bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of the Reproductive Indices and Gonadal Development of Clarias gariepinus Fed Chicken Offal and Shrimp Based Diets
Authors: Ajang Raymond Odey , Joseph Akaninyene Paul , Ivon Ettah Akpang , Ayim Elvis Monfung
Published: March 2019

The study on the reproductive indices and gonadal development of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed shrimp based diet (SBD), chicken offal based diet (COBD) and coppens (commercial diet) was carried-out over a 22 weeks period in concrete tanks measuring 3.5 x 1.7 x 1.5 m3          (8.9 m3). Forty juveniles with average length of 9.15 ± 0.17 cm and weight of 20.00 ± 4.53 g were stored per group in triplicate, resulting in 360 juveniles in total. Fish were fed daily at 3% of their body weight through-out the duration of the experiment. The nutrient composition of the 3 nutrients differed significantly at p<0.05. The dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and ammonia levels in the culture water with fish fed the 3 diets were within the required level for normal fish growth through-out the experiment. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the male C. gariepinus fed diet A (Coppens feed), diet B (SBD) and diet C (COBD) were 0.35 ± 0.03%, 0.41 ± 0.04% and 0.36 ± 0.02% respectively. Female C. gariepinus fed diet A, diet B and diet C had a mean GSI of 1.17 ± 0.26%, 0.88 ± 0.27% and 0.77 ± 0.06% respectively. The male gonad weight and GSI varied significantly between the treatment group fed coppens, shrimp based diet and chicken offal based diet (p<0.05), while female gonad weight and GSI did not vary significantly between treatment groups (p>0.05). The hepatosomatic index (HSI) of the male C. gariepinus fed diet A, diet B and diet C were 1.36 ± 0.07%, 1.18 ± 0.07% and 1.21 ± 0.06% respectively. Female C. gariepinus fed diet A, diet B and diet C had a mean HSI of 1.27 ± 0.09%, 1.20 ± 0.06% and 4.27 ± 0.38% respectively. The male and female HSI varied insignificantly between the treatment group at p>0.05. Fecundity was highest (3200 ± 717.90 eggs) in fish fed diet A, followed by fish fed diet B (2392 ± 749 eggs) and least in fish fed diet C (1973 ± 184 eggs). The mean fecundity varied significantly between the fish fed the 3 experimental diet at p<0.05. Normal arrangement of the oocytes, liver and testis was observed in fish fed COBD and SBD, just as in the case of the group fed coppens. Though coppens feed yielded better fecundity, the use of COBD and SBD is recommended for fish farmers in Nigeria. More researches should be carried out on using varying levels of chicken offals and shrimps in fish feed formulation.
Millet for Food and Nutritional Security in Drought Prone and Red Laterite Region of Eastern India
Authors: Brahmachari Koushik , Sarkar Sukamal , Santra Dipak K. , Maitra Sagar
Published: March 2019

The red and lateritic zone (RLZ) of Eastern India comprises of south-west part of West Bengal, a part of Odisha and Jahrkhand grimly a low position in respect of yield levels compared to many other parts of India. Soil of this area is poor in inherent fertility status with low to medium available nutrients of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Most of the lands are located on higher elevation and erosion hazards and gully formation are very common. Monsoon rainfall is erratic or unevenly distributed in this region and, thus partial or even total failure of rainfed crops is very common. The major parts of this zone are rainfed, rice-fallow based mono-cropped and cropping intensity of the region is between 125-130%. This region of India is home of millions of resource-challenged small and marginal farmers having poor food and nutritional vis-à-vis economic security. To alleviate this grim situation of drought prone RLZ of Eastern India, intensification of Rice-fallow by inclusion of suitable crops was one the major challenges due to several bio-physical constraints. In this context, being the climate resilient and drought tolerant crops, millets may be the best choice for the rice-based crop sequence, any fallow and marginal land, agro-forestry system or even for popularizing any millet-based crop sequence for escalating the level of livelihood of the small and marginal farmers of the dry tract of RLZ. The objective is to develop a model using implementing millet-based cropping system to address food and nutritional security for the regions like RLZ of eastern India. Available research data on millet production feasibility in the region was used. A multidisciplinary approach was used for value-addition and small-scale agri-industry. In this present paper, we conceptualized the current status, prospects and research strategies for augmenting the millet production system to improve the food and nutritional security across drought prone and red laterite region of Eastern India. We believe that same model can be applied elsewhere in the world with agro-climatic conditions like RLZ.
Economic Burden of Rabies: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kashmir, India
Authors: Qurieshi Mariya Amin , Bashir Khalid , Qureshi Uruj , Khan S. M. Salim
Published: March 2019

Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the mainstay of prevention in suspected exposure to rabies virus. Exposed patients are able to obtain anti-rabies vaccine in the anti-rabies clinic pro bono but they have to pay for passive immunization and cover other associated costs.

Aim: To estimate and analyze the direct and indirect costs of rabies PEP.

Methods: This study was conducted on 429 patients, who were exposed to bites from various animals and reported to Shri Mahraja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS), an associated tertiary hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar, Kashmir. Patient socio-demographic profile, details of animal bite exposure, the cost incurred for PEP was collected. The data were analyzed using a descriptive statistic.

