bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Adolescent Sport Participation With Cognition and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adulthood
Authors: Bohr Adam D. , Boardman Jason D. , McQueen Matthew B.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Recent studies have associated sport-related concussion with depression and impaired cognitive ability later in life in former professional football players. However, population studies with two 1950s-era cohorts did not find an association between high school football participation and impaired cognition or depressive symptoms in late adulthood.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

This study assessed whether actual/intended participation in contact sports during adolescence had an adverse effect on participants’ cognition or depressive symptoms in early adulthood. We hypothesized that there would not be an association.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This study used a subsample (n = 10,951) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally (United States) representative prospective cohort study following participants through 4 waves of data collection from 1994 through 2008. Participants were categorized as actual/intended participation in no sports, noncontact sports only, and contact sports. We constructed 6 multivariate and logistic regression models predicting word recall, number recall, modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, depression diagnosis, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts at wave IV as a function of sport participation during wave I. Sport participation was treated as a factor with the referent category noncontact sports. This analysis was repeated on a males-only sample (n = 5008). In the males-only analysis, participants were classified as actual/intended participation in no sports, noncontact sports, contact sports other than American football, and American football. The referent category remained noncontact sports.

Results:

Intention to participate in contact sports was not significantly associated with any of the outcomes in the full-sample analysis. Intention to participate in football was significantly associated with a reduced odds of depression diagnosis in adulthood (odds ratio, 0.70; P = .02) when compared with noncontact sports participation in the males-only sample. Football was not significantly associated with impaired cognitive ability, increased depressive symptoms, or increased suicide ideation.

Conclusion:

Actual/intended participation in contact sports during adolescence did not adversely affect Add Health participants’ cognition or depressive symptoms in young adulthood.
Return to Sports and Recreational Activity After Single-Stage Bilateral Short-Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty: 5-Year Results of a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Donner Stefanie , Rehbein Philipp , Schneider Michael , Pfeil Joachim , Drees Philipp , Kutzner Karl Philipp
Published: September 2019

Background:

Single-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an alternative to staged unilateral THA in patients suffering from bilateral hip arthritis; however, there is still broad concern regarding the safety and reliability of this procedure. Short-stem THA has emerged in recent years. To date, no data are available on sports and recreational activity levels after single-stage bilateral short-stem THA in the general patient population.

Hypothesis:

Patients who have undergone single-stage bilateral short-stem THA return to a satisfying level of sports and recreational activity at midterm follow-up.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 54 consecutive patients (108 hips) were prospectively included. Midterm follow-up was performed in 51 patients (94.4%). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and the Harris Hip Score (HHS) were assessed clinically after a mean of 5.2 years. After a mean of 4.9 years, activity levels were assessed using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale via a questionnaire. Additionally, a detailed evaluation of sports behavior was conducted using an additional questionnaire. Pain and satisfaction with sporting ability were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Complications and revisions were documented.

Results:

Patients had a mean WOMAC score of 98.0 (range, 60.0-100.0) and HHS score of 97.8 (range, 65.0-100.0) at final follow-up. The mean UCLA activity score was 4.7 (range, 2.0-10.0). An increasing number of patients were active in sports at follow-up compared with before surgery (76.5% vs 60.8%, respectively); 2 patients (3.9%) stopped participating in sports on a regular basis, and 10 (19.6%) commenced with sports after surgery. The most popular activities before surgery were cycling (31.4%), hiking (29.4%), swimming (21.6%), and fitness/weight training (15.7%). At follow-up, most patients were engaged in cycling (35.3%) and fitness/weight training (33.3%), followed by swimming (25.5%) and hiking (19.6%). The duration (hours per week) and frequency (times per week) of sporting activities remained stable. The mean VAS pain level during sports was 1.3 (range, 0.0-7.0). No revision surgery had to be performed.

Conclusion:

After single-stage bilateral short-stem THA, the study patients returned to satisfying levels of activity at midterm follow-up. Postoperatively, few patients were engaged in high-impact sports; however, more patients commenced with lower impact activities. Satisfaction with sporting abilities was high, and the complication rate in total was low.
The Medial Olivocochlear Reflex Is Unlikely to Play a Role in Listening Difficulties in Children
Authors: Boothalingam Sriram , Allan Chris , Allen Prudence , Purcell David W.
Published: September 2019

The medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) has been implicated in several auditory processes. The putative role of the MOCR in improving speech perception in noise is particularly relevant for children who complain of listening difficulties (LiD). The hypothesis that the MOCR may be impaired in individuals with LiD or auditory processing disorder has led to several investigations but without consensus. In two related studies, we compared the MOCR functioning of children with LiD and typically developing (TD) children in the same age range (7–17 years). In Study 1, we investigated ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilateral MOCR using forward-masked click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs; n = 17 TD, 17 LiD). In Study 2, we employed three OAE types: CEOAEs ( n = 16 TD, 21 LiD), stimulus frequency OAEs ( n = 21 TD, 30 LiD), and distortion product OAEs ( n = 17 TD, 22 LiD) in a contralateral noise paradigm. Results from both studies suggest that the MOCR functioning is not significantly different between the two groups. Some likely reasons for differences in findings among published studies could stem from the lack of strict data quality measures (e.g., high signal-to-noise ratio, control for the middle ear muscle reflex) that were enforced in the present study. The inherent variability of the MOCR, the subpar reliability of current MOCR methods, and the heterogeneity in auditory processing deficits that underlie auditory processing disorder make detecting clinically relevant differences in MOCR function impractical using current methods.
Effects of Age and Noise Exposure on Proxy Measures of Cochlear Synaptopathy
Authors: Prendergast Garreth , Couth Samuel , Millman Rebecca E. , Guest Hannah , Kluk Karolina , Munro Kevin J. , Plack Christopher J.
Published: September 2019

Although there is strong histological evidence for age-related synaptopathy in humans, evidence for the existence of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy in humans is inconclusive. Here, we sought to evaluate the relative contributions of age and noise exposure to cochlear synaptopathy using a series of electrophysiological and behavioral measures. We extended an existing cohort by including 33 adults in the age range 37 to 60, resulting in a total of 156 participants, with the additional older participants resulting in a weakening of the correlation between lifetime noise exposure and age. We used six independent regression models (corrected for multiple comparisons), in which age, lifetime noise exposure, and high-frequency audiometric thresholds were used to predict measures of synaptopathy, with a focus on differential measures. The models for auditory brainstem responses, envelope-following responses, interaural phase discrimination, and the co-ordinate response measure of speech perception were not statistically significant. However, both age and noise exposure were significant predictors of performance on the digit triplet test of speech perception in noise, with greater noise exposure (unexpectedly) predicting better performance in the 80 dB sound pressure level (SPL) condition and greater age predicting better performance in the 40 dB SPL condition. Amplitude modulation detection thresholds were also significantly predicted by age, with older listeners performing better than younger listeners at 80 dB SPL. Overall, the results are inconsistent with the predicted effects of synaptopathy.
Medical and Dental Electronic Health Record Reporting Discrepancies in Integrated Patient Care
Authors: Adibi S. , Li M. , Salazar N. , Seferovic D. , Kookal K. , Holland J.N. , Walji M. , Farach-Carson M.C.
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Oral health mirrors systemic health; yet, few clinics worldwide provide dental care as part of primary medical care, nor are dental records commonly integrated with medical records.

Objectives:

To determine the degree to which misreporting of underlying health conditions poses problems for dental clinicians, we assessed misreporting of 2 common medical health conditions—hypertension and diabetes—at the time of dental examination and assessment.

Methods:

Using comparative chart analysis, we analyzed medical records of a diverse group of patients previously seen at the University of Texas Physician outpatient practice and then treated at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry. Electronic health records of patients aged ≥18 y were extracted from 2 databases: Allscripts (University of Texas Physician) and axiUm (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston). We identified 1,013 patients with the commonly occurring conditions of diabetes, hypertension, or both, with nonintegrated records contained in Allscripts and axiUm. We identified the percentage of those patients previously diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension by their physicians who failed to report these conditions to their dental clinicians.

Results:

Of those patients with diabetes, 15.1% misreported their diabetes condition to their dental clinicians, while 29.0% of patients with hypertension also misreported. There was no relationship between sex and misreporting of hypertension or diabetes, but age significantly affected reporting of hypertension, with misreporting decreasing with age.

Conclusions:

Because these conditions affect treatment planning in the dental clinic, misreporting of underlying medical conditions can have negative outcomes for dental patients. We conclude that policies that support the integration of medical and dental records would meaningfully increase the quality of health care delivered to patients, particularly those dental patients with underlying medical conditions.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Our study illustrates an urgent need for policy innovation within a currently fragmented health care delivery system. Dental clinicians rely on the accuracy of health information provided by patients, which we found was misreported in ~15% to 30% of dental patient records. An integrated health care system can close these misreporting gaps. Policies that support the integration of medical and dental records can improve the quality of health care delivered, particularly for dental patients with underlying medical conditions.
Methylation and transcriptome analysis reveal lung adenocarcinoma-specific diagnostic biomarkers
Authors: Li Rui , Yang Yi-E , Yin Yun-Hong , Zhang Meng-Yu , Li Hao , Qu Yi-Qing
Published: September 2019

Background

DNA methylation can regulate the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The present study aimed to identify methylation-driven lncRNAs and mRNAs as biomarkers in the prognosis of LUAD using bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Differentially expressed RNAs were obtained using the edge R package from 535 LUAD tissues and 59 adjacent non-LUAD tissues. Differentially methylated genes were obtained using the limma R package from 475 LUAD tissues and 32 adjacent non-LUAD tissues. Methylation-driven mRNA and lncRNA were obtained using the MethylMix R package from 465 LUAD tissues with matched DNA methylation and RNA expression and 32 non-LUAD tissues with DNA methylation. Gene ontology and ConsensusPathDB pathway analysis were performed to identify functional enrichment of methylation-driven mRNAs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent effect of each variable for predicting the prognosis of LUAD. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression might provide potential prognostic biomarkers for LUAD patients.

