bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Word order as grammaticalised semiotic systems
Authors: Heltoft Lars
Published: May 2019

Meillet (1921 [1912]: 147-48) briefly states that word order is grammatical and that word order change is an alternative way of grammaticalisation, a stance that has had few followers within mainstream grammaticalisation studies. In the context of Henning Andersen’s view of morphology and the principles of its analysis, I propose a typology of the ways word order can grammaticalise, i.e. organise in closed paradigms, built on the distinction between symbolic, indexical and iconic meaning.
Aspects of grammaticalization and reanalysis in the voice domain in the transition from Latin to early Italo-Romance
Authors: Cennamo Michela
Published: May 2019

This article discusses some aspects of the grammaticalization and reanalysis of lexical verbs as passive auxiliaries and light verbs in the passage from Latin to (Italo-)Romance, focussing on (i) the diachronic relationship between auxiliarization and light verbs, (ii) the direction of the changes and (iii) the pertinacity to change of light verbs. The light verb uses of the verbs under investigation (COME, BECOME), both in Late Latin and in some early Italo-Romance vernaculars, exhibit a different type of decategorialization and desemanticization compared with auxiliaries, attested later than their auxiliary function.
Name-calling
Authors: Janda Laura A.
Published: May 2019

Henning Andersen (2012) points out that the Russian “new Vocative” (e.g., мам! ‘mama!’, Саш! ‘Sasha!’) presents a series of unusual behaviors that set it apart from ordinary case marking. Andersen argues that the Vocative should not be considered a declensional word form of nouns. The Russian Vocative is certainly an uncommon linguistic category, but does this entail setting up a new transcategorial derivation? Similar restrictions are found in other markers that are generally recognized as case desinences. The pragmatic use of virile vs. deprecatory nominative plural markers in Polish and lexical and morphophonological restrictions on the “second Locative” in Russian. The restrictions found in the Vocative are certainly unusual, but no single one of them can be said to exclude a marker from being identified with a case, and one must ask what we gain by inaugurating new derivational types.
Changes of tense and modality in Late Mediaeval Slovene
Authors: Gvozdanović Jadranka
Published: May 2019

The paper analyses the typology of change processes proposed by Andersen (2001, 2006) by minutely investigating semantic and pragmatic properties of temporal categories in the earliest Slovene texts, which emerged under German cultural influence, but preserved primacy of system-motivated developments.
Spatial deictics in translation
Authors: Bartkutė Darija , Verikaitė-Gaigalienė Daiva
Published: May 2019

Recent research on deictic elements has made extensive use of translation corpora to demonstrate that asymmetries between translational paradigms signal subtle contrasts from a systemic and pragmatic perspective. The purpose of the present study is to identify translation correspondences of the English spatial demonstrativethisin Lithuanian and to discuss the contrastive features within the analytical framework of translational explicitation and implicitation. The results indicate that in the prototypical situational usage there is a high degree of correspondence betweenthisand its Lithuanian translation, while textual uses demonstrate low formal equivalence. A tendency to implicitate stems from the null subject construction and object ellipsis in Lithuanian and is also a result of the availability of facultative deictic words in Lithuanian. The apparent systemic difference between the deictic systems of English and Lithuanian indicates a tendency towards optional implicitation and stylistic variation in literary translation.
In silico
crops and multi-omic approaches to meet agricultural challenges.
Authors: Challa G. S. , Marshall-Colón A.
Published: May 2019

For decades, plant geneticists have attempted to link crop genes to phenotypes of interest. Advanced technologies in molecular biology, biochemistry and high-performance computing have provided unprecedented depth of knowledge about biological systems, and have accelerated molecular breeding and bioengineering of crop species. Single-omic level technologies that explore genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes and metabolomes have led to gene discovery and have revealed important signalling and regulatory mechanisms that influence crop response to the environment. Data from individual biological scales have been used in mathematical models to predict how crops will respond to untested environmental conditions. However, many of these models are empirical and lack predictive capability that can extrapolate beyond the conditions used to optimize the model. There is a need to move beyond modelling at single-scales to achieve integrative, multiscale modelling that takes full advantage of our understanding of molecular mechanisms and the wealth of genomewide data that has been generated over the last three decades. In this review, we survey the most recent literature exploring the collection and analysis of multi-omic data, and provide examples of attempts to integrate these data in various ways. It is apparent that integrative and multiscale modelling improve crop model prediction accuracy, and it is anticipated that the movement towards
in silico
crops will aid in the development of crop ideotypes that can thrive under challenging environmental conditions.
A review of aetiology and risk factors affecting sow mortality.
Authors: Supakorn China , Moeller G. , Stock J. D. , Johnson A. K. , Stalder K. J.
Published: May 2019

