bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wrapping newborn infants in cloth and newspaper after delivery led to higher temperatures on arrival at the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Agrawal Nitika , Das Kunal , Patwal Prachi , Pandita Neerul , Gupta Alpa
Published: January 2018

Aim

Neonatal hypothermia is a preventable cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, and wrapping neonates in newspaper sandwiched between cotton sheets is a simple intervention. This 2017 Indian pilot study tested the heat insulating property of sandwiched sheets.

Methods

At birth, we randomised 100 neonates who were more than 32 weeks of gestation and needed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) observation or care without a ventilator or bilevel positive airway pressure support into two groups of 50. The intervention and control groups were wrapped in two prewarmed sheets at birth that did or did not contain a layer of newspaper. Their axillary temperatures on arrival at the NICU and one hour after arrival were measured. Other environmental factors were similar.

Results

The neonates wrapped in the sandwiched sheets showed significantly higher temperatures on arrival at the NICU than the control group (35.9°C versus 35.4°C, p < 0.01) and after one hour (36.5°C versus 36.3°C, p < 0.01). No change in behaviour or training was required for the healthcare staff to implement this initiative.

Conclusion

Wrapping newborn infants in two cloth sheets with a newspaper layer resulted in a higher body temperature on arrival at the NICU and after one hour.
Increased temperature accelerates glycogen synthesis and delays fatigue in isolated mouse muscle during repeated contractions
Authors: Hanya E. , Katz A.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Elevated glycogen content in muscle delays fatigue during exercise. We examined if increasing muscle temperature during recovery from exercise affects glycogen synthesis and muscle performance during a subsequent bout of exercise.

Methods

Isolated mouse extensor digitorum longus muscles were stimulated electrically to perform repeated tetanic contractions until force decreased to 40% of initial at 25°C. Thereafter, muscles recovered for 120 minutes at 25°C (control), 120 minutes at 35°C or 60 minutes at 35°C followed by 60 minutes at 25°C. After recovery, muscles were again stimulated to fatigue at 25°C.

Results

In the control group, the number of contractions in the second run was slightly less than during the first run (92 ± 5%). Following recovery for 120 minutes at 35°C, the number of contractions was similar to the first run (98 ± 6%). Allowing recovery for 120 minutes at 35°C in the presence of the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine also did not alter the number of contractions in the second run (98 ± 3%). However, recovery for 60 minutes at 35°C followed by 60 minutes at 25°C resulted in an increase in the number of contractions during the second run (110 ± 2%, P < .001). Incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen (glycogen synthesis) during recovery was 1.7‐fold higher at 35°C vs 25°C (1.44 ± 0.08 μmol (30 min)−1 (g wet muscle)−1 vs 0.84 ± 0.04; P < .001).

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that, under the conditions studied, elevating muscle temperature for 60 minutes following a bout of repeated contractions delays muscle fatigue during a subsequent bout of repeated contractions and this is associated with enhanced glycogen synthesis in isolated muscle.
Maternal exposure to benzodiazepine and risk of preterm birth and low birth weight: A case‐control study using a claims database in Japan
Authors: Ogawa Yusuke , Takeshima Nozomi , Furukawa Toshi A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To examine (1) if the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth and/or low birth weight (LBW), and, if yes, (2) which types of benzodiazepines or antidepressants have stronger influences.

Methods

A case‐control study was performed using a large claims database in Japan. Cases were mothers who had given birth to preterm and/or LBW infants between 2005 and 2014 (737 with preterm births and 1615 with LBW). Controls were mothers who had neither experienced preterm birth nor given birth to an LBW infant.

Results

Overall, 42 058 births were included. The maternal use of benzodiazepines was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11‐3.69, P < .05), while the maternal use of benzodiazepines was not significantly associated with LBW (adjusted OR, 1.55; 0.96‐2.50). The use of antidepressants was not significantly associated with both preterm deliveries (adjusted OR, 0.57; 0.08‐4.16) and LBW (adjusted OR, 0.56; 0.14‐2.29).

Conclusions

Benzodiazepine use was associated with increased risk of preterm birth but not with LBW. Antidepressant use was not associated with both preterm deliveries and LBW.
HOW MANY MORE CITES IS A $3,000 OPEN ACCESS FEE BUYING YOU? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM A NATURAL EXPERIMENT
Authors: Mueller‐Langer Frank , Watt Richard
Published: January 2018

We analyze the effect of open access (OA) status of journal articles on citations. Using cross‐sectional and panel data from mathematics and economics, we perform negative binomial, Poisson, and generalized method of moments/instrumental variable methods regressions. We benefit from a natural experiment via hybrid OA pilot agreements. Citations to pre‐prints allow us to identify the intrinsic quality of articles prior to journal publication. Overall, our analysis suggests that there is no hybrid OA citation benefit. However, for the subpopulation of articles without OA pre‐ or post‐prints, we find positive hybrid OA effects for the full sample and each discipline separately. (JEL L17, O33, A11)
Expression pattern of immunosurveillance‐related antigen in adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma
Authors: Asano Naoko , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Kato Takeharu , Shimono Joji , Yoshida Noriaki , Kurita Daisuke , Sasaki Yuya , Kawamoto Keisuke , Ohshima Koichi , Seto Masao
Published: January 2018

Aims

Adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and β2 microglobulin (β2M) serve as key molecules in tumour immunity, and their expression is reduced frequently in tumour cells. Programmed cell death (PD)‐1/PD‐ligand1 (PD‐L1) interactions play a role in escape of tumour cells from T cell immunity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the clinicopathological relevance of HLA and β2M expressions in ATLL cells and PD‐L1 expression in lymphoma or stromal cells and predict the overall survival of patients with ATLL.