Results

A total of 99 methylation-driven mRNAs and 17 methylation-driven lncRNAs were obtained. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 6 lncRNAs (FOXE1, HOXB13-AS1_2, VMO1, HIST1H3F, AJ003147.8, ASXL3) were retrieved to construct a predictive model associated with overall survival in LUAD patients. Combined DNA methylation and gene expression survival analysis revealed that 4 lncRNAs (AC023824.1, AF186192.1, LINC01354 and WASIR2) and 8 mRNAs (S1PR1, CCDC181, F2RL1, EFS, KLHDC9, MPV17L, GKN2, ITPRIPL1) might act as independent biomarkers for the prognosis of LUAD.

Conclusions

Methylation-driven lncRNA and mRNA contribute to the survival of LUAD, and 4 lncRNAs and 8 mRNAs might be potential biomarkers for the prognosis of LUAD.
Development and characterization of a CRISPR/Cas9n-based multiplex genome editing system for Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Liu Dingyu , Huang Can , Guo Jiaxin , Zhang Peiji , Chen Tao , Wang Zhiwen , Zhao Xueming
Published: September 2019

Background

Metabolic engineering has expanded from a focus on designs requiring a small number of genetic modifications to increasingly complex designs driven by advances in multiplex genome editing technologies. However, simultaneously modulating multiple genes on the chromosome remains challenging inBacillus subtilis. Thus, developing an efficient and convenient method forB. subtilismultiplex genome editing is imperative.

Results

Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9n-based multiplex genome editing system for iterative genome editing inB. subtilis. This system enabled us to introduce various types of genomic modifications with more satisfying efficiency than using CRISPR/Cas9, especially in multiplex gene editing. Our system achieved at least 80% efficiency for 1–8 kb gene deletions, at least 90% efficiency for 1–2 kb gene insertions, near 100% efficiency for site-directed mutagenesis, 23.6% efficiency for large DNA fragment deletion and near 50% efficiency for three simultaneous point mutations. The efficiency for multiplex gene editing was further improved by regulating the nick repair mechanism mediated byligDgene, which finally led to roughly 65% efficiency for introducing three point mutations on the chromosome. To demonstrate its potential, we applied our system to simultaneously fine-tune three genes in the riboflavin operon and significantly improved the production of riboflavin in a single cycle.

Conclusions

We present not only the iterative CRISPR/Cas9n system forB. subtilisbut also the highest efficiency for simultaneous modulation of multiple genes on the chromosome inB. subtilisreported to date. We anticipate this CRISPR/Cas9n mediated system to greatly enhance the optimization of diverse biological systems via metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Occupational stress and its related demographic factors among Iranian CCU nurses: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Faraji Azam , Karimi Mahtab , Azizi Seyyed Mohsen , Janatolmakan Maryam , Khatony Alireza
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Occupational stress can have an adverse effect on mental and physical health and performance of nurses. The aim of this study was to investigate the occupational stress of Iranian critical care unit (CCU) nurses and its related demographic factors.

Results

In this cross-sectional study, 155 CCU nurses were randomly selected. The Osipow Occupational Stress Questionnaire was used as data collection tool. The mean of nurses’ occupational stress was 210.13 ± 40.87 out of 300, which was at the “moderate-to-high” level. The highest mean of occupational stress was related to the subscale of “Role Overload” (36.30 ± 6.98) and the lowest mean was related to the subscale of “Physical Environment” (33.58 ± 9.76). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean occupational stress and variables of sex, age, academic degree and working experience.
Assessing biases in phylodynamic inferences in the presence of super-spreaders
Authors: Hidano Arata , Gates M. Carolyn
Published: September 2019

