bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Arabic Vowels to Model the Pathological Effect of Influenza Disease by Wavelets
Authors: Daqrouq Khaled , Al-Qawasmi Abdel-Rahman , Balamesh Ahmed , Alghamdi Ali S. , Al-Amoudi Mohamed A.
Published: December 2019

Speech parameters may include perturbation measurements, spectral and cepstral modeling, and pathological effects of some diseases, like influenza, that affect the vocal tract. The verification task is a very good process to discriminate between different types of voice disorder. This study investigated the modeling of influenza’s pathological effects on the speech signals of the Arabic vowels “A” and “O.” For feature extraction, linear prediction coding (LPC) of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) subsignals denoted by LPCW was used. k-Nearest neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers were used for classification. To study the pathological effects of influenza on the vowel “A” and vowel “O,” power spectral density (PSD) and spectrogram were illustrated, where the PSD of “A” and “O” was repressed as a result of the pathological effects. The obtained results showed that the verification parameters achieved for the vowel “A” were better than those for vowel “O” for both KNN and SVM for an average. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used for interpretation. The modeling by the speech utterances as words was also investigated. We can claim that the speech utterances as words could model the influenza disease with a good quality of the verification parameters with slightly less performance than the vowels “A” as speech utterances. A comparison with state-of-the-art method was made. The best results were achieved by the LPCW method.
Flexible Phase Difference of 4 × 4 Butler Matrix without Phase-Shifters and Crossovers
Authors: Han Ke , Li Wuyu , Liu Yibin
Published: December 2019

This paper proposes a new Butler matrix topology. The proposed Butler matrix consists of only four couplers without phase shifters and crossovers. The output phase difference is relatively flexible. Compared with the phase differences (±45° and ±135°) generated by the conventional Butler matrix, the proposed design can generate different sets of phase differences, which can be realized from −180° to 180°. The proposed new Butler matrix replaces the traditional 90° coupler with arbitrary phase-difference couplers. In this paper, closed-form design equations are derived and presented. A 4 × 4 Butler matrix with output phase differences of −30°, +150°, −120°, and +60° is designed according to equations. The 4 × 4 Butler is meant to operate at 2 GHz. The simulation results show that the amplitude unbalance is less than 0.1 dB, the phase mismatch is within 1°, the return loss is higher than 29 dB, and the isolation is higher than 32 dB.
Measurement of Retinal Changes in Primary Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma under Different Durations of Symptoms
Authors: Zhu Xiaolu , Zeng Wen , Wu Shengyu , Chen Xiaomin , Zheng Tian , Ke Min
Published: December 2019

Purpose. To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients after an attack of primary acute angle closure glaucoma (PAACG) and to assess the impact of attack time on prognosis of retinal changes. Design. cross-sectional study. Methods. Twenty-six patients with unilateral PAACG attack and cataracts from 2017 to 2019 were enrolled. Eyes with PAACG attack time less than 1 day constituted the group A (n = 13), while eyes with PAACG attack time more than 1 day constituted the group B (n = 13). All patients received phacoemulsification and viscogoniosynechialysis after intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering. All patients underwent ophthalmic examinations including IOP, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and visual field (VF). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to obtain circumpapillary RNFL vessel density (cpVD). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to examine the peripapillary RNFL and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC). All patients accepted 2 assessments before and 1 month after the procedure. Results. The IOP of all patients recovered to normal (12.77 ± 2.65 mm Hgvs. 12.77 ± 3.85 mmHg, p=0.834) after the procedure. Patients in the group A had better BCVA improvement than those in the group B (1.32 ± 0.84 vs. 0.50 ± 0.21, p=0.004), as well as better mean defect (MD) values from VF (−3.65 ± 2.54 vs −16.05 ± 5.99, p<0.001). Compared with group B, patients in the group A had thicker macula (Fovea area: 255.00 ± 27.94 μm vs. 203.92 ± 59.73 μm, p=0.010), thicker GCC (82.62 ± 8.76 μm vs. 65.23 ± 18.56 μm, p=0.005), and thicker RNFL (105.08 ± 9.38 μm vs. 77.69 ± 20.23 μm, p<0.001). Higher blood flow density in all-plexus peripapillary retina was observed in the group A eyes compared with group B (full sector: 0.56 ± 0.02 vs. 0.41 ± 0.07, p<0.001). In both groups, the association between average RNFL thickness and cpVD as well as MD values and pattern standard deviation (PSD) values from VF was stronger (R2 = 0.58, 0.60, −0.54, respectively, all p<0.001) than the association between GCC thickness and cpVD, as well as MD values and PSD values (R2 = 0.37, p=0.001; R2 = 0.37, p=0.001; R2 = −0.27, p=0.007). Conclusion. Patients with attack time less than 1 day had better retinal thickness and all-plexus peripapillary retina blood flow density. Controlling the attack time could decrease retinal damage by PAACG.
Green Fluorescent Protein and Phase-Contrast Image Fusion via Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Tang Wei , Liu Yu , Zhang Chao , Cheng Juan , Peng Hu , Chen Xun
Published: December 2019

