bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient satisfaction and treatment adherence of stable human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in antiretroviral adherence clubs and clinics
Authors: De Jager Gabi A. , Crowley Talitha , Esterhuizen Tonya M.
Published: June 2018

Background: South Africa has experienced a substantial increase in access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in recent years. Effective strategies to manage access to treatment need to be incorporated into and implemented in ART programmes. Antiretroviral treatment adherence clubs are a new strategy that is being implemented in various parts of South Africa. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate treatment adherence and patient satisfaction of stable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients on ART in ART adherence clubs and clinics. Setting: The study was conducted in the Eden district of the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted to examine the relationships between patient satisfaction and treatment adherence in ART adherence clubs and clinics in the Eden district, Western Cape province, South Africa. Validated questionnaires were used to measure patient satisfaction and self-reported treatment adherence. Results: The study included 320 participants (98 club and 222 clinic) from 13 primary health care clinics. The analyses showed that higher levels of satisfaction could be predicted with club participants compared to clinic participants (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference between clinic and club participants with regards to treatment adherence. However, being adherent was more likely in participants who were satisfied (odds ratio = 3.18, 95% confidence interval [1.14–7.11], p < 0.01). Conclusion: Antiretroviral treatment adherence clubs provide a service that patients are more satisfied with although they are not more adherent to treatment. This strategy may be effective for the delivery of long-term care for patients on ART.
Time trends in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy
Authors: Kalaivani K. , Ramachandran Prema
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in India is among the highest in the world. In the last two decades, several national surveys have estimated haemoglobin levels in pregnant women. In this study, data from these surveys were analyzed to find out changes, if any, in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy.

Methods:

National and State-level estimates on the prevalence of anaemia were tabulated from the reports of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, NFHS 3, Fact Sheets of NFHS 4 and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2. Unit level data from DLHS 4 and Annual Health Survey Clinical Anthropometric and Biochemical component (AHS CAB) were obtained and State level prevalence of different grades of anaemia was estimated. Time trends in the prevalence of anaemia and different grades of anaemia were assessed from these surveys.

Results:

NFHS 2, 3 and 4 reported relatively lower prevalence of anaemia as compared to DLHS and AHS CAB. There was not much change in the prevalence or severity of anaemia between NFHS 2, 3 and 4. There was substantial reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in all States except Uttarakhand between DLHS 2 and 4 and DLHS 2 and AHS CAB.

Interpretation & conclusions:

There was a reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in the last 15 years. The two-pronged strategy of increasing iron intake (dietary diversification and use of iron-fortified iodized salt) in all the population and testing, and detecting and treating pregnant women with anaemia will accelerate the pace of reduction in anaemia.
Intrapatient variability in plasma rifampicin & isoniazid in tuberculosis patients
Authors: Kumar A. K. Hemanth , Chandrasekaran V. , Kannan T. , Lavanya J. , Swaminathan Soumya , Ramachandran Geetha
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

Large variability in anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug concentrations between patients is known to exist. However, limited information is available on intrapatient drug levels during the course of anti-TB treatment (ATT). This study was conducted to evaluate intrapatient variability in plasma rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) concentrations during ATT at start of the treatment, at the end of intensive phase (IP) of ATT and at the end of ATT in adult TB patients being treated in the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP).

Methods:

Adult TB patients (n=485), receiving thrice-weekly ATT in the RNTCP, were studied. Two-hour post-dosing concentrations of RMP and INH were determined at month 1, end of IP and end of ATT, after directly observed drug administration. Drug concentrations were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results:

The median (inter-quartile range) RMP concentrations during the first month, at end of IP and end of ATT were 2.1 (0.4-5.0), 2.4 (0.6-5.5) and 2.2 (0.5-5.3) μg/ml, respectively. The corresponding INH concentrations were 7.1 (4.2-9.9), 7.2 (3.9-10.9) and 6.7 (3.9-9.5) μg/ml. None of the differences in drug concentrations obtained at different time points during ATT were significant. RMP and INH concentrations at different time points were significantly correlated. Age and body mass index caused significant variability in drug concentrations.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Plasma RMP and INH estimations in adult TB patients at two hours after drug administration remained unaltered during ATT. Clinicians can consider testing drug concentrations at any time point during ATT. These findings may assume significance in the context of therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-TB drug concentrations.
Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in south coastal Karnataka, India, using spoligotyping
Authors: Chawla Kiran , Kumar Ajay , Shenoy Vishnu Prasad , Chauhan Devendra Singh , Sharma Pragya
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

Despite high occurrence of tuberculosis in India very little information is available about the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates prevailing in coastal Karnataka, India. Thus, the present study was undertaken to explore the genetic biodiversity of M. tuberculosis isolates prevailing in south coastal region of Karnataka (Udupi District), India.

Methods:

A total of 111 Mycobacterial isolates were cultured in Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and after obtaining growth, DNA was extracted and spoligotyping was performed. SITVIT WEB database was used to locate families of spoligotypes.