Results: The study revealed a total median cost incurred on patients for receiving a PEP as 29.3 USD (United States Dollar), with an Inter-quartile Range (IQR) of 0.2 USD to 43.1USD. The direct median cost was 20.5 USD with an IQR of 6.2 USD to 29.4USD, while the indirect median cost was 20.3USD with an IQR of 13.5USD to 24.4USD.

Conclusion: Post-exposure prophylaxis imposes a significant economic burden to bite victims especially those of low socio-economic strata for whom the cost is substantial.
Rice Prices Shocks Transmission from International to Domestic Markets: An Evidence from Bamako and Kayes Rice Markets in Mali
Authors: Sossou Shéïtan , Diallo Moussa
Published: March 2019

This study assessed the transmission of international price shocks to domestic prices in Bamako and Kayes markets. Threshold Autoregressive Model developed by Balke and Fomby (1997) was used in the study. The empirical analysis used monthly price data of Bamako and Kayes markets over the period January 2006 to September 2016. The results of descriptive statistics showed that during the period 2006-2016, the average price of imported rice were 313 CFA francs in Bamako and 297 CFA francs in Kayes, respectively. The average price for local rice were 328 CFA francs in Bamako and 387 CFA francs in Kayes. The empirical results showed that local rice price in Kayes as well as imported rice price in Bamako responded asymmetrically to international price changes. The increase of international price was more rapidly transmissible to domestic prices than its decrease. Better regulation of rice markets and more road infrastructure would limit the power of commercial intermediaries and contribute to a better functioning of market structures.
Prevalence of Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Coal Mining Counties of the United States
Authors: Schmajuk Gabriela , Trupin Laura , Yelin Edward , Blanc Paul D.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Exposure to inhaled mineral dust, in particular silica, is associated with increased odds of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. We studied the association of RA with work‐related coal and silica exposure in the Appalachian region of the US.

Methods

We carried out a random‐digit dialed telephone survey in selected counties in Appalachia that had elevated coal workers’ pneumoconiosis mortality. Our study cohort included men ages ≥50 with any employment history, and we assessed exposure to coal mining employment, other work‐related dust, and ergonomic factors. We ascertained self‐reported physician diagnosis of any arthritis and of RA with glucocorticoid treatment. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and associated population attributable fraction (PAF) estimates.

Results

Among the 973 men who met study entry criteria (mean ± SD ages 66 ± 10 years; 54% ever smokers), 266 (27%) reported coal mining work and 189 (19%) reported other work‐related silica exposure. There were 517 men (53%), who reported any arthritis and 112 (12%) whose disease met the study definition of RA. Adjusting for covariates, coal mining was associated with elevated odds of RA (OR 3.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.1–6.2]), which accounted for a PAF of 33% (95% CI 26–40%) of the men studied. For any arthritis, the coal mining–associated OR was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6–3.2), with an associated PAF of 20% (95% CI 14–25%).

Conclusion

In this population of older males living in a coal mining region, we estimated that 20% of arthritis and 33% of RA may be attributable to coal mining work.
Comparing Proxy, Adolescent, and Adult Assessments of Functional Ability in Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Shoop‐Worrall Stephanie J. W. , Hyrich Kimme L. , Verstappen Suzanne M. M. , Sergeant Jamie C. , Baildam Eileen , Chieng Alice , Davidson Joyce , Foster Helen , Ioannou Yiannis , McErlane Flora , Wedderburn Lucy R. , Thomson Wendy , McDonagh Janet E.
Published: March 2019

Objective

In pediatric research, investigators rely on proxy reports of outcome, such as the proxy‐completed Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (C‐HAQ), to assess function in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). As children mature, they may self‐complete the adult HAQ or the unvalidated adolescent‐specific C‐HAQ. It is unclear how these measures compare and whether they are directly interchangeable. The present study was undertaken to compare agreement between the proxy‐completed C‐HAQ, adolescent‐specific C‐HAQ, and the HAQ at initial presentation to pediatric rheumatologic care and 1 year following the first presentation in adolescents with JIA.

Methods

Adolescents ages 11–17 years participating in the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS), a UK multicenter inception cohort, were included. In a CAPS substudy, adolescents self‐completed the adolescent‐specific C‐HAQ and the HAQ, and proxies simultaneously completed the proxy‐completed C‐HAQ at baseline and 1 year. Correlation and agreement between scores were assessed at baseline. Agreement and ability to similarly classify clinically important changes over time were assessed at 1 year following initial presentation to rheumatologic care.

Results

A total of 107 adolescents (adolescent‐specific C‐HAQ and HAQ) or their proxies (proxy‐completed C‐HAQ) had completed all 3 measures at baseline. Median age at diagnosis was 13 years, and 61% were female. Although the 3 scores demonstrated strong correlations (r > 0.8), they were not completely interchangeable, with agreement ranging between 70% and 80%. There was similar agreement between the changes in scores between baseline and 1 year. Using proxy‐completed C‐HAQ minimum clinically important cutoffs, the adolescent‐specific C‐HAQ and the HAQ similarly classified 80% to 90% of adolescents as having improved or worsened.