Methods and results

We analysed a total of 123 biopsy samples from patients newly diagnosed with ATLL by using immunohistochemical analysis. Of the patients enrolled, 91 (74%) were positive for HLA (in cell membrane, 60 patients), 89 (72%) were positive for β2M (in cell membrane, 54 patients) and 48 (39%) were positive for both HLA and β2M in the cell membrane (HLAm+β2Mm+). No significant clinical differences other than prognosis were found between the HLAm+β2Mm+ group and the other groups. Immunophenotypical evaluation revealed significantly higher rates of CD30‐positive lymphoma cells (P = 0.003) and PD‐L1‐positive stromal cells in microenvironments (miPD‐L1high) (P = 0.011) of the HLAm+β2Mm+ group than in the other groups. The HLAm+β2Mm+ group had a significantly better prognosis that the other groups (P = 0.0096), and patients showing HLAm+β2Mm+ with miPD‐L1high had the most favourable prognosis among all groups.

Conclusions

The membranous expression of HLA and β2M is likely to reflect the immune response and would be useful to predict prognosis before starting ATLL therapy.
Newly discovered Late Cretaceous adakites in South Fujian Province: Implications for the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of Southeast China
Authors: Zhao Xilin , Jiang Yang , Xing Guangfu , Yu Minggang , Mao Jianren , Yu Shengyao
Published: January 2018

The Yongchun pluton is a Late Cretaceous adakitic intrusion in South Fujian Province, Southeast China, with associated metal mineralization. An understanding of the Yongchun pluton is helpful in tectono‐magmatic evolutionary processes, and is important in explaining the origin of related porphyry‐type deposits. Zircons from three samples of the pluton were analyzed by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS), yielding U–Pb ages of 99.50 ±0.87 Ma, 97.74 ±0.59 Ma, and 99.65 ±0.92 Ma. These ages are similar to those of the Sifang, Luoboling, and Sukeng plutons, all of which are related to Cu–Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization within the study area. The Yongchun pluton comprises high‐potassium, calc‐alkaline, metaluminous rocks, with average A/CNK values of 0.91, 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.705 51 to 0.706 83, εNd(t) values of −4.63 to −5.90, and two‐stage Nd model (T2DM) ages of 1.49–1.39 Ga, indicating the magmas were generated by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic continental crust mixed with mantle‐derived magmas. The pluton has geochemical characteristics typical of adakites, such as a high Sr content (average 553 ppm), and low Y (average 15.2 ppm) and Yb (average 1.61 ppm) contents, indicating that the parental magma was formed under high‐pressure conditions. The magmatism was associated with thickening of the lower crust during a change in subduction angle and convergence rate of the paleo‐Pacific Plate at 100 Ma. The compression was limited to South Fujian Province.
Evaluating interactions between space‐use sharing and defence under increasing density conditions for the group‐territorial Red‐cockaded Woodpecker Leuconotopicus borealis
Authors: Garabedian James E. , Moorman Christopher E. , Peterson M. Nils , Kilgo John C.
Published: January 2018

Information about how bird species respond to increasing density conditions through either space‐use sharing or increased territoriality, and how those changes affect fitness, is essential for effective conservation planning. We used a case study of endangered Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers Leuconotopicus borealis (RCW) to address these questions. We documented over 36 000 locations from 44 RCW groups in three density conditions on two sites in South Carolina, USA, between April 2013 and March 2015. The frequency of neighbouring group interactions differed among density conditions and was highest for high‐density groups. RCW home‐ranges and core‐areas were larger under low‐density conditions ( = 88.4 ha,  = 21.0 ha) than under medium ( = 68.29 ha,  = 16.6 ha) and high‐density ( = 76.3 ha,  = 18.6 ha) conditions. Neighbouring RCWs maintained overlapping home‐ranges with nearly exclusive core‐areas across density conditions, but overlap tended to increase as neighbouring group density increased. Under high‐density conditions, home‐range overlap correlated inversely with clutch size (β ± se = −0.19 ± 0.09), nestling production (β ± se = −0.37 ± 0.09) and fledgling production (β ± se = −0.34 ± 0.08). Our results indicate that RCWs dedicate more effort to territorial defence under high‐density conditions, potentially at the expense of greater foraging efficiency and time allocated to reproduction, as evidenced by reduced fitness. Large home‐range overlap indicated limited territoriality farther away from cavity trees, but the existence of exclusive core‐areas suggests that RCW groups defend habitat closer to cavity trees. Thiessen partitions used to allocate critical foraging habitat offered comprehensive habitat protection for RCW but appear flawed for spatially explicit habitat assessments because they do not accurately delineate space used by individual RCW groups.
Transcriptional levels of the cancer‐related genes p53, TAp63/73, and ∆Np63/73 in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) after lead exposure
Authors: Guerreiro Amanda da Silveira , Rola Regina C. , Almeida Daniela V. , Sandrini Juliana Z.
Published: January 2018