Sow-mortality rates in the US breeding herds have been increasing in recent years. Based on reports in the scientific literature, sow-mortality rates started increasing by the mid- to late-1990s. This reality continues to be documented through database evaluation and reports from herd managers and producers. These trends are a clear challenge to herd veterinarians and producers in the swine industry in the USA and many other countries around the world. Sow-mortality challenges are complex issues with multiple risk factors. This review covers reported incidences of increasing sow mortality, as well as aetiologies and risk factors associated with sow mortality occurring in the modern lean-type sow. Gastro-intestinal, heart and locomotive problems, cystitis-pyelonephritis (inflammation of the urinary bladder and kidney), reproductive failure, prolapses and additional disorders are consistently reported as common aetiologies for sow mortality. Information on related risk factors such as population, sow housing, reproductive stage and health status lead efforts to define and resolve sow mortality. Increasing sow mortality could well be taken as an indictment of modern production systems, of the genetically improved sows, or the knowledge and actions of animal caretakers. Prompt resolution of sow mortality is of critical importance and is a public expectation with respect to the ethical treatment and care of production food animals.
Hamstring rate of torque development is more affected than maximal voluntary contraction after a professional soccer match
Authors: Grazioli Rafael , Lopez Pedro , Andersen Lars L. , Machado Carlos Leonardo Figueiredo , Pinto Matheus Daros , Cadore Eduardo Lusa , Pinto Ronei Silveira
Published: May 2019

Match‐induced fatigue of knee muscle strength and agonist‐antagonist strength‐ratios may affect both performance and risk of injury in soccer players. Once explosive tasks are imperative in soccer as well as hamstring strain injuries occur during high‐velocity moments, rapid force capacity of this muscle group is especially important. This study evaluated the effect of match‐induced fatigue on knee muscle strength and strength‐ratio parameters after a single professional soccer match. Male professional soccer players (n = 16; 24.2 ± 3.9 years) were tested before and after a soccer match (56.2 ± 22.6 min of playing) for knee flexors (hamstring) and extensors (quadriceps) isometric peak torque (MVC) and rate of torque development (RTD) – as well as the hamstring‐to‐quadriceps ratio (H:Q) – at 30° of knee flexion. Knee injuries often occur at this joint angle, which is common in sprinting, pivoting, sidecutting, and jumping. Match‐induced fatigue caused a left shift in the knee extensors torque‐time curve with no significant change in both early (i.e. 0–50 ms) and late (i.e. 0–200 ms) RTD, and a right shift in the knee flexors torque‐time curve with a decrease in early RTD (∼16%, p = .029) and late RTD (∼11%, p = .011). Knee extensors and knee flexors peak torque remained unchanged (p > .05). Early RTD H:Q decreased by∼24% (p = .027), while late RTD H:Q and MVC H:Q remained unchanged (p > .05). In conclusion, match‐induced fatigue impaired the ability to rapidly produce force at an angle where injuries are most susceptible to occur. Important information is missed if only the traditional H:Q is considered.
Successive lag cluster consensus on multi-agent systems via delay-dependent impulsive control*
Authors: Qiu Xiao-Fen , Zhang Yin-Xing , Li Ke-Zan
Published: May 2019

We introduce a new consensus pattern, named a successive lag cluster consensus (SLCC), which is a generalized pattern of successive lag consensus (SLC). By applying delay-dependent impulsive control, the SLCC of first-order and second-order multi-agent systems is discussed. Furthermore, based on graph theory and stability theory, some sufficient conditions for the stability of SLCC on multi-agent systems are obtained. Finally, several numerical examples are given to verify the correctness of our theoretical results.
Molecule opacities of

X

2

Σ

+

,

A

2

Π

, and

B

2

Σ

+

states of CS+
*
Authors: Lin Xiao-He , Liang Gui-Ying , Wang Jian-Guo , Peng Yi-Geng , Shao Bin , Li Rui , Wu Yong
Published: May 2019

Carbon sulfide cation (CS+) plays a dominant role in some astrophysical atmosphere environments. In this work, the rovibrational transition lines are computed for the lowest three electronic states, in which the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction approach (MRCI) with Davison size-extensivity correction (+Q) is employed to calculate the potential curves and dipole moments, and then the vibrational energies and spectroscopic constants are extracted. The Frank–Condon factors are calculated for the bands of

X

2

Σ

+

−

A

2

Π

and

X

2

Σ

+

−

B

2

Σ

+

systems, and the band of

X

2

Σ

+

−

A

2

Π

is in good agreement with the available experimental results. Transition dipole moments and the radiative lifetimes of the low-lying three states are evaluated. The opacities of the CS+ molecule are computed at different temperatures under the pressure of 100 atms. It is found that as temperature increases, the band systems associated with different transitions for the three states become dim because of the increased population on the vibrational states and excited electronic states at high temperature.
Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler–Townes splitting in a weak radio-frequency electric field*
Authors: Hao Liping , Xue Yongmei , Fan Jiabei , Jiao Yuechun , Zhao Jianming , Jia Suotang
Published: May 2019