Results:

On analyzing the hybridization results of all 111 isolates on SITVIT WEB database 57 (51.35%) isolates were clustered into 11 Spoligotype International Types (SIT). The largest cluster of 14 (12.61%) isolates was SIT-48 (EAI1-SOM), followed by SIT-1942 (CAS1-Delhi) with 11 isolates (9.9%) and SIT-11 with seven (6.30%). Moreover, 23 isolates (20.72%) had unique spoligotypes and 31 (27.92%) were orphans. Spotclust analysis revealed that majority (67%) of orphan isolates were variants of CAS (37%) and EAI-5 (34%).

Interpretation & conclusions:

The present study revealed high biodiversity among the circulating isolates of M. tuberculosis in this region with the presence of mixed genotypes earlier reported from north and south India along with certain new genotypes with unique SITs. The study highlights the need for further longitudinal studies to explore the genetic diversity and to understand the transmission dynamics of prevailing isolates.
Comparative study between liquid-based cytology & conventional Pap smear for cytological follow up of treated patients of cancer cervix
Authors: Singh Uma , Anjum  , Qureshi Sabuhi , Negi Neha , Singh Nisha , Goel Madhumati , Srivastava Kirti
Published: June 2018

Background & objectives:

Cancer cervix is one of the most common forms of genital malignancy among Indian women. Recurrence is seen in a significant number of cases. The conventional cervical smear technique has inherent problems and screening and interpretation errors. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of liquid-based cytology (LBC) as a method for cytological follow up and detection of recurrence in treated cases of cancer cervix and to compare it with conventional Pap smear technique to find the best screening method for detection of recurrence in these patients.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year. Patients attending Gynecology and Radiotherapy outpatient departments for follow up after treatment of cancer cervix were included. Pap smear and LBC were taken in all cases. Colposcopy and biopsy were done for those having epithelial cell abnormality in cytology report. Colposcopy and biopsy were taken as gold standard for diagnosis of cancer cervix recurrence.

Results:

Ninety four treated patients of carcinoma cervix were studied. The diagnostic accuracy for detection of recurrence of conventional Pap smear was 79.16 per cent, and that of LBC was 97.6 per cent. The difference between the two methods was significant (P<0.001).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our findings showed that LBC performed better than the conventional method of cytology to detect recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma. Its sensitivity, specificity as well as accuracy were much higher than conventional method. LBC can be a better method of cytological follow up of post-treated patients of cancer cervix.
Sensitivities of modelled water vapour in the lower stratosphere: temperature uncertainty, effects of horizontal transport and small-scale mixing
Authors: Poshyvailo Liubov , Müller Rolf , Konopka Paul , Günther Gebhard , Riese Martin , Podglajen Aurélien , Ploeger Felix
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Water vapour (H2O) in the upper troposphere and lower
stratosphere (UTLS) has a significant role for global radiation. A realistic
representation of H2O is therefore critical for accurate climate
model predictions of future climate change. In this paper we investigate the
effects of current uncertainties in tropopause temperature, horizontal
transport and small-scale mixing on simulated H2O in the lower
stratosphere (LS). To assess the sensitivities of simulated H2O, we use the Chemical
Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). First, we examine CLaMS, which is
driven by two reanalyses, from the European Centre of Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim and the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55),
to investigate the robustness with respect to the meteorological dataset.
Second, we carry out CLaMS simulations with transport barriers along latitude
circles (at the Equator, 15 and 35∘ N/S) to assess the
effects of horizontal transport. Third, we vary the strength of parametrized
small-scale mixing in CLaMS. Our results show significant differences (about 0.5 ppmv) in simulated
stratospheric H2O due to uncertainties in the tropical tropopause
temperatures between the two reanalysis datasets, JRA-55 and ERA-Interim. The
JRA-55 based simulation is significantly moister when compared to
ERA-Interim, due to a warmer tropical tropopause (approximately 2 K). The
transport barrier experiments demonstrate that the Northern Hemisphere (NH)
subtropics have a strong moistening effect on global stratospheric
H2O. The comparison of tropical entry H2O from the
sensitivity 15∘ N/S barrier simulation and the reference case shows
differences of up to around 1 ppmv. Interhemispheric exchange shows only a
very weak effect on stratospheric H2O. Small-scale mixing mainly
increases troposphere–stratosphere exchange, causing an enhancement of
stratospheric H2O, particularly along the subtropical jets in the
summer hemisphere and in the NH monsoon regions. In particular, the Asian and
American monsoon systems during a boreal summer appear to be regions
especially sensitive to changes in small-scale mixing, which appears
crucial
for controlling the moisture anomalies in the monsoon UTLS. For the
sensitivity simulation with varied mixing strength, differences in tropical
entry H2O between the weak and strong mixing cases amount to about
1 ppmv, with small-scale mixing enhancing H2O in the LS. The sensitivity studies presented here provide new insights into the leading
processes that control stratospheric H2O, which are important for
assessing and improving climate model projections.
Rogation ceremonies: key to understand past drought variability
in northeastern Spain since 1650
Authors: Tejedor Ernesto , de Luis Martín , Barriendos Mariano , Cuadrat José María , Luterbacher Jürg , Saz Miguel Ángel
Published: June 2018