Conclusion

While there is relatively high agreement and similar classification of change between HAQ and the 2 C‐HAQ scores, these are not completely interchangeable. This impacts the comparison of function when measured in different ways over the lifespan.
How Do Glucocorticoids Used in Rheumatic Disease Affect Body Weight? A Narrative Review of the Evidence
Authors: Morgan Catharine , Costello Ruth E. , Ray David W. , Dixon William G.
Published: March 2019

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used to effectively treat inflammatory disease, but GCs have a number of recognized side effects. Patients and clinicians view these side effects differently, with clinicians most concerned with serious side effects such as osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus. Consequently, these side effects are well researched with clinical guidelines and recommendations. A side effect of particular concern to patients is weight gain, but this topic has not been well researched, and consequently clinicians find it difficult to provide patients with accurate information about the potential of weight gain. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of GC use specifically in rheumatic disease, patient views on GC therapy, and GC‐induced weight gain. We will discuss the evidence, including the extent and the impact of weight gain on the patient, and highlight areas that warrant further investigation.
Anatomy solves the puzzle of explosive pollen release in wind‐pollinated urticalean rosids
Authors: Pedersoli Giseli D. , Leme Flávia M. , Leite Viviane G. , Teixeira Simone P.
Published: March 2019

Premise of the Study

This study details the unusual synorganization of the staminate flower in wind‐pollinated urticalean rosids to add the missing pieces that complete the puzzle of the explosive mechanism of pollen release in this group.

Methods

Flower buds and flowers were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Key Results

The pistillode, stamens, and sepals form a floral apparatus that explosively releases pollen to be carried by the wind. The anthers dehisce when the stamens are still inflexed on the floral bud and are enveloped by the sepals and supported by an inflated pistillode. The distension of the filaments presses the pistillode, which decreases the pressure exerted on the anthers by releasing the air accumulated internally through its apical orifice. The extended filaments and the dehiscent free anthers move rapidly outward from the center of the flower. This movement of the filaments is then blocked by the robust basally united sepals, which causes a rapid inversion of the anther position, thus hurling the pollen grains far from the flower. The pollen grains are released grouped by the mucilage produced in high quantity in the cells found in all floral organs.

Conclusions

The anatomical structure of the pistillode and the finding of mucilaginous cells are the main features that help in the understanding the explosive mechanism of pollen release in urticalean rosids. The pistillode can be considered an exaptation because it was evolved later to provide a new role in the plant, optimizing male fitness.
PAd2‐DalPhos Enables the Nickel‐Catalyzed C−N Cross‐Coupling of Primary Heteroarylamines and (Hetero)aryl Chlorides
Authors: Clark Jillian S. K. , Ferguson Michael J. , McDonald Robert , Stradiotto Mark
Published: March 2019

Base‐metal catalysts capable of enabling the assembly of heteroatom‐dense molecules by cross‐coupling of primary heteroarylamines and (hetero)aryl chlorides, while sought‐after given the ubiquity of unsymmetrical di(hetero)arylamino fragments in pharmacophores, are unknown. Herein, we disclose the new “double cage” bisphosphine PAd2‐DalPhos (L2). The derived air‐stable NiII pre‐catalyst C2 functions well at low loadings in challenging test C−N cross‐couplings with established substrates, and facilitates the first Ni‐catalyzed C−N cross‐couplings of primary five‐ or six‐membered ring heteroarylamines and activated (hetero)aryl chlorides, with synthetically useful scope that is competitive with Pd catalysis.
Visible‐Light‐Promoted Polycyclizations of Dienynes
Authors: Lanzi Matteo , Santacroce Veronica , Balestri Davide , Marchiò Luciano , Bigi Franca , Maggi Raimondo , Malacria Max , Maestri Giovanni
Published: March 2019

A variety of linear dienynes can deliver complex tetracyclic frameworks in the presence of an IrIII complex and visible light. Product formation involves the generation of four new C−C bonds and six contiguous stereocenters, which decorate two [3.1.0] bicyclic units tethered through their bridging quaternary carbon atoms. The internal alkyne acts as a formal dicarbenoid for the generation of two cyclopropanes in these radical cation cascades. This behavior has not been previously observed for organic reactive intermediates and can be extended to intermolecular reactions and diendiynes.
Regioselective Functionalization of 7‐Azaindole by Controlled Annular Isomerism: The Directed Metalation‐Group Dance
Authors: Dalziel Michael E. , Patel Jignesh J. , Kaye Meagan K. , Cosman Jennifer L. , Kitching Matthew O. , Snieckus Victor
Published: March 2019

The regioselective functionalization of 7‐azaindole by controlled annular isomerism employing a directed metalation‐group migration is reported. The N7 carbamoyl azaindoles undergo regioselective metalation and quenching with an electrophile to furnish C6‐substituted derivatives which, in the presence of a catalytic amount of ClCONR2 promotes a carbamoyl group shift or dance from N7 to N1. A second directed metalation/electrophile quench sequence leads to 2,6‐substituted azaindoles. Optimization of the metalation conditions for C2 and C6, separately and iteratively, is presented. Using the directed metalation group dance strategy, a late‐stage deuteration of an antipsychotic drug is described. Overall, the controlled migration of the carbamoyl directing group allows multiple functionalization events of the bioactive azaindole scaffold.
Coherent Vibrational and Dissociation Dynamics of Polyatomic Radical Cations
Authors: Moore Tibbetts Katharine
Published: March 2019

