developing children were the focus of the present study. Participants in the current study represent a subset of participants from a larger study titled, Sit Together and Read. Children completed direct assessments in the beginning (fall) and end of school year (spring) on phonological awareness using the Test of Preschool Early Literacy.

Results

A one-way ANOVA compared the phonological awareness skills tasks (syllable/onset-rime, blending/elision, receptive/expressive) in the fall and the spring for each of the three groups (children with autism spectrum disorder, children with language impairment, children who are typically developing). In the fall and the spring, all of the analyses were found to be statistically significant. A Tukey HSD further indicated that children with autism spectrum disorder had significantly lower scores on all of the tasks at both time points compared to the typically developing peers. Children with autism spectrum disorder seem to make gains in phonological awareness tasks similarly to their typically developing peers for most of the phonological awareness tasks. Results from the final regression models indicated that children with autism spectrum disorder made gains similar to those of their typically developing peers for most phonological awareness tasks and that language skills predicted residualized gain for syllable, elision, and receptive tasks, as well as the total score when controlling for condition, IQ, and group status. Social skills were not a significant predictor for any of the tasks.

Conclusions

Three main findings emerged: (a) phonological awareness skills seem to be a deficit for children with autism spectrum disorder, (b) in general, autism status does not predict residualized gain in phonological awareness skills, and (c) oral language is a significant predictor of residualized gain in phonological awareness skills.

Implication

Early childhood educators should focus on providing high-quality instruction on phonological awareness for children with autism spectrum disorder and researchers should focus on investigating the effectiveness of phonological awareness interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Sonographic Detection of an Oncocytic Neoplasm of the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Wunn Breannin L. , Stormo Janell
Published: January 2019

Oncocytic neoplasms of the head and neck arise from a dysfunction of the mitochondria. These cells are often called Hürthle cells and recognized as one of the rarest forms of thyroid cancer. Diagnostic imaging is usually performed by sonography with a fine-needle aspiration following the sonogram. A case is presented of an oncocytic neoplasm that was initially identified sonographically. The mass was then characterized using the thyroid imaging reporting and data system, followed by a fine-needle aspiration and gene expression classifier to obtain additional information about the diagnosis. The use of sonography followed by biopsy helped to determine the proper treatment of the neoplasm in the thyroid gland.
Juvenile Fibroadenoma at Menarche: A Case Series
Authors: Popli Vineet , Popli Manju Bala
Published: January 2019

Juvenile fibroadenomas of the breast are benign neoplasms. They present during the development phase of the breast. They are poorly understood because of their rarity and unpredictable behavior. In this article, a series of three different sonographic breast cases are provided of adolescent girls, who were brought for medical evaluation of a large breast lump, which had presented just after menarche. The results of evaluating these cases revealed that sonography of the breast was helpful in characterizing and delineating the extent of the lump. In conclusion, giant fibroadenomas of the breast, at menarche, are also known as juvenile fibroadenomas. They are a dilemma for the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist alike. The use of ultrasound can assist with characterizing these lesions, as an incorrect diagnosis could lead to a disfiguring surgery, for a young girl.
A genome-wide association study identifies new loci for factor VII and implicates factor VII in ischemic stroke etiology
Authors: de Vries Paul S. , Sabater-Lleal Maria , Huffman Jennifer E. , Marten Jonathan , Song Ci , Pankratz Nathan , Bartz Traci M. , de Haan Hugoline G. , Delgado Graciela E. , Eicher John D. , Martinez-Perez Angel , Ward-Caviness Cavin K. , Brody Jennifer A. , Chen Ming-Huei , de Maat Moniek P. M. , Frånberg Mattias , Gill Dipender , Kleber Marcus E. , Rivadeneira Fernando , Soria José Manuel , Tang Weihong , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Uitterlinden André G. , van Hylckama Vlieg Astrid , Seshadri Sudha , Boerwinkle Eric , Davies Neil M. , Giese Anne-Katrin , Ikram M. Kamran , Kittner Steven J. , McKnight Barbara , Psaty Bruce M. , Reiner Alex P. , Sargurupremraj Muralidharan , Taylor Kent D. ,   INVENT Consortium,   MEGASTROKE Consortium of the International Stroke Genetics Consortium, Fornage Myriam , Hamsten Anders , März Winfried , Rosendaal Frits R. , Souto Juan Carlos , Dehghan Abbas , Johnson Andrew D. , Morrison Alanna C. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Smith Nicholas L.
Published: January 2019