Phylodynamic analyses using pathogen genetic data have become popular for making epidemiological inferences. However, many methods assume that the underlying host population follows homogenous mixing patterns. Nevertheless, in real disease outbreaks, a small number of individuals infect a disproportionately large number of others (super-spreaders). Our objective was to quantify the degree of bias in estimating the epidemic starting date in the presence of super-spreaders using different sample selection strategies. We simulated 100 epidemics of a hypothetical pathogen (fast evolving foot and mouth disease virus-like) over a real livestock movement network allowing the genetic mutations in pathogen sequence. Genetic sequences were sampled serially over the epidemic, which were then used to estimate the epidemic starting date using Extended Bayesian Coalescent Skyline plot (EBSP) and Birth–death skyline plot (BDSKY) models. Our results showed that the degree of bias varies over different epidemic situations, with substantial overestimations on the epidemic duration occurring in some occasions. While the accuracy and precision of BDSKY were deteriorated when a super-spreader generated a larger proportion of secondary cases, those of EBSP were deteriorated when epidemics were shorter. The accuracies of the inference were similar irrespective of whether the analysis used all sampled sequences or only a subset of them, although the former required substantially longer computational times. When phylodynamic analyses need to be performed under a time constraint to inform policy makers, we suggest multiple phylodynamics models to be used simultaneously for a subset of data to ascertain the robustness of inferences.
Numerical solutions of nonlinear fractional model arising in the appearance of the strip patterns in two-dimensional systems
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Kumar Amit , Momani Shaher , Aldhaifallah Mujahed , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: September 2019

The main aim of this paper is to present a comparative study of modified analytical technique based on auxiliary parameters and residual power series method (RPSM) for Newell–Whitehead–Segel (NWS) equations of arbitrary order. The NWS equation is well defined and a famous nonlinear physical model, which is characterized by the presence of the strip patterns in two-dimensional systems and application in many areas such as mechanics, chemistry, and bioengineering. In this paper, we implement a modified analytical method based on auxiliary parameters and residual power series techniques to obtain quick and accurate solutions of the time-fractional NWS equations. Comparison of the obtained solutions with the present solutions reveal that both powerful analytical techniques are productive, fruitful, and adequate in solving any kind of nonlinear partial differential equations arising in several physical phenomena. We addressed $L_{2}$

L
2

and $L_{\infty }$

L
∞

norms in both cases. Through error analysis and numerical simulation, we have compared approximate solutions obtained by two present aforesaid methods and noted excellent agreement. In this study, we use the fractional operators in Caputo sense.
A delayed e-epidemic SLBS model for computer virus
Authors: Zhang Zizhen , Kumari Sangeeta , Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar
Published: September 2019

We propose an e-epidemic time-delay Susceptible-Latent-Breaking out-Susceptible ($SLBS$
S
L
B
S
) model to study delay dynamics appearing due to antivirus software, which takes time to clean the viruses from latent and breaking-out computers. We perform nonlinear stability analysis, Hopf bifurcation analysis, and its direction and stability. Numerical simulation results (time series analysis and bifurcation diagram) give useful insights for delay dynamics. We investigate the effect of the control parameters like rate of infection of all the classes and cure rates on the model system. Our results suggest that time delay is responsible for destabilizing the system dynamics. For smooth functionality of a computer system, our results suggest the minimum use of removable storage devices like smart phones, optical discs, memory cards, external hard disk, digital cameras, and so on and use of effective antivirus softwares.
Protecting the grid topology and user consumption patterns during state estimation in smart grids based on data obfuscation
Authors: Nandakumar Lakshminarayanan , Tillem Gamze , Erkin Zekeriya , Keviczky Tamas
Published: September 2019

Smart grids promise a more reliable, efficient, economically viable, and environment-friendly electricity infrastructure for the future. State estimation in smart grids plays a pivotal role in system monitoring, reliable operation, automation, and grid stabilization. However, the power consumption data collected from the users during state estimation can be privacy-sensitive. Furthermore, the topology of the grid can be exploited by malicious entities during state estimation to launch attacks without getting detected. Motivated by the essence of a secure state estimation process, we consider a weighted-least-squares estimation carried out batch-wise at repeated intervals, where the resource-constrained clients utilize a malicious cloud for computation services. We propose a secure masking protocol based on data obfuscation that is computationally efficient and successfully verifiable in the presence of a malicious adversary. Simulation results show that the state estimates calculated from the original and obfuscated dataset are exactly the same while demonstrating a high level of obscurity between the original and the obfuscated dataset both in time and frequency domain.
Comparison of solar power measurements in alpine areas using a mobile dual-axis tracking system
Authors: Karpić Jelenko , Sharma Ekanki , Khatib Tamer , Elmenreich Wilfried
Published: September 2019

The rising demand for sustainable energy requires to identify the sites for photovoltaic systems with the best performance. This paper tackles the question of feasibility of photovoltaic power plants at high altitude. A direct comparison between an alpine and an urban area site is conducted in the south of Austria. Two low-cost automatic photovoltaic power measurement devices with dual-axis sun tracking and maximum power point tracking are deployed at two test sites. The system periodically performs a scan over the southern semihemisphere and executes maximum power point adjustment in order to assess the performance for a given direction. The gathered data shows a higher photovoltaic power yield in the higher altitude test site. Furthermore, the high altitude photovoltaic power as a function of azimuth and elevation angle appears to be not only higher but also more flat than in lower altitudes. This indicates a lower power loss in case of deviation from the optimal solar angles. The results show that even on low-cost hardware a difference in photovoltaic power can be observed, even though in this experiment it amounts to less than 5% increase of peak power in higher altitudes. However, the measured peak powers on the mountain are more stable and therefore closer to a constant level than the heavily fluctuating peak power values at the low altitude site. Additionally, a slight shift in optimal elevation angles between altitudes can be observed, as the optimum angle turns out to be lower on the high altitude site. This angle shift could be caused by snow reflections on the mountainous test site.
Flannery O’Connor, the Phenomenology of Race, and the Institutions of Irony
Authors: Mangrum Benjamin
Published: September 2019