In the field of cell and molecular biology, green fluorescent protein (GFP) images provide functional information embodying the molecular distribution of biological cells while phase-contrast images maintain structural information with high resolution. Fusion of GFP and phase-contrast images is of high significance to the study of subcellular localization, protein functional analysis, and genetic expression. This paper proposes a novel algorithm to fuse these two types of biological images via generative adversarial networks (GANs) by carefully taking their own characteristics into account. The fusion problem is modelled as an adversarial game between a generator and a discriminator. The generator aims to create a fused image that well extracts the functional information from the GFP image and the structural information from the phase-contrast image at the same time. The target of the discriminator is to further improve the overall similarity between the fused image and the phase-contrast image. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can outperform several representative and state-of-the-art image fusion methods in terms of both visual quality and objective evaluation.
Bretschneider (Custodiol®) and St. Thomas 2 Cardioplegia Solution in Mitral Valve Repair via Anterolateral Right Thoracotomy: A Propensity-Modelled Comparison
Authors: Mork Constantin , Koechlin Luca , Schaeffer Thibault , Schoemig Lena , Zenklusen Urs , Gahl Brigitta , Reuthebuch Oliver , Eckstein Friedrich S. , Grapow Martin T. R.
Published: December 2019

Background. Single-dose cardioplegia is preferred in minimal invasive mitral valve surgery to maintain the adjustment of the operative site without change of preset visualization. The aim of our study was to compare two widely used crystalloid cardioplegias Bretschneider (Custodiol®) versus St. Thomas 2 in patients who underwent mitral valve repair via small anterolateral right thoracotomy. Material and Methods. From May 2012 until February 2019, 184 isolated mitral valve procedures for mitral valve repair via anterolateral right thoracotomy were performed using Bretschneider (Custodiol®) cardioplegia (n=123) or St. Thomas (n=61). Primary efficacy endpoint was peak postoperative high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT) during hospitalization. Secondary endpoints were peak creatine kinase-muscle brain type (CK-MB) and creatine kinase (CK) as well as safety outcomes. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) in order to adjust for confounding by indication. Results. Peak hs-cTnT was higher after use of Bretschneider (Custodiol®) (geometric mean 716 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 605-847 mg/L) vs. St. Thomas 2 (561 mg/L, CI 467-674 mg/L, p=0.047). Peak CK-MB (geometric mean after Bretschneider (Custodiol®): 40 μg/L, CI 35-46, St. Thomas 2: 33 μg/L, CI 27-41, p=0.295) and CK (geometric mean after Bretschneider (Custodiol®): 1370 U/L, CI 1222-1536, St. Thomas 2: 1152 U/L, CI 972-1366, p=0.037) showed the same pattern. We did not see any difference with respect to postoperative complications between treatment groups after IPTW. Conclusion. Use of St. Thomas 2 cardioplegia was associated with lower postoperative peak levels of all cardiac markers that reflect cardiac ischemia such as hs-cTnT, CK, and CK-MB as compared to Bretschneider (Custodiol®) in propensity-weighted treatment groups.
Facile Preparation of g-C3N4-WO3 Composite Gas Sensing Materials with Enhanced Gas Sensing Selectivity to Acetone
Authors: Chu Xiangfeng , Liu Junsong , Liang Shiming , Bai Linshan , Dong Yongping , Epifani Mauro
Published: December 2019

In this paper, g-C3N4-WO3 composite materials were prepared by hydrothermal processing. The composites were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 adsorption-desorption, respectively. The gas sensing properties of the composites were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of appropriate amount of g-C3N4 to WO3 could improve the response and selectivity to acetone. The sensor based on 2 wt% g-C3N4-WO3 composite showed the best gas sensing performances. When operating at optimum temperature of 310°C, the responses to 1000 ppm and 0.5 ppm acetone were 58.2 and 1.6, respectively, and the ratio of the S1000 ppm acetone to S1000 ppm ethanol reached 3.7.
A Fault Diagnosis Method of Train Wheelset Rolling Bearing Combined with Improved LMD and FK
Authors: Zhang Yu , Fan Zhuoyou , Gao Xiaorong , Luo Lin
Published: December 2019

Trackside acoustic signals contain intense noise and nonstationary features even after Doppler distortion correction. Information on bearing defects in these signals is either weak or heavily attenuated. Thus, an improved compound interpolation envelope local mean decomposition (ICIE LMD) method combined with a fast kurtogram (FK) is proposed for wheelset bearings. In this methodology, cubic Hermite interpolation and cubic spline interpolation are employed to find the envelope of the extremal points in the ICIE LMD algorithm to improve accuracy and decrease the computing time of the decomposed signal component. An FK is sensitive to the impact signal and extracts the fault impact features efficiently. In the application, the proposed method uses ICIE LMD to decompose the multicomponent signal into several specific single product function (PF) components. The kurtosis index of the PF is calculated to select the component which contains the most fault information. Then, the selected component of PF is filtered by FK. Finally, the squared envelope spectrum is used to obtain the fault frequency and identify the fault location. The advantages of the ICIE LMD method are verified by simulation analysis. In the application, the results show that the proposed method efficiently extracts the fault features and enhances the target characteristics of the sound signals from a trackside microphone array. Furthermore, the influence of rotating frequency on locating the fault is reduced.
Mathematics as Information Compression via the Matching and Unification of Patterns
Authors: Wolff J. Gerard
Published: December 2019