The major role of the p53 gene family is related to the maintenance of genetic stability, protecting organisms from a wide range of stressors. Considering the importance of p53 in cancer development, this study aimed to analyze the expression of p53 isoforms in the mussel Mytilus edulis after lead exposure. We detected the p53 isoform both in the gills and in the digestive gland of mussels, but detected TAp63/73 and ∆Np63/73 isoforms only in the gills. Lead exposure induced upregulation of p53 mRNA levels in the digestive gland, without any effect in the gills. Conversely, mRNA levels of the TAp63/73 and ∆Np63/73 isoforms were downregulated in the gills after 1 d of exposure to lead. These results suggest that some similarities may exist between vertebrates and invertebrates and, specifically, that the balance between isoforms may represent a crucial step in cellular homeostasis. Moreover, the transcription of these cancer‐related genes seems to be regulated in a tissue‐ and time‐specific manner.
Perceptions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy among podiatrists practicing in high‐risk foot clinics
Authors: Henshaw Frances R , Brennan Lauren , MacMillan Freya
Published: January 2018

Foot ulceration is a devastating and costly consequence of diabetes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recognised as an adjunctive therapy to treat diabetes‐related foot ulceration, yet uptake is low. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 podiatrists who manage patients with foot ulcers related to diabetes to explore their perceptions of, and the barriers/facilitators to, referral for hyperbaric oxygen.

Podiatrists cited logistical issues such as location of facilities as well as poor communication pathways, lack of delegation and lack of follow up when patients presented for hyperbaric treatment. In general, podiatrists had an understanding of the premise of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and evidence to support its use but could only provide very limited citations of key papers and guidelines to support their position. Podiatrists stated that they felt a patient was lost from their care when referred for hyperbaric oxygen and that aftercare might not be adequate.

Improved referral and delegation pathways for patients presenting for hyperbaric oxygen, as well as the provision of easily accessible evidence to support this therapy, could help to increase podiatrists’ confidence in deciding whether or not to recommend their patients for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Sustainable Supply Chain Design in Social Businesses: Advancing the Theory of Supply Chain
Authors: Bals Lydia , Tate Wendy L.
Published: January 2018

A significant conceptual and practical challenge for companies is how to integrate triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability into their global supply chains. In supply chain research, the classic economic perspective—the business of business is to be profitable—still dominates, followed by coverage of the environmental dimension; the social dimension is underrepresented. Stakeholders, however, are calling for a TBL perspective that simultaneously includes environmental, social, and economic gains. While there have been recent theoretical advances on how to characterize supply chains in terms of their structure, how to connect these insights into supply chain design for TBL sustainability has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to move the theory of supply chain forward into the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) research agenda. Toward that purpose, the paper analyzes the sustainable supply chain design (SSCD) at social businesses, incorporating the physical chain and the information and financial support chains. Four social businesses located in Haiti are used as cases of innovative supply chain structures for TBL sustainability. By analyzing the supply chain structures and boundaries of these social businesses, three supply chain configurations combining physical and support chains are presented.
Impact of clinically evident portal hypertension on clinical outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Kim Nam Hee , Lee Taeheon , Cho Yong Kyun , Kim Byung Ik , Kim Hong Joo
Published: January 2018

Background and Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of clinically evident portal hypertension (CEPH) on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods

A retrospective data analysis was performed for a total of 388 treatment‐naïve HCC patients with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis who underwent TACE as first‐line treatment from January 2000 to June 2014. Cumulative occurrence rate of complete response (CR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients with CEPH and those without CEPH (esophageal/gastric varices or low platelet count [< 100 000 per mm3] associated with splenomegaly).

Results

Among 388 patients, 252 (64.9%) had CEPH, while 136 (35.1%) had no evidence of CEPH at the time of HCC diagnosis. Cumulative probability of the occurrence of CR was significantly lower in patients with CEPH than that in patients without CEPH (P < 0.001). Median PFS was significantly shorter in patients with CEPH than that in patients without CEPH (5 vs 31 months, P < 0.001). Five‐year OS rate was significantly lower in patients with CEPH than that in patients without CEPH (41.5% vs 77.5%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of CEPH was the most powerful poor prognostic factor for the occurrence of CR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.28; P < 0.001), PFS (aHR, 5.01; 95% CI, 3.08–8.12; P < 0.001), and OS (aHR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.66–5.23; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of CEPH should be considered as a major negative prognostic factor for patients with HCC who will undergo TACE.
Barriers to midwives and nurses addressing mental health issues with women during the perinatal period: The Mind Mothers study
Authors: Higgins Agnes , Downes Carmel , Monahan Mark , Gill Ailish , Lamb Stephen A , Carroll Margaret
Published: January 2018

Aims and objectives

To explore barriers to midwives and nurses addressing mental health issues with women during the perinatal period.