Abstract. In the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, drought recurrence, intensity, persistence and spatial variability have been mainly studied by using instrumental data covering the past ca. 60 years. Fewer studies have reconstructed drought occurrence and variability for the preinstrumental period using documentary evidence and natural proxies. In this study, we compiled a unique dataset of rogation ceremonies, religious acts to ask god for rain, from 13 cities in the northeast of Spain and investigated the annual drought variability from 1650 to 1899 AD. We converted the qualitative information into three regionally different coherent areas (Mediterranean, Ebro Valley and Mountain) with quantitative, annually resolved (December to August) drought indices according to the type of religious act. We found common periods with prolonged droughts (during the mid and late 18th century) and extreme drought years (1775, 1798, 1753, 1691 and 1817) associated with more blocking situations. A superposed epoch analysis (SEA) was performed to test the regional hydroclimatic responses after major tropical volcanic eruptions. The SEA shows a significant decrease in drought events one year after the volcanic events, which might be explained by the decrease in evapotranspiration due to decreases in surface temperatures and, consequently, the higher water availability that increases soil moisture. In addition, we discovered a common and significant drought response two years after the Tambora volcanic eruption in the three regional drought indices. Documented information on rogations thus contains important independent information to reconstruct extreme drought events for specific seasons in areas and periods for which instrumental information and other proxies are scarce.
Geological stratigraphy and spatial distribution of microfractures over the Costa Rica convergent margin, Central America – a wavelet-fractal analysis
Authors: Singh Upendra K. , Prajapati Rahul , Kumar Thinesh
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Identification of spatial distribution of lithology as a function of
position and scale is a very critical job for lithology modelling in industry.
Wavelet transform (WT) is an efficacious and powerful mathematical tool for
time (position) and frequency (scale) localization. It has numerous
advantages over Fourier transform (FT) to obtain frequency and time
information of a signal. Initially continuous wavelet transform (CWT) was applied on
gamma ray logs for identification of lithofacies distribution, and later
discrete wavelet transform (DWT) was applied on density logs to identify the
fracture zones. In this study the data were taken from two different well
sites (well 1039 and well 1043) of the Costa Rica convergent margin, Central
America. The CWT analysis provides four major sedimentary layers terminated
with a concordant igneous intrusion passing through both the wells. In
addition, the wavelet-based fractal analysis (WBFA) technique was applied on
identified sedimentary successions, and fractal-dimension (FD) values were
calculated for every succession to know the presence and distribution of
fractures. We found that the second and third successions have a high FD value,
whereas the first and fourth successions have a low FD value. These high values may be due
to the presence of abundant shale content and low-energy environments in the
sedimentary successions.
Ice velocity of Jakobshavn Isbræ, Petermann Glacier, Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden, and Zachariæ Isstrøm, 2015–2017, from Sentinel 1-a/b SAR imagery
Authors: Lemos Adriano , Shepherd Andrew , McMillan Malcolm , Hogg Anna E. , Hatton Emma , Joughin Ian
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Systematically monitoring Greenland's outlet glaciers is central to
understanding the timescales over which their flow and sea level
contributions evolve. In this study we use data from the new Sentinel-1a/b
satellite constellation to generate 187 velocity maps, covering four key outlet
glaciers in Greenland: Jakobshavn Isbræ, Petermann Glacier,
Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden, and Zachariæ Isstrøm. These data provide a new
high temporal resolution record (6-day averaged solutions) of each glacier's
evolution since 2014, and resolve recent seasonal speedup periods and
inter-annual changes in Greenland outlet glacier speed with an estimated
certainty of 10 %. We find that since 2012, Jakobshavn Isbræ has been
decelerating, and now flows approximately 1250 m yr−1 (10 %), slower
than 5 years previously, thus reversing an increasing trend in ice velocity
that has persisted during the last decade. Despite this, we show that
seasonal variability in ice velocity remains significant: up to
750 m yr−1 (14 %) at a distance of 12 km inland of the terminus. We also
use our new dataset to estimate the duration of speedup periods (80–95 days)
and to demonstrate a strong relationship between ice front position and ice
flow at Jakobshavn Isbræ, with increases in speed of ∼ 1800 m yr−1
in response to 1 km of retreat. Elsewhere, we record significant
seasonal changes in flow of up to 25 % (2015) and 18 % (2016) at
Petermann Glacier and Zachariæ Isstrøm, respectively. This study
provides a first demonstration of the capacity of a new era of operational
radar satellites to provide frequent and timely monitoring of ice sheet
flow, and to better resolve the timescales over which glacier dynamics
evolve.
Corporate Restructuring and Investment
Authors: Ndekugri Dr. Alhassan
Published: June 2018