This paper describes a novel perspective on the foundations of mathematics: how mathematics may be seen to be largely about “information compression (IC) via the matching and unification of patterns” (ICMUP). That is itself a novel approach to IC, couched in terms of nonmathematical primitives, as is necessary in any investigation of the foundations of mathematics. This new perspective on the foundations of mathematics reflects the facts that mathematics is almost exclusively the product of human brains, and has been developed, as an aid to human thinking, mathematics is likely to be consonant with much evidence for the importance of IC in human learning, perception, and cognition. This perspective on the foundations of mathematics has grown out of a long‐term programme of research developing the SP Theory of Intelligence and its realization in the SP Computer Model, a system in which a generalised version of ICMUP—the powerful concept of SP-multiple-alignment—plays a central role. This paper shows with an example how mathematics, without any special provision, may achieve compression of information. Then, it describes examples showing how variants of ICMUP may be seen in widely used structures and operations in mathematics. Examples are also given to show how several aspects of the mathematics‐related disciplines of logic and computing may be understood as ICMUP. Also discussed is the intimate relation between IC and concepts of probability, with arguments that there are advantages in approaching AI, cognitive science, and concepts of probability via ICMUP. Also discussed is how the close relation between IC and concepts of probability relates to the established view that some parts of mathematics are intrinsically probabilistic, and how that latter view may be reconciled with the all‐or‐nothing, “exact,” forms of calculation or inference that are familiar in mathematics and logic. There are many potential benefits and applications of the mathematics‐as‐IC perspective.
Extensive Lateral Release and Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in 25 Years of Chronic Fixed Lateral Patellar Dislocation: A 5-Year Follow-Up Case Report
Authors: Lubis Andri M. T. , Aprianto Petrus , Siregar Yudistira P.
Published: December 2019

Lateral dislocation of the patella is not uncommon and may impede daily activities as this causes compressive dysfunction and instabilities. Most cases of patellar lateral dislocation are due to damage to the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), either rupture of detachment of the patella or femoral attachment. MPFL reconstruction alone was considered adequate for the treatment of this condition. We present a case of a 49-year-old male with chronic posttraumatic lateral patellar dislocation of the right knee of 25 years, which we treated with extensive lateral release and right medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with 5-year follow-up data.
Inhibition of Tryptophan-Dioxygenase Activity Increases the Antitumor Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Schramme Florence , Crosignani Stefano , Frederix Kim , Hoffmann Delia , Pilotte Luc , Stroobant Vincent , Preillon Julie , Driessens Gregory , Van den Eynde Benoit J.
Published: December 2019

Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is an enzyme that degrades tryptophan into kynurenine and thereby induces immunosuppression. Like indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), TDO is considered as a relevant drug target to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. However, its role in various immunotherapy settings has not been fully characterized. Here, we described a new small-molecule inhibitor of TDO that can modulate kynurenine and tryptophan in plasma, liver, and tumor tissue upon oral administration. We showed that this compound improved the ability of anti-CTLA4 to induce rejection of CT26 tumors expressing TDO. To better characterize TDO as a therapeutic target, we used TDO-KO mice and found that anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD1 induced rejection of MC38 tumors in TDO-KO, but not in wild-type mice. As MC38 tumors did not express TDO, we related this result to the high systemic tryptophan levels in TDO-KO mice, which lack the hepatic TDO needed to contain blood tryptophan. The antitumor effectiveness of anti-PD1 was abolished in TDO-KO mice fed on a tryptophan-low diet that normalized their blood tryptophan level. MC38 tumors expressed IDO1, which could have limited the efficacy of anti-PD1 in wild-type mice and could have been overcome in TDO-KO mice due to the high levels of tryptophan. Accordingly, treatment of mice with an IDO1 inhibitor improved the efficacy of anti-PD1 in wild-type, but not in TDO-KO, mice. These results support the clinical development of TDO inhibitors to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy of TDO-expressing tumors and suggest their effectiveness even in the absence of tumoral TDO expression.

See article by Hoffmann et al., p. 19
True Arterial Stiffness Does Not Change between Dialysis Sessions during 1 Week in Outpatients on Intermitted Hemodialysis
Authors: Reshetnik Alexander , Wrobel Daniel , Wirtz Georg , Tölle Markus , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , van der Giet Markus
Published: December 2019