Background

Perinatal mental health is considered an important public health issue with health policy internationally identifying the importance of psychological support for women in the perinatal period. Midwives and primary care nurses are ideally positioned to detect mental distress early, but evidence suggests that they are reluctant to discuss mental health issues with women during pregnancy or in the postnatal period.

Design

The research used a descriptive design.

Methods

A total of 809 midwives and nurses completed an anonymous, online or hard copy survey. Designed by the research team, the survey listed 26 potential barriers to the provision of perinatal mental health care.

Results

Participants identified organisational factors as presenting the greatest barriers. Organisational barriers included lack of perinatal mental health services, absence of care pathways, heavy workload, lack of time, lack of privacy and not seeing women regularly enough to build a relationship. Over 50% of participants identified practitioner‐related barriers, such as lack of knowledge on perinatal mental health and cultural issues; lack of skill, in particular, skills to respond to a disclosure of a mental health issue; and fears of causing women offence and distress. Findings also indicated that the context of care and education influenced the degree to which participants perceived certain items as barriers.

Conclusions

Midwives and primary care nurses encounter many organisational‐ and practitioner‐related barriers that negatively impact on their ability to incorporate mental health care into their practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Midwifery and nursing services need to develop strategies to address system‐ and practitioner‐related barriers, including the development of services and care pathways, and the provision of culturally sensitive education on perinatal mental health in order to support practitioners to address issues with confidence and competence.
Levothyroxine supplementation improves serum anti‐Müllerian hormone levels in infertile patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Authors: Kuroda Masako , Kuroda Keiji , Segawa Tomoya , Noh Jaeduk Y. , Yoshihara Ai , Ito Koichi , Osada Hisao , Takeda Satoru , Teramoto Shokichi
Published: January 2018

Aim

Thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity are associated with an adverse effect on fertility. An aberrant high thyroid stimulating hormone level is associated with diminished ovarian reserve in women of reproductive age; however, the utility of levothyroxine (LT4) replacement for infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism is still under discussion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LT4 supplementation for infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism improves impaired ovarian function.

Methods

We measured levels of serum thyroid‐related hormones and a biomarker of ovarian function, anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in infertile women from 2014 to 2015. Out of a consecutive 1431 infertile patients, 311 patients with an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone level (≥ 2.5 μIU/mL) underwent detailed thyroid examinations, including blood tests of thyroid antibodies. We recruited 174 infertile patients, excluding patients with factors impacting ovarian and thyroid function. We evaluated alterations in AMH and thyroid related hormone levels during LT4 supplementation and infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology.

Results

After LT4 supplementation, no significant change in the average AMH level was detected overall. However, the AMH level in 35 patients with Hashimoto’s disease increased significantly after treatment (1 month 1.3 ± 0.5 fold, P = 0.007; 3 months 1.3 ± 0.4 fold, P = 0.040). The AMH level in patients with thyroglobulin antibody‐positive and thyroid peroxidase antibody‐negative also significantly increased after LT4 treatment (1 and 3 months 1.5 fold; P = 0.023).

Conclusion

In the patients with Hashimoto’s disease, preconception LT4 treatment may relieve adverse effects, including autoimmune antibodies, and support follicular development.
Postmenopausal labial agglutination mimics urinary incontinence and hidden vaginal lesion
Authors: Lu Buo‐Jia , Chin Hung‐Yen , Chu Chia‐Ying , Wang Jimmy T. J.
Published: January 2018

Labial agglutination has rarely been reported in postmenopausal women and its treatment has been based on experience with prepubertal girls. We describe an 83‐year‐old woman who presented with labial agglutination and severe urinary incontinence. She had been treated intermittently with a topical estrogen cream for 3 years, but her symptoms persisted. Surgery was performed and her urinary incontinence was instantly resolved. Incidental vaginal low‐grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia was noted. Later, the lesion progressed and was confirmed to be condyloma acuminata. No recurrence of labial agglutination was noted 3 months after the surgery. We emphasize that surgical intervention should be the first consideration for labial agglutination with urinary symptoms in postmenopausal women. This case also highlights that surgery can not only resolve patients’ symptoms early, but can also enable access to the region for essential gynecologic procedures.
Effect of 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin (17‐AAG) on Akt protein expression is more effective in head and neck cancer cell lineages that retain PTEN protein expression
Authors: Pontes Flávia Sirotheau C. , Pontes Hélder A. R. , de Souza Lucas L. , de Jesus Adriana S. , Joaquim Andrea M. C. , Miyahara Ligia A. N. , Fonseca Felipe P. , Pinto Junior Décio S.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of Akt, PTEN, Mdm2 and p53 proteins in three different head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (HN6, HN19 and HN30), all of them treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin (17‐AAG), an inhibitor of Hsp90 protein.

Material and Methods

Immunofluorescence and western blot were performed in order to analyze the location and quantification, respectively, of proteins under the action 17‐AAG and EGF.