Corporate Restructuring looked the strategies employed by managers and leaders of a corporation in times of performance decline to put the corporation back to its normalcy. It is of no doubt that a good performing corporation motivate people to invest. This Research was conducted to investigate how the participants as investor and potential investors want from their Corporate managers and leaders in terms of putting the corporation in good shape. This research Used a survey technique and data was analyzed using SPSS and Excel software. The results showed that there was a relationship between Corporate previous performance and investment decision, at a p-values of 0.779 and 1.000 respectively, which was greater than the significance level of 0.05 we failed to reject the null hypothesis and concluded both Corporate previous performance and Corporate location may have an influence on investors decision making.
Traditional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy As A Complement to the Existing Scientific Biodiversity Conservation Models in Ghana
Authors: Adom Dickson
Published: June 2018

Biodiversity management in Ghana has been largely driven by scientific conservation models. The time-tested and useful traditional conservation ethos in the Ghanaian cultural and artistic elements such as festivals, proverbs, cosmological belief systems and taboos are often watered down by conservationists in biodiversity conservation schemes. This is due to conservationists’ lack of clear-cut guidelines on how to effectively utilize the traditional knowledge systems in complementing the scientific conservation models they are well versed. The developed traditional biodiversity strategy was based on the findings from a robust phenomenological study conducted among purposively and randomly sampled key stakeholders in biodiversity management in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The document aims at offering comprehensive information and guidelines to conservationists on effective ways of implementing traditional knowledge systems in biodiversity conservation issues in Ghana. It ultimately aims at filling the dearth in traditional knowledge systems that have been an age-long problem for the conservation ministries and agencies in Ghana. The informative directions in the developed traditional biodiversity strategy would offer another lens to addressing conservation issues in Ghana while acting as a viable complement to the scientific models. This would ultimately maximize and enrich the conservation strategies for managing Ghana’s biodiversity.
Erythrophagocytosis in Bone Marrow: A Clue to Pyrexia of Unknown Origin
Authors: GARG Neha , RAİNA Surabhi , KOTRU Mrinalini , SİKKA Meera
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Bone

marrow (BM) is usually done to investigate the patients for Pyrexia of Unknown

Origin (PUO). However, only 16.5 % of cases reveal any diagnostic information.

Increasing incidence of atypical presentations are seen in typhoid. Careful

examination of BM to pick up clues for diagnosis is important We report a case

of a 15 year old female who presented with fever since associated with altered

sensorium, gum bleeding and loose stools. Hematological findings revealed

pancytopenia with macrocytic anemia with erythrophagocytosis in BM aspirates. A

diagnosis of typhoid was made with a positive typhi dot IgM. The authors

present this case to highlight the importance of simple BM findings of

erythrophagocytosis and how awareness about this feature can point towards the

right diagnosis in the midst of atypical clinical and hematological features. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 8(2):73-75.
Primo New User Interface: Usability Testing and Local Customizations Implemented in Response
Authors: Galbreath Blake Lee , Johnson Corey , Hvizdak Erin
Published: June 2018

Washington State University was the first library system of its 39-member consortium to migrate to Primo New User Interface. Following this migration, we conducted a usability study in July 2017 to better understand how our users fared when the new user interface deviated significantly from the classic interface. From this study, we learned that users had little difficulty using basic and advanced search, signing into and out of primo, and navigating their account. In other areas, where the difference between the two interfaces was more pronounced, study participants experienced more difficulty. Finally, we present customizations implemented at Washington State University to the design of the interface to help alleviate the observed issues.
Alpha protocadherins and Pyk2 kinase regulate cortical neuron migration and cytoskeletal dynamics via Rac1 GTPase and WAVE complex in mice
Authors: Fan Li , Lu Yichao , Shen Xiulian , Shao Hong , Suo Lun , Wu Qiang
Published: June 2018

Diverse clustered protocadherins are thought to function in neurite morphogenesis and neuronal connectivity in the brain. Here, we report that the protocadherin alpha (Pcdha) gene cluster regulates neuronal migration during cortical development and cytoskeletal dynamics in primary cortical culture through the WAVE (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome family verprolin homologous protein, also known as Wasf) complex. In addition, overexpression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2, also known as Ptk2b, Cakβ, Raftk, Fak2, and Cadtk), a non-receptor cell-adhesion kinase and scaffold protein downstream of Pcdhα, impairs cortical neuron migration via inactivation of the small GTPase Rac1. Thus, we define a molecular Pcdhα/WAVE/Pyk2/Rac1 axis from protocadherin cell-surface receptors to actin cytoskeletal dynamics in cortical neuron migration and dendrite morphogenesis in mouse brain.
Observational learning and children with autism: discrimination training of known and unknown stimuli
Authors: DeQuinzio Jaime A. , Taylor Bridget A. , Tomasi Brittany J.
Published: June 2018

