bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘In this house we believe in fairness and kindness’: Post-liberation politics in Australia's same-sex marriage postal survey
Authors: Thomas Archie , McCann Hannah , Fela Geraldine
Published: March 2019

In December 2017, Australia legalized same-sex marriage (SSM), following a 13-year ban and a drawn-out postal survey on marriage equality that saw campaigners mobilize for a ‘Yes’ vote on a non-binding poll. Through a discourse analysis of the Yes and No campaigns’ television and online video advertisements, we demonstrate how the Yes campaign was symptomatic of what we call a ‘post-liberation’ approach that saw SSM as the last major hurdle for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) politics. While the No campaign linked SSM to gender fluidity, transgender identity, and sex education programmes, in contrast the Yes campaign limited itself to narratives around love and marriage. In not attending to the link between sex, gender and sexuality, the Yes campaign narrowed the possibilities of the debate, preserving existing White heteronormative expectations of gender and sexuality. We contrast the debate that unfolded during the postal survey to the Australian Gay Liberation movement of the 1970s, the latter of which was able to successfully and radically challenge similarly homophobic campaigns. Rather than relying on ‘palatable’ or mainstream ideas of equality, love and fairness, Gay Liberation in Australia embraced the radical potential of LGBTIQ activism and presented a utopian, optimistic vision of a transformed future. Here we suggest that we can learn from the history of campaigns around sexuality, to understand what was ‘won’ in the SSM debate, and to better develop strategies for change in the future.
Health literacy, nutrition knowledge, and health care transition readiness in youth with chronic kidney disease or hypertension: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhong Yi , Patel Nikita , Ferris Maria , Rak Eniko
Published: March 2019

This study evaluates the associations of nutrition knowledge and health literacy with health care transition (HCT) readiness and self-management in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hypertension. Chronically ill AYAs with poor HCT or self-management skills are less likely to achieve favorable health outcomes as they enter adulthood. Health literacy and nutrition knowledge, which are identified as important contributors to health outcomes, may suggest important points of interventions to improve self-management skills. For the study, we enrolled 59 consecutive patients ages 12–29, with a diagnosis of CKD or hypertension at pediatric- and adult-focused clinics in the United States. Participants completed measures of nutrition knowledge, health literacy, and the Self-management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx = treatment (STARx) questionnaire. Correlation tests and multivariate regressions were employed for data analysis. The findings show that health literacy was positively associated with self-management skills ( p = .050), communication with providers ( p = .002) and overall HCT ( p = .001) after adjusting for key variables. Disease-specific nutrition knowledge positively predicted communication with providers ( p = .002) and overall HCT ( p < .001) after adjusting for key variables. Therefore, health literacy and nutrition knowledge predicted self-management and transition readiness. Testing for these skills should be considered in clinics and HCT preparation for AYAs with chronic conditions.
Platform dialectics: The relationships between volunteer moderators and end users on reddit
Authors: Squirrell Tim
Published: March 2019

Existing literature on the affordances of Internet platforms rarely examines the complex and recursive relationships between the actions of volunteer moderators and the behaviour of end users. Building on existing studies of Internet communities, affordances and ‘public goods’, this article uses an ethnographic approach to analyse two subreddits, r/paleo and r/nootropics, on the social news site reddit. It elaborates on work by Massanari to illustrate how the moderators of forums with an epistemic focus utilise the affordances at their disposal with the aim of mediating trust and establishing a paradigm for constructive discourse. End users respond to these attempts in unpredictable and unforeseen ways, indicating the interpretive flexibility of affordances. The concept of ‘platform dialectics’ is invoked as an overarching description of this phenomenon.
Cross-validation and robustness of daylight glare metrics
Authors: Wienold J , Iwata T , Sarey Khanie M , Erell E , Kaftan E , Rodriguez RG , Yamin Garreton JA , Tzempelikos T , Konstantzos I , Christoffersen J , Kuhn TE , Pierson C , Andersen M
Published: March 2019

This study evaluates the performance and robustness of 22 established and newly proposed glare prediction metrics. Experimental datasets of daylight-dominated workplaces in office-like test rooms were collected from studies by seven research groups in six different locations (Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Japan and the United States). The variability in experimental setups, locations and research teams allowed reliable evaluation of the performance and robustness of glare metrics for daylight-dominated workplaces. Independent statistical methods were applied to individual datasets and also to one combined dataset to evaluate the performance and robustness of the 22 glare metrics. As performance and robustness are not established in literature, we defined performance as: (1) the ability of the metric value to describe the glare scale (evaluated by Spearman rank correlation), and (2) the ability of the metric to distinguish between disturbing and non-disturbing situations (evaluated by diagnostic receiver operating characteristic curve analysis tests). Furthermore, we defined robustness as the ability of a metric to deliver meaningful results when applied to different datasets and to fail as few as possible statistical tests. Average Spearman rank correlation coefficients in the range of 0.55–0.60 as well as average prediction rates to distinguish between disturbing and non-disturbing glare of 70–75% for several of the metrics indicate their reliability. The results also show that metrics considering the saturation effect as a main input in their equation perform better and are more robust in daylight-dominated workplaces than purely contrast-based metrics or purely empirical metrics. In this study, the daylight glare probability (DGP) delivered the highest performance amongst the tested metrics and was also found to be the most robust. Future research should aim to optimise the terms of glare equations which combine contrast and saturation effects, such as DGP, PGSV or UGRexp, to achieve metrics that also perform reliably in dimmer lighting conditions than the ones explored in this study.
A Call for Evaluation of Restorative Justice Programs
Authors: Gang Daye , Loff Bebe , Naylor Bronwyn , Kirkman Maggie
Published: March 2019