This essay argues that the representation of race in O’Connor’s short story “The Artificial Nigger” (1955) owes a debt to the continental tradition of phenomenology. Rather than being an abstract philosophical position, this debt signals O’Connor’s self-positioning within the postwar institutions facilitating the production and consumption of literary fiction. In particular, O’Connor’s engagement with the phenomenological tradition and her use of irony are interrelated attempts to negotiate her position within the creative writing institutions of the postwar literary marketplace. O’Connor’s story thus uses irony and philosophical self-inquiry as attempts to disentangle the narrative from the systems and norms of the program era. How should we understand O’Connor’s attempts to negotiate the institutionality of her fiction? And what are the racial politics of using an “artificial” stereotype as a symbol for artistic self-reflexivity? By addressing such issues in O’Connor’s work, this essay in turn poses questions for the discipline and institutionalized procedures of literary criticism.
Introduction
Authors: Easterlin Nancy
Published: September 2019

In what ways does literary study contribute to human knowledge, understanding, and flourishing? This introductory essay emphasizes the importance of an age-old question in the face of the devaluation of the humanities. Cognitive literary studies are well situated to address the ethical and pedagogical functions of literature. Broadly contextualizing the issue’s contributions within literary and cognitive theory, the essay describes their various explorations of reader processing and ethical involvement, including personal, social, and environmental improvement.
“Some Powerful Rankling Passion”
Authors: Caballero M. Soledad , Knupsky Aimee
Published: September 2019

The article considers how Joanna Baillie’s concept of “sympathetick curiosity” informs contemporary discussions about emotion regulation. By focusing on Baillie’s De Monfort (1798) and Orra (1812), the article argues that regulatory flexibility is a learned skill that can be improved by actively engaging sympathetic curiosity. Baillie insisted that her plays had pedagogical value and that having audiences watch them would help them learn how to avoid the destructive nature of the passions. Working with Bonanno and Burton’s (2013) model of regulatory flexibility, the article demonstrates the importance not just of inherent differences in emotion regulation but also of learning opportunities individuals engage to develop it. In particular, the article presents a model of how people learn through narrative simulation, drawing on the work of Romantic writers and current critics as well as cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists. Consideration is then given to how watching protagonists’ manifestations of and responses to an unfolding passion helps audiences learn to develop their regulatory flexibility.
Contingency, Staff, Anxious Pedagogy—and Love
Authors: Bessette Lee Skallerup
Published: September 2019

This article examines the intersection between the feelings of anxiety and love. The author looks at how the affective labor she performs professionally has shifted as she has moved from a contingent faculty role to a faculty development role. This shift, while necessary, highlights the power imbalance within academia, as well as the devaluation of affective labor. She examines how her anxieties as a faculty developer differ from the anxieties that faculty are bringing with them in their interactions with her.
Use of a computer simulator to investigate optimized tube voltage for chest imaging of average patients with a digital radiography (DR) imaging system
Authors: Moore Craig Steven , Wood Tim , Avery Ged , Balcam Steve , Needler Liam , Joshi Hiten , Ahmed Najeeb , Saunderson John , Beavis Andrew
Published: September 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate via computer simulation a proposed improvement to clinical practice by deriving an optimized tube voltage (kVp) range for digital radiography (DR) chest imaging.

Methods:

A digitally reconstructed radiograph algorithm was used which was capable of simulating DR chest radiographs containing clinically relevant anatomy. Five experienced image evaluators graded clinical image criteria, i.e. overall quality, rib, lung, hilar, spine, diaphragm and lung nodule in images of 20 patients at tube voltages across the diagnostic energy range. These criteria were scored against corresponding images of the same patient reconstructed at a specific reference kVp. Evaluators were blinded to kVp. Evaluator score for each criterion was modelled with a linear mixed effects algorithm and compared with the score for the reference image.

Results:

Score was dependent on tube voltage and image criteria in a statistically significant manner for both. Overall quality, hilar, diaphragm and spine criteria performed poorly at low and high tube voltages, peaking at 80–100 kVp. Lung and lung nodule demonstrated little variation. Rib demonstrated superiority at low kVp.

Conclusion:

A virtual clinical trial has been performed with simulated chest DR images. Results indicate mid-range tube voltages of 80–100 kVp are optimum for average adults.

