bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic review of the moth family Thyatiridae (Lepidoptera) from Yunnan province, China
Authors: ZHUANG HAILING , YAGO MASAYA , OWADA MAMORU , WANG MIN
Published: August 2017

A total of 22 genera and 79 species of Thyatiridae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Yunnan, China are reviewed. Forty of these species are examined in detail, and the wing markings and genitalia of the male/female adults are illustrated. The following five species are recorded from Yunnan for the first time: Psidopala undulans (Hampson, [1893]), Tethea (Tethea) punctorenalia (Houlbert, 1921), Toxoides sichuanensis Zhuang, Owada & Wang, 2014, Mimopsestis basalis sinensis László, Ronkay, Ronkay & Witt, 2007 and Betapsestis brevis (Leech, 1900). Two new species, Parapsestis naxii sp. n. and Parapsestis tachengensis sp. n., are described and their DNA bar codes are provided using genbank accession number. Type species of genus Parapsestis, Parapsestis argenteopicta, we also provide its genbank accession number. Stenopsestis bruna Jiang, Yang, Xue & Han, 2015 is synonymized with Toxoides sichuanensis Zhuang, Owada & Wang, 2014. Biogeographical features of the family in Yunnan are also briefly discussed.
Free-living nematodes of the genus Syringolaimus de Man, 1888 (Nematoda, Enoplida, Ironidae) from the Angola Basin, South-East Atlantic Abyss
Authors: TCHESUNOV ALEXEI V.
Published: August 2017

Three nematode species of the genus Syringolaimus (Enoplida, Ironidae) were found in the Angola Basin (south-east Atlantic Ocean) at depths of almost 5500 m. One of them is described as new for science and the other two were initially recorded from the deep sea off the Brazilian coast and are redescribed here. Syringolaimus elegans sp. n. differs from all other species of Syringolaimus by a slimmer body (a=99 vs. 30–73) and from all species except S. ingens (nom. nud.) by its greater body length (2718 μm vs. 760–1750 μm), longer buccal cavity (79 μm vs. 28–58 μm), and longer terminal pharyngeal bulb (70 μm vs. 53 μm). All the Syringolaimus species together make up from 0.75 to 2.82% of all nematode individuals from all samples. Diagnoses of Syringolaimus annae Lima et al., 2009 and S. smolae Lima et al., 2009 are updated. An annotated list of Syringolaimus species is provided; the species annae, elegans, filicaudatus, loofi, magdae, renaudae, smolae, striatocaudatus and taniae are considered as valid, while brevicaudatus, caspersi, lichenii, marisalbi, smarigdus and venustus as species inquirendae, and gladiatus, ingens, nitidus and venustus as nomina nuda. Diagnostic characters and problems of species identification are discussed.
Two new troglobitic Coarazuphium Gnaspini, Godoy & Vanin 1998 species of ground beetles from iron ore Brazilian caves (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Zuphiini)
Authors: PELLEGRINI THAIS GIOVANNINI , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES
Published: August 2017

Two new troglobitic species of the genus Coarazuphium Gnaspini, Vanin & Godoy, 1998 are here described, C. spinifemur sp. n. and C. amazonicus sp. n., both from Amazonian iron ore caves in the municipality of Curionópolis (Pará, Brazil). Coarazuphium spinifemur is so far the smallest Coarazuphium species found, also possessing an unusual spine at the middle ventral side of each metafemur. It has short legs and antennae. On the other hand, C. amazonicus is the biggest species from Carajás region (Pará state of Brazil) and the most widespread of this genus. It is also provided morphometric analyses and a key for all species of the genus.
Examining El Niño–Southern Oscillation Effects in the Subtropical Zone to Forecast Long-Distance Total Rainfall from Typhoons: A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Wei Chih-Chiang
Published: August 2017