Restorative justice as a response to sexual violence continues to be subject to significant criticism. To assess the evidence, we sought to appraise and synthesize evaluations of restorative justice programs for sexual and family violence offences by conducting a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature. However, our rigorous search identified only one eligible study. This dearth of evidence leaves us unable to identify how best to achieve the aims for which programs were established and poses difficulties for policy makers determining whether it is justified to introduce restorative justice programs for sexual and family violence. We recommend that evaluations of restorative justice programs that accept sexual and family violence cases be conducted as a matter of urgency.
Child Abuse in Natural Disasters and Conflicts: A Systematic Review
Authors: Seddighi Hamed , Salmani Ibrahim , Javadi Mohhamad Hossein , Seddighi Saeideh
Published: March 2019

Violence against children affects a significant portion of youth around the world. Emergencies and natural disasters escalate the risk due to weakened child protection systems and disruption of preventative mechanisms. In this systematic review, 692 related papers were searched in various databases in the initial search. After review, 11 papers were finally selected for full review. These papers were selected based on publication date, relevance to emergencies, their geographical area type of violence, age of subjects, and their gender. Most families affected by natural disasters, especially those in lower socioeconomic status, face greater social and economic pressures. The families that are more vulnerable to loss of food and shelter commit violence against children more frequently. On the other hand, while the rate of violence increases in emergencies, the reported rate of violence is less than the actual rate due to lack of required infrastructure and reporting mechanisms. The emergency housing increased risk of some types of child abuse. The history of exposure to violence, parental substance abuse, poverty, and child labor were predictors of increased violence against children in emergency situations. Sexual violence against girls after conflicts and physical violence against boys after emergencies are common forms of violence. Poverty as another predictor exposes children to more violence due to limited family economic resources and support. Given the identified predictors of violence, humanitarian organizations can come closer to providing appropriate plans to reduce the risk during and postdisaster.
Seamless interactive language interfacing between R and Stata
Authors: Haghish E. F.
Published: March 2019

In this article, I propose a new approach to language interfacing for statistical software by allowing automatic interprocess communication between R and Stata. I advocate interactive language interfacing in statistical software by automatizing data communication. I introduce the rcall package and provide examples of how the R language can be used interactively within Stata or embedded into Stata programs using the proposed approach to interfacing. Moreover, I discuss the pros and cons of object synchronization in language interfacing.
Bootstrap pointwise confidence intervals for covariate-adjusted survivor functions in the Cox model
Authors: Ruhe Constantin
Published: March 2019

Survival functions are a common visualization of predictions from the Cox model. However, neither Stata’s stcurve command nor the communitycontributed scurve tvc command allows one to estimate confidence intervals. In this article, I discuss how bootstrap confidence intervals can be formed for covariate-adjusted survival functions in the Cox model. The new bsurvci command automates this procedure and allows users to visualize the results. bsurvci enables one to estimate uncertainty around survival functions estimated from Cox models with time-varying coefficients, a capability that was not previously available in Stata. Furthermore, it provides Stata users with an additional option for survival estimates from Cox models with proportional hazards by allowing them to choose between bootstrap confidence intervals using bsurvci and asymptotic confidence intervals from an existing community-contributed command, survci. Because asymptotic confidence intervals make distributional assumptions when constructing confidence intervals, the bootstrap procedure proposed in this article provides a nonparametric alternative.
Measuring IRB Regulatory Compliance: Development, Testing, and Use of the National Cancer Institute StART Tool
Authors: Rooney Lisa , Covington Laura , Dedier Andrea , Samuel Birdena
Published: March 2019

Institutional review boards (IRBs) have been criticized for overstepping their authority by requiring research protocols to meet requirements that go beyond regulatory approval criteria. The youngest National Cancer Institute (NCI) central IRB (CIRB), the Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) CIRB, was studied with the NCI Stipulation Analysis Review Tool (StART), which categorized 1,049 stipulations in 51 determination letters covering 30 approved protocols. NCI StART reduced the potential for subjective uncertainty in assessing the wide range of content in the stipulations. The tool determined the board functioned in accordance with federal mandates, with 80% of rendered stipulations aligning with IRB approval criteria. A complementary article provides background data and findings from the first 3 years’ experience of the CPC CIRB.
Numerical analysis for the effect of tip clearance in a low specific speed mixed-flow pump
Authors: Yu Zhiyi , Zhang Wenwu , Zhu Baoshan , Li Yongjiang
Published: March 2019