The ultrafast dynamics of polyatomic radical cations contribute to important processes including energy transfer in photovoltaics, electron transfer in photocatalysis, radiation‐induced DNA damage, and chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere and space. Probing these dynamics in the gas phase is challenging due to the rapid dissociation of polyatomic radical cations following electron removal, which arises from excess electronic excitation of the molecule during the ionization process. This Concept article introduces the reader to how the pump‐probe technique of femtosecond time‐resolved mass spectrometry (FTRMS) can overcome this challenge to capture coherent vibrational dynamics on the femtosecond timescale in polyatomic radical cations and enable the analysis of their dissociation pathways. Examples of FTRMS applied to three families of polyatomic radical cations are discussed.
Cover Picture: A Stepwise Annulation for the Transformation of Cyclic Ketones to Fused 6 and 7‐Membered Cyclic Enimines and Enones (Chin. J. Chem. 4/2019)
Authors: Wu Dong‐Ping , He Qian , Chen Dong‐Huang , Ye Jian‐Liang , Huang Pei‐Qiang
Published: March 2019

The cover picture shows a typical building within the Campus of Xiamen University displaying Chen Jiageng (Tan Kah Kee)'s style. Just like many beautiful buildings designed and constructed by human, Nature “designs and constructs” a huge number of useful molecules with fascinating structures called natural products. Many natural products possess a fused six or seven‐membered carbocyclic unity. On page 315–322, the Huang's group disclosed a three‐step “[2+n]” annulation method for the construction of fused six and seven‐membered carbocyclic enimines and enones. The method starts from simple cyclic ketones and terminal olefinic amides, and relies on both the Suzuki coupling reaction and the olefin‐amide based Friedel‐Crafts type acylating reaction, a method developed by Huang and coworkers.

image
Inside Cover: Construction of Highly Emissive Pt(II) Metallacycles upon Irradiation (Chin. J. Chem. 4/2019)
Authors: Qin Yi , Zhang Ying , Yin Guangqiang , Wang Yuxuan , Zhang Changwei , Chen Lijun , Tan Hongwei , Li Xiaopeng , Xu Lin , Yang Haibo
Published: March 2019

The inside cover picture shows in situ construction of highly emissive Pt(II) metallacycles upon irradiation. The self‐assembled diarylethene‐containing metallacycles can realize supramolecular transform from the open‐ring isomers to their closed‐ring ones under UV irradiation. Moreover, the closed‐ring isomers featured a relatively high fluorescence quantum yield. This property of “turn‐on” fluorescence switching provides a new method to construct highly emissive supramolecular fluorescent materials by light stimulus. More details are discussed in the article by Yang et al. on page 323–329.

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Isolation of Alveolar Type II Cells from Adult Bovine Lung
Authors: Lee Diane Frances , Chambers Mark Andrew
Published: March 2019

Alveolar type II (ATII) cells play a key role as part of the distal lung epithelium, including in the innate immune response and as self‐renewing progenitors to replace alveolar type I (ATI) cells during epithelial regeneration. Their secretion of surfactant protein helps maintain homeostasis and exerts protective, antimicrobial properties. ATII cells remain difficult to study, partly due to inefficient and expensive isolation methods, a propensity to differentiate into ATI cells, and susceptibility to fibroblast contamination. Published methods of isolation often require specialized technology, negatively impacting the development of in vitro models of disease, including bovine tuberculosis. Presented here is a simple and cost‐effective method for generation of bovine primary ATII cells. These cells exhibit an ATII phenotype in 2D and 3D culture and are conducive to further study of the role of ATII cells in bovine respiratory diseases. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Metal‐Supported Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell with Significantly Enhanced Catalysis
Authors: Wang Ruofan , Dogdibegovic Emir , Lau Grace Y. , Tucker Michael C.
Published: March 2019

High‐temperature electrolysis (HTE) using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) is a promising hydrogen production technology and has attracted substantial research attention over the last decade. While most studies are conducted on hydrogen electrode‐supported type cells, SOEC operation using metal‐supported cells has received minimal attention. The development of metal‐supported SOECs with performance similar to the best conventional SOECs is reported. These cells have stainless steel supports on both sides, 10Sc1CeSZ electrolyte and electrode backbones, and nano‐structured catalysts infiltrated on both hydrogen and oxygen electrode sides. Samarium‐doped ceria (SDC) mixed with Ni is infiltrated as a hydrogen electrode catalyst, and the effect of ceria:Ni ratio is studied. On the oxygen electrode side, catalysts including lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM), lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF), praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11), and their composite catalysts with SDC (i.e., LSM‐SDC, LSCF‐SDC, and Pr6O11‐SDC) are compared. Using the materials with highest catalytic activity (Pr6O11‐SDC and SDC40‐Ni60) and optimizing the catalyst infiltration processes, excellent electrolysis performance of metal‐supported cells is achieved. Current densities of −5.31, −4.09, −2.64, and −1.62 A cm−2 are achieved at 1.3 V and 50 vol% steam content at 800, 750, 700, and 650 °C, respectively.
Synergistic Effects of BaTiO3/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube as Fillers on the Electrical Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Films
Authors: Feng Shan , Zhang Hanlu , He Delong , Xu Yiguo , Zhang Anne , Liu Yu , Bai Jinbo
Published: March 2019