Typhoon rainfall predictions provide critical information that can be used for flood control and advanced disaster prevention preparations. However, total rainfall nowcasts (i.e., several days ahead) are not available in Taiwan when typhoons are distant. This paper proposes a long-distance total rainfall forecast (LTRF) model and presents a real-time forecasting process that can use the LTRF model to determine the formation and possible approach of typhoons in the future. The LTRF model was formulated using two designed climate scenarios. Scenario 1 considered El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects, whereas scenario 2 did not. Various raw sensor data, comprising climatological characteristics, sea surface temperature, satellite brightness temperatures, and total rainfall, were collected; moreover, attributes of the ENSO indices, including the Southern Oscillation index and the Niño-3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly, were reviewed. The scenario models were constructed using the C4.5 and random forest tree–based algorithms. Typhoon events occurring during 2001–13 and 2014–15 (specifically, Typhoons Matmo and Fung-Wong in 2014 and Soudelor and Dujuan in 2015) were examined for training and testing purposes, respectively. The Hualien Weather Station in Taiwan was selected as a study site, and the forecasting horizon was set at 6 h. Finally, the model simulations, observations, and Central Weather Bureau (Taiwan) nowcasts were compared. The simulation results showed that the proposed LTRF model, when ENSO effects were accounted for, can efficiently forecast total typhoon rainfall when typhoons are distant from Taiwan.
Exploring Just Sustainability in Re-Blocking Intervention in a Johannesburg Informal Settlement
Authors: Adegun Olumuyiwa Bayode
Published: August 2017

Addressing intertwined socio-economic and environmental problems in informal urban areas underscores the need for just sustainability. The co-production of urban housing provides a useful domain to link issues related to sustainability with social and environmental justice. Using the example of an informal settlement re-blocking project, this paper shows how co-production as an approach might or might not promote principles ingrained in just sustainability. The study relied on data collected through semi-structured interviews with residents and key informants as well as transect walks within the settlement. The case shows that working towards just sustainability is not straight-forward. It demands efforts that navigate, with foresight rather than hindsight, the dynamics in multi-scalar contexts into which informal settlements are embedded. Social and institutional structures, processes and relationships producing and reproducing material distribution are crucial to entrenching the just sustainability praxis.
Cyberbullying Victimization in Context: The Role of Social Inequalities in Countries and Regions
Authors: Görzig Anke , Milosevic Tijana , Staksrud Elisabeth
Published: August 2017

The phenomenon of cyberbullying is gaining ever more attention by media and policy makers in many countries. Theoretical frameworks using a socio-ecological approach emphasize the importance of contextual explanatory factors located at the societal level. It has been suggested that in addition to cross-national differences, the analysis of smaller units of more adjacent cultural contexts (i.e., regions) might yield more explanatory power. Leaning on previous findings and theory, the current article aims to identify and compare contextual explanatory factors associated with social inequality (i.e., crime rates, gross domestic product [GDP], life expectancy, and population density) for variation in cyber- and face-to-face bullying victimization rates within one sample. Moreover, corresponding explanatory factors are investigated across national and regional levels. Cyber- and face-to-face bullying victimization of 15,813 nine- to sixteen-year-olds (50% female) from the cross-national survey data of EU Kids Online were linked with contextual variables of 18 countries and 179 regions obtained from data of the European Social Survey (ESS). Hierarchical multilevel-modeling analyses, adding first regional and then country-level contextual predictors for bullying victimization, were performed. Against expectations, differences for cyber- and face-to-face victimization between regions within countries were smaller than differences between countries. Regional-level life expectancy showed a negative and crime rates showed a marginal positive relation with both cyber- and face-to-face victimization. Population density showed a negative and GDP a positive relationship with cyber- but not face-to-face victimization. Adding the same predictors on the country level did not improve model fit. Possible research and policy implications are discussed.
Is Trusting Others Related to Better Health? An Investigation of Older Adults Across Six Non-Western Countries
Authors: Chan Derwin , Hamamura Takeshi , Li Liman Man Wai , Zhang Xin
Published: August 2017