We utilize an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) of a three-level cascade system involving Rydberg state in a room-temperature cell, formed with a cesium 6S1/2–6P3/2–66S1/2 scheme, to investigate the Autler–Townes (AT) splitting resulting from a 15.21-GHz radio-frequency (RF) field that couples the

|
66

S

1

/

2

〉
→
|
65

P

1

/

2

〉

Rydberg transition. The radio-frequency electric field induced AT splitting, γ
AT, is defined as the peak-to-peak distance of an EIT-AT spectrum. The dependence of AT splitting γ
AT on the probe and coupling Rabi frequency, Ωp and Ωc, is investigated. It is found that the EIT-AT splitting strongly depends on the EIT linewidth that is related to the probe and coupling Rabi frequency in a weak RF-field regime. Using a narrow linewidth EIT spectrum would decrease the uncertainty of the RF field measurements. This work provides new experimental evidence for the theoretical framework in [J. Appl. Phys.
121, 233106 (2017)].
Effect of laser polarization on strong-field ionization and fragmentation of nitrous oxide molecules*
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhang Shi-Wen , Liu Yang , Sun Tian , Lv Hang , Xu Hai-Feng
Published: May 2019

Ionization of molecules in femtosecond laser fields is the most fundamental and important step of various strong-field physical processes. In this study, we experimentally investigate strong field ionization of linear N2O molecules using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer in 800-nm laser fields. Yields of the parent ion and different fragment ions are measured as a function of laser intensity in the range of 2.0×1013 W/cm2 to 3.6×1014 W/cm2. We also investigate the dependence of strong field ionization and dissociation of N2O on laser ellipticity and polarization direction. The significant role of laser induced electron re-collision in the formation of highly charged fragment ions is proved. The physical mechanism of strong field ionization and fragmentation is discussed, based on our experimental results.
Optically manipulated nanomechanics of semiconductor nanowires*
Authors: Song Chenzhi , Yang Shize , Li Xiaomin , Li Xiao , Feng Ji , Pan Anlian , Wang Wenlong , Xu Zhi , Bai Xuedong
Published: May 2019

Opto–electromechanical coupling at the nanoscale is an important topic in new scientific studies and technical applications. In this work, the optically manipulated electromechanical behaviors of individual cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires are investigated by a customer-built optical holder inside transmission electron microscope, wherein in situ electromechanical resonance took place in conjunction with photo excitation. It is found that the natural resonance frequency of the nanowire under illumination becomes considerably lower than that under darkness. This redshift effect is closely related to the wavelength of the applied light and the diameter of the nanowires. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that the photoexcitation leads to the softening of CdS nanowires and thus the redshift of natural frequency, which is in agreement with the experimental results.
Influence of warm eddies on sound propagation in the Gulf of Mexico*
Authors: Xiao Yao , Li Zhenglin , Li Jun , Liu Jiaqi , G Sabra Karim
Published: May 2019

An automatic detection method is employed to identify and track eddies in the Gulf of Mexico. The physical parameters of the eddies, such as lifespan, radius, and distribution position are first examined and used to determine the spatio–temporal evolution of a strong warm eddy separated from the Mexico current. Then, the influence of this strong warm eddy on sound propagation during its lifespan are comprehensively analyzed with the parabolic equation and explained by using the normal mode and ray theories. Additionally, the influence of mesoscale eddies on the redistribution of total depth-integrated energy among the normal modes in the deep water is also discussed. The variation of arrival angle is investigated to explain the spreading acoustic energy caused by eddies. Overall, the results show that warm eddies can change the propagation paths and cause the convergence zone to broaden and approach the sound source. Moreover, the warm eddy can disperse sound energy and cause the total depth-integrated energy to incline to a lower normal mode. Throughout the whole of these three periods (eddy generating, eddy maturing, and eddy terminating), the fluctuation in the transmission loss is up to 30 dB (depending on the relative location of eddy center to the source).
A passive source ranging method based on the frequency warping transform of the vertical intensity flux in shallow water*
Authors: Qi Yu-Bo , Zhou Shi-Hong , Yu Meng-Xiao , Du Shu-Yuan , Sun Mei , Zhang Ren-He
Published: May 2019

The phase of cross-correlation function of two different normal modes contains source range information, which can be extracted by warping transform due to the dispersive characteristics of the shallow water waveguide. The autocorrelation function of the received pressure or particle velocity contains both modal autocorrelation component (MAC) and modal cross-correlation component (MCC), with the former part usually treated as interference for source ranging. Because the real part of the vertical intensity flux (RPVIF) only contains MCC, a passive impulsive source ranging method based on the frequency warping transform of RPVIF with a single vector receiver in shallow water is presented. Using a waveguide-invariant-based frequency warping operator, the cross-correlation components of two different modes in the vertical intensity flux are warped into separable impulsive sequences, the time delays of which are subsequently used for source ranging. The advantages of source ranging based on warping the vertical intensity flux compared with warping the pressure autocorrelation function are pointed out, and the experiment results are also presented.
Structure instability-induced high dielectric properties in [001]-oriented 0.68Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.33PbTiO3 crystals*
Authors: Li Xiao-Juan , Fan Xing , Xi Zeng-Zhe , Liu Peng , Long Wei , Fang Pin-Yang , Nan Rui-Hua
Published: May 2019