To study the influence of tip clearance on performance (external characteristics, pressure fluctuation and tip loss) of a low specific speed mixed-flow pump, unsteady simulation was performed for the whole flow passage with five tip clearance sizes ( δ0 = 0 mm, δ1 = 0.10 mm, δ2 = 0.25 mm, δ3 = 0.75 mm and δ4 = 1 mm). The reliability of the numerical methodology was verified in external characteristics (efficiency, head and power) and fluctuation. The performance of the pump was obtained under different discharges and tip clearance sizes using ANSYS CFX. The results showed that the variation of tip clearance size has greater effect on the external characteristics under large discharges. Meanwhile, along the flow direction, the fluctuation coefficients near the impeller shroud increase gradually with the smaller tip clearance sizes ( δ = 0.10 and 0.25 mm), while for the larger tip clearance sizes ( δ = 0.75 and 1.00 mm), the significant increase of fluctuation near the shroud of impeller inlet is closely associated with the clear leakage vortex and the large region of low pressure. Besides, with the increase of tip clearance size, the effect of tip clearance will become more remarkable under different discharge conditions. According to this study, for the optimization design of such pumps, the size of the tip clearance is suggested to be about 0.9% times the blade height at middle of the impeller passage.
Evaluation of equipment maintenance quality: A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach
Authors: Zhang Libin , Zhang Lele , Shan Hongying
Published: March 2019

Maintenance plays a crucial role in the entire life cycle of equipment. With the acceleration of industrialization, the evaluation of equipment maintenance quality has undoubtedly become more challenging due to the complex mechanical structure, various maintenance modes, and so on. In order to make decisions scientifically, a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach integrating triangle fuzzy number, λ-fuzzy measure, TOPSIS, and Choquet fuzzy integral is proposed in this article. First, the interaction among criteria can be handled reasonably by fuzzy integral based on λ-fuzzy-measure. Second, fuzzy numbers which are given by experts are applied to deal with fuzzy linguistic value. In addition, artificial bee colony algorithm is first introduced to identify λ-fuzzy-measure. The comparison results of three optimization algorithms which include artificial bee colony algorithm, genetic algorithm, and particle swarm optimization prove artificial bee colony algorithm is more effective than genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization. A case study which contains six maintenance alternatives is practiced to prove the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach. Finally, the comparison is made between the proposed method and two classical multi-criteria decision-making approaches which refer to TOPSIS and gray correlation, and the results demonstrate the proposed method is suitable to solve maintenance quality evaluation problem.
The knowledge of Cormack–Lehane intubation grade and intensive care unit outcome
Authors: Nanjayya Vinodh B , Hebel Christopher J , Kelly Patrick J , McClure Jason , Pilcher David
Published: March 2019

Background

For patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), it is unclear if knowledge of intubation grade influences intensive care unit (ICU) outcome. We aimed to determine if there was an independent relationship between knowledge of intubation grade during ICU admission and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients receiving invasive MV at the Alfred ICU between December 2011 and February 2015. Demographics, details of admission, the severity of illness, chronic health status, airway detail (unknown or known Cormack–Lehane (CL) grade), MV duration and in-hospital mortality data were collected. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the relationship. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was the duration of MV.

Results

Amongst 3556 patients studied, 611 (17.2%) had an unknown CL grade. Unadjusted mortality was higher in patients with unknown CL grade compared to known CL grade patients (21.6% vs. 9.9%). After adjusting for age, sex, severity of illness, type of ICU admission, cardiac arrest, limitations to treatment and diagnosis, having an unknown CL grade during invasive MV was independently associated with an increase in mortality (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.14–1.98, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Amongst ICU patients receiving MV, not knowing CL grade appears to be independently associated with increased mortality. This information should be communicated and documented in all patients receiving MV in ICU.
Essential Oil of Piper oradendron from the Pacific Slope of Guatemala
Authors: Martínez-Arévalo José V. , Cruz Sully M. , Apel Miriam A. , Henriques Amélia T. , Cáceres Armando
Published: March 2019

Essential oils of leaves of the endemic species Piper oradendron Trel. & Standl. (Piperaceae) were obtained from three sites of the Guatemalan Pacific slope. The yields of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation varied from the site of collection (0.4-1.4%). The GC/MS analysis showed that sample A (Samayac) had up to 53 peaks that were identified, B (Popoyá) showed 31 peaks and C (Bulbuxyá) showed 22; major constituents were similar in the three samples, including α- and β-pinene (28.3-46.9%), germacrene D (10.7-22.7%), and iso-spathulenol (10.2-22-3%). This is the first report on the chemical composition of the essential oil of samples of P. oradendron from different provenances of Guatemala, suggesting little variability in its main components.
Alkaloids of the Cactaceae — The Classics
Authors: Cassels Bruce K.
Published: March 2019