Generalized trust reflects whether individuals extend their trust to others in general and is important to health and well-being. This study examined the predictive effect of generalized trust on health, happiness, life satisfaction, health behaviors, and illnesses among older adults residing in six non-Western countries. We utilized a recent multinational dataset collected by the World Health Organization that included measures of generalized trust, health, happiness, life satisfaction, health behaviors (physical activity, diet), health-compromising behaviors (sedentary behavior, cigarette, and alcohol consumption), and illnesses (e.g., angina, arthritis, asthma, cataracts, depression, hypertension, and lung disease) among adults aged 50 and older. The sample comprised a total of 35,329 adults ( M age = 63.54) from China, Ghana, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Russia. An index of the development of these countries was also entered into the analyses. Hierarchical multiple regression showed that generalized trust was a significant and positive predictor of self-rated health, happiness, life satisfaction, and quality of life, and a negative predictor of illness (i.e., angina, arthritis, asthma, cataracts, diabetes, depression, hypertension, and stroke) and sedentary behavior. The associations were stronger for countries with a higher Human Development Index (HDI) than those with a low HDI. While the findings from this first multinational investigation of non-Western developing countries are consistent with the results of previous studies in Western developed countries, they also underscore their cross-societal variability.
Assessing chickpea yield gaps in India: A tale of two decades
Authors: Srivastava Avinash Kumar , Dixit Girish Prasad , Singh Narendra Pratap
Published: August 2017

Chickpea is a major pulse crop in India and critical in ensuring nutritional security to the largely vegetarian population of the country. Despite contributing more than 70% to the global chickpea area and production, India remains a net importer of chickpea due to high national demand. Although significant yield increases have been reported under experimental research conditions, farm-level increases have been more modest. The yield gaps between potential (research plot), achievable (frontline demonstration (FLD)) and farmer (national) have been estimated based on yield data from the Indian National Agriculture Research System trials and official data from the Ministry of Agriculture for the past 20 years. The potential yield showed a moderate increase while achievable yield showed slight negative growth. Over the same period, the average farmer yield reflected a slow but steady growth. This implies an opportunity to increase farmer yields through policy intervention and technology. Although the total yield gap between potential and that realized by farmers have remained the same over the years, yield losses have been due more to upscaling of technology than to variable fields managed by farmers. Farmers are realizing better yields which can be attributed to better access to improved varieties as well as favourable policy support. To obtain self-sufficiency in pulses by 2050, annual growth of 2.14% in production is required. This could be achieved through innovative research interventions backed up by appropriate policy support.
Parental education as a determinant of school choice: A comparative study of school types in Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqui Nadia
Published: August 2017

In Pakistan, school education is not compulsory for children and, therefore, sending a child to school is a matter of choice for parents. For those parents who choose school education for their children the options are government schools, private fees paid schools and Islamic education schools (Madrassahs). This research uses a large-scale survey data collected in Pakistan for the years 2013 and 2014 in order to analyse association patterns between parental education and school choice for their children. The available information on 192,789 parents has been used to measure the effect size of parental education on the type of school they choose for their children. The results show that parents’ attendance at a formal school does not strongly relate with children’s school enrolment. However, parents’ higher number of years in attending formal education has a positive relation with children’s enrolment in private schools and parents’ having lesser number of years spent in formal education is positively related with children’s enrolment is Madrassahs. The differences among parental school choice are noticeable between private schools and Madrassahs but less obvious between government schools and private schools. These findings are important to demonstrate the role of different school types in a society and how parental education is related with overall stratification at school level. The research evidence presented here calls for a national policy where school education should be made compulsory for children and all schools should function under same regulations for school admission. Disadvantaged parents should not have to rely on Madrassah education for their children and it should rather be parents’ choice against the state-maintained or private schools.
Linear Trend in Single-Case Visual and Quantitative Analyses
Authors: Manolov Rumen
Published: August 2017

The frequently used visual analysis of single-case data focuses on data aspects such as level, trend, variability, overlap, immediacy of effect, and consistency of data patterns; most of these aspects are also commonly quantified besides inspecting them visually. The present text focuses on trend, because even linear trend can be operatively defined in several different ways, while there are also different approaches for controlling for baseline trend. We recommend using a quantitative criterion for choosing a trend line fitting technique and comparing baseline and intervention slopes, instead of detrending. We implement our proposal in a free web-based application created specifically for following the What Works Clearinghouse Standards recommendations for visual analysis. This application is especially destined to applied researchers and provides graphical representation of the data, visual aids, and quantifications of the difference between phases in terms of level, trend, and overlap, as well as two quantifications of the immediate effect. An evaluation of the consistency of effects across replications of the AB sequence is also provided. For methodologists and statisticians, we include formulas and examples of the different straight line fitting and detrending techniques to improve the reproducibility of results and simulations.
CEO Risk-Taking and Socioemotional Wealth: The Behavioral Agency Model, Family Control, and CEO Option Wealth
Authors: Gomez-Mejia Luis R. , Neacsu Ionela , Martin Geoffrey
Published: August 2017