Herein, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films containing BaTiO3 particles with an average size of 70 and 500 nm are prepared and characterized, respectively. Then, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) based on the composite films are designed at different BaTiO3 sizes and mass ratios. In addition, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are also used for uniform dispersion of BaTiO3 particles in composite films for the TENG device. With the synergistic effects of BaTiO3/MWCNT fillers, discrete conductive micronetworks surrounded by BaTiO3 particles form, and then, the effective filler–matrix interface effect in the three‐phase composite is enhanced, leading to superior triboelectric output performance, supported by much higher dielectric permittivity and COMSOL simulation. Moreover, the triboelectric output performance of TENG changes with different‐sized BaTiO3 particles. As to BT‐70‐MWCNT/PDMS composites, with the same mass ratio of BT, the peak output current is always higher than that of BT‐500‐MWCNT/PDMS. Furthermore, the optimum BT mass ratio of BT‐70‐MWCNT/PDMS composites is also higher than that of BT‐500. With BaTiO3 of size 70 nm, the maximum surface charge density is about 160 μC m−2 under an optimized mass ratio, whereas it is about 110 μC m−2 for BaTiO3 of size 500 nm.
The impacts of socioeconomic status and lifestyle on health status of residents: Evidence from Chinese General Social Survey data
Authors: Sun Jian , Lyu Shoujun , Dai Zheng
Published: March 2019

Introduction

There remain distinct regional and urban‐rural health status disparities amidst the background of China's rapid economic growth, posing important challenges to policymakers. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationships between socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and health status and to compare the effect disparities in eastern, central, and western regions, urban and rural areas of China.

Methods

This paper employed data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) conducted in 2015. In addition, ordered probit model was adopted to explore the impacts of socioeconomic status and lifestyle on health status of residents.

Results

The results indicate that socioeconomic status factors, including income and social class, show statistically significant and positive correlation to health status. Furthermore, lifestyle factors, for example physical exercise and friend interaction, are statistically significant and positively related to health status. Moreover, the effect of lifestyle on health status in eastern, central, and western regions varies greatly. Finally, marital status, education, physical exercise, and friend interaction exhibit statistically disparate effects on health status in both urban and rural areas.

Conclusions

The study shows that socioeconomic status and lifestyle have significant effects on resident's health status, and the effects show significant regional and urban‐rural disparities.
Prediction of the increase in health services demand based on the analysis of reasons of calls received by a customer relationship management
Authors: Ramos Mª. Isabel , Cubillas Juan José , Jurado Juan Manuel , Lopez Wilfredo , Feito Francisco R. , Quero Manuel , Gonzalez Jose Maria
Published: March 2019

Currently, customer relationship management (CRM) tools are very important in our society because they provide a comunication channel to the healthcare system for patients. Salud Responde is a CRM that provides many health services for the entire population of Andalusia, in southern Spain. The number and frequenzy of phone calls received change along the year. They depend on many factors, such as weekdays, seasons, vaccination campaigns, environmental factors, pandemic periods, etc. All these are the main reasons number of health calls changes along the year. This variability makes that the current management of resources for offering emergency services based on historical data is inefficient. The factors, which influence the phone calls along the year, are different from one period to another. Therefore, it is clear to demand an improved in the current management system. In this context, the main goal for this research is to develop an expert system able to identify and analyze, using different data mining algorithms, the most relevant factors to predict the variability of health service demand. Thus, here, it is proposed a methodology in which using reasons calls received in the CRM as input data, it is possible to predict in advance the healthcare resources demand.
A New Understanding of the Role of IL-1 in Age-Related Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in a Murine Model
Authors: Gorth Deborah J , Shapiro Irving M , Risbud Makarand V
Published: March 2019

Increased cytokine expression, in particular interleukin-1β (IL-1β), is considered a hallmark of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, the causative relationship between IL-1 and age-dependent degeneration has not been established. To investigate the role of IL-1 in driving age-related disc degeneration, we studied the spine phenotype of global IL-1α/β double knockout (IL-1KO) mice at 12 and 20 months. Multiplex ELISA analysis of blood revealed significant reductions in the concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-15, TNF-α, IP-10, and a trend of reduced concentrations of IL-10, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), keratinocyte chemoattractant/human growth-regulated oncogene (KC/GRO), and IL-6. However, the circulating level of MIP-2, a neutrophil chemoattractant, was increased in the IL-1KO. The alterations in systemic cytokine levels coincided with altered bone morphology—IL-1KO mice exhibited significantly thicker caudal cortical bone at 12 and 20 months. Despite these systemic inflammatory and bony changes, IL-1 deletion only minimally affected disc health. Both wild-type (WT) and IL-1KO mice showed age-dependent disc degeneration. Unexpectedly, rather than protecting the animals from degeneration, the aging phenotype was more pronounced in IL-1KO animals: knockout mice evidenced significantly more degenerative changes in the annulus fibrosis (AF) together with alterations in collagen type and maturity. At 20 months, there were no changes in nucleus pulposus (NP) extracellular matrix composition or cellular marker expression; however, the IL-1KO NP cells occupied a smaller proportion of the NP compartment that those of WT controls. Taken together, these results show that IL-1 deletion altered the systemic inflammatory environment and vertebral bone morphology. However, instead of protecting discs from age-related disc degeneration, global IL-1 deletion amplified the degenerative phenotype. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Exercise interventions and their effect on masculinity, body image, and personal identity in prostate cancer—A systematic qualitative review
Authors: Langelier David Michael , D'Silva Adrijana , Shank Jena , Grant Christopher , Bridel William , Culos‐Reed S. Nicole
Published: March 2019