Factor VII (FVII) is an important component of the coagulation cascade. Few genetic loci regulating FVII activity and/or levels have been discovered to date. We conducted a meta-analysis of 9 genome-wide association studies of plasma FVII levels (7 FVII activity and 2 FVII antigen) among 27 495 participants of European and African ancestry. Each study performed ancestry-specific association analyses. Inverse variance weighted meta-analysis was performed within each ancestry group and then combined for a trans-ancestry meta-analysis. Our primary analysis included the 7 studies that measured FVII activity, and a secondary analysis included all 9 studies. We provided functional genomic validation for newly identified significant loci by silencing candidate genes in a human liver cell line (HuH7) using small-interfering RNA and then measuring F7 messenger RNA and FVII protein expression. Lastly, we used meta-analysis results to perform Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the causal effect of FVII activity on coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke (IS), and venous thromboembolism. We identified 2 novel (REEP3 and JAZF1-AS1) and 6 known loci associated with FVII activity, explaining 19.0% of the phenotypic variance. Adding FVII antigen data to the meta-analysis did not result in the discovery of further loci. Silencing REEP3 in HuH7 cells upregulated FVII, whereas silencing JAZF1 downregulated FVII. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest that FVII activity has a positive causal effect on the risk of IS. Variants at REEP3 and JAZF1 contribute to FVII activity by regulating F7 expression levels. FVII activity appears to contribute to the etiology of IS in the general population.
Risk stratification models in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: The Nova Scotia distribution
Authors: Forner David , Rigby Matthew H. , Wilke Derek , Taylor S. Mark , Lamond Nathan
Published: January 2019

Objective

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is increasing with a growing proportion of diagnoses associated with human papillomavirus (p16 + OSCC), which generally confers a favorable prognosis. For these reasons, novel risk stratification models specific to the p16 + OSCC population have recently been proposed to guide future research on treatment de-intensification for appropriate patients. This study aimed to quantify patient risk distribution using multiple published risk models and investigate the hypothesis that the local p16 + OSCC population includes a smaller proportion of low-risk patients due to a high prevalence of concurrent tobacco exposure.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients diagnosed with p16 + OSCC in Nova Scotia between 2011 and 2015. Patient identification was obtained through the CCNS registry and an institutional database. Exclusion criteria included HPV negative status, second primary cases, incomplete data availability, and local recurrence cases.

Results

Following exclusion, 117 patients met study criteria. The majority had small primary tumors (70.9% ≤ T2) and advanced nodal status on presentation (60.7% ≥ N2b). Most patients had a positive smoking history (62.4%), with 53.0% of patients having a pack-year history greater than 10 pack-years. In four of the five risk stratification models, the majority of the study population fell into the lowest risk category. The risk stratification distribution of our local population was similar to the populations used to validate the published models, with the largest single category difference being 13.3% (range − 12.3 to + 13.3%).

Conclusions

This is the first study to compare multiple currently published risk stratification models to a local population and address the uncertainty of risk stratification in the Nova Scotian p16 + OSCC population. Despite a high prevalence of concurrent tobacco exposure, the study population was found to be overall low risk, with similar risk compared to model validation populations.
Mental health services in the Philippines
Authors: Lally John , Tully John , Samaniego Rene
Published: January 2019

National information on mental health services in the Philippines indicates that there are substantial gaps and inconsistencies in the delivery of mental healthcare. The recently enacted Mental Health Act legislation provides a platform for the delivery of comprehensive and integrated mental health services. However, there remain many challenges in the provision of accessible and affordable mental healthcare.
Peri-arterial specification of vascular mural cells from naïve mesenchyme requires Notch signaling
Authors: Ando Koji , Wang Weili , Peng Di , Chiba Ayano , Lagendijk Anne , Barske Lindsey , Crump J. Gage , Stainier Didier Y. R. , Lendahl Urban , Koltowska Kaska , Hogan Benjamin M , Fukuhara Shigetomo , Mochizuki Naoki , Betsholtz Christer
Published: January 2019