Alkaloids of the Cactaceae have been studied for the last 120 years. The first half of that period provided the “classic” compounds, after which a large number of usually very similar analogs were isolated or determined with modern methods. Although some unusual synthetic approaches have been developed, their preparation is generally quite straightforward. Their biosynthesis has been studied but, particularly in the case of the isoquinoline compounds, important aspects have not been addressed. Due to its striking effects, the pharmacology of mescaline has been studied more intensely than that of the other phenethylamines present in cacti, followed only by hordenine. The many 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids have attracted much less interest and have often been considered practically inactive. Nevertheless, some recorded activities of this group of compounds suggests a need for additional studies, especially in connection with their co-administration with mescaline, as in dried cacti and in beverages prepared from them.
Screening of Insecticidal Activity of Podophyllotoxin Analogues against Athetis dissimilis
Authors: Che Zhiping , Tian Yuee , Yang Jinming , Liu Shengming , Jiang Jia , Hu Mei , Chen Genqiang
Published: March 2019

As our ongoing work on research of natural-product-based insecticidal agents, eighteen podophyllotoxin analogues with diverse chemical structures were evaluated for their insecticidal activities against the pre-fourth-instar larvae of Athetis dissimilis Hampson in vivo at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. Among all the reported analogues, compounds 6, 8, 12, 13, 15 and 17 showed more potent insecticidal activities than matrine, quinine and toosendanin, three commercial plant secondary metabolites. 2′,6′-Dichloropodophyllotoxin (8) and 2′,6′-dichloroepipodophyllotoxin (13) exhibited the most pronounced and promising insecticidal activity with the final corrected mortality rates of greatly 60%. This suggested that variation of chemical structures in the podophyllotoxin skeleton conspicuously has effect on the insecticidal activity profiles of podophyllotoxin analogues. Moreover, SAR revealed that the substituents and configuration were critical for their insecticidal activities. The results may be useful in guiding further design and structural modification of podophyllotoxins in the development of potential novel insecticidal agents.
Regional Differentials in Multidimensional Poverty in Nepal: Rethinking Dimensions and Method of Computation
Authors: Goli Srinivas , Maurya Nagendra Kumar , Moradhvaj  , Bhandari Prem
Published: March 2019

This article examines the extent of regional inequality in multidimensional poverty in Nepal using the nationally representative Nepal Demographic Health Survey (2011) data. The authors present a more robust method of multidimensional poverty index (MPI), particularly in terms of the procedure of estimation and aggregation of the indicators as compared with previous studies. The findings suggest that despite the relatively better economic progress and a considerable reduction in education and health poverty, there is a wide inequality across the regions. Far less has been achieved in the case of reducing the standard of living poverty, that is, wealth poverty and inequalities across the regions. The article finds that global MPI tends to inflate poverty estimates in the case of Nepal. It also suggests that development policies and poverty reduction programs in Nepal must aim to reduce multidimensional poverty, of which deprivation in education, health and basic amenities must be an integral component, along with their efforts to improve economic growth and reduce income poverty.
Novel Surgical Technique for Repair of Zygomatic Fractures: Lever Technique
Authors: Cinal Hakan , Barin Ensar Zafer , Çakmak Mehmet Akif , Kara Murat , Yilmaz Kerem , Tan Onder
Published: March 2019

Background:

Zygoma is a very crucial component for the anteroposterior positioning of the midface and for the maintenance of facial contours. Zygomatic fractures are considered as the second most common type of facial fractures following nasal fractures. We have developed a new reduction technique called “lever,” which is based on the application of lifting force as an alternative to the methods in which the pulling force is applied.

Patients:

Over a 12-year period, 90 patients were treated with minimal access approach and 130 patients were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), using the lever technique.

Results:

In the follow-up period, no complications occurred in any of the patients who underwent minimal access approach. Miniplate removal operation was performed in 3 of the patients. Enophthalmos developed in one patient. Since 4 of the 7 suboptimal reduction patients did not experience any functional or cosmetic problems, no treatment was necessary and the remaining 3 patients underwent fat graft due to the presence of malar depression.

Conclusion:

This minimally invasive surgical procedure we have developed can be successfully used both in the minimal access approach and in ORIF, especially in delayed cases. We recommend this method due to the reasons that it is safe to conduct, easy to learn, fast to apply, simple to perform, and also economical to deploy.
Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis With Autologous Blood, Platelet-Rich Plasma, or Corticosteroid Injections: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses
Authors: Houck Darby A. , Kraeutler Matthew J. , Thornton Loree B. , McCarty Eric C. , Bravman Jonathan T.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Previous meta-analyses have been conducted to compare outcomes of various treatment injections for lateral epicondylitis (LE), including corticosteroid injection (CSI) and autologous blood products such as autologous blood (AB) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Purpose:

To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing different injection treatments (CSI, AB, PRP) for LE to determine which meta-analyses provide the best available evidence.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to locate meta-analyses that compared clinical outcomes of CSI, AB, and PRP for the treatment of LE. Search terms included “injection,” “corticosteroid,” “platelet-rich plasma,” “autologous blood,” “tennis elbow,” “lateral epicondylitis,” and “meta-analysis.” Results were reviewed to determine study eligibility. Patient outcomes were extracted from these meta-analyses. Meta-analysis quality was assessed with the Oxman-Guyatt and Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) systems. The Jadad decision algorithm was then used to determine which meta-analyses provided the best level of evidence.