We combine behavioral agency and family business literature to analyze the role of dominant firm principals in constraining the managerial agent’s (CEO’s) response to equity-based pay. Behavioral agency research has made progress in understanding CEO risk behavior in response to equity-based incentives and family firm risk behavior driven by concentrated socioemotional and financial firm-specific risk bearing. However, both literatures have evolved independently, which has limited our understanding of how the risk bearing of agent and principal influences the predictions of the behavioral agency model (BAM). We combine these literatures in order to enhance BAM’s predictive validity with regard to firm risk-taking as a function of both agent and principal risk preferences. Our findings suggest that family principals are more likely than nonfamily principals to constrain CEO risk behavior that is perceived as immoderate (excessively risk averse or excessively risk seeking). We also offer evidence that CEO ties to the family influence the CEO’s response to equity-based incentives. In doing so, we offer refinements to BAM’s formulation and advance our understanding of the unique nature of agency problems within family firms.
The continuing lure of the mediated centre in times of deep mediatization: Media Events and its enduring legacy
Authors: Couldry Nick , Hepp Andreas
Published: August 2017

Dayan and Katz’s book Media Events was so crucial because it challenged the dominance of quantitative communications research focused on measurable discrete ‘media effects’. But meanwhile new challenges have emerged which we called ‘deep mediatization’ – datafication, deeper fragmentation of the audience, and over the longer-term threats to the underlying economic viability of the large-scale integrated media producers that could put on ‘media events’. This makes it necessary to rethink the original definition of media events.
In/visible conflicts: NGOs and the visual politics of humanitarian photography
Authors: Dencik Lina , Allan Stuart
Published: August 2017

This article examines the diverse factors shaping the involvement of non-governmental organisation (NGO) with humanitarian photography, paying particular attention to co-operative relationships with photojournalists intended to facilitate the generation of visual coverage of crises otherwise marginalised, or ignored altogether, in mainstream news media. The analysis is primarily based on a case study drawing upon 26 semi-structured interviews with NGO personnel (International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, Oxfam and Save the Children) and photojournalists conducted over 2014–2016, securing original insights into the epistemic terms upon which NGOs have sought to produce, frame and distribute imagery from recurrently disregarded crisis zones. In this way, the article pinpoints how the uses of digital imagery being negotiated by NGOs elucidate the changing, stratified geopolitics of visibility demarcating the visual boundaries of newsworthiness.
Long-term hemodynamic changes and blood pressure in atherosclerotic major cerebral artery disease
Authors: Yamauchi Hiroshi , Kagawa Shinya , Takahashi Masaaki , Higashi Tatsuya
Published: August 2017

In patients with major cerebral artery disease, lower blood pressure might reduce blood flow in the collateral pathways, thereby impairing the growth of cerebral collaterals, inhibiting hemodynamic improvement. We evaluated the hemodynamic status twice using positron emission tomography and 15O-gas, over time, in 89 medically treated patients with atherosclerotic internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery disease that had no ischemic episodes during follow-up (mean, 28 ± 23 months). Changes in the mean hemispheric values of hemodynamic parameters in the territory of the diseased artery at follow-up were correlated with the mean blood pressure values at the baseline and follow-up examinations. There was a positive linear relationship between the degree of hemodynamic improvement and systolic blood pressure. Patients with low systolic blood pressure (<130 mmHg) ( n = 18) showed hemodynamic deterioration as indicated by significant decreases in cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood flow/cerebral blood volume ratio, and increases in oxygen extraction fraction during follow-up. In contrast, there were no significant changes in patients without low systolic blood pressure. In patients with atherosclerotic internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery disease and no ischemic episodes of stroke during follow-up, lower systolic blood pressure was associated with lesser hemodynamic improvement.
Porous membranes based on poly(ether imide)-graft-poly(vinyl acetate) as a scaffold for cell growth
Authors: Liu Bin , Kuang Jiangying , Shao Leishan , Che Xinyuan , Wang Fei , Wang Yinghan
Published: August 2017