Results

Treatment with EGF resulted in increased levels of Akt, PTEN and p53 in all cell lineages. The expression of Mdm2 was constant in HN30 and HN6 lineages, while in HN19 showed slightly decreased expression. Under the action 17‐AAG, in HN6 and HN19, the expression of PTEN and p53 proteins was suppressed, while Akt and Mdm2 expression was reduced. Finally, in the HN30 cell lineage were absolute absence of expression of Akt, Mdm2 and p53 and decreased expression of PTEN.

Conclusion

These data allow us to speculate on the particular utility of 17‐AAG for HNSCC treatment through the inhibition of Akt protein expression, especially in the cases that retain the expression of PTEN protein.
Resin Cement: Correspondence with Try‐In Paste and Influence on the Immediate Final Color of Veneers
Authors: Vaz Edenize Cristina , Vaz Maysa Magalhães , de Torres Érica Miranda , de Souza João Batista , Barata Terezinha de Jesus Esteves , Lopes Lawrence Gonzaga
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To assess the correspondence of shades between try‐in pastes and resin cements and their influence on the final color of veneers.

Materials and Methods

Bovine teeth (n = 140) were prepared and divided into 2 groups (a or b) according to ceramic veneer thickness (0.35 or 0.70 mm). Seventy teeth (n = 70) were distributed in 7 groups (groups 1 to 7a and groups 1 to 7b; n = 10). Try‐in pastes and their corresponding resin cements were used according to the value: groups 1a and 1b (value –3); groups 2a and 2b (–2); groups 3a and 3b (–1); groups 4a and 4b (0); groups 5a and 5b (+1); groups 6a and 6b (+2); groups 7a and 7b (+3). Color measurements were performed with spectrophotometer, and the coordinates L*, a*, and b* were obtained. The final color change (ΔE) was calculated from these coordinates: ΔE0 (trial – substrate), ΔE1 (cementation – substrate), and ΔE2 (cementation – trial). The data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test, the Wilcoxon test, or t‐test for paired samples and repeated‐measures ANOVA, post hoc Bonferroni, or the Friedman test (p < 0.05).

Results

The results indicated no statistically significant difference between the groups comparing ΔE0 and ΔE1 for 0.35 mm thickness laminate veneers, except for groups 2a and 5a. For 0.70 mm thickness laminate veneers, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups comparing ΔE0 and ΔE1. ΔE2 values for 0.35 mm and 0.70 mm thickness laminate veneers ranged from 1.77 ± 0.81 to 4.99 ± 3.80 and from 1.01 ± 0.73 to 4.66 ± 2.96, respectively.

Conclusions

Try‐in pastes correspond with their respective resin cements for most colors investigated. The color of the resin cement may influence the final color of laminate veneers. Thickness of the ceramic was the most relevant variable for color change.
Contempt and disgust: the emotions of disrespect
Authors: Miceli Maria , Castelfranchi Cristiano
Published: January 2018

Contempt and disgust share a number of features which distinguish them from other hostile emotions: they both present two distinct facets—a nonmoral facet and a moral one; they both imply a negative evaluation of the dispositional kind as well as disrespect towards the target of the feeling; and they trigger avoidance and exclusion action tendencies. However, while sharing a common core, contempt and disgust are in our view distinct emotions, qualified by different cognitive‐motivational features. Contempt is felt exclusively towards human targets, and implies sense of superiority over them, pessimistic feelings about their possibility of betterment, detachment from them, and avoidance driven by detachment; whereas disgust can be directed at a wide range of possible targets, and implies contamination sensitivity, fear of contamination, and fear‐driven avoidance. The differences between contempt and disgust are related to the different kinds of standard against which the target is evaluated, and the different kinds of disrespect engendered by the negative evaluation.
Brief for an Inclusive Anti‐Canon
Authors: Rickless Samuel C.
Published: January 2018

This article describes and defends an inclusive anti‐canonical approach to the study of the history of philosophy. Its proposal, based on an analysis of the nature of the history of philosophy and the value of engaging in the practice, is this: The history of philosophy is the history of rationally justified, systematic answers to philosophical questions; studying this subject is both intrinsically and instrumentally valuable; these benefits do not derive from the imposition of a canon—indeed, there should be no canon; the absence of a canon leaves room for a thousand courses on a thousand different topics with a thousand different narrative structures; but a good syllabus should be relevantly diverse in a way that fits the thematic arc of the course; and this prescription for the discipline is inclusive, in ways that can only strengthen and enliven it for future generations.
Rortian Realism
Authors: Knowles Jonathan
Published: January 2018

This paper motivates and defends “Rortian realism,” a position that is Rortian in respect of its underlying philosophical theses but non‐Rortian in terms of the lessons it draws from these for cultural politics. The philosophical theses amount to what the paper calls Rorty's “anti‐representationalism” (AR), arguing that AR is robust to critique as being anti‐realist, relativist, or sceptical, invoking Rorty's historicism/ethnocentrism as part of the defence. The latter, however, creates problems for Rorty in so far as his reformative views on the nature of philosophical and academic activity are meant to be foisted on an academy thatex hypothesiholds views different from these. The paper suggests we can motivate a different conception of the consequences of AR more amenable to the academy: Rortian realism, a view that makes greater concessions to realism and a kind of scientific naturalism than Rorty would like, but that for those very reasons is more likely to allow AR to prevail.
On Quantitative and Qualitative Parsimony
Authors: Sendłak Maciej
Published: January 2018