The structure evolution and origin of ultrahigh dielectric properties have been investigated in the low temperature range from 300 K to 5 K for [001]-oriented 0.68Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.33PbTiO3 (PMN–33PT) crystal. The experimental results reveal that a short-range ordered monoclinic MA is the dominant phase at ambient temperature. As the temperature drops below 270 K, the MA transforms into monoclinic MC, and the MC remains stable until 5 K. Although no phase transition occurs from 5 K to 245 K, polar nanoregions (PNRs) display visible changes. The instability of PNRs is suggested as responsible for the low temperature relaxation. The ultrahigh dielectric constant at room temperature is associated with the instability of local structure and phase transition. Our research provides an insight into the design of high-performance ferroelectric materials.
Tuning the intensity statistics of random speckle patterns*
Authors: Meng Fan , Zhao Yue , Zhang Yun-Zuo , Huo Lei
Published: May 2019

Speckle patterns are a fundamental tool in a variety of physical and optical applications. Here, we investigate a method of precisely tuning the intensity statistics of random speckle patterns into a desirable pattern that possesses the same spatial correlation length and similar statistics distribution. This tuning mechanism relies on the derivation of the transform function and transmission matrix, which achieves different contrasts while maintaining the same average value or energy level. The statistics properties of the generated speckle patterns are further investigated by analyzing the standard deviation under different fitting parameters. Precisely tuning the intensity statistics of random speckle patterns could be useful for both fundamental research and practical applications, such as microscopy, imaging, and optical manipulation.
Unified description of thermal behaviors by macroscopic growth laws
Authors: Castorina P , Castorina S , Lanteri D
Published: May 2019

Complex systems, in many different scientific sectors, show coarse-grain properties with simple growth laws with respect to fundamental microscopic algorithms. The known classification schemes of the growth laws refer to time evolution of biological and technical systems. We propose to apply the previous classifications to phenomenological analysis of thermal systems with a cross-fertilization among different sectors. As an example, the Fermi–Dirac distribution function and the electrical activation in implanted silicon carbide are discussed.
A symbiotic balancing act: arbuscular mycorrhizal specificity and specialist fungus gnat pollination in the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae)
Authors: Guo Xing , Zhao Zhongtao , Mar Shek Shing , Zhang Dianxiang , Saunders Richard M K
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Mycorrhizal associations in mycoheterotrophic plants are generally more specialized than in autotrophs. Mycoheterotrophs typically bear small, inconspicuous flowers that often self-pollinate to maximize seed set, although some have structurally complex flowers indicative of xenogamy. A trade-off has previously been proposed between specialization in these above- and below-ground symbioses, although empirical data are lacking.

Methods

We used next-generation DNA sequencing to compare the mycorrhizal communities from the roots of a mycoheterotrophic species, Thismia tentaculata (Thismiaceae), and its neighbouring autotrophs. We furthermore conducted detailed assessments of floral phenology and pollination ecology, and performed artificial pollination experiments to determine the breeding system.

Key Results

Thismia tentaculata maintains a symbiotic association with a single arbuscular mycorrhizal Rhizophagus species. The flowers are pollinated by a single species of fungus gnats (Corynoptera, Sciaridae), which are attracted by the yellow pigments and are temporarily restrained within the perianth chamber before departing via apertures between the anthers. The plants are self-compatible but predominantly xenogamous.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that T. tentaculata maintains highly specialized associations with pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi, both of which are widely distributed. We suggest that specialization in multiple symbiotic interactions is possible in mycoheterotrophs if redundant selective pressures are not exerted to further restrict an already constrained suite of life-history traits.
Neurocognitive Development in Perinatally Human Immunodeficiency Virus–infected Adolescents on Long-term Treatment, Compared to Healthy Matched Controls: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Van den Hof Malon , ter Haar Anne Marleen , Scherpbier Henriette J , van der Lee Johanna H , Reiss Peter , Wit Ferdinand W N M , Oostrom Kim J , Pajkrt Dasja
Published: May 2019

Background

A cross-sectional analysis of the Neurological, cOgnitive and VIsual performance in hiv-infected Children cohort showed significant cognitive impairment in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated, perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adolescents (PHIV+) compared to age-, sex-, ethnicity- and socioeconomic status (SES)-matched HIV-negative controls (HIV−). In this longitudinal study, we compared cognitive development in the same adolescents over time.

Methods

We repeated the standardized cognitive test battery after a mean of 4.6 years (standard deviation 0.3). In participants who completed both assessments, we compared cognitive trajectories between groups in the domains of intelligence quotient (IQ), processing speed, working memory, executive functioning, learning ability, and visual-motor function, using linear mixed models. We explored associations with disease- and treatment-related factors and used multivariate normative comparison (MNC) to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment.

Results

There were 21 PHIV+ and 23 HIV− participants that completed 2 assessments and were similar concerning age, sex, ethnicity, and SES. Compared to HIV− participants, in PHIV+ participants the IQ score increased significantly more over time (group*time 6.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–10.50; P = .012), whereas executive functioning decreased significantly more (group*time −1.43 z score, 95% CI −2.12 to −0.75; P < .001), resulting in the disappearance and appearance of significant differences. Processing speed, working memory, learning ability, and visual-motor function trajectories were not statistically different between groups. Univariately, those who had started cART at an older age deviated more in executive functioning (−0.13 z score, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.02; P = .043). The prevalence of cognitive impairments by MNC was similar in both groups, at both time points.