Results:

Nine meta-analyses (two level 1 studies, seven level 2 studies) containing 8656 patients met the eligibility criteria. Seven meta-analyses found that autologous blood products such as AB and PRP significantly improved pain and elbow function in the intermediate term (12-26 weeks), while 4 studies found that CSI effectively relieved pain and improved elbow function in the short term (<12 weeks). The study by Arirachakaran et al in 2016 received the highest QUOROM and Oxman-Guyatt scores; therefore, this meta-analysis appears to have the highest level of evidence. In addition, this study was rated the highest-quality study in this systematic review according to the Jadad decision algorithm. Lower-quality meta-analyses indicated that dosage, number of injections, and differences in therapeutic duration between CSI and autologous blood products may be essential factors in determining the appropriate treatment injection protocol for LE.

Conclusion:

The current best available evidence suggests that CSI improves functional outcomes and pain relief in the short term, while AB and PRP are the most effective treatments in the intermediate term.
Alleviation of Tinnitus With High-Frequency Stimulation of the Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus: A Rodent Study
Authors: van Zwieten Gusta , Jahanshahi Ali , van Erp Marlieke L. , Temel Yasin , Stokroos Robert J. , Janssen Marcus L. F. , Smit Jasper V.
Published: March 2019

Deep brain stimulation of the central auditory pathway is emerging as a promising treatment modality for tinnitus. Within this pathway, the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of tinnitus and is believed to be a tinnitus generator. We hypothesized that high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the DCN would influence tinnitus-related abnormal neuronal activity within the auditory pathway and hereby suppress tinnitus. To this end, we assessed the effect of HFS of the DCN in a noise-induced rat model of tinnitus. The presence of tinnitus was verified using the gap prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response paradigm. Hearing thresholds were determined before and after noise trauma by measuring the auditory brainstem responses. In addition, changes in neuronal activity induced by noise trauma and HFS were assessed using c-Fos immunohistochemistry in related structures. Results showed tinnitus development after noise trauma and hearing loss ipsilateral to the side exposed to noise trauma. During HFS of the DCN, tinnitus was suppressed. There was no change in c-Fos expression within the central auditory pathway after HFS. These findings suggest that DCN-HFS changes patterns of activity and results in information lesioning within the network and hereby blocking the relay of abnormal tinnitus-related neuronal activity.
Where’s the Beef? How Masculinity Exacerbates Gender Disparities in Health Behaviors
Authors: Nakagawa Sandra , Hart Chloe
Published: March 2019

Men in the United States have higher rates of life-threatening diseases than do women, in part due to behavioral differences in health practices. We argue that men’s enactment of masculinity in their daily lives contributes to health behavior differences. We focus on meat consumption, a masculine-stereotyped dietary practice that epidemiological studies have linked to negative health outcomes. In study 1, nationally representative survey data indicate men report less healthy lifestyle preferences than do women, including less willingness to reduce meat consumption. In study 2, an internet-based experiment shows that experiencing a masculinity threat leads men to express more attachment to meat consumption. In study 3, lab experiment data with a different experimental manipulation and study population again indicate that threats to masculinity influence men’s meat preferences. These results support the claim that men’s masculinity maintenance may be one factor contributing to gender differences in meat consumption and health disparities related to overconsumption of meat.
Comparison of rebound tonometry and non-contact airpuff tonometry to Goldmann applanation tonometry
Authors: Demirci Goktug , Erdur Sevil Karaman , Tanriverdi Cafer , Gulkilik Gokhan , Ozsutçu Mustafa
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to compare the intraocular pressure measurements obtained from healthy subjects with the rebound tonometry, non-contact airpuff tonometry, and Goldmann applanation tonometry in different age groups.

Methods:

A total of 180 eyes of 90 healthy subjects were included in the study. According to the subjects’ ages, the eyes were categorized into three groups: group 1 (age: 7–17 years), group 2 (age: 18–40 years), and group 3 (age: 41–75 years). Intraocular pressure was measured on each subject always in the same order: rebound tonometry, non-contact airpuff tonometry, and Goldmann applanation tonometry. Central corneal thickness values were obtained using ultrasonic pachymetry. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Bland–Altman analysis were used for the statistical assessment.