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with exponentially elevated cardiovascular mortality. Arterial stiffness (AS) – usually expressed with pulse wave velocity (PWV) – is an established independent predictor of cardiovascular risk beyond the traditional risk factors. Higher PWV values are frequently observed in patients with ESRD. Due to the intrinsic physiologic relationship between PWV and prevailing arterial pressure, PWV can change without relevant changes in the arterial wall structure, and thus an individual pressure-independent expression of PWV is essential. Methods: The study is a single-center observational study. Repeated measurements of blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave analysis were performed during each dialysis session of 1 week. Aortic PWV was then adjusted to 120 mm Hg central systolic BP (PWV120) based on individually determined relationship. PWV120 values were compared between single sessions. Calculation of the PWV120 was performed retrospectively. Results: Fifty-four subjects were included, 61.1% of whom were male. The median age was 75.5 years, and median dialysis vintage was 33.1 months. Mean systolic/diastolic BP was 121.4/70.5 mm Hg, and the median heart rate was 64.6 beats/min. Mean PWV was 10.9 m/s, and mean PWV120 was 11.3 m/s. PWV120 did not change across single dialysis session during 1 week, while systolic, diastolic BP, PWV, and ultrafiltration volume differed significantly. Discussion/Conclusions: Our data suggest that true AS does not change in the short-term course in dialysis patients. The observed changes in PWV are rather associated with BP change due to intrinsic pressure dependence. Our analytical approach represents a novel method for this purpose, which is easy in performance and also applicable for large interventional trials and clinical practice.
Cystatin C in Evaluating Renal Function in Ureteral Calculi Hydronephrosis in Adults
Authors: Mao Weipu , Liu Shenghua , Wang Keyi , Wang Miao , Shi Heng , Liu Qunlong , Bao Meiyu , Peng Bo , Geng Jiang
Published: December 2019

Background: Serum cystatin C (CysC) is still becoming used as a marker of renal function but is far from being commonly used worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize the ureteral calculi patients with hydronephrosis-caused CysC changes in renal function. Methods: To better reflect the changes of renal function, we constructed models of ureteral obstruction in rats to mimic the hydronephrosis caused by human ureteral calculi. Moreover, our study included 200 patients diagnosed with ureteral calculi in our hospital between June 2017 and 2018. We compared the estimated glomerular filtration rate using different equations based on CysC and/or serum creatinine (SCr). Results: We found that the expression of CysC and SCr increased with the prolonged obstruction time by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry further demonstrated that the expression of CysC increases with the degree of hydronephrosis. Among 200 patients with ureteral calculi, 40 (20.0%) had no hydronephrosis, 110 (55.0%) had mild hydronephrosis, 32 (16.0%) had moderate hydronephrosis and 18 (9.0%) had severe hydronephrosis. As the degree of hydronephrosis increased, the expression of neutrophil percentage, CysC, blood urea nitrogen, SCr and serum uric acid also increased. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that only CysC was an independent risk factor for hydronephrosis (p = 0.003). In addition, CysC and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) CysC equation showed the highest veracity in renal function estimation of patients with hydronephrosis caused by ureteral calculus. Conclusion: For patients with hydronephrosis caused by ureteral calculi, CysC better reflects the changes in renal function, and the CKD-EPI CysC equation has the highest accuracy.
Metastatic Breast Cancer: Is There a Differential Therapy Efficacy between Visceral and Non-Visceral Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Authors: Kolben Thomas , Bardenhewer Maximilian , Kolben Theresa M. , Rickerl Laura , Degenhardt Tom , Mahner Sven , Harbeck Nadia , Wuerstlein Rachel
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Differential efficacy of newly registered therapies in subgroups of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an important consideration for subsequent use in clinical practice. Unfortunately, such subgroup analyses often are exploratory and rarely statistically adequately powered and may thus be misleading. This analysis aimed to explore a potentially different treatment response to i.v. therapies between visceral and non-visceral MBC. Methods: In a systematic literature analysis (PubMed) comprising phase III registration studies for MBC from 1994 to 2014, differences in outcome were evaluated regarding progression-free survival, time to progression, overall survival (OS), and visceral versus non-visceral disease. The impact of HER2 and hormone receptor status was also considered. A total of 16 studies comprising 13,083 patients were selected by considering the information given in the medical product’s professional information and the decision of the US Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicine Agency for approval of the respective therapeutic agents now used in the treatment of MBC. Results: No statistically significant differences regarding treatment response and therapy benefit were found in MBC patients with visceral versus non-visceral metastases based on reported hazard ratios and confidence intervals in registration trials. Interesting but nonsignificant differences were found regarding a distinct therapy benefit regarding different metastasis locations in 4 studies. Conclusion: For targeted i.v. therapies based on biomarker selection, there is a trend – although not significant – toward a benefit (OS) from combination therapies favoring visceral disease. However, at the present time, metastasis localization should not be used as a predictive marker for choice of systemic therapy in MBC.
Fatty Liver and Systemic Atherosclerosis in a Young, Lean Patient: Rule Out Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency
Authors: Zharkova Maria , Nekrasova Tatiana  , Ivashkin Vladimir  , Maevskaya Marina  , Strokova Tatyana
Published: December 2019