The distinction between quantitative and qualitative parsimony is supposed to allow David Lewis to dismiss one of the charges against his modal realism: that is, the charge of bloated ontology. The aim of this paper is to undermine Lewis's response to this objection. In order to do this, a distinction between multipliable and nonmultipliable objects is introduced. Based on this it is argued that the acceptance of Lewis's response requires one to believe in modal realism in the first place—that is, one has to believe in the view that the existence of nonactual spatiotemporal worlds does not affect the quality of the ontological commitment. Although the paper focuses on the problem of the metaphysics of possible worlds, this should be regarded merely as a case study. Accordingly, the results of this analysis should find applications in other metaphysical debates as well.
Walk the talk: Leader behavior in parental education groups
Authors: Berlin Anita , Rosander Michael , Frykedal Karin Forslund , Barimani Mia
Published: January 2018

Expectant and new parents are offered parental education groups as a way to support their transition to parenthood. Group leadership in these groups has been found to be challenging. Using a qualitative and summative design, the aim of the present study was to investigate how health professionals describe their role in parental education groups compared to their actual behavior. Thirteen health professional leaders in antenatal and child health services were interviewed. These descriptions were compared with the leaders’ actual behavior in video and audio‐recordings of 16 different group sessions. The results revealed that regardless of how the leaders described their role, they acted as experts and left little time to parents for discussions and active participation. In particular, leaders who described themselves as discussion leaders did not “walk the talk”; that is, they did not do what they said they do when leading groups. That could be explained by lack of professional awareness, group leadership, and pedagogical skills. In order to provide high‐quality parental support, leaders need training in group leadership and pedagogy combined with supervision and support on a regular basis.
Geographic variation in pollen color is associated with temperature stress
Authors: Koski Matthew H. , Galloway Laura F.
Published: January 2018

The evolution of flower color, especially petal pigmentation, has received substantial attention. Less understood is the evolutionary ecology of pollen pigmentation, though it varies among and within species and its biochemical properties affect pollen viability.

We characterize the distribution of pollen color across 24 populations of the North American herbCampanula americana, and assess the degree to which this variation is genetically based. We identify abiotic factors that covary with pollen color and test whether germination of light and dark pollen is differentially affected by variable temperature andUV.

Pollen color varies from white to deep purple inC. americanaand is genetically determined. There was a longitudinal cline whereby pollen was darkest in western populations. Accounting for latitudinal variation, western populations experience elevated temperature andUVirradiance. Germination of light‐colored pollen was reduced by 60% under high temperature, but dark pollen was unaffected. Exposure toUVreduced germination of light and dark pollen similarly.

The cline in pollen color across the range may reflect adaptation to heat stress. This study supports thermal tolerance as a novel function of pollen pigmentation and contributes to growing evidence that abiotic factors can drive floral diversity.
Fenton reaction facilitates organic nitrogen acquisition by an ectomycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Op De Beeck Michiel , Troein Carl , Peterson Carsten , Persson Per , Tunlid Anders
Published: January 2018

Boreal trees rely on their ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts to acquire growth‐limiting nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), which mainly occurs as proteins complexed in soil organic matter (SOM). The mechanisms for liberating this N are unclear as ectomycorrhizal fungi have lost many genes encoding lignocellulose‐degrading enzymes present in their saprotrophic ancestors. We hypothesized that hydroxyl radicals (˙OH), produced by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus during growth on SOM, are involved in liberating organic N.

Paxillus involutus was grown for 7 d on N‐containing or N‐free substrates that represent major organic compounds of SOM. ˙OH production, ammonium assimilation, and proteolytic activity were measured daily.

˙OH production was strongly induced when P. involutus switched from ammonium to protein as the main N source. Extracellular proteolytic activity was initiated shortly after the oxidation. Oxidized protein substrates induced higher proteolytic activity than unmodified proteins. Dynamic modeling predicted that ˙OH production occurs in a burst, regulated mainly by ammonium and ferric iron concentrations.

We propose that the production of ˙OH and extracellular proteolytic enzymes are regulated by similar nutritional signals. Oxidation works in concert with proteolysis, improving N liberation from proteins in SOM. Organic N mining by ectomycorrhizal fungi has, until now, only been attributed to proteolysis.
Randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial of clobetasol propionate 0.05% in the treatment of oral lichen planus
Authors: Arduino PG , Campolongo MG , Sciannameo V , Conrotto D , Gambino A , Cabras M , Ricceri F , Carossa S , Broccoletti R , Carbone M
Published: January 2018

Objective

To perform a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study, with a follow‐up period of 6 months, for the use of topical clobetasol in cases of symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP).