Objective

Men with prostate cancer face various body composition and psychosocial challenges following diagnosis. Movement‐based interventions such as exercise may represent novel strategies to improve these important biopsychosocial changes. This systematic qualitative review aimed to examine the various exercise interventions and their effect on male perception of masculinity, body image, and personal identity.

Methods

A systematic search across nine electronic databases was conducted in July 2017 and repeated in August 2018. Eligible studies included qualitative works examining masculinity, body image, or personal identity within an exercise intervention. Thematic content analysis allowed for qualitative synthesis across numerous studies.

Results

Six studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion. Four interventions used multimodal aerobic and resistance training, one incorporated aerobic exercise through football practice, and one utilized a home‐based aerobic plus yoga program. Exercise was implicated to improve masculinity through creation of a safe community, allowed for refocusing on valued male traits, provided a source of distraction, and offered a means of establishing control over one's illness. Exercise also facilitated a process of self‐reflection secondary to changes in physique and helped to re‐establish male self‐efficacy.

Conclusions

Regardless of prostate cancer stage, treatment status, or prior androgen deprivation therapy exposure, both aerobic or aerobic and resistance training exerted positive effects on perceived feelings of masculinity, body image, and personal identity.
Cluster adjacency beyond MHV
Authors: Drummond James , Foster Jack , Gürdoğan Ömer
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We explore further the notion of cluster adjacency, focussing on non-MHV amplitudes. We extend the notion of adjacency to the BCFW decomposition of tree-level amplitudes. Adjacency controls the appearance of poles, both physical and spurious, in individual BCFW terms. We then discuss how this notion of adjacency is connected to the adjacency already observed at the level of symbols of scattering amplitudes which controls the appearance of branch cut singularities. Poles and symbols become intertwined by cluster adjacency and we discuss the relation of this property to the$$ \overline{Q} $$Q¯-equation which imposes constraints on the derivatives of the transcendental functions appearing in loop amplitudes.
New vortex-string worldsheet theories from supersymmetric localization
Authors: Gerchkovitz Efrat , Karasik Avner
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We use supersymmetric localization techniques to study the low-energy dynamics of BPS vortex-strings in four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

theories. We focus on theories with SU(N

c
) × U(1) gauge group and N

f
hypermultiplets, all in the fundamental representation of SU(N

c
) but with general U(1) charges. Recently, we proposed a condition that determines whether the low-energy string dynamics is captured by a two-dimensional worldsheet theory that decouples from the bulk [1]. For strings for which this decoupling applies, we propose a prescription for extracting the two-sphere partition function of the string worldsheet theory from the four-ellipsoid partition function of the parent theory. We obtain a general formula for the worldsheet two-sphere partition function in terms of the parameters of the four-dimensional theory and identify

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(2,2\right) $$

N
=

2
2

GLSMs that possess these partition functions in a large class of examples. In these examples, the weak coupling regime of the four-dimensional theory is mapped to the weak coupling regime of the worldsheet theory. In addition, we study the classical string zero-modes in flat space and obtain predictions for the worldsheet spectra, which agree with the low-energy spectra of the GLSMs obtained in the localization analysis. For N

f
= 2N

c
= 4, we discuss the map between string worldsheet theories under four-dimensional S-duality and use our prescription to study examples in which the weak coupling regime of the four-dimensional theory is mapped to the strong coupling regime of the worldsheet theory.
On the correspondence between surface operators in Argyres-Douglas theories and modules of chiral algebra
Authors: Nishinaka Takahiro , Sasa Shinya , Zhu Rui-Dong
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We compute the Schur index of Argyres-Douglas theories of type (A

N −1
,A

M −1) with surface operators inserted, via the Higgsing prescription proposed by D. Gaiotto, L. Rastelli and S.S. Razamat. These surface operators are obtained by turning on position-dependent vacuum expectation values of operators in a UV theory which can flow to the Argyres-Douglas theories. We focus on two series of (A