Conclusions

The cART-treated PHIV+ adolescents appeared to have similar global cognitive development, compared to their healthy peers. Executive functioning trajectory appears to deviate, potentially explained by earlier brain damage.
Responding to the weather: energy budgeting by a small mammal in the wild
Authors: Hume Taylor , Geiser Fritz , Currie Shannon E , Körtner Gerhard , Stawski Clare
Published: May 2019

Energy conservation is paramount for small mammals because of their small size, large surface area to volume ratio, and the resultant high heat loss to the environment. To survive on limited food resources and to fuel their expensive metabolism during activity, many small mammals employ daily torpor to reduce energy expenditure during the rest phase. We hypothesized that a small terrestrial semelparous marsupial, the brown antechinus Antechinus stuartii, would maximize activity when foraging conditions were favorable to gain fat reserves before their intense breeding period, but would increase torpor use when conditions were poor to conserve these fat reserves. Female antechinus were trapped and implanted with small temperature-sensitive radio transmitters to record body temperature and to quantify torpor expression and activity patterns in the wild. Most antechinus used torpor at least once per day over the entire study period. Total daily torpor use increased and mean daily body temperature decreased significantly with a reduction in minimum ambient temperature. Interestingly, antechinus employed less torpor on days with more rain and decreasing barometric pressure. In contrast to torpor expression, activity was directly related to ambient temperature and inversely related to barometric pressure. Our results reveal that antechinus use a flexible combination of physiology and behavior that can be adjusted to manage their energy budget according to weather variables.
Towards a more balanced assessment of the dynamics of North Atlantic ecosystems—a comment on Drinkwater and Kristiansen (2018)
Authors: Frank Kenneth T , Petrie Brian , Leggett William C , Boyce Daniel G
Published: May 2019

Drinkwater and Kristiansen (hereafter D&K) (2018, A synthesis of the ecosystem responses to the late 20th century cold period in the northern North Atlantic, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 75: 2325–2341) examined multi-trophic level biological responses in relation to a 1960s–1980s “cold period” that they associated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). They concluded that ocean temperature was a major driver of ecosystem changes throughout the North Atlantic during this interval and adversely affected the abundance, spawning stock biomass (SSB), recruitment, survival success of several species including cod in four North Atlantic ecosystems (NE Arctic, Iceland, West Greenland, and Labrador–northern Newfoundland). D&K further suggested that negative ocean temperature anomalies during this cold period occurred first in the Eastern Arctic and Barents Sea, propagated westward across the North Atlantic to the Labrador Sea and were potentially related to a sequential E–W collapse of the four cod stocks. We take issue with these conclusions and suggest that a more quantitative discussion of fisheries exploitation was in order.
Energy saving and emission reduction of fossil energy based on low carbon economy and its consumption structure optimization
Authors: Li Yan , Dai Guilin
Published: May 2019

Energy saving and emission reduction have been not only a slogan but also a policy in this modern society where the phenomenon of greenhouse is exacerbated. In this study, calculation method of carbon emission and integrated parallel acquisition technique (IPAT) scenario prediction model were combined to predict the changes of total carbon emissions, energy structure distribution, and carbon emission intensity under three measures of energy saving and emission reduction in the next ten years in Shandong, China. The results showed that the total carbon emission increased year by year, and the coal ratio and carbon emission intensity decreased under the natural scenario; the total carbon emission in the weakly constrained scenario would increase annually until 2029, the amplitude was smaller than that of the natural scenario, while the coal ratio and carbon emission intensity would decrease, and the amplitude was larger than that of the natural scenario. Under the strongly constrained scenario, the total carbon emission would increase annually before 2025, and the amplitude was smaller than the weakly constrained scenario, while the coal ratio and carbon emission intensity would decrease, and the amplitude was larger than the weakly constrained scenario.
Effects of feeding juniper as a roughage on feedlot performance, carcass measurements, meat sensory attributes, and volatile aroma compounds of yearling Rambouillet wethers1,2
Authors: Kerth Christopher R , Wall Kayley R , Miller Rhonda K , Whitney Travis R , Stewart Whitney C , Boles Jane A , Murphy Thomas W
Published: May 2019