Mural cells (MCs) are essential for blood vessel stability and function; however, the mechanisms regulating MC development remain incompletely understood, particularly those involved in MC specification. Here, we investigated the first steps of MC formation in zebrafish utilizing transgenic reporters. Using pdgfrb and abcc9 reporters, we show that the onset of expression of abcc9, a pericyte marker in adult mice and zebrafish, occurs almost coincidentally with an increment in pdgfrb expression in peri-arterial mesenchymal cells, suggesting that these transcriptional changes mark the specification of MC lineage cells from naïve pdgfrblow mesenchymal cells. The emergence of peri-arterial pdgfrbhigh MCs required Notch signaling. We found that pdgfrb-positive cells express notch2 in addition to notch3, and while depletion of notch2 or notch3 failed to block MC emergence, embryos depleted of both notch2 and notch3 lost mesoderm- as well as neural crest-derived pdgfrbhigh MCs. Using reporters that read out Notch signaling and Notch2 receptor cleavage, we show that Notch activation in the mesenchyme precedes specification into pdgfrbhigh MCs. Taken together, these results show that Notch signaling is necessary for peri-arterial MC specification.
Myc is dispensable for cardiomyocyte development but rescues Mycn-deficient hearts through functional replacement and cell competition
Authors: Muñoz-Martín Noelia , Sierra Rocío , Schimmang Thomas , Villa del Campo Cristina , Torres Miguel
Published: January 2019

Myc is considered an essential transcription factor for heart development, but cardiac defects have only been studied in global Myc loss-of-function models. Here, we eliminated Myc by recombining a Myc floxed allele with the Nkx2.5Cre driver. We observed no anatomical, cellular or functional alterations in either fetuses or adult cardiac Myc-deficient mice. We re-examined Myc expression during development and found no expression in developing cardiomyocytes. In contrast, we confirmed that Mycn is essential for cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiogenesis. Mosaic Myc overexpression in a Mycn-deficient background shows that Myc can replace Mycn function, recovering heart development. We further show that this recovery involves the elimination of Mycn-deficient cells by cell competition. Our results indicate that Myc is dispensable in cardiomyocytes both during cardiogenesis and for adult heart homeostasis, and that Mycn is exclusively responsible for cardiomyocyte proliferation during heart development. Nonetheless, our results show that Myc can functionally replace Mycn. We also show that cardiomyocytes compete according to their combined Myc and Mycn levels and that cell competition eliminates flawed cardiomyocytes, suggesting its relevance as a quality control mechanism in cardiac development.
The Human Cell Atlas: making ‘cell space’ for disease
Authors: Ponting Chris P.
Published: January 2019

A single change in DNA, RNA, proteins or cellular images can be useful as a biomarker of disease onset or progression. With high-throughput molecular phenotyping of single cells, it is now conceivable that the molecular changes occurring across thousands, or tens of thousands, of individual cells could additionally be considered as a disease biomarker. Transition to a disease state would then be reflected by the shifts in cell numbers and locations across a multidimensional space that is defined by the molecular content of cells. Realising this ambition requires a robust formulation of such a multidimensional ‘cell space’. This is one of the goals of the recently launched Human Cell Atlas project. A second goal is to populate this ‘cell space’ with all cell types in the human body. Here, I consider the potential of the Human Cell Atlas project for improving our description and understanding of the cell-type specificity of disease.
Cultural marking of allusions in the framework of D. Fowles ' artistic discourse
Authors: Гарифуллина Альбина , Garifullina Al'bina
Published: January 2019

The interests of modern linguistics are turned today to the study of how the language functions in the real speech activity of an individual or a collective, a group United socially or territorially.
As a native English speaker, D. Fowles in his works reflects and explicates a specific vision of the world inherent in the English linguistic and cultural community. One of the means of transferring the features of the worldview of his people D. Fowles is an allusion. The peculiarity of D. Fowles's discourse is characterized by the frequent use of this stylistic device, the specificity of which consists in referring to a particular event or object that is important for this linguistic and cultural community. Projecting the mention of a fact on the fabric of the text, allusion contributes to the fact that cultural information becomes an integral part of it.
The monograph is devoted to the linguistic and cultural analysis of allusions aimed at the description of the projection and fragment of the cultural space of the English linguistic and cultural community. This publication contains the theoretical foundations of the linguistic and cultural approach to the study of linguistic units (in particular allusions), as well as their consistent analysis for the transmission of cultural and value information. Cultural and value information is recorded in the discourse with the help of culturological components (according to S. V. Ivanova), so that the discourse becomes culturologically marked.
In the study of allusions, different types of allusions are distinguished from the point of view of their relevance to the text information: dominant and local. In turn, the latter of these have their gradation.
For the analysis of D. Fowles's discourse, the concept of cultural marking, developed by S. V. Ivanova, the concept of cultural spheres, the linguistic-cultural code, which is a verbalized translator of various cultural codes, the classification of culture codes, developed by D. B. Gudkov and M. L. Kovshova, and V. V. Krasnykh was taken as a basis.
The publication is intended for a wide range of specialists in the field of cultural studies, linguoculturology, intercultural communication, stylistics, literary studies, text interpretation.
Flat farms. Schemes and calculation formulas
Authors: Кирсанов Михаил , Kirsanov Mikhail
Published: January 2019