N −1
, A

M −1) theories; one with gcd(N, M) = 1 and the other with M = N (k − 1) for an integer k ≥ 2. Our results are identified with the characters of non-vacuum modules of the associated 2d chiral algebras, which explicitly confirms a remarkable correspondence recently discovered by C. Cordova, D. Gaiotto and S.-H. Shao.
Low frequency propagating shear waves in holographic liquids
Authors: Baggioli Matteo , Trachenko Kostya
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Recently, it has been realized that liquids are able to support solid-like transverse modes with an interesting gap in momentum space developing in the dispersion relation. We show that this gap is also present in simple holographic bottom-up models, and it is strikingly similar to the gap in liquids in several respects. Firstly, the appropriately defined relaxation time in the holographic models decreases with temperature in the same way. More importantly, the holographic k-gap increases with temperature and with the inverse of the relaxation time. Our results suggest that the Maxwell-Frenkel approach to liquids, involving the additivity of liquid hydrodynamic and solid-like elastic responses, can be applicable to a much wider class of physical systems and effects than thought previously, including relativistic models and strongly-coupled quantum field theories. More precisely, the dispersion relation of the propagating shear waves is in perfect agreement with the Maxwell-Frenkel approach. On the contrary the relaxation time appearing in the holographic models considered does not match the Maxwell prediction in terms of the shear viscosity and the instantaneous elastic modulus but it shares the same temperature dependence.
Intramedullary screw fixation for simple displaced olecranon fractures
Authors: Bosman Willem-Maarten P. F. , Emmink Benjamin L. , Bhashyam Abhiram R. , Houwert R. Marijn , Keizer Jort
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Olecranon fractures are common and typically require surgical fixation due to displacement generated by the pull of the triceps muscle. The most common techniques for repairing olecranon fractures are tension-band wiring or plate fixation, but these methods are associated with high rates of implant-related soft-tissue irritation. Another treatment option is fixation with an intramedullary screw, but less is known about surgical results using this strategy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to report the clinical and functional outcomes of olecranon fractures treated with an intramedullary cannulated screw.

Methods

We identified 15 patients (average age at index procedure 44 years, range 16–83) with a Mayo type I or IIA olecranon fracture who were treated with an intramedullary cannulated screw at a single level 2 trauma center between 2012 and 2017. The medical record was reviewed to assess radiographic union, postoperative range of motion and complications (including hardware removal). Patient-reported outcome was evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Average follow-up was 22 months (range 8–36 months).

Results

By the 6th month post-operative visit, 14 patients had complete union of their fracture and 1 patient had an asymptomatic non-union that did not require further intervention. Average flexion was 145° (range 135–160) and the average extension lag was 11° (range 0–30). Implants were removed in 5 patients due to soft-tissue irritation. Average DASH score (± standard deviation) by final follow-up was 16 ± 10.

Conclusions

Fixation of simple olecranon fractures with an intramedullary screw is a safe and easy fixation method in young patients, leading to good functional and radiological results. Compared to available data, less hardware removal is necessary than with tension-band wiring or plate fixation.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Treatment with a brain-selective prodrug of 17β-estradiol improves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease mice by regulating klf5-NF-κB pathway
Authors: Yan Wenhao , Wu Jun , Song Bo , Luo Qiang , Xu Yuming
Published: March 2019

10β,17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED) which is a brain-selective prodrug of 17β-estradiol has been reported to improve the cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice model. However, little is known about the potential mechanism for cognitive improvement. In the present study, we used AD mice to investigate the effects and mechanisms of DHED treatment. Female Tg2576 transgenic AD mice were ovariectomized and then treated by implanting Alzet osmotic minipumps containing DHED or vehicle subcutaneously for 8 weeks. Consistent with previous report, DHED treatment ameliorated cognitive function of AD mice with decreasing Aβ levels in the hippocampus. Besides, we also found DHED treatment could reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress and the level of p-tau. The mechanisms underlying the cognitive function improvement may be linked with estrogen receptor (ER)-klf5-NF-κB pathway, demonstrated by decreased expression of klf5 and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. However, the effects of DHED treatment could be reversed when ERα was inhibited by ICI182780. Taken together, our findings uncovered a new mechanism for DHED to improve the cognitive function of AD mice and may provide a viable therapy to treat AD.
Effects of codon optimization and glycosylation on the high-level production of hydroxynitrile lyase from Chamberlinius hualienensis in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Zhai Zhenyu , Nuylert Aem , Isobe Kimiyasu , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: March 2019

A hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) from the millipede Chamberlinius hualienensis has high potential for industrial use in the synthesis of cyanohydrins. However, obtaining sufficient amounts of millipedes is difficult, and the production of the Chamberlinius hualienensis HNL (ChuaHNL) in E. coli has not been very successful. Therefore, we investigated the conditions required for high-yield heterologous production of this enzyme using Pichia pastoris. When we employed P. pastoris to express His-ChuaHNL, the yield was very low (22.6 ± 3.8 U/L culture). Hence, we investigated the effects of ChuaHNL codon optimization and the co-production of two protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) [from P. pastoris (PpPDI) and C. hualienensis (ChuaPDI1, ChuaPDI2)] on His-ChuaHNL production. The productivity of His-ChuaHNL was increased approximately 140 times per unit culture to 3170 ± 144.7 U/L by the co-expression of codon-optimized ChuaHNL and PpPDI. Moreover, we revealed that the N-glycosylation on ChuaHNL had a large effect on the stability, enzyme secretion, and catalytic properties of ChuaHNL in P. pastoris. This study demonstrates an economical and efficient approach for the production of HNL, and the data show that glycosylation has a large effect on the enzyme properties and the P. pastoris expression system.
Quantitative analysis of age and life‐history stage related changes in DCX expression in the male Japanese quail (Cortunix japonica) telencephalon
Authors: Nkomozepi Pilani , Mazengenya Pedzisai , Ihunwo Amadi O.
Published: March 2019