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) is a rare genetic disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in many organs, including the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and vascular endothelium. Patients with LALD can appear asymptomatic until liver failure or premature sudden death from coronary artery disease, stroke, and aneurysm, which lead to the diagnosis. Herein, we present a diagnostic workup in a young 17-year-old female patient who manifested hepatosplenomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, severe dyslipidemia, and systemic atherosclerosis. Liver biopsy demonstrated over 90% diffuse microvesicular steatosis, lipid accumulation in Kupffer cells, and birefringent cholesteryl ester crystals. The diagnosis of LALD was proven by the decrease of lysosomal acid lipase activity in dried blood spots and by the detection of two compound heterozygous mutations in the LIPA gene: nonsense mutation G796T (Gly266Term) and splicing site mutation G894A (E8SJM). The patient started enzyme replacement therapy with sebelipase alfa. Following the 1-year treatment, the patient remained asymptomatic, her serum aminotransferase levels were normal, liver density increased due to lipid resorption, and plaque-associated stenosis of carotid artery regressed. Moreover, liver biopsy showed a decrease of cholesteryl ester crystals in Kupffer cells.
«O rio comanda a vida»: Aprendizagem do nado em uma comunidade ribeirinha do Amazonas
Authors: de Souza de Oliveira Rônisson , Peralta Nelissa
Published: December 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os processos e significados envolvidos na aprendizagem do nado entre crianças ribeirinhas do médio rio Solimões. A pesquisa questiona os métodos de aprendizagem e o que aprender a nadar representa em termos de construção da pessoa. Assim, recorremos a um estudo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa e estudo de caso. Realizamos registros fotográficos, entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação participante. As crianças aprendem a nadar por meio de brincadeiras, em espaços específicos nas beiras dos rios, no período de inundação. Aprender a nadar lhes permite circular de forma autônoma nos espaços comunitários e lhes torna aptos a participar também do mundo da pesca. Concluímos que a natação é fundamental para a formação da pessoa, construção e afirmação da territorialidade do grupo.
Juventudes, Estado e Povos Indígenas no Brasil do Século XXI
Authors: da Costa Oliveira Assis
Published: December 2019

O presente artigo objetiva analisar o processo de construção da juventude como uma causa de interesse público-estatal no Brasil, com emergência histórico-temporal nas duas décadas iniciais do Século XXI. Ao mesmo tempo, busca-se compreender como as juventudes indígenas desenvolveram suas mobilizações político-organizacionais para galgar reconhecimento identitário, lutas sociais e direitos específicos. Com base em pesquisa bibliográfica, entrevistas e observação participante, procura-se analisar as oportunidades políticas surgidas no governo federal para inclusão da juventude, além de
problematizar o modo como as juventudes indígenas constroem cenários mobilizatórios de interpelação do juvenil e do étnico, constituindo um novíssimo movimento social que instrumentaliza os espaços físicos e virtuais, o corpo e o capital militante para incidência política de suas demandas por direitos.
A mulher negra e as relações de poder em Mariana, de Machado de Assis
Authors: Vieira Andressa Dos Santos
Published: December 2019

Abordar as relações de poder existentes durante a vigência da instituição da escravidão envolve levantar um misto de questões que enredam a situação do negro que se encontra inserido em um ambiente escravocrata profundamente marcado por um amplo domínio da elite branca em uma sociedade pautada pelas regras do patriarcalismo oitocentista brasileiro. Aproximar-se dessa abordagem através de uma análise aprofundada da situação de Mariana, personagem principal do conto homônimo de Machado de Assis que foi publicado em janeiro de 1871, expõe as diferentes formas como essas relações de poder podem ser causadoras de uma condição de extrema dependência capaz de interferir de maneira significativa na vida tanto da mulher negra e escrava, em situação de privação da liberdade, quanto de seus senhores, permitindo perceber a maneira como o negro vem representado na obra machadiana.
White Matter Hyperintensity Volume Influences Symptoms in Patients Presenting With Minor Neurological Deficits
Authors: Zerna Charlotte , Yu Amy Y.X. , Hong Zachary M. , Penn Andrew M. , Lesperance Mary L. , Croteau Nicole S. , Balshaw Robert F. , Votova Kristine , Bibok Maximilian B. , Saly Viera , Modi Jayesh , Hegedus Janka , Klourfeld Evgenia , Coutts Shelagh B. ,   on behalf of the SpecTRA Study Group
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

Acute minor neurological deficits are a common complaint in the emergency department and differentiation of transient ischemic attack/minor stroke from a stroke mimic is difficult. We sought to assess the ability of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume to aid the diagnosis in such patients.

Methods—

This is a post hoc analysis of the previously published SpecTRA study (Spectrometry in TIA Rapid Assessment) of adult patients that presented to the emergency department with acute minor neurological deficits between December 2013 and March 2017. WMH volumes were measured if fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging was available. Outcomes of interest were final diagnosis, symptoms at presentation, and 90-day stroke recurrence.

Results—

WMH volume was available for 1485 patients. Median age was 70 years (interquartile range, 59–80), and 46.7% were female. Mean WMH volume was higher in transient ischemic attack/minor strokes compared with stroke mimics (1.71 ln mL [95% CI, 1.63–1.79 ln mL] versus 1.15 ln mL [95% CI, 1.02–1.27 ln mL],
P
<0.001). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis, WMH volume was not associated with final diagnosis. However, the combination of both diffusion-weighted imaging positivity and high WMH volume led to lower odds of focal symptoms at presentation (
P
=0.035).