The majority of U.S. lambs are born during late winter or early spring, which can create downstream variability in carcass quality if commercial lamb harvest is to be relatively constant throughout the year. Flavor is an important quality determining characteristic of sheep meat and is influenced, in part, by animal age at harvest. However, management practices to mitigate the risk of objectionable flavors in meat from old crop lambs or yearlings are not well known. Yearling (16.8 ± 0.14 mo) Rambouillet wethers were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups, which consisted of feeding a 20% ground sorghum-sudangrass hay diet for 40 d (JUN0; n = 10), a 20% ground juniper diet for 40 d (JUN40; n = 10), or a 20% ground hay diet for 20 d followed by a 20% ground juniper diet for 20 d (JUN20; n = 10). Wethers were harvested on day 41 and a whole bone-in loin and a boneless inside leg roast were fabricated from one side each of carcass. After grilling (loin chop) or convection air roasting (leg roast), trained sensory panel evaluation and measurement of aroma volatiles by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were performed. Treatment diet did not affect (P ≥ 0.17) wether feedlot performance, dressing percentage, or loin eye area. However, wethers fed JUN0 tended (P = 0.06) to have greater back fat depth than wethers fed JUN20 or JUN40. No trained sensory panel trait of loin chop samples was affected (P > 0.10) by treatment. Leg roasts from JUN0 and JUN20 wethers had greater (P = 0.01) lamb identification sensory score than JUN40. Benzaldehyde, 1-heptanol, and 1-octanol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) and decanal and nonenal concentrations were less (P < 0.05) in loin chops from JUN0 compared with JUN40 wethers. Additionally, the terpenes cedr-8-ene, gamma muurolene, and widdrene tended to be greater (P < 0.07) in loin chops from JUN20 and JUN40 than JUN0 wethers. The 2-pentyl-furan concentrations were greatest (P = 0.03) in leg roasts from JUN40 wethers. Like the loin chops, cedr-8-ene, gamma-muurolene, toluene, and widdrene were greater (P < 0.05) in leg roasts from wethers fed either of the juniper diets compared with JUN0. Yearling wethers can be finished on a feedlot diet containing 20% juniper for up to 40 d prior to harvest with no impact on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, nor negative impact on sensory attributes or volatile compounds of either grilled loin chops or roasted legs.
Role of prophylactic cranial irradiation for elderly patients with limited-disease small-cell lung cancer: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity score
Authors: Kim Tae Gyu , Pyo Hongryull , Ahn Yong Chan , Noh Jae Myoung , Oh Dongryul
Published: May 2019

Studies of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) focused on elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are rarely conducted. We aimed to identify whether there is a survival benefit of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in elderly patients using a single institution’s retrospective data. A total of 234 patients with limited-disease SCLC (LD-SCLC) treated with thoracic chemoradiotherapy were evaluated; of these, 139 patients received PCI. To minimize treatment selection bias, patients were adjusted using the propensity score on factors associated with receipt of PCI. Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan–Meier analyses were used to identify which subgroup may benefit from PCI. Median follow-up time was 22 months (range 1–150 months). PCI was associated with favorable brain metastasis–free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival in the entire population [hazard ratios (HR) 0.588, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.338–1.024, P = 0.060; HR 0.477, 95% CI 0.331–0.687, P < 0.001; HR 0.543, 95% CI 0.383–0.771, P = 0.001, respectively). However, PCI had no significant relationship with overall survival in patients aged ≥65 years with cT3–4 disease and/or females gender (HR 0.817, 95% CI 0.098–6.849, P = 0.853; HR 1.082, 95% CI 0.114–10.227, P = 0.946, respectively). The benefits and risks of PCI in elderly patients with LD-SCLC need to be scrutinized, especially in those with high T stage tumors and/or females.
Sarcopenia Predicts Overall Survival in Patients with Lung, Breast, Prostate, or Myeloma Spine Metastases Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Independent of Histology
Authors: Zakaria Hesham Mostafa , Llaniguez Jeremy T , Telemi Edvin , Chuang Matthew , Abouelleil Mohamed , Wilkinson Brandon , Chandra Ankush , Boyce-Fappiano David , Elibe Erinma , Schultz Lonni , Siddiqui Farzan , Griffith Brent , Kalkanis Steven N , Lee Ian Yu , Chang Victor
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Predicting survival of patients with spinal metastases would help stratify treatments from aggressive to palliation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether sarcopenia predicts survival in patients with lung, breast, prostate, or multiple myeloma spinal metastases.

METHODS

Psoas muscle measurements in patients with spinal metastasis were taken from computed tomography scans at 2 time points: at first episode of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and from the most recent scan available. Overall survival and hazard ratios were calculated with multivariate cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

RESULTS

In 417 patients with spinal metastases, 40% had lung cancer, 27% breast, 21% prostate, and 11% myeloma. Overall survival was not associated with age, sex, ethnicity, levels treated, or SBRT volume. Multivariate analysis showed patients in the lowest psoas tertile had shorter survival (222 d, 95% CI = 185-323 d) as compared to the largest tertile (579 d, 95% CI = 405-815 d), (HR1.54, P = .005). Median psoas size as a cutoff value was also strongly predictive for survival (HR1.48, P = .002). Survival was independent of tumor histology. The psoas/vertebral body ratio was also successful in predicting overall survival independent of tumor histology and gender (HR1.52, P < .01). Kaplan–Meier survival curves visually represent survival (P = .0005).