Subjects and Methods

Thirty‐two participants were analyzed, with the aims of: (I) to compare the usefulness of topically applied clobetasol propionate 0.05% (mixed with 4% hydroxyethyl cellulose gel) and 4% hydroxyethyl cellulose gel alone (considered as placebo) in the management of OLP; (II) to describe which of them is quicker in decreasing signs and reported symptoms, and (III) which is able to give the proper longer remission in the follow‐up.

Results

Symptoms improved in all clobetasol‐treated patients during the first 2 months of therapy, while only 50% of placebo control group (p = .005) displayed similar results; of the remaining half, 12.5% did experienced a worsening while 37.5% remained stable. Regarding clinical signs, 87.5% of clobetasol‐treated patients improved, while only 62.5% of the placebo‐treated patients had a positive response (p = .229).

Conclusions

It is possible to report that clobetasol, at this dosage, has been more effective than a placebo at provoking symptoms improvement in subjects affected by atrophic‐erosive oral lesions.
Predictive factors of response toIVIGin pediatric immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Higashide Yukiko , Hori Tsukasa , Yoto Yuko , Kabutoya Hiroyuki , Honjo Saho , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Nojima Masanori , Yoda Minami , Yamamoto Masaki , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki
Published: January 2018

Background

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is commonly treated with i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated whether pretreatment clinical and laboratory finding could predict the short‐ and long‐term response toIVIG.

Results

Short‐term response was estimated by platelet count 2 weeks afterIVIG, and long‐term response was assessed on thrombocytopenia‐free survival (TFS).TFSwas defined as the probability of survival without treatment failure after initialIVIG, such as relapse, requirement for additional therapeutic interventions, or progressing to chronicITP. Seventy‐six patients with newly diagnosedITPwho were initially treated withIVIGwere evaluated. Fifty‐three patients (69.7%) were determined as responders at 2 weeks afterIVIG. On multivariate analysis, age ≥23 months (P= 0.020) and platelet count <9.0 × 109/L (P= 0.018) were considered to be unfavorable factors for short‐term response. Cumulative proportion of long‐term (1 year) good prognosis was estimated at 53.0% (95%CI: 40.8–65.2). On multivariate analysis of unfavorable factors for long‐term response, age ≥23 months (P= 0.020) was the only significant factor.

Conclusions

For new‐onsetITPin patients aged >2 years, corticosteroid therapy in addition toIVIGmay be considered as the initial treatment.
Waiting list outcome of Peld/Meld exceptions: A single‐center experience in Argentina
Authors: Lauferman Leandro , Dip Marcelo , Halac Esteban , Cervio Guillermo , Aredes Diego , Capparelli Mauro , Reijenstein Hayellen , Minetto Julia , Rojas Luis , Goñi Javier , Jacobo Dillon Agustina , Martinitto Roxana , Imventarza Oscar
Published: January 2018

As PELD/MELD‐based allocation policy was adopted in Argentina in 2005, a system of exception points has been in place in order to award increased waitlist priority to those patients whose severity of illness is not captured by the PELD/MELD score. We aimed to investigate the WL outcome of patients with granted PELD/MELD exceptions. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in children under 18 years old. WL outcomes were evaluated using univariable analysis. From 07/2005 to 01/2014, 408 children were listed for LT. There were 304 classified by calculated PELD/MELD. During this time, 85 (30%) PELD/MELD exceptions were granted. In this cohort, 89.4% (76 of 85) were transplanted and 7.1% (6 of 85) died while on the WL. The remaining 3 pts (3.5%) were removed from the WL due to other causes. We compared the impact of PELD/MELD exceptions in those 85 patients to outcomes in 87 non‐exception patients with PELD/MELD ≥19 points. Patients with the exception had significantly better access to WL and lower WL mortality. Our data suggest that children listed by PELD/MELD exceptions had an advantage compared to children with CLD with equivalent PELD/MELD listing priorities.
Evaluation of Two Approaches to Defining Extinction Risk under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Thompson Grant G. , Maguire Lynn A. , Regan Tracey J.
Published: January 2018

The predominant definition of extinction risk in conservation biology involves evaluating the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of extinction time at a particular point (the “time horizon”). Using the principles of decision theory, this article develops an alternative definition of extinction risk as the expected loss (EL) to society resulting from eventual extinction of a species. Distinct roles are identified for time preference and risk aversion. Ranges of tentative values for the parameters of the two approaches are proposed, and the performances of the two approaches are compared and contrasted for a small set of real‐world species with published extinction time distributions and a large set of hypothetical extinction time distributions. Potential issues with each approach are evaluated, and the EL approach is recommended as the better of the two. The CDF approach suffers from the fact that extinctions that occur at any time before the specified time horizon are weighted equally, while extinctions that occur beyond the specified time horizon receive no weight at all. It also suffers from the fact that the time horizon does not correspond to any natural phenomenon, and so is impossible to specify nonarbitrarily; yet the results can depend critically on the specified value. In contrast, the EL approach has the advantage of weighting extinction time continuously, with no artificial time horizon, and the parameters of the approach (the rates of time preference and risk aversion) do correspond to natural phenomena, and so can be specified nonarbitrarily.
A Systems‐Based Risk Assessment Framework for Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) on Critical Infrastructures
Authors: Oakes Benjamin Donald , Mattsson Lars‐Göran , Näsman Per , Glazunov Andrés Alayón
Published: January 2018