We extended past observational learning research by incorporating stimuli already known to participants into training. We used a multiple‐baseline design across three participants to determine the effects of discrimination training on the discrimination of consequences applied to modeled responses using both known and unknown pictures. During baseline, participants were exposed to modeled correct and incorrect picture labels and were observed to imitate modeled responses that were incorrect and followed by negative feedback. During discrimination training, we taught participants to label known pictures regardless of observed responses and consequences. With unknown pictures, we taught participants to imitate correct and reinforced modeled responses, and to say, “I don't know,” when modeled responses were incorrect and received negative feedback. Test sessions measured responding to known and unknown pictures and showed acquisition over baseline levels. Generalization to pictures not associated with training was variable. Implications for teaching observational learning to children with autism are discussed.
Inferring Meaning From Meaningful Parts: The Contributions of Morphological Skills to the Development of Children's Reading Comprehension
Authors: Levesque Kyle C. , Kieffer Michael J. , Deacon S. Hélène
Published: June 2018

Skilled reading comprehension is an important goal of educational instruction and models of reading development. In this study, the authors investigated how core skills surrounding morphemes, that is, the minimal units of meaning in language, support the development of reading comprehension. The authors specifically contrast the roles of morphological awareness and morphological analysis; the first refers to the awareness of and ability to manipulate morphemes in language, and the second refers to the use of morphemes in inferring the meaning of unfamiliar morphologically complex (multimorphemic) words. The authors evaluated these morphological skills in 197 English‐speaking students who were followed from grade 3 to grade 4; the analyses used stringent autoregressor controls to home in on predictors of gains over time. In addition to morphological awareness and morphological analysis, the authors assessed students' reading comprehension and controls for word reading, vocabulary, phonological awareness, nonverbal ability, and age. Multivariate autoregressive path analysis revealed that morphological analysis, but not morphological awareness, predicted gains in reading comprehension. Morphological awareness, for its part, predicted gains in morphological analysis. Taken together, the findings allude to a developmental trajectory whereby students' use of morphemes to infer the meanings of unfamiliar complex words supports the development of reading comprehension over time. The development of this skill, in turn, appears to be supported by a more general awareness of morphemes in language. These findings contribute to theory and reading instruction by clarifying the ways in which morphological skills support the development of students' reading comprehension.
Exploring cultural diversity and identity at the Chester Beatty Library
Authors: Croke Fionnuala
Published: June 2018

Over the past 20 years, the Chester Beatty Library has undergone a transformation in how it presents its collections. Unique among Irish museums in its focus on global artistic heritage, it has consciously positioned itself as a centre for intercultural engagement and sought to address questions around diversity and national identity.
Developing a research-led practice: A case study examining the information needs and behaviours of first year undergraduates at the University for the Creative Arts
Authors: Daniels Rebecca
Published: June 2018

Arts students access information and find inspiration through a cornucopia of resources both within and outside of the library. Informed by creativity theory and information needs studies, this case study set out to identify the needs and behaviours of first year undergraduate students at the University for the Creative Arts in Canterbury. The use of multiple collection techniques captured rich data and provided an insight into ways of enhancing outreach both in the physical environment and online.
Social Bonds for Sustainable Development: A Human Rights Perspective on Impact Investing
Authors: PARK Stephen Kim
Published: June 2018

This article analyses the human rights implications of impact investing, which aims to create positive social and environmental impacts in addition to financial returns. Reflecting growing awareness of the capacity of the global capital markets to advance sustainable development, companies and institutional investors are seeking new financial instruments and strategies. This article focuses on social bonds, a prominent and illuminating example of this phenomenon. Social bonds are debt securities sold to investors whose proceeds are used to finance projects with a defined social benefit such as affordable housing, education, food security, and access to healthcare. To analyse social bonds in the context of human rights, this article proposes a framework for evaluating human rights factors in impact investing and applies it to the social bond market. It finds that current standards and practices do not adequately account for the human rights implications of social bonds. In light of these observations, this article suggests reforms to the social bond market that enhance investor assessment, external assurance, and impact-maximizing leverage.
FRONTIER, FORTIFICATION, AND FORESTATION: DEFENSIVE WOODLAND ON THE SONG–LIAO BORDER IN THE LONG ELEVENTH CENTURY
Authors: Chen Yuan Julian
Published: June 2018

This article examines the creation, preservation, and destruction of the defensive forest that the Northern Song built in Hebei along the Song–Liao border. Created as a landscape barrier against the Kitan attacks, this forest established the necessary strategic depth between the capital city and the northern frontline of the Song empire to compensate for Kaifeng's geographical vulnerability. While the Song government painstakingly maintained this forest throughout most of the dynasty, Liao troops, Hebei borderland residents, and many Song officials had nonetheless posed incessant challenges to this military forestation project. In 1122/23, at the onset of the war on the Liao to retrieve the Sixteen Prefectures, the Song army removed this borderland forest that blocked their northern expedition. The destruction of this defensive forest, which could have had thwarted attacks from the north, dismantled the strategic depth between Kaifeng and the Hebei borderland and henceforth presaged the fall of Kaifeng to the Jin, the Liao's successor, in a few years. I argue that this strategic depth was not only a physical distance, but also a diplomatic, sociopolitical, and military link that connected the ecology of the Song's northernmost periphery and the fate of the entire empire.
Lack of evidence of IgE allergic sensitisation from working with lactic acid bacteria in the dairy foods industry
Authors: Barrera Coralie , Reboux Gabriel , Laboissière Audrey , Millon Laurence , Oppliger Anne
Published: June 2018