Results:

The mean corneal thickness was found to be 604 ± 13 µm, 546 ± 15 µm, and 547 ± 15 µm in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. Non-contact airpuff tonometry was significantly higher than both Goldmann applanation tonometry and rebound tonometry measurements in all groups ( p < 0.001, for all). No statistical difference between Goldmann applanation tonometry and rebound tonometry measurements was found in group 1 ( p = 0.248), group 2 ( p = 0.63), and group 3 ( p = 0.126). There was a significant positive correlation in the meaning of intraocular pressure measurements between rebound tonometry and non-contact airpuff tonometry; non-contact airpuff tonometry and Goldmann applanation tonometry; and Goldmann applanation tonometry and rebound tonometry in all groups.

Conclusion:

As a result, without need for topical anesthesia, fast measurement and ease-of-use rebound tonometry is a reliable alternative to Goldmann applanation tonometry in different age groups.
Association between +45T>G adiponectin polymorphism gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in a Venezuelan population
Authors: Sánchez María Patricia , Prieto Carem , Mujica Endrina , Vergara Kendry , Valencia Enifer , Villalobos Eudymar , Medina Mayerlim , Parra Michael , D'Addosio Rosanna , Hoedebecke Kyle , Rodríguez Johel E. , Bermudez Valmore
Published: March 2019

Background: Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) is a hormone primarily synthesized by adipocytes and encoded by the ADIPOQ gene, which exerts anti-inflammatory, antiatheratogenic and insulin sensitizing functions. It has been shown that its plasma concentrations are decreased in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which could be due to variations in the gene coding for this protein. The aim of this study was to detect the +45 T>G polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene in subjects with DM2 and MS in Maracaibo municipality, Zulia state, Venezuela.

Methods: A total of 90 subjects who attended the Center for Metabolic Endocrine Research "Dr. Félix Gómez" were enrolled for this study, 46 of which had MS-DM2 and 44 of which were healthy control individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was carried out for the promoter region of the ADIPOQ gene. Likewise, the +45 T> G polymorphism was identified and correlated with MS and DM2 in the studied population.

Results: The most frequent allele in both groups was the T allele, and the predominant genotype was homozygous T/T (79%). Genotypes with heterozygous T/G and G/G homozygous polymorphism were more frequent in the control group than in the MS-DM2 group. Regarding the individuals with T/G and G/G genotypes, statistically significant lower mean values ​​were found for fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, abdominal circumference, and for the medians of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Odds ratio were calculated for the presence or absence of MS and DM2.

Conclusions: The results suggested that the presence of the G allele exerts a protective effect on the carrier individuals, thus avoiding the appearance of the aforementioned metabolic alterations.
MOLECULAR EFFECTS OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON THE LIPID COMPOSITION OF THE UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES OF NEWBORNS AT CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Ишутина Наталия , Ishutina Nataliya , Андриевская Ирина , Andrievskaya Irina , Дорофиенко Николай , Dorofienko Nikolay , Кутепова Ольга , Kutepova Olʹga , Медведева С. , Medvedeva S.
Published: March 2019

In order to identify the molecular effects of erythropoietin on the lipid composition and properties of the membrane of red blood cells of the umbilical cord, 35 newborn children born from cytomegalovirus seropositive women with exacerbation of infection in the third trimester of pregnancy (main group) were examined. The control group consisted of 30 newborns born from cytomegalovirus seronegative women. Plasma and red blood cells of the umbilical cord became the material for the study. In the membrane of red blood cells of the umbilical cord by spectrophotometry there were studied the products that react with thiobarbituric acid; membrane microviscosity was studied by lateral diffusion of hydrophobic fluorescent probe of pyrenes; lysophosphatidylcholine content by a thin-layer chromatography; the content of arachidonic, oleic and α-linolenic fatty acids by gas chromatography; ionized calcium content by analyzer of blood gases and electrolytes; erythropoietin in umbilical cord blood plasma by enzyme immunoassay. The number of erythrocytes was determined by an automatic hematological analyzer. The assessment of erythrocytes morphology and echinocytes counting was performed by light microscopy with further cytophotometrical data processing. In the umbilical cord blood of newborns born from cytomegalovirus seropositive women with exacerbation of infection in the third trimester of pregnancy, there was found out an increase in the level of erythropoietin by 20% (p<0.05), the number of erythrocytes by 21% (p<0.01), of products reacting with thiobarbituric acid by 60% (p<0.001), of lysophosphatidylcholine by 42% (p<0.001), of arachidonic acid by 31% (p<0.001)<0.001), of ionized calcium by 14% (p<0.05), of the amount of echinocytes by 91% (p<0.001); with a decrease in the content of oleic and α-linolenic fatty acids by 40% (p<0.001), there was an increase in the ratio of fluorescence of excimers and monomers (Fe/Fm) by 30% (p<0.001), the number of red blood cells by 21% (p<0.01). The results obtained suggested in the newborns from seropositive women to cytomegalovirus with exacerbation of the infection in the third trimester of pregnancy the development of ineffective erythropoiesis, enhancing oxidative damage of red blood cells, leading to echinocytosis and eryptosis
The Conception of Culture, Values and Identity of Iran in Shaykh Fazlallah Nuri's Writings
Authors: Abassy Małgorzata
Published: March 2019