Advances in knowledge:

There are currently no specific recommendations for optimized tube voltage parameters for DR chest imaging. This study, validated with images containing realistic anatomical noise, has investigated and recommended an optimal tube voltage range.
The aim of belief and the aim of science
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: September 2019

I argue that the constitutive aim of belief and the constitutive aim of science are both knowledge. The ‘aim of belief’, understood as the correctness conditions of belief, is to be identified with the product of properly functioning cognitive systems. Science is an institution that is the social functional analogue of a cognitive system, and its aim is the same as that of belief. In both cases it is knowledge rather than true belief that is the product of proper functioning.
On Archimedes' statics
Authors: Bacelar Valente Mario
Published: September 2019

Archimedes' statics is considered as an example of ancient Greek applied mathematics; it is even seen as the beginning of mechanics. Wilbur Knorr made the case regarding this work, as other works by him or other mathematicians from ancient Greece, that it lacks references to the physical phenomena it is supposed to address. According to Knorr, this is understandable if we consider the propositions of the treatise in terms of purely mathematical elaborations suggested by quantitative aspects of the phenomena. In this paper, we challenge Knorr's view, and address propositions of Archimedes' statics in their relation to physical phenomena.
К изучению орла-могильника на Алтае
Authors: Vazhov V.M. , Bakhtin R.F.
Published: September 2019

Приводятся обобщённые сведения по распространению, численности и экологии орла-могильника Aquila heliaca на Алтае. Под Алтаем понимается территория Алтайского края (168 тыс. км2) и Республики Алтай (92,6 тыс. км2), имевшей статус Горно-Алтайской автономной области в составе Алтайского края РСФСР до 1991 г. в нынешних границах. Алтай является одним из немногих российских регионов, где могильник населяет почти все природные зоны, за исключением высокогорий. Популяция вида сокращается в Алтайском крае, но пока ещё находится в относительно благополучном состоянии в Республике Алтай. Гнездовые группировки характеризуется неравномерностью пространственного размещения. Это связано с тяготением могильника к лугово-степным участкам с интенсивной пастбищной нагрузкой.
Limodorum abortivum var. viride Fateryga & Kreutz (Orchidaceae) в Крыму
Authors: Fateryga V.V. , Fateryga A.V.
Published: September 2019

Разновидность Limodorum abortivum var. viride известна из пяти локалитетов Южного берега Крыма. Все они представлены сообществами Quercus pubescens, в то время как L. abortivum var. abortivum произрастает в разных типах лесов. Limodorum abortivum var. viride отличается от номинативной разновидности более коротким, более тонким и полностью зеленым цветоносным стеблем и несколько меньшим размером цветков. В то же время, отличия по признаку густоты соцветия не подтверждены t-критерием Стьюдента. Данная разновидность сходна с описанной из Греции L. abortivum var. gracile по морфологическим параметрам и местообитанию. Однако L. abortivum var. gracile отличается от Limodorum abortivum var. viride почти белыми цветками. Предполагается, что обе разновидности сходны по причине происхождения в сходных условиях.
A luta das mulheres pela educação diante de questões que envolvem o mundo do trabalho, classe, etnia e gênero
Authors: Oliveira Kalina Gondim de , Zientarski Clarice
Published: September 2019

O trabalho busca contribuir com o debate sobre a temática da luta das mulheres pelo direito à educação, evidenciando interações que envolvem Classe e Gênero. Trata-se de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental e, conclui que a luta das mulheres é a luta contra o capitalismo, o racismo, a precarização do trabalho e outras formas de discriminação.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Luta das Mulheres. Educação. Mundo do trabalho. Classe. Gênero.

 

ABSTRACT

The paper seeks to contribute to the debate on the theme of the struggle of women for the right to education, highlighting interactions involving Class and Gender. It is a bibliographical and documentary research and concludes that the struggle of women is the struggle against capitalism, racism, precarious work and other forms of discrimination.

KEYWORDS: Women's struggle. Education. World of Work. Class. Gender.
A construção do sexo e do gênero
Authors: Oliveira Juliana Prestes de , Oliveira Amanda L. Jacobsen de , Alós Anselmo Peres
Published: September 2019

LAQUEUR, Thomas Walter. Inventando o sexo: corpo e gênero dos gregos a Freud. Trad. Vera Whately. Rio de Janeiro: Relume Dumará, 2001. 313 p.
Project proposal for Mellon Supra-institutional project on the Decolonial turn (unsettling paradigms) – 2018.
Authors: Bock Zannie , Stroud Christopher
Published: September 2019

This is a proposal text submitted to the Mellon Foundation entitled "Languages and Literacies in Higher Education: Reclaiming voices from the south", to secure funding for the module.
Acute and 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity study of caraway oil in rats
Authors: Auti Sandip T. , Kulkarni Yogesh A.
Published: September 2019

Background

Caraway oil (CO) obtained from the fruits of Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae) is used in traditional systems of medicine for various diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the safety profile of CO by acute and repeated dose oral toxicity as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines 423 and 407, respectively.