This research communication aimed to evaluate the level of immunoglobulin E from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that are used in dairy industries. Previous studies have demonstrated that workers report symptoms of irritation and are frequently IgG-sensitised to LAB. Workers (n = 44) from a probiotic production unity and the control lab were seen by a medical practitioner and responded to an occupational questionnaire. Specific IgE by the DELFIA® technique against 6 strains of LAB were measured on 44 exposed workers and 31 controls sera. Levels of specific IgE were low and no difference was observed between the two groups. This lack of IgE response could be explained by a healthy worker effect, an efficient implementation of personal protective equipment or by an absence of allergic mechanisms to account for the self-reported irritative symptoms. Despite the high concentrations of LAB, preventive measures are effective enough to guarantee no allergic effect and to prevent other adverse health effects. The implementation of preventive measures to avoid or reduce exposure to dust of LAB, and more generally to milk powder, is recommended in all dairy industry.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with laryngomalacia as a cause of failure to thrive
Authors: Givens V , Brent K , Dunham M , Kanotra S P
Published: June 2018

Objective

To describe a case of concurrent cricopharyngeal achalasia with laryngomalacia as a cause of failure to thrive, and to review the literature and management options of cricopharyngeal achalasia in the paediatric population.

Methods

A chart review was performed on a four-month-old male, referred for failure to thrive, and diagnosed with cricopharyngeal achalasia and laryngomalacia. A PubMed and Embase search for ‘cricopharyngeal achalasia’ and ‘laryngomalacia’ was conducted. A review of reported paediatric cricopharyngeal achalasia patients, with emphasis on management options, was undertaken.

Results

A flexible laryngoscopic examination confirmed the laryngomalacia diagnosis, and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing demonstrated cricopharyngeal achalasia via a cricopharyngeal bar. Supraglottoplasty was performed, with botulinum toxin injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle, with resultant improvement in oral intake and resolution of failure to thrive. The literature review revealed no reported case of the combined pathologies as a cause of failure to thrive.

Conclusion

Functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing are complimentary in the evaluation of paediatric patients with failure to thrive and suspected oropharyngeal dysphagia. Both supraglottoplasty and botulinum toxin injection are effective for definitive management in cases of combined pathology, and can be safely performed in a single surgical setting.
Public Authority and Local Resistance: Abdur Rehman and the industrial workers of Lahore, 1969–1974
Authors: MALIK ANUSHAY
Published: June 2018

In 1968 a popular movement emerged on the streets of Pakistan which toppled the regime of General Muhammad Ayub Khan and ushered in the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). After a decade of military rule this movement was heralded as a turning point in the country's political fortunes. However, the war in 1971, the failure of the PPP to live up to its radical slogans, and Pakistan's eventual return to military rule in 1977 were seen as clear indications of the failure of both the movement and the PPP. This article focuses on the area of Kot Lakhpat in Lahore and the emergence of a worker-led court under Abdur Rehman to argue that this narrative of the failure of the movement does not leave space for local success stories which, while temporary, had an important impact on the role that the working classes imagined for themselves within the state. The Kot Lakhpat movement was part of a longer history of labour politics, and its story challenges the centrality of the PPP and shows how local structures of authority can be formed in response to the greater space for radical action opened up by a wider national resistance movement.
Good job, good pension? The influence of the workplace on saving for retirement
Authors: Robertson-Rose Lynne
Published: June 2018

Most private-sector employees in the United Kingdom (UK) are automatically enrolled into individualised defined contribution (DC) pension accounts. In a DC environment, income adequacy in retirement is highly dependent on the decisions that individuals make earlier in their lives. The ease with which they move into employment, and the pension support that they then receive from their employer, can be critical in determining outcomes. This paper discusses how employees respond to workplace pension schemes and the circumstances under which they assess the suitability of their contributions. The findings are based on an embedded case study comprising qualitative interviews with 25 employees of a large UK utility company. Participants were selected on the basis of socio-economic similarity. The research concluded that fixed-term employment negatively impacted on saving for retirement, both with respect to scheme membership and to the level of saving. Furthermore, it was found that the employment context had an influence upon retirement savings behaviour. The proactive approach of the employer in providing retirement benefits, and the trust that employees had in their employer, positively influenced membership and contribution levels. In addition to employer endorsement effects, both the encouragement of older work colleagues and workplace norms had a role to play in influencing how successfully individuals prepared for retirement.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans of the scalp treated with customised surface mould high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy: a case report
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anis , Basu Poulami , Biswas Somrita , Ghosh Sandip
Published: June 2018