Conclusions—

The combination of diffusion-weighted imaging positivity and high WMH volume was associated with lower odds of focal symptoms at presentation in patients seen with minor neurological deficits in the emergency department. This suggests that WMH volume might be an important consideration and the absence of focal symptoms at presentation should not discourage clinicians from further investigating patients with suspected cerebral ischemia.
Stabreimende Wortpaare in Wolframs „Parzival“ im Umfeld vor allem frühmittelhochdeutscher Rhetorik
Authors: Jeep John M.
Published: December 2019

This article researches alliterating word-pairs in Wolframs ‘Parzival’. First, all examples from the text are collected and analyzed to elucidate their occurrence in the Old and Middle High German context. It becomes clear which word-pairs have been inherited from Old and (Early) Middle High German, and which were possibly the making of Wolfram himself. In doing so, the inventory of alliterating word-pairs in the early language phases of German is expanded with a few more specimens. We also gain a deeper understanding of their role in the Middle High German courtly novel.
Zu den Verbformen in den althochdeutschen Glossen des Trierer Seminarkodex
Authors: Quak Arend
Published: December 2019

The vernacular glosses in the manuscript Trier, Seminarbibliothek 61, are
considered to be mainly Old Middle Franconian in the scientific literature. They
are, however, mixed with Low German words, that are considered to be Old Saxon.
With the help of the verb forms in these glosses this article tries to make
probable that at least some of these Low German glosses are more likely to be
Old Low Franconian than Old Saxon. At the same time it becomes clear that in the
dictionaries the difference between weak ēn- and
ōn-verbs in a number of cases is wrong or at least
doubtful.
Causal Beliefs and Perception of Temporal Order: The ‘Reordering Effect’
Authors: Pedro Teresa
Published: December 2019

Empirical research on the relationship between temporality and causation is mostly dominated by the question of how temporal information constrains causal cognition. However, Bechlivanidis and Lagnado (2013, Psychol. Sci., 24, 1563–1572; 2016, Cognition, 146, 58–66) recently claimed to have discovered the ‘reordering effect’, in which causal beliefs have an influence on perception of temporal order. This paper argues for an attentional interpretation of this effect and suggests a solution to the circularity that arises from the mutual constraint between causal assumptions and perception of temporal order. Finally, it is shown how the reordering effect may challenge certain philosophical accounts of temporal illusions.
Six new Amazonian Myrtaceae

Authors: SOUZA MARIA ANÁLIA DUARTE DE , SOBRAL MARCOS
Published: December 2019

There are described and illustrated Eugenia andiraana, E. libens, Myrcia iranduba, M. javariana, M. piptocalyx and Plinia rufiflora, all from Amazonian Brazil; additionally, affinities and conservation issues are discussed for each species. Eugenia andiraana, from the state of Acre, is morphologically related to E. minuscula, differing by its pilose, longer blades; E. libens, from the state of Roraima, is related to E. callichroma, but has wider blades, persisting bracteoles and locules of the ovary with less ovules; M. iranduba is related, between others, to M. inaequiloba, but differs by its scarcely reticulated blades with acute or shortly acuminate apex and inflorescences with deciduous bracts; Myrcia javariana, from the state of Amazonas, is related to M. megapaniculata, but differs by its winged twigs, narrower blades and applanate inflorescences; M. piptocalyx, from Acre, is related to M. splendens but differs by its blades with larger glandular dots and deciduous calyx lobes, and Plinia rufiflora, from the state of Pará, is related to P. costata, but has blades with midvein and lateral veins raised on both sides and flowers with rufescent trichomes.
Peucedanum akaliniae (Apiaceae), a new species from Southern Turkey

Authors: GÜRDAL BAHAR , TUNCAY HÜSEYİN ONUR , AKPULAT H. AŞKIN
Published: December 2019

Peucedanum akaliniae is described as a new species from Southern Turkey. It is similar to P. graminifolium, P. longifolium, P. ruthenicum and P. guvenianum. Diagnostic morphological characters are represented and compared with closely related species. It differs from related taxa by having long petioles with long fibrous collar, pinnate leaves, opposite-verticillate inflorescence, unequal rays and pedicels, number of bracts and white flowers, oblong-ovat fruit shape, dorsal vittae regularly 1–2 per vallecula and ribs, 1–3 vittae in the lateral wings and costas.
Redescription of Liopropoma aragai (Teleostei: Serranidae), with two new confirmed records of species of Liopropoma from Taiwan
Authors: KOEDA KEITA , SENOU HIROSHI , CHANG CHIH-WEI , HO HSUAN-CHING
Published: December 2019

Liopropoma aragai Randall & Taylor 1988 is redescribed based on the holotype and non-type specimens from Japan and Taiwan. Diagnostic characters of the species and the status of Taiwanese specimens previously referred to L. aragai are reassessed. Liopropoma lemniscatum Randall & Taylor 1988, previously recorded only from the Pacific coast of Japan and the Ryukyu Archipelago, and L. lunulatum (Guichenot 1863), previously known from Okinawa Island (Japan), Guam, Réunion, Rarotonga and Tahiti, are redescribed, both being confirmed for the first time by voucher specimens from Taiwanese waters. A detailed description of each species and a key to Taiwan Liopropoma Gill 1861 is provided.
Redescription of Tetragonurus pacificus (Teleostei: Stromateoidei: Tetragonuridae), based on specimens collected from Taiwan and Tarawa Atoll
Authors: KOEDA KEITA , TERAMURA AKINORI
Published: December 2019