Methods

In an acute toxicity study, a single dose of CO (300 and 2000 mg/kg) was given to female Wistar rats, and the animals were observed for signs of behavioral alterations, morbidity and mortality for 14 days. Repeated dose toxicity was performed at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 28 days in Wistar rats. The effects of CO on food and water intake, body weight, relative organ weight, clinical biochemistry, hematological parameters and urine parameters were studied. Gross necropsy and histopathology of vital organs were carried out.

Results

A single oral dose at 300 mg/kg CO did not show any signs of toxicity and mortality, while a dose of 2000 mg/kg showed signs of mortality in one animal and some signs of toxicity in another two animals. In the repeated dose toxicity study, CO at selected dose levels did not show any significant alterations in food and water intake, body weight and relative organ weight. Administration of CO did not show any significant changes in hematological, biochemical and urine parameters and histopathology study when compared with normal control animals.

Conclusions

The CO was found to be safe at all selected dose levels in the repeated dose toxicity study in rats.
The CELLmicrocosmos Tools: A Small History of Java-Based Cell and Membrane Modelling Open Source Software Development
Authors: Sommer Bjorn
Published: September 2019

For more than one decade, CELLmicrocosmos tools are being developed. Here, we discus some of the technical and administrative hurdles to keep a software suite running so many years. The tools were being developed during a number of student projects and theses, whereas main developers refactored and maintained the code over the years. The focus of this publication is laid on two Java-based Open Source Software frameworks. Firstly, the CellExplorer with the PathwayIntegration combines the mesoscopic and the functional level by mapping biological networks onto cell components using database integration. Secondly, the MembraneEditor enables users to generate membranes of different lipid and protein compositions using the PDB format. Technicalities will be discussed as well as the historical development of these tools with a special focus on group-based development. In this way, university-associated developers of Integrative Bioinformatics applications should be inspired to go similar ways. All tools discussed in this publication can be downloaded and installed from https://www.CELLmicrocosmos.org.
Single-cell RNA-Sequencing in Neuroscience
Authors: Mayer Simone , Khakipoor Shokoufeh , Drömer Maxim A. , Cozetto Daniel A.
Published: September 2019

Technical innovations in the last decade have allowed to sequence transcriptomes of single cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has since then opened the window to a deeper understanding of cellular identity and is becoming a widely used method in molecular biology. In neuroscience, scRNA-seq has broad applications, for example in determining cellular diversity in different brain regions and in revealing transcriptomic variations across brain disorders. The method consists of several steps: isolation and lysis of single cells, reverse transcription of RNAs, amplification of cDNAs, and next-generation sequencing. The large datasets can subsequently be analysed using different bioinformatic tools to deduce biological meaning. Current developments aim to integrate scRNA-seq into cellular network analysis through multimodal analysis, spatial localisation and perturbation experiments, in order to understand brain physiology and pathology.
Changing the kinetic order of enantiomer formation and distinguishing between iminium ion and imine as the reactive species in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of substituted imines using a cyclopentadienyl iridium (III) complex
Authors: Mwansa Joseph M. , Stirling Matthew J. , Page Michael I.
Published: September 2019

The iridium (III) complex of pentamethylcyclopentadiene and (S,S) or (R,R)-1,2-diphenyl-N′-tosylethane-1,2-diamine is an effective catalyst for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of imines under acidic conditions. However, the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product amines from the reduction of 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines in either acetonitrile or dichloromethane, decreases exponentially. The dominant cause of the enantioselectivity is the difference in kinetic order of the formation of the two enantiomers with the S-enantiomer being formed in a first-order process whereas that for the R-enantiomer follows zero-order kinetics when (R,R)-TsDPEN is employed, due to different rate-limiting steps for the two processes. A series of 1-fluorinated methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines were synthesised to change the rate-limiting dissociation of the (R) amine product from Ir (III) so that both enantiomers are formed with the same kinetic order. This results in almost complete removal of the enantioselectivity of the reduction. It has been suggested that reduction of imines using transition metal complexes occurs through the neutral imine rather than the more reactive iminium-ion. α-Substituted imines with electron-withdrawing groups make protonation more difficult but enhance the electrophilicity of the imine carbon facilitating nucleophilic attack. The pK
a of the iminium ions of 1-fluorinated methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines were determined. Using the relative rates of the cyclopentadienyl iridium (III) complex catalysed reduction of these 1-fluorinated methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline in acetonitrile and, under the acidic conditions of a 5:2 ratio of formic acid:triethylamine, showed that the iminium ion is the reactive species.
My journey in academia: things not on the CV
Authors: Wittung-Stafshede Pernilla
Published: September 2019