A series of poly(ether imide)-graft-poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers with different molecular weights were synthesized successfully and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. These copolymers were used to fabricate honeycomb-structured porous films using the breath figure templating technique. The surface topology and composition of the highly ordered pattern film were further characterized using a scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the poly(ether imide)-graft-poly(vinyl acetate) graft molecular weight ratio influenced the breath figure film surface topology. A model was proposed to elucidate the stabilization process of the poly(ether imide)-graft-poly(vinyl acetate)-aggregated architecture on the water droplet–based templates. In addition, cell viability has been investigated via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test, and the cell morphology on the honeycomb-structured poly(ether imide)-graft-poly(vinyl acetate) porous film has been evaluated using a fluorescence microscope. This porous film is shown to be suitable as a matrix for cell growth.
A Report of 7-Year Experience on Pediatric Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Yetimakman Ayse Filiz , Kesici Selman , Tanyildiz Murat , Bayrakci Umut Selda , Bayrakci Benan
Published: August 2017

Background:

Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) either as continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) or hemodiafiltration (CVVHD) are used frequently in critically ill children. Many clinical variables and technical issues are known to affect the result. The factors that could be modified to increase the survival of renal replacement are sought. As a contribution, we present the data on 104 patients who underwent CRRT within a 7-year period.

Materials and Method:

A total of 104 patients admitted between 2009 and 2016 were included in the study. The demographic information, admittance pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) scores, indication for CRRT, presence of fluid overload, CRRT modality, durations of CRRT, and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Results:

The overall rate of survival was 51%. Patients with fluid overload had significantly increased rate of death, CRRT duration, and PICU stay. Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome as the indication for CRRT was significantly related to decreased survival when compared to acute renal failure and acute attacks of metabolic diseases. The CRRT modality was not different between survivors and nonsurvivors. Standardized mortality ratio of the group was calculated to be 0.8.

Conclusion:

The CRRT in critically ill patients is successful in achieving fluid removal and correction of metabolic imbalances caused by organ failures or attacks of inborn errors of metabolism. It has a positive effect on expected mortality in high-risk PICU patients. To affect the outcome, follow-up should be focused on starting therapy in early stages of fluid overload. Prospective studies defining relative importance of risk factors causing mortality can assist in building up guidelines to affect the outcome.
Lactation Consultants’ Perceived Barriers to Providing Professional Breastfeeding Support
Authors: Anstey Erica H. , Coulter Martha , Jevitt Cecilia M. , Perrin Kay M. , Dabrow Sharon , Klasko-Foster Lynne B. , Daley Ellen M.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Addressing suboptimal breastfeeding initiation and duration rates is a priority in the United States. To address challenges to improving these rates, the voices of the providers who work with breastfeeding mothers should be heard.

Research aim:

The purpose of this study was to explore lactation consultants’ perceived barriers to managing early breastfeeding problems.

Methods:

This qualitative study was conducted with a grounded theory methodological approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants across Florida. Lactation consultants were from a range of practice settings, including hospitals, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children clinics, private practice, and pediatric offices. Data were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in Atlas.ti.

Results:

A range of barriers was identified and grouped into the following categories/themes: indirect barriers (social norms, knowledge, attitudes); direct occupational barriers (institutional constraints, lack of coordination, poor service delivery); and direct individual barriers (social support, mother’s self-efficacy). A model was developed illustrating the factors that influence the role enactment of lactation consultants in managing breastfeeding problems.