The rare squaretail Tetragonurus pacificus Abe 1953 was described on the basis of a single poor-condition specimen obtained from the stomach of a yellowfin tuna collected from west of the Solomon Islands. A fresh specimen of T. pacificus was recently collected from southwestern Taiwan and its morphology and the fresh coloration are herein described in detail. In addition, a juvenile specimen collected from the southern Pacific Ocean was found in the museum collection. The species is characterized by dorsal-fin spines 10–11; longitudinal scale rows along body axis 72–80; and predorsal scales 17–20. The present specimen collected from off southwestern Taiwan represents the northernmost record of the species from the Pacific Ocean.
Productivity Dynamics and Rural Industrialization in India
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Aggarwal Aradhna
Published: December 2019

Since the late 1990s, industrialization in India has been driven by the rural organized manufacturing sector. This paper examines the effects of firms’ dynamics on rural industrialization in India, using plant-level panel data, to investigate the characteristics of rural industrialization in India in recent years. In particular, the paper focuses on productivity differences among continuing, entering, and exiting firms. The results show that both labour and total factor productivity of the organized manufacturing sector in rural areas increased during 2000–2006 and the aggregate productivity growth is supported by the productivity growth of the continuing firms, the entry of productive firms, and the exit of less-productive firms. The paper can conclude that firms’ productivity dynamics contributed to the current rural industrialization in India.

JEL: O14, O47, O53
Between state, market and family: Changing childcare policies in urban China and the implications for working mothers
Authors: Wallace Claire
Published: December 2019

The participation of women in Chinese society over past decades has been shaped by the shifting relationships between state, market and society as these have impacted on public and private spheres of life. The article looks at these relations from the point of view of the development of childcare policies for pre-school children by considering three main phases in the development of childcare policies in China. It then turns in more detail to the coping strategies available to working parents in contemporary times. It considers this in relation to new intersectionalities of gender, generation and income. Finally, the article looks forward to new policies to better enable the balance of work and care in the future.
Role of intermittent pneumatic compression in the treatment of breast cancer–related lymphoedema: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tastaban Engin , Soyder Aykut , Aydin Elif , Sendur Omer Faruk , Turan Yasemin , Ture Mevlut , Bilgen Mehmet
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the role of intermittent pneumatic compression in the treatment of breast cancer–related lymphoedema.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic at a university hospital.

Subjects:

Seventy-six patients with lymphoedema.

Interventions:

Patients were allocated into Group 1 (complex decongestive treatment, n = 38) and Group 2 (complex decongestive treatment + intermittent pneumatic compression, n = 38). The complex decongestive treatment involved skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, and exercise for 20 sessions. Group 2 additionally received intermittent pneumatic compression.

Main measures:

Quantitative outcomes consisted of volumetric measures prior to and after the treatment. Clinical assessments included severity of pain, heaviness and tightness, disability, grip strength, and depression.

Results:

Lymphoedema was similar at baseline, but treatments significantly reduced the excess volume (from 373 mL to 203 mL in Group 1 and 379.5 mL to 189.5 mL in Group 2). Percentage excess volumes (PEVs) decreased in both groups. The percentage reduction of excess volume was better in Group 2 than Group 1, but the intergroup difference was not significant. The clinical scores reflected improvements, but the heaviness and tightness read significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1.

Conclusion:

Intermittent pneumatic compression seems to add no benefit when combined with complex decongestive treatment of lymphoedema, but, may be functional in reducing the sensations of heaviness and tightness for the patients with pitting oedema.
Comparison of submillisievert CT with standard-dose CT for urolithiasis
Authors: Shim Young Sup , Park So Hyun , Choi Seung Joon , Ahn Su Joa , Pak Seong Yong , Jung Han , Park Seong Ho
Published: December 2019

Background

Patients with renal stones receive multiple computed tomography (CT) examinations. We investigated whether submillisievert (sub-mSv) CT for stone detection could reduce radiation dose at exposure levels comparable to kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) radiography.

Purpose

To evaluate the radiation dose exposure, diagnostic performance, and image quality of sub-mSv non-contrast CT using advanced modelled iterative reconstruction algorithm with spectral filtration for the detection of urolithiasis.

Material and Methods

A total of 145 consecutive patients underwent non-contrast CT using a third-generation dual-source scanner to obtain two datasets, i.e. 16.7% (sub-mSv CT, tube detector A) and 100% (standard-dose CT, combination of tube detector A and B) tube loads with spectral filtration. The performance of sub-mSv CT for the detection of stones was analyzed by two readers and compared with that of standard-dose CT. Image quality was measured subjectively and objectively.