CONCLUSION

In patients with spine metastases, psoas muscle size as a hallmark of frailty/sarcopenia is an objective, simple, and effective way to identify patients who are at risk for shorter survival, regardless of tumor histology. This information can be used to help with surgical decision making in patients with advanced cancer, as patients with small psoas sizes are at higher risk of death.
Protocolization of Post-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Pain Control with Elimination of Benzodiazepines and Long-Acting Opioids
Authors: Boulter Jason H , Curry Brian P , Szuflita Nicholas S , Miller Charles A , Spinelli Joseph , Delaney John J , Neal Chris J , Spevak Christopher J , Bell Randy S
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

The opioid epidemic continues to worsen with a concomitant increase in opioid-related mortality. In response, the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Agency recommended against the use of long-acting opioids (LAOs) and concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines. Subsequently, we eliminated benzodiazepines and LAOs from our postoperative pain control regimen.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of removing benzodiazepines and LAOs on postoperative pain in single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of single-level TLIF patients from February 2016-March 2018 was performed. Postoperative pain control in the + benzodiazepine cohort included scheduled diazepam with or without LAOs. These medications were replaced with nonbenzodiazepine, opioid-sparing adjuncts in the −benzodiazepine cohort. Pain scores, length of hospitalization, trigger medication use, and opioid use and duration were compared.

RESULTS

Among 77 patients, there was no difference between inpatient pain scores, but the -benzodiazepine cohort experienced a faster rate of morphine equivalent reduction (−18.7%, 95% CI [−1.22%, −36.10%]), used less trigger medications (−1.55, 95% CI [−0.43, −2.67]), and discharged earlier (0.6 d; 95% CI [0.01, 1.11 d]). As outpatients, the −benzodiazepine cohort was less likely to receive opioid refills at 2 wk (29.2% vs 55.8%, P = .021) and 6 mo postoperatively (0% vs 13.2%, P = .039), and was less likely to be using opioids by 3 mo postoperatively (13.3% vs 34.2%, P = .048).

CONCLUSION

Replacement of benzodiazepines and LAOs in the pain control regimen for single-level TLIFs did not affect pain scores and was associated with decreased opioid use, a reduction in trigger medications, and shorter hospitalizations.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Breakthrough Invasive Mold Infections in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Receiving Remission Induction Chemotherapy
Authors: Patel Heena P , Perissinotti Anthony J , Patel Twisha S , Bixby Dale L , Marshall Vincent D , Marini Bernard L
Published: May 2019

Background

Despite fungal prophylaxis, invasive mold infections (IMIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving remission induction chemotherapy. The choice of antifungal prophylaxis agent remains controversial, especially in the era of novel targeted therapies. We conducted a retrospective case–control study to determine the incidence of fungal infections and to identify risk factors associated with IMI.

Methods

Adult patients with AML receiving anti-Aspergillus prophylaxis were included to determine the incidence of IMI per 1000 prophylaxis-days. Patients without and with IMI were matched 2:1 based on the day of IMI diagnosis, and multivariable models using logistic regression were constructed to identify risk factors for IMI.

Results

Of the 162 included patients, 28 patients had a possible (n = 22), probable, or proven (n = 6) diagnosis of IMI. The incidence of proven or probable IMI per 1000 prophylaxis-days was not statistically different between anti-Aspergillus azoles and micafungin (1.6 vs 5.4, P = .11). The duration of prophylaxis with each agent did not predict IMI occurrence on regression analysis. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004–1.081; P = .03) and relapsed/refractory AML diagnosis (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 1.56–12.64; P = .003) were associated with IMI on multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

In cases that preclude use of anti-Aspergillus azoles for prophylaxis, micafungin 100 mg once daily may be considered; however, in older patients and those with relapsed/refractory disease, diligent monitoring for IMI is required, irrespective of the agent used for antifungal prophylaxis.
The Interplay Between Age and Frailty in People Living With HIV: Results From an 11-Year Follow-up Observational Study
Authors: Guaraldi Giovanni , De Francesco Davide , Milic Jovana , Franconi Iacopo , Mussini Cristina , Falutz Julian , Cesari Matteo
Published: May 2019

Between 2006 and 2017, frailty prevalence decreased in HIV-positive individuals aged 50 years but presented a 3-fold increase among those 75 years of age. This dynamic relationship, defined as the frailty compression ratio, represents the net result of gero-inducing and gero-protective competing forces, described in the cohort.
Conspiratorial Thinking and Political Constraint
Authors: Enders Adam M
Published: May 2019

Recent research on conspiracy beliefs reveals that the general predisposition to believe conspiracy theories cuts across partisan and ideological lines. While this may signify that political orientations have no bearing on conspiratorial reasoning, it also may suggest that conspiracy theorists are simply less engaged in traditional left-right politics. In this manuscript, I consider the relationship between conspiratorial thinking and political constraint, or the extent to which individuals have a clear picture of “what goes with what” with respect to the various objects of the political world. Using the 2012 American National Election Study, I construct a measure of conspiratorial thinking, as well as several operationalizations of both ideological and group-based constraint and ideological thinking. Results show that individuals prone to conspiratorial thinking are less politically constrained—when it comes to both thoughts about issues and feelings about political groups—than their less conspiratorial counterparts. Moreover, conspiratorial thinking is positively associated with antigovernmental orientations and a lack of political efficacy, with conspiracy theorists perceiving a governmental threat to individual rights and displaying a deep skepticism that who one votes for really matters. These findings suggest that conspiratorial thinking may have broader implications for individuals’ basic conceptualization of politics.
Differential operators on polar harmonic Maass forms and elliptic duality
Authors: Bringmann Kathrin , Jenkins Paul , Kane Ben
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we study polar harmonic Maass forms of negative integral weight. Using work of Fay, we construct Poincaré series which span the space of such forms and show that their elliptic coefficients exhibit duality properties which are similar to the properties known for Fourier coefficients of harmonic Maass forms and weakly holomorphic modular forms.
An Evaluation of an Extended Intervention to Reduce Plagiarism in Bachelor of Nursing Students
Authors: Smedley Alison , Crawford Tonia , Cloete Linda
Published: May 2019