Most avian neurogenesis studies focused on the song control system and little attention has been given to non‐song birds such as the Japanese quail. However, the only few neurogenesis studies in quails mainly focused on the sex steroid sensitive areas of the brain such as the medial preoptic and lateral septal nuclei. Despite the important role the quail telencephalon plays in filial imprinting and passive avoidance learning, neurogenesis in this structure has been completely overlooked. The aim of this study was therefore to quantitatively determine how DCX expression in the Japanese quail telencephalon changes with post hatching age (3–12 weeks) and life history stage. In this study, DCX was used as a proxy for neuronal incorporation. Bipolar and multipolar DCX immunoreactive cells were observed in the entire telencephalon except for the entopallium and arcopallium. In addition, DCX expression in all the eight telencephalic areas quantified was strongly negatively correlated with post‐hatching age. Furthermore, numbers of bipolar and multipolar DCX immunoreactive cells were higher in the juvenile compared to subadult and adult quails. In conclusion, neuronal incorporation in the quail telencephalon is widespread but it declines with post hatching age. In addition, the most dramatic decline in neuronal incorporation in the telencephalic areas quantified takes place just after the birds have attained sexual maturity.
Surgical management of extracranial nerve sheath tumours in a tertiary care center
Authors: Pradhan Pradeep , Preetam Chappity , Samal Swagatika , Samal Dillip Kumar , Parida Pradipta Kumar
Published: March 2019

Objective

Excision of the nerve sheath tumours of head and neck is always a challenge to the surgeon because of their close proximity of the neurovascular structures.

Methods

It is a retrospective study contained 13 consecutive patients of nerve sheath tumours involving the head and neck from March 2013 to February 2017 in the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery in a tertiary care referral hospital. The retrospective clinical data, diagnostic procedures, surgical approaches and their complications are analyzed after 12 months of surgery.

Results

Total 13 patients, 7 were females and 6 were males. Painless neck swelling was the most common presentation found in 6 and the most common site of origin was the vagus nerve in the parapharyngeal space (6 patients). Transcervical excision of the tumour was performed in 7 patients. Six needed combined surgical approach for the excision of the tumours. Neurovascular injury was detected in 3 patients, and one patient had recurrent disease during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Excision of the nerve sheath tumours of head and neck is always a challenge to the surgeon because of their close proximity of the neurovascular structure. Although the transcervical approach is commonly practiced for the majority of the tumours, combined approaches can be effectively applied for extensive nerve sheath tumours with the satisfactory clinical outcome.
The Mantle Transition Zone in Fennoscandia: Enigmatic High Topography Without Deep Mantle Thermal Anomaly
Authors: Makushkina Anna , Tauzin Benoît , Tkalčić Hrvoje , Thybo Hans
Published: March 2019

Seismological data acquired by dense receiver networks in Fennoscandia enable imaging of Earth's upper mantle structure at unprecedented resolution and provide critical observations for resolving the ongoing debate on the cause of enigmatic high topography in Norway. Proposed mechanisms for the high topography include impact of a mantle plume, as supported by the observation of low seismic velocities in the uppermost mantle in southern Norway in contrast to high velocities in Sweden. We image the mantle transition zone (MTZ) in Fennoscandia by common conversion point stacking of 14,873 receiver functions from 14 networks including the recently deployed ScanArray. We find both MTZ discontinuities at their expected depths of 410 and 660 km within an uncertainty of 5–15 km and the thickness of the MTZ similar to the global average. These observations show that the high topography in western Scandinavia cannot be caused by thermal influence from the deep mantle.
The Role of the Southern Ocean in Abrupt Transitions and Hysteresis in Glacial Ocean Circulation
Authors: Hines Sophia K.V. , Thompson Andrew F. , Adkins Jess F.
Published: March 2019

High‐latitude Northern Hemisphere climate during the last glacial period was characterized by a series of abrupt climate changes, known as Dansgaard‐Oeschger events, which were recorded in Greenland ice cores as shifts in the oxygen isotopic composition of the ice. These shifts in inferred Northern Hemisphere high‐latitude temperature have been linked to changes in Atlantic meridional overturning strength. The response of ocean overturning circulation to forcing is nonlinear and a hierarchy of models have suggested that it may exist in multiple steady state configurations. Here, we use a time‐dependent coarse‐resolution isopycnal model with four density classes and two basins, linked by a Southern Ocean to explore overturning states and their stability to changes in external parameters. The model exhibits hysteresis in both the steady state stratification and overturning strength as a function of the magnitude of North Atlantic Deep Water formation. Hysteresis occurs as a result of two nonlinearities in the model—the surface buoyancy distribution in the Southern Ocean and the vertical diffusivity profile in the Atlantic and Indo‐Pacific basins. We construct a metric to assess circulation configuration in the model, motivated by observations from the Last Glacial Maximum, which show a different circulation structure from the modern. We find that circulation configuration is primarily determined by North Atlantic Deep Water density. The model results are used to suggest how ocean conditions may have influenced the pattern of Dansgaard‐Oeschger events across the last glacial cycle.
Resolving a Cordilleran Conundrum
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: March 2019

A novel geophysical technique documents the existence of a “missing” fault, along which major displacement could have occurred during the Cretaceous on North America’s northwest margin.