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, locally aggressive soft tissue tumor commonly occurring in the trunk or extremities, lesser than 5% being located on the scalp. Surgery is the mainstay of management of this locally infiltrative cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma, with a high probability of recurrence if margin remains positive or inadequate. Adjuvant radiotherapy to a dose of 40–60 Gy decreases this chance of recurrence considerably. Radiotherapy is generally delivered by interstitial HDR brachytherapy, opposed photon or electron beam. We report a case of a 24 year old female, presenting with a small, painless nodule over right frontal area of scalp, diagnosed as DFSP post surgery with close margin that was treated with adjuvant radiation customized HDR surface mould brachytherapy with good local control and cosmesis.
The design of pension contracts: on the perspective of customers
Authors: Mei Zhaoxun
Published: June 2018

This paper introduces a new pension contract which provides a smoothed return for the customer. The new contract protects customers from adverse asset price movements while keeping the potential of positive returns. It has a transparent structure and clear distribution rule, which can be easily understood by the customer. We compare the new contract to two other contracts under Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT); one has a similar product structure but without guarantees and the other provides the same guarantee rate but with a different structure. The results show that the new contract is the most attractive contract for a CPT-maximising customer. Yet, we find different results if we let the customer be an Expected Utility Theory-maximising one. Moreover, this paper presents the static optimal portfolio for an individual customer. The results conform to the traditional pension advice that young people should invest more of their money in risky assets while older people should put more money in less risky assets.
Uterine glands coordinate on-time embryo implantation and impact endometrial decidualization for pregnancy success
Authors: Kelleher Andrew M. , Milano-Foster Jessica , Behura Susanta K. , Spencer Thomas E.
Published: June 2018

Uterine glands are essential for pregnancy establishment. By employing forkhead box A2 (FOXA2)-deficient mouse models coupled with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) repletion, we reveal definitive roles of uterine glands in embryo implantation and stromal cell decidualization. Here we report that LIF from the uterine glands initiates embryo-uterine communication, leading to embryo attachment and stromal cell decidualization. Detailed histological and molecular analyses discovered that implantation crypt formation does not involve uterine glands, but removal of the luminal epithelium is delayed and subsequent decidualization fails in LIF-replaced glandless but not gland-containing FOXA2-deficient mice. Adverse ripple effects of those dysregulated events in the glandless uterus result in embryo resorption and pregnancy failure. These studies provide evidence that uterine glands synchronize embryo-endometrial interactions, coordinate on-time embryo implantation, and impact stromal cell decidualization, thereby ensuring embryo viability, placental growth, and pregnancy success.
Formal enantioconvergent substitution of alkyl halides via catalytic asymmetric photoredox radical coupling
Authors: Li Jiangtao , Kong Manman , Qiao Baokun , Lee Richmond , Zhao Xiaowei , Jiang Zhiyong
Published: June 2018

Classic nucleophilic substitution reactions (SN1 and SN2) are not generally amenable to the enantioselective variants that use simple and racemic alkyl halide electrophiles. The merging of transition metal catalysis and radical chemistry with organometallic nucleophiles is a versatile method for addressing this limitation. Here, we report that visible light-driven catalytic asymmetric photoredox radical coupling can act as a complementary and generic strategy for the enantioconvergent formal substitution of alkyl haldies with readily available and bench-stable organic molecules. Single-electron reductive debrominations of racemic α-bromoketones generate achiral alkyl radicals that can participate in asymmetric Csp3–Csp3 bonds forming cross-coupling reactions with α-amino radicals derived from N-aryl amino acids. A wide range of valuable enantiomerically pure β2- and β2,2-amino ketones were obtained in satisfactory yields with good-to-excellent enantioselectivities by using chiral phosphoric acid catalysts to control the stereochemistry and chemoselectivity. Fluoro-hetero-quaternary and full-carbon quaternary stereocenters that are challenging to prepare were successfully constructed.
Distinct submembrane localisation compartmentalises cardiac NPR1 and NPR2 signalling to cGMP
Authors: Subramanian Hariharan , Froese Alexander , Jönsson Peter , Schmidt Hannes , Gorelik Julia , Nikolaev Viacheslav O.
Published: June 2018