The exact formulas for calculating the forces in the rods and deflection of flat regular statically defined trusses with an arbitrary number of panels are given.
The problems of beams, arches, frames of various configurations are solved.
For farms with a movable support, the dependence of the displacement of the support on the number of panels is determined. For each type of farm 3 variants of loads are considered.
Algorithms for obtaining analytical solutions in the Maple computer mathematics system are described.
The cases of kinematic variability of some truss schemes are considered. Schemes of distribution of possible speeds of knots in these cases are given.
The book is intended for engineers, researchers, students and postgraduates of technical universities.
Exact Algorithms for the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows and Combinatorial Auction
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Luo Zhixing , Qin Hu , Lim Andrew
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we address an interesting variant of the vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW) faced by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The CNPC owns a limited number of tanker trucks for delivering the petroleum to oil stations within specific time windows in the regular seasons. However, during the peak seasons, some requests need to be outsourced to external third-party logistics companies. These companies provide several bids, each of which includes the oil stations to be served and the corresponding charges. The CNPC needs to select some bids and design routes for the self-owned trucks, so that all requests are satisfied and the total cost is minimized. To study this problem, we formulate it into an arc-flow model and a set-partitioning model, and propose six families of valid inequalities to strengthen the set-partitioning model. Based on the set-partitioning model, we propose a branch-and-price-and-cut algorithm and a branch-and-bound algorithm to solve the problem exactly. The proposed algorithms are tested on instances generated according to the well-known Solomon’s benchmark instances for the VRPTW and read-world data of the CNPC. The computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0835 .
Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search with a Constant-Time Feasibility Test for the Dial-a-Ride Problem
Authors: Gschwind Timo , Drexl Michael
Published: January 2019

In the dial-a-ride problem, user-specified transport requests from origin to destination points have to be served by a fleet of homogeneous vehicles. The problem variant we consider aims at finding a set of minimum-cost routes satisfying constraints on vehicle capacity, time windows, maximum route duration, and maximum user ride times. We propose an adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS) for its solution. The key novelty of the approach is an exact amortized constant-time algorithm for evaluating the feasibility of request insertions in the repair steps of the ALNS. In addition, we use two optional improvement techniques: a local-search-based intraroute improvement of routes of promising solutions using the Balas–Simonetti neighborhood and the solution of a set covering model over a subset of all routes generated during the search. With these techniques, the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of solution quality. New best solutions are found for several benchmark instances.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0837 .
Malawi and HPV: Sustainable approaches to treatment
Authors: Winter George F , Cubie Heather A
Published: January 2019

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common viral infection, with more than 100 different variations. It can have serious consequeneces, however, including cervical cancer, which is caused by two variations of the disease in particular (Types 16 and 18). Malawi has the second-highest rate of cervical cancer in the world.

In 2013, the Scottish Government provided funding to researchers aiming to reduce the burden of the disease in Malawi as part of a sustainable partnership between the two countries. Professor Heather A Cubie led research into a same-day ‘screen and treat’ programme to assess its suitability for use in low-resource countries such as Malawi, and discusses her research.
Nutraceuticals – when and why?
Authors: Wilmink Sanne
Published: January 2019

Sanne Wilmink looks at the options and discusses the benefits
Equine first aid: guidelines for the horse owner
Authors: Chapman Stella
Published: January 2019

Stella Chapman BVsc(Hons) MSc MRCVS outlines what the horse owner should know
A very British winter
Authors: Allchurch Sam
Published: January 2019

Sam Allchurch Norfolk Farms Manager at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, highlights some winter care necessities for horses at grass
The importance of keeping good medical records
Authors: Taylor Kate
Published: January 2019

Keeping good clinical records is an important duty for the whole practice team. Kate Taylor, Clinical Risk and Education Manager, at MPS examines why
Surgical Intervention in Upper Lid Haemangioma To Prevent Amblyopia: Two Cases Report
Authors: Sudjatmiko Gentur , Marita Adinda
Published: January 2019