Results

In total, 171 stones were detected in 79 patients. The mean effective radiation doses of sub-mSv CT was 0.3 mSv. The sensitivity and specificity values for diagnosis of stones measuring ≥3 mm was 95.1% and 100% for sub-mSv CT. The sensitivity and specificity for all stone detection was 74.9% and 97.8%, respectivey, for sub-mSv CT. The image quality was lower for sub-mSv CT than for standard-dose CT ( P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Sub-mSv CT can be achieved with radiation doses close to KUB radiography. Sub-mSv CT with spectral filtration can be used to detect stones measuring ≥3 mm and be used as a follow-up imaging modality as an alternative to KUB radiography.
AND score: a simple tool for predicting infection in acute ischemic stroke patients without a ventilator in the Chinese population
Authors: Li Jiaoxing , Wang Yufang , Sun Xunsha , Lin Jing , Lai Rong , Liang Jie , Wu Xiaoxin , Sheng Wenli
Published: December 2019

Objective

We aimed to develop a simple and user-friendly scoring system to predict all-cause hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the Chinese population.

Methods

AIS patients from a retrospective cohort study at our center were included from January 2016 to December 2018. HAIs were diagnosed based on the current criteria from Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. Stepwise logistic regression models were performed to screen independent predictors of HAI after AIS. A scoring system was developed by including each of the above significant predictors.

Results

Among 1211 patients, 76 patients (6.28%) developed HAI. Age, baseline National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, and dysphagia were independent predictors of HAI. For the AND score, A refers to age, N refers to NIHSS, and D refers to dysphagia. The AND score showed a high area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve (0.679), which comprised age (65–74 years was 4 points, 75–84 years was 6 points, ≥85 years was 8 points), NIHSS score ≥10 (5 points), and dysphagia (6 points).

Conclusions

We developed a simple scoring system to predict all-cause infections after AIS patients without a ventilator in the Chinese population.
Progress in soil geography I: Reinvigoration
Authors: Miller Bradley A , Brevik Eric C , Pereira Paulo , Schaetzl Randall J
Published: December 2019

The geography of soil is more important today than ever before. Models of environmental systems and myriad direct field applications depend on accurate information about soil properties and their spatial distribution. Many of these applications play a critical role in managing and preparing for issues of food security, water supply, and climate change. The capability to deliver soil maps with the accuracy and resolution needed by land use planning, precision agriculture, as well as hydrologic and meteorologic models is, fortunately, on the horizon due to advances in the geospatial revolution. Digital soil mapping, which utilizes spatial statistics and data provided by modern geospatial technologies, has now become an established area of study for soil scientists. Over 100 articles on digital soil mapping were published in 2018. The first and second generations of soil mapping thrived from collaborations between Earth scientists and geographers. As we enter the dawn of the third generation of soil maps, those collaborations remain essential. To that end, we review the historical connections between soil science and geography, examine the recent disconnect between those disciplines, and draw attention to opportunities for the reinvigoration of the long-standing field of soil geography. Finally, we emphasize the importance of this reinvigoration to geographers.
Improved Rotator Cuff Footprint Contact Characteristics With an Augmented Repair Construct Using Lateral Edge Fixation
Authors: Urch Ekaterina , Lin Charles C. , Itami Yasuo , Patel Nilay A. , McGarry Michelle H. , Limpisvasti Orr , Lee Thay Q.
Published: December 2019

Background:

The transosseous-equivalent (TOE) rotator cuff repair construct has become the gold standard for the repair of medium and large rotator cuff tears. Repair failure, however, continues to be a problem. One contributing factor may be the inability of the TOE repair to replicate the native footprint contact characteristics during shoulder movement, especially in rotation. This results in higher strain across the repair, which leads to gapping and predisposes the construct to failure. In an effort to better reproduce the native compression forces throughout the footprint, an augmented TOE construct supplemented with lateral edge fixation is proposed, and the contact characteristics were compared with those of the gold standard TOE construct.

Hypothesis:

The augmented TOE repair will demonstrate improved footprint contact characteristics when compared with the classic TOE repair.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders underwent supraspinatus repair using both the classic TOE double-row construct and the augmented TOE repair. For the augmented repair, 2 luggage tag sutures were used to secure the lateral edge and incorporated into the lateral row anchors. A Tekscan pressure sensor (Tekscan Inc) placed under the repaired tendon was used to collect footprint contact area, force, peak pressure, and contact pressure data for each construct.

Results:

The augmented construct demonstrated significantly greater contact forces (average difference, 4.9 N) and significantly greater contact pressures (average difference, 23.1 kPa) at all degrees of abduction and all degrees of rotation. At 30° of internal and 30° of external rotation at both 0° and 30° of shoulder abduction, the augmented construct demonstrated significantly greater peak contact pressures.

Conclusion:

The augmented construct showed superior contact characteristics when compared with the classic TOE technique. The addition of lateral edge fixation to the classic TOE repair significantly improves bone-tendon contact characteristics with minimal additional surgical effort.

Clinical Relevance:

The results of this study indicate that lateral augmentation of the classic TOE repair produces a biomechanically superior construct that may optimize tendon healing.