The aim of this analysis of Nuri’s writings is the creation of a model of culture which is based on the semantics of the notions qanun, eslam, mosvat, horriyat, mashrute/mashru'e, qanun-e asasi. Investigations into the model of culture proposed by Nuri will allow us to distinguish its specific features and to discover its roots and condition at the time of confrontation with an alternative model. The word qanun ‘law’ is the central one in Nuri’s texts of the mashrute period. The history of its semantic transformation has its roots in the 1850s and the first contacts of the Iranian people with the West. Nuri inquired as to the semantics of the notions of qanun, mosavat, horriyat (azadi) and mashrute in discussions during the time of bast in Abdolazim mosque and in the conversations with representatives of the British embassy. He acted against these elements of law. He regarded himself as a religious leader for his community which, as a whole, constituted God’s people whose final purpose was salvation.
Exploring the use of user-centred design methods to inform the development of impact measurement practices: lessons learnt in the environmental volunteering sector
Authors: Seymour Valentine
Published: March 2019

This paper reports on the findings of a research project delivered in collaboration with the UK environmental charity, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), which evaluated the applicability and effectiveness of user-centred design (UCD) methods to assist voluntary organisations designing impact measurement tools. The findings indicate that there is scope for these methods to be applied more broadly within the voluntary sector, in particular by organisations wanting to critically examine their existing impact measurement practices, or by those seeking to develop and implement approaches to monitoring and evaluation that are more user-centred.
Historical trauma and symptoms impacting United Arab Emirates migrant youth
Authors: Smith Susan , Nada Farah
Published: March 2019

This study examines perceptions of historical trauma and cultural loss among migrant students at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The analysis focuses on 95 students who identified ‘homeland’ as one of the following nations experiencing conflict: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Iraq and Tunisia. Our findings indicate that these students, having lived the majority of their lives outside their homelands and with no first-hand experience of violence, struggle with significant and frequent losses, and suffer with associated symptoms such as depression, fear and anger.
Studying the youth interests through the thematic repertoire of student communication: a case study of Vkontakte social network
Authors: Brazevich Svyatoslav S. , Safronova Zhanna S. , Brazevich Dmitry S. , Matyukha Denis V.
Published: March 2019

The article substantiates the relevance of a sociological approach to the study of young students' interests in social networks. The authors analyze the results of a study involving young students who use the thematic communication repertoire in the Vkontakte network’s social groups. The study applies IT methods for processing and analyzing biographical data, analysis and statistics methods, and machine learning. The sample consists of 171,972 unique participants who joined the network’s social groups.  The authors draw up a rating of groups on various topics based on the number of group participants, present the results of the analysis of student thematic repertoire and reveal the interests of the group participants.  The article describes general and specific directions of student interests in different universities, explores the features of interactions between the participants in popular groups, and defines gender differences and various cognitive orientations depending on the place of studies. The authors provide insight into the nature of the cognitive orientation of student interests and the possibilities to influence the interests through certain content, and the weak student activity in the “corporate” social groups of the universities.
Laboratory medicine: health evaluation in elite athletes
Authors: Lombardo Barbara , Izzo Viviana , Terracciano Daniela , Ranieri Annaluisa , Mazzaccara Cristina , Fimiani Fabio , Cesaro Arturo , Gentile Luca , Leggiero Eleonora , Pero Raffaela , Izzo Barbara , D’Alicandro Andrea Carlo , Ercolini Danilo , D’Alicandro Giovanni , Frisso Giulia , Pastore Lucio , Calabrò Paolo , Scudiero Olga
Published: March 2019

The need to evaluate the health status of an athlete represents a crucial aim in preventive and protective sports science in order to identify the best diagnostic strategy to improve performance and reduce risks related to physical exercise. In the present review we aim to define the main biochemical and haematological markers that vary significantly during and after sports training to identify risk factors, at competitive and professional levels and to highlight the set up of a specific parameter’s panel for elite athletes. Moreover, we also intend to consider additional biomarkers, still under investigation, which could further contribute to laboratory sports medicine and provide reliable data that can be used by athlete’s competent staff in order to establish personal attitudes and prevent sports injuries.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-(1-((2-aminophenyl)imino)ethyl)-5-fluorophenol, C14H13FN2O
Authors: Bai Ling , Hong Yong , Liu Wei , Wu Jie
Published: March 2019

C14H13FN2O, orthorhombic, Pna21 (no. 33), a = 7.1841(6) Å, b = 23.3361(17) Å, c = 7.1672(5) Å, V = 1201.57(16) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0437, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1112, T = 293(2) K.
The crystal structure of 2-(4-chloro-2,6-dinitrophenyl)-1-(4-chloro-3,5-dinitrophenyl)diazene 1-oxide, C12H4Cl2N6O9
Authors: Cao Junyan , Wang Jianlong , Li Min , Zhang Ke , Li Shuai , Wan Zhen
Published: March 2019