Non-operative treatment for Hemangioma involving deeper skin structures extending into the mucosa is usually unsuccessful, since usually no involution will develop. Early surgical planning is important to prevent amblyopia and for the child’s self confidence of their cosmetic appearance later in life.  We present two cases of superior palpebra hemangioma who underwent early surgical treatment. The first case involves a large hemangioma of the left superior palpebra with severe vision restriction; although later examination was proven that the visual function was still preserved. The second case involves a smaller perioccular lesion. Surgery was performed on both cases. In the larger hemangioma, only partial of tumor was removed by incision at the lid crease and intra-lesion injection of corticosteroids was administered to the remaining tumor.Advantages of surgical procedure in early rapidly growing stage and in very large hemangioma of upper eyelid; firstly, provides a definitive early treatment; secondly, safe because bleeding was manageable, and third prevent occlusion-related amblyopia. Besides these bene!ts surgery promises added esthetic outcome.
Lesson From Other Discipline’s Decision in Managing Giant Haemangioma Of The Hemithorax : Case Report
Authors: Djaprie Shelly M , Sudjatmiko Gentur
Published: January 2019

The management of the giant and moderate size infantile haemangiomas are challenging problems, especially in health systems with limited resources in developing countries. The aim of presenting this case is to take a lesson from another discipline’s decision in managing haemangioma. The author provide information based on clinical examination and surgical records of the patient with giant hemangioma which was consulted to plastic surgery team. A four month year old boy was consulted by pediatric surgery team with a giant size haemangioma on the right hemithorax.The treatment option for each haemangioma are different based on the case itself. Especially for this case, it seems better to be treated conservatively due to several reason, such as the phase of hemangioma, the location of the mass, the size, the donor morbidity.  Early surgical excision of a moderate size infantile haemangioma may be justified especially when there is dificulty of follow-up. This approach will prevent growth deformation, impact on nearby vital organs and psychological problems.
Treatment of Buccal Lymph-hemangioma by Suction and Intralesional Steroid Injection
Authors: Wardhana Aditya , Sudjatmiko Gentur , Tiza Melina
Published: January 2019

Lymphangioma is a tumor-like lesion of lymphatics that most often located in the head and neck area, usually causing marked cosmetic and functional problems. Challenge continues to find a safe and effective modality of treatment for anatomical and functional purposes. Until now, no satisfactory methods in lymphangioma elimination. A 12 years old boy with lymphangioma of the left buccal was referred to the division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital. Suction and intralesional steroid injection was decided as a treatment in this patient. Pressure garment customized the size was made and applied to maintain and prevent healing in sagging position.Long term result should be evaluated, in this patient since the repair just only for 5 months. At follow up, 5 months post operatively after Suction and intralesional steroid injection, the buccal had improved significantly with normal anatomical and functional result.  In our experience, the correction of the buccal lymph-hemangioma with suction and intralesional steroid injection was achieved a satisfactory result.
Medial Plantar Flap for Reconstruction of Heel Defect
Authors: Raymond Benny , Sudjatmiko Gentur
Published: January 2019

Heel is subjected to exceed weight bearing and shearing forces. Full-thickness defects to the plantar surface of the foot present a challenge. Variety of procedures have been described for resurfacing this site, but not all achieve normal foot function. Reporting two cases, defects of the plantar surface of the heel resurfaced with medial plantar flap, an island fasciocutaneus flap and innervated, thus provide a good replacement.One patient show good result within 4 weeks, with minimal raw surface on secondary defect. While other patient didn’t show up after 2 weeks. Medial plantar flap was successfully used for heel defect reconstruction. Donor site morbidity was minimal, and patient could walk post-operatively without special devices for the heel.
Revisited Anterolateral Thigh Free Flaps For Reconstructive Microsurgery : One Year Evaluation
Authors: Atmodiwirjo Parintosa , Handayani Siti , Djaprie Shelly Madona
Published: January 2019

Extensive soft tissue defects present a dif!cult problem to the plastic surgeon as they are usually associated with exposed important structures such as vessels, nerves, tendons, joint cavity or bone. Reconstruction of soft tissue defects have a wide range of therapeutic options. We reconstructed soft tissue defect in many areas using free anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). From Februari 2009 - 2010, 9 cases of soft tissue defects in the face, neck, leg and foot of various etiologic factors were admitted to the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit, Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital. Trauma is the commonest cause of soft tissue defects of the lower extremity, followed by tumours. The cruris was the commonest site (4 cases, 44,4%). Flap success rate was 66,67 %. Failure was reported 1 cases in this study due to vein compromise. In our hospital, we are quite familiar with Anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) even though the case is limited. Anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) is used for reconstruction of various simple and complex soft tissue defects, for big and small defects with cavity (orbita).