Pre- and postintervention surveys of first-year nursing students were undertaken to establish the students’ knowledge of plagiarism following implementation of an online library-based Academic Integrity Module and the use of plagiarism detection software. Knowledge and understanding of plagiarism improved, but students’ ability to paraphrase remained poor. Students entering postsecondary educational institutions require ongoing support and learning opportunities to improve their skills in paraphrasing and referencing to avoid plagiarism.
Comparing Virtual Reality Telepresence and Traditional Simulation Methods: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dang Bryan K. , O’Leary-Kelley Colleen , Palicte Jeland S. , Badheka Soham , Vuppalapati Chandrasekhar
Published: May 2019

Virtual reality (VR) could enable clinical simulation centers to reach the teaching capacity of traditional hospital practica. This study quantitatively tests VR telepresence against two traditional simulation learning methods using a within-subject design and the Presence Questionnaire. Eight nursing students were randomly assigned and rotated through simulation participation, VR observation, and television observation conditions, completing a questionnaire after each condition. Each condition had a significant effect on presence. Simulation participation yielded the highest perceived presence, followed by VR, and lastly by television observation. This pilot study probed for effect and feedback that will inform a larger experiment.
Nurse Practitioner and Medical Students’ Perceptions of Teamwork Before and After a Standardized Patient Pilot Simulation
Authors: Tankimovich Mariya , Swails Jennifer , Hamburger Marcelle
Published: May 2019

Attitudes toward interprofessional education are positive overall, but inferences about its key elements are hard to draw. Studies with qualitative strands examining interprofessional education’s key elements (communication, collaboration/teamwork, learning in practice, and understanding of roles) are especially needed. This mixed quantitative/qualitative standardized patient simulation involved 10 family nurse practitioner and 10 medical students. Both cohorts expressed improved teamwork confidence but were concerned about the complexity of teamwork and pressures on communication. At the complexity/communication nexus, nurse practitioner students thought interprofessional trust and equality were key; medical students saw the importance of strategizing multiple professional perspectives.
Subanesthetic Dose of Ketamine Improved CFA-induced Inflammatory Pain and Depression-like Behaviors Via Caveolin-1 in Mice
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhao Qiuhua , Zhou Yang , Sun Wanchen , Han Song , Peng Yuming , Li Junfa , Han Ruquan
Published: May 2019

Background:

Ketamine, a commonly used nonbarbiturate anesthetic drug, possesses antidepressant properties at subanesthetic doses; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Materials and Methods:

The analgesic and antidepressant effects of ketamine were explored using a complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced peripheral inflammatory pain model in vivo. Mice were first divided into sham or CFA injection group randomly, and were observed for mechanical hyperalgesia, depression-like behavior, and mRNA expression of caveolin-1. Then ketamine was administered in CFA-treated mice at day 7.

Results:

The behavioral testing results revealed mechanical hyperalgesia and depression in mice from days 7 to 21 after CFA injection. Ketamine reversed depression-like behaviors induced by CFA injection. It also restored the brain-regional expression levels of caveolin-1 in CFA-treated mice. In addition, caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expression were increased in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens of CFA-treated mice. However, ketamine reversed the increase in caveolin-1 expression in the ipsilateral and contralateral prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, supporting the distinct roles of specific brain regions in the regulation of pain and depression-like behaviors.

Conclusions:

In CFA-treated mice that exhibited pain behavior and depression-like behavior, ketamine reversed depression-like behavior. The prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens are the important brain regions in this regulation network. Despite these findings, other molecules and their mechanisms in the signal pathway, as well as other regions of the brain in the pain matrix, require further exploration.
The use of biologics for uveitis associated with spondyloarthritis
Authors: Arepalli Sruthi , Rosenbaum James T.
Published: May 2019

Purpose of review

The term spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of the joints, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile SpA and undifferentiated SpA. These diseases can also present with uveitis, or intraocular inflammation, which can be controlled with biologics.

Recent findings

Profound success has occurred with the tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors infliximab and adalimumab, moderate success with certolizumab pegol and golimumab and less encouraging results with etanercept. Promising results have also been demonstrated with interleukin-17 (IL-17) antagonists, such as secukinumab ixekizumab or combined IL-12 and 23 medications, such as ustekinumab.

In cases of uveitis that require long-term control, biologics are an emerging and valuable class of medications for these patients, and may provide avenues to control both their underlying SpA and uveitis manifestations.