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are important hormones that regulate multiple cellular functions including cardiovascular physiology. In the heart, two natriuretic peptide receptors NPR1 and NPR2 act as membrane guanylyl cyclases to produce 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Although both receptors protect from cardiac hypertrophy, their effects on contractility are markedly different, from little effect (NPR1) to pronounced negative inotropic and positive lusitropic responses (NPR2) with unclear underlying mechanisms. Here we use a scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) approach combined with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based cGMP biosensors to show that whereas NPR2 is uniformly localised on the cardiomyocyte membrane, functional NPR1 receptors are found exclusively in membrane invaginations called transverse (T)-tubules. This leads to far-reaching CNP/NPR2/cGMP signals, whereas ANP/NPR1/cGMP signals are highly confined to T-tubular microdomains by local pools of phosphodiesterase 2. This provides a previously unrecognised molecular basis for clearly distinct functional effects engaged by different cGMP producing membrane receptors.
Author Correction: Herbivorous turtle ants obtain essential nutrients from a conserved nitrogen-recycling gut microbiome
Authors: Hu Yi , Sanders Jon G. , Łukasik Piotr , D’Amelio Catherine L. , Millar John S. , Vann David R. , Lan Yemin , Newton Justin A. , Schotanus Mark , Kronauer Daniel J. C. , Pierce Naomi E. , Moreau Corrie S. , Wertz John T. , Engel Philipp , Russell Jacob A.
Published: June 2018

The originally published version of the Supplementary Information file associated with this Article contained an error in Supplementary Figure 3. Panel b was inadvertently replaced with a duplicate of panel a. The error has now been fixed and the corrected version of the Supplementary Information PDF is available to download from the HTML version of the Article.
Cracking effects in squashable and stretchable thin metal films on PDMS for flexible microsystems and electronics
Authors: Baëtens Tiffany , Pallecchi Emiliano , Thomy Vincent , Arscott Steve
Published: June 2018

Here, we study cracking of nanometre and sub-nanometre-thick metal lines (titanium, nickel, chromium, and gold) evaporated onto commercial polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Mechanical and electromechanical testing reveals potentially technologically useful effects by harnessing cracking. When the thin film metal lines are subjected to uniaxial longitudinal stretching, strain-induced cracks develop in the film. The regularity of the cracking is seen to depend on the applied longitudinal strain and film thickness—the findings suggest ordering and the possibility of creating metal mesas on flexible substrates without the necessity of lithography and etching. When the metal lines are aligned transversally to the direction of the applied strain, a Poisson effect-induced electrical ‘self-healing’ can be observed in the films. The Poisson effect causes process-induced cracks to short circuit, resulting in the lines being electrically conducting up to very high strains (~40%). Finally, cracking results in the observation of an enhanced transversal gauge factor which is ~50 times larger than the geometric gauge factor for continuous metal films—suggesting the possibility of high-sensitivity thin-film metal strain gauge flexible technology working up to high strains.
Function of Thelenota ananas saponin desulfated holothurin A in modulating cholesterol metabolism
Authors: Han Qi-an , Li Kaifeng , Dong Xiuping , Luo Yongkang , Zhu Beiwei
Published: June 2018

This work was designed to separate and purify the saponin from Thelenota ananas with the highest anti-cholesterol ability using multiple chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses, and to systematically investigate the effect of the Thelenota ananas saponin on cholesterol metabolism in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced macrophage foam cells. Desulfated holothurin A (desHA), which was finally identified as the targeted saponin with the highest activity in decreasing low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), markedly inhibited the formation of foam cells derived from macrophages based on Oil Red O staining. In addition, desHA significantly blocked the synthesis of fatty acid synthetase while promoted intracellular cholesterol efflux. Furthermore, desHA inhibited the effects of ox-LDL on macrophage mRNA expression, which enhanced the level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR) and suppressed the expression of SR-BI, ABCA1 and ABCG1, which further increased the levels of extracellular cholesterol and triglyceride. Blocking AKT and AMPK pathway and LXR synthesis revealed that desHA also regulated the contents of HMG-CoAR and eNOS via LXR/AKT/AMPK pathway. Thus, desHA played an essential role in cholesterol efflux and synthesis, which indicated desHA and Thelenota ananas are valuable resources to exploit new functional food and nutraceuticals.
Moderate fabrication and characterization of the microcrystalline Sr2CuO3 glass films with effective nonlinearities
Authors: Xu Tao , Hu Guangcai , Jiang Jutao , Yin Congfei , Xiang Run , Liang Xiaojuan , Xiang Weidong
Published: June 2018

Since nonlinear optical materials used in the ultrafast all-optical switching is an important part for the modern optical technology, cuprates have been widely investigated for their specific Cu-O chain structure and intriguing optical properties. We present a new preparation method of microcrystalline Sr2CuO3 glass films on glass substrates combining spin-coating and co-sintering techniques. Then, the as-prepared samples were polished for different times to obtain microcrystalline Sr2CuO3 glass films with varying thickness. The influence of polishing time on the structure, the valence state and the nonlinear optical response were discussed, respectively. The purity of the Sr2CuO3 phase, surface morphology and the chemical composites of these synthesized glass films were given with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Importantly, optical absorption spectroscopy and Z-scan technique were used to measure linear absorption and third-order optical nonlinearity of the films. The experiments showed that third-order nonlinear susceptibility of the 140 min polished film sample with a thickness of 18 μm was up to 1.23 × 10−12 esu, indicating its potential application in the nonlinear field.