Modern infrastructures are becoming increasingly dependent on electronic systems, leaving them more vulnerable to electrical surges or electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic disturbances appear in nature, e.g., lightning and solar wind; however, they may also be generated by man‐made technology to maliciously damage or disturb electronic equipment. This article presents a systematic risk assessment framework for identifying possible, consequential, and plausible intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) attacks on an arbitrary distribution network infrastructure. In the absence of available data on IEMI occurrences, we find that a systems‐based risk assessment is more useful than a probabilistic approach. We therefore modify the often applied definition of risk, i.e., a set of triplets containing scenario, probability, and consequence, to a set of quadruplets: scenario, resource requirements, plausibility, and consequence. Probability is “replaced” by resource requirements and plausibility, where the former is the minimum amount and type of equipment necessary to successfully carry out an attack scenario and the latter is a subjective assessment of the extent of the existence of attackers who possess the motivation, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the scenario. We apply the concept of intrusion areas and classify electromagnetic source technology according to key attributes. Worst‐case scenarios are identified for different quantities of attacker resources. The most plausible and consequential of these are deemed the most important scenarios and should provide useful decision support in a countermeasures effort. Finally, an example of the proposed risk assessment framework, based on notional data, is provided on a hypothetical water distribution network.
Somatic diversification of the B cell repertoire requires two cell subsets
Authors: Cohn M.
Published: January 2018

Evolution found itself in a Catch‐22 situation when selecting for the somatically derived paratopic repertoire of the humoral immune system. The B cell BCR repertoire can only be somatically diversified from a substrate of paratopes that is encoded in the germline. In order for the cells expressing that substrate to also be a target of germline selection, their BCRs must, independently, be of selective value by being expressed in a functionally important way in each individual. A somatically derived repertoire scrambles this substrate so that its specificities are lost, making it unselectable in the germline. Consequently, evolution faced an incompatibility. Here, we explore what it takes to resolve it.
Aberrant expression of microRNAs and the miR‐1/MET pathway in canine hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lai Y.‐C. , Ushio N. , Rahman M. M. , Katanoda Y. , Ogihara K. , Naya Y. , Moriyama A. , Iwanaga T. , Saitoh Y. , Sogawa T. , Sunaga T. , Momoi Y. , Izumi H. , Miyoshi N. , Endo Y. , Fujiki M. , Kawaguchi H. , Miura N.
Published: January 2018

Canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic tumour in dogs. MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation has been reported in human HCC and shown to have diagnostic and prognostic value; however, there are no data on miRNA expression in canine HCC. The aim of the present study was to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs in canine HCC. Analysis of miRNA expression in canine HCC tissues and cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that miR‐1, miR‐122, let‐7a, and let‐7g were downregulated, whereas miR‐10b and miR‐21 were upregulated in canine HCC. MET is one of the target genes of miR‐1. MET was upregulated in canine HCC at the gene and protein levels, and a significant correlation between the concomitant downregulation of miR‐1 and upregulation of MET was observed. Fast/intermediate‐proliferating canine HCC cell lines had higher MET gene and protein expression levels than the slow‐proliferating cell line. These findings suggest that miRNAs are differentially expressed in canine HCC, and that the miR‐1/MET pathway may be associated with canine HCC cell proliferation.
Development of radionuclide dispersion modeling software based on Gaussian Plume model
Authors: Shamsuddin Shazmeen Daniar , Omar Nurlyana , Koh Meng Hock
Published: January 2018

It has come to attention that Malaysia have been aiming to build its own nuclear power plant (NPP) for electricity generation in 2030 to diversify the national energy supply and resources. As part of the regulation to build a NPP, environmental risk assessment analysis which includes the atmospheric dispersion assessment has to be performed as required by the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) prior to the commissioning process. The assessment is to investigate the dispersion of radioactive effluent from the NPP in the event of nuclear accident. This article will focus on current development of locally developed atmospheric dispersion modeling code based on Gaussian Plume model. The code is written in Fortran computer language and has been benchmarked to a readily available HotSpot software. The radionuclide release rate entering the Gaussian equation is approximated to the value found in the Fukushima NPP accident in 2011. Meteorological data of Mersing District, Johor of year 2013 is utilized for the calculations. The results show that the dispersion of radionuclide effluent can potentially affect areas around Johor Bahru district, Singapore and some parts of Riau when the wind direction blows from the North-northeast direction. The results from our code was found to be in good agreement with the one obtained from HotSpot, with less than 1% discrepancy between the two.
Fixed point method and its improvement for the system of Volterra-Fredholm integral equations of the second kind
Authors: Hasan Talaat Ismahel , Salleh Shaharuddin
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we consider the system of Volterra-Fredholm integral equations of the second kind (SVFI-2). We proposed fixed point method (FPM) to solve SVFI-2 and improved fixed point method (IFPM) for solving the problem. In addition, a few theorems and two new algorithms are introduced.  They are supported by numerical examples and simulations using Matlab. The results are reasonably good when compared with the exact solutions.