C12H4Cl2N6O9, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 50.136(3) Å, b = 8.1074(5) Å, c = 15.9816(11) Å, β = 91.927(2)°, V = 6492.4(7) Å3, Z = 16, R
gt(F) = 0.0427, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0969, T = 173(2) K.
Bayesian Genomic Prediction with Genotype × Environment Interaction Kernel Models
Authors: Cuevas Jaime , Crossa José , Montesinos-López Osval A , Burgueño Juan , Pérez-Rodríguez Paulino , de los Campos Gustavo
Published: March 2019

The phenomenon of genotype × environment (G × E) interaction in plant breeding decreases selection accuracy, thereby negatively affecting genetic gains. Several genomic prediction models incorporating G × E have been recently developed and used in genomic selection of plant breeding programs. Genomic prediction models for assessing multi-environment G × E interaction are extensions of a single-environment model, and have advantages and limitations. In this study, we propose two multi-environment Bayesian genomic models: the first model considers genetic effects (u) that can be assessed by the Kronecker product of variance–covariance matrices of genetic correlations between environments and genomic kernels through markers under two linear kernel methods, linear (genomic best linear unbiased predictors, GBLUP) and Gaussian (Gaussian kernel, GK). The other model has the same genetic component as the first model (u) plus an extra component, f, that captures random effects between environments that were not captured by the random effects u. We used five CIMMYT data sets (one maize and four wheat) that were previously used in different studies. Results show that models with G × E always have superior prediction ability than single-environment models, and the higher prediction ability of multi-environment models with u and f over the multi-environment model with only u occurred 85% of the time with GBLUP and 45% of the time with GK across the five data sets. The latter result indicated that including the random effect f is still beneficial for increasing prediction ability after adjusting by the random effect u.
Rubén Darío. Despedidas de la Tierra
Authors: Medina Julia M.
Published: March 2019

Este trabajo aborda algunos de los últimos registros de Rubén Darío, para señalar cómo su obra socava la modernidad latinoamericana, más allá de cómo se ha entendido y se ha practicado tradicionalmente, incluso por él mismo, suturando mundos que seguimos sin consolidar.
Género, infancia y antropología frente al cambio climático
Authors: Breda Nadia
Published: March 2019

En este artículo, se evidencian datos y conceptos articulados por la investigacion de las agencias internacionales (UNWoman, UNICEF, WTO, WHO), con respecto a las consecuencias del cambio climático. Además que las migraciones, son las relaciones de género y el estatus generacional los más involucrados en los cambios, a menudo, gravísimos. La autora se plantea entonces una evaluación de si la antropología pueda contribuir - por medio de sus experiencias etnográficas de estudio del cambio climático – en realizar un avance que podría ser constituido por una antropología de la implementación para la igualdad en las situaciones de cambio climático.
Mobilidade familiar e contexto escolar – o olhar dos educadores escolares angolanos
Authors: Grassi Marzia , Marinho Luena
Published: March 2019

A mobilidade humana produz mudanças nas diversas esferas da vida dos indivíduos incluindo as suas relações familiares à distância. Novas formas de manter a ligação entre membros da mesma família dão origem a modos diferenciados de conjugalidade, parentalidade e cuidados aos membros mais vulneráveis como as crianças. A partir de entrevistas realizadas em Angola, junto de profissionais da educação, nomeadamente professores e diretores de escolas, este artigo procura destacar as representações desses profissionais sobre os efeitos da distância geográfica entre pais e crianças/jovens/alunos.
Será realçado os impactos da separação dos pais é das crianças em termos de aproveitamento escolar e educação. A análise das entrevistas argumentadas por género e categoria social dos alunos revela as representações sociais dos educadores escolares sobre as dinâmicas familiares e os seus efeitos na educação escolar das crianças e devolve-nos uma imagem da cultura organizacional da família à distância e da educação na Angola contemporânea que parece considerar a mobilidade humana maioritariamente nas suas consequências negativas para a educação das crianças. As entrevistas fazem parte de um conjunto de dados originais recolhidos junto de observadores privilegiados do grupo alvo de um projeto do ICS-UL (Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa) no contexto migratório Portugal/Angola, sobre cuidados transnacionais a crianças.
L’approccio intersezionale e quello transnazioanle nello studio dei flussi migratori: elementi per una proposta analitica
Authors: Salvatori Sara , Terrón Caro Teresa
Published: March 2019

In una società in cui i flussi migratori stanno acquisendo sempre maggiore complessità, consideriamo l’approccio intersezionale e l’analisi transnazionale i modelli teorici maggiormente adatti a svolgere uno studio approfondito di tali fenomeni. Malgrado ciò, la loro struttura richiede una revisione critica affinché, da una parte, si realizzi la piena applicabilità di questi sistemi alla ampia varietà dei contesti culturali dei quali sono portatori i migranti, e dall’altra si crei un sistema analitico integrato per articolare lo studio dei sistemi gerarchici che regolano l’accesso dei migranti nelle società d’arrivo, allo spazio transnazionale nel quale si muovono.