I am a professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. I trained in chemistry in Sweden but went to the USA for my postdoc. I remained there for 12 years, being faculty at two American universities, before I returned to Sweden for a professorship in the northern city of Umeå. More recently, I returned to my alma mater Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, where I have taken on senior leadership roles. On paper, my career trajectory looks straightforward, but there are many detrimental aspects and lucky coincidences that are not listed on my CV. Life in academia is never easy, and one is never ‘done’. But working in academia is wonderful, as it provides so much freedom and creativity, including being very accommodating towards having kids. Here, I will describe my own personal journey, with the hope of inspiring young women to follow their own path in academia. Yes, there is still bias against women in academia, but change is happening, and the many benefits of being an academic beat such drawbacks.
The in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage potential of dapagliflozin, on cultured human blood cells
Authors: Çadırcı Kenan , Özdemir Tozlu Özlem , Türkez Hasan
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Dapagliflozin (DAPA), is a potent SGLT-2 inhibitor for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. DAPA has a good clinical and biological tolerance profile. However little information is available on its potential effects on cultured human blood cells. The evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity potential and antioxidant/oxidant activity of DAPA in primary human whole blood cell cultures was aimed in this study.

Materials and methods

Cell viability was measured by the MTT [3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assays. The antioxidant/oxidant activity was determined by measuring the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels. To assess the genotoxicity of DAPA, chromosomal aberration (CA) frequencies were determined.

Results

MTT and LDH release assay exhibited that exposure to different doses of DAPA did not changed significantly the proliferation of cells. The results of TAC and TOS assays were showed that TAC level was elevated while TOS level did not altered in DAPA-treated cells. Moreover, any increase in the frequency of CA did not found on cultures blood cells.

Conclusion

These data indicate that DAPA has not cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in cultured human blood cells, also, induces the increasing antioxidant activity.
Informal Laboratory Practices in Psychology
Authors: Brenninkmeijer Jonna , Derksen Maarten , Rietzschel Eric
Published: September 2019

Method sections in psychology articles differ in the amount of information they provide, or the level of specificity at which they do so. This can make incremental research (e.g., replication efforts) difficult, because potentially relevant methodological decisions or practices may not be reported. As yet, these unwritten practices have not been systematically studied; the current work represents a first attempt in this direction. For this paper, we interviewed 22 experimental psychologists in the Netherlands to find out about these unwritten aspects of experimenting, as well as their opinions and beliefs regarding these practices. Thematic analysis of the transcripts suggests that (a) experimental psychologists indeed employ a variety of methods that they consider relevant yet do not routinely report in method sections, and (b) these unwritten practices seem to fall into two broad categories: ‘professionalism’ and ‘the production of good data’. We discuss implications for psychological research generally, and the replication debate more specifically.
Molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in the era of genomic characterization of disease subgroups
Authors: Taïeb David , Jha Abhishek , Treglia Giorgio , Pacak Karel
Published: September 2019

In recent years, advancement in genetics has profoundly helped to gain a more comprehensive molecular, pathogenic, and prognostic picture of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs). Newly discovered molecular targets, particularly those that target cell membranes or signaling pathways have helped move nuclear medicine in the forefront of PPGL precision medicine. This is mainly based on the introduction and increasing experience of various PET radiopharmaceuticals across PPGL genotypes quickly followed by implementation of novel radiotherapies and revised imaging algorithms. Particularly, 68Ga-labeled-SSAs have shown excellent results in the diagnosis and staging of PPGLs and in selecting patients for PRRT as a potential alternative to 123/131I-MIBG theranostics. PRRT using 90Y/177Lu-DOTA-SSAs has shown promise for treatment of PPGLs with improvement of clinical symptoms and/or disease control. However, more well-designed prospective studies are required to confirm these findings, in order to fully exploit PRRT’s antitumoral properties to obtain the final FDA approval. Such an approval has recently been obtained for high‐specific-activity 131I-MIBG for inoperable/metastatic PPGL. The increasing experience and encouraging preliminary results of these radiotherapeutic approaches in PPGLs now raises an important question of how to further integrate them into PPGL management (e.g. monotherapy or in combination with other systemic therapies), carefully taking into account the PPGLs locations, genotypes, and growth rate. Thus, targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) should preferably be performed at specialized centers with an experienced interdisciplinary team. Future perspectives include the introduction of dosimetry and biomarkers for therapeutic responses for more individualized treatment plans, α-emitting isotopes, and the combination of TRT with other systemic therapies.
Innovation in Focus
Authors: Lahey Rhona , Wroten Chris
Published: September 2019

Artifical intelligence has become commonplace in society, so that many things once considered revolutionary are no longer even considered AI.  Examining some of AI's hisotrical milestones and understanding a few basic terms will allow us to better understand several current AI health care projects and their potential impact on eye care.