Conclusion:

Inadequate support for addressing early breastfeeding challenges is compounded by a lack of collaboration among various healthcare providers and the family. Findings provide insight into the professional management issues of early breastfeeding problems faced by lactation consultants. Team-based, interprofessional approaches to breastfeeding support for mothers and their families are needed; improving interdisciplinary collaboration could lead to better integration of lactation consultants who are educated and experienced in providing lactation support and management of breastfeeding problems.
Effect of rotational prosthetic alignment variation on tibiofemoral contact pressure distribution and joint kinematics in total knee replacement
Authors: Xie Xin , Rusly Roy , DesJardins John D , Voss Frank , Chillag Kim , LaBerge Martine
Published: August 2017

In total knee replacement surgery, implant alignment is one of the most important criteria for successful long-term clinical outcome. During total knee replacement implantation, femoral and tibial alignment are determined through appropriate bone resections, which could vary based on patient anatomy, implant design and surgical technique and further influence loading conditions and clinical outcomes. The current research focused on three critical alignment parameters for total knee replacement insertion: femoral component internal/external (I/E) rotation, varus–valgus tibiofemoral angulation and posterior tibial slope. A computational finite element model of total knee replacement implant was developed and validated comparing with kinematic outputs generated from experimentally simulated knee joint motion. The FE model was then used to assess 12 different alignment scenarios based on previous case reports. Postoperative knee kinematics and joint contact pressure during simulated gait motion were assessed. According to the parametric study, FE model cases with femoral rotation revealed extra tibial I/E rotation in the predefined direction but negligible change in tibial anterior–posterior translation; cases with increased tibial slope showed notably increased tibial external rotation and anterior translation; cases with varus tibiofemoral angle presented slightly more tibial external rotation, whereas cases with valgus angle presented an observable increase in tibial internal rotation at the middle phase of the gait cycle. Finally, the response surface obtained from the postprocessing study demonstrated good statistical correlation with existing case study results, providing reliable estimation of peak tibiofemoral contact pressure affected by combinations of alignment parameters. The observations indicate that femoral external alignment should be favored clinically for enhanced patellar tracking and reduced contact pressure concentration for better long-term performance. Posterior tibial slope enables deep knee flexion. Extra femoral internal rotation as well as tibiofemoral varus–valgus alignment could be avoided in surgery due to deficiency in patellar tracking and high pressure concentration.
Greenhouse gas emissions profiles of neighbourhoods in Durban, South Africa – an initial investigation
Authors: Jagarnath Meryl , Thambiran Tirusha
Published: August 2017

Because current emissions accounting approaches focus on an entire city, cities are often considered to be large emitters of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with no attention to the variation within them. This makes it more difficult to identify climate change mitigation strategies that can simultaneously reduce emissions and address place-specific development challenges. In response to this gap, a bottom-up emissions inventory study was undertaken to identify high emission zones and development goals for the Durban metropolitan area (eThekwini Municipality). The study is the first attempt at creating a spatially disaggregated emissions inventory for key sectors in Durban. The results indicate that particular groups and economic activities are responsible for more emissions, and socio-spatial development and emission inequalities are found both within the city and within the high emission zone. This is valuable information for the municipality in tailoring mitigation efforts to reduce emissions and address development gaps for low-carbon spatial planning whilst contributing to objectives for social justice.
Association between eye diagnosis and positive syphilis test results in a large, urban sexually transmitted infection/primary care clinic population
Authors: Lobo Ann-Marie , Gao Yan , Rusie Laura , Houlberg Magda , Mehta Supriya D
Published: August 2017

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) released clinical advisories on rising cases of ocular syphilis. We examined the association between eye disease and syphilis infection among primary care and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic patients attending an urban lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) health center. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients who underwent syphilis testing at Howard Brown Health between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. Confirmed eye diagnosis was based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes for conjunctivitis, uveitis, keratitis, retinitis, and red eye. Demographic information, syphilis treatment, HIV status, and high-risk behaviors were abstracted. Syphilis diagnosis was defined by available laboratory data (enzyme immunoassay [EIA], rapid plasma reagin [RPR] titer, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption [FTA-Abs], Treponema pallidum Ab). Multivariable logistic regression with robust variance was used to identify independent associations. During the study period, 71,299 syphilis tests were performed on 30,422 patients. There were 2288 (3.2%) positive syphilis tests. Seventy-seven patients had a confirmed eye diagnosis (0.25%). Patients with eye disease had higher probability of at least one positive syphilis test (33%) compared to those without eye disease (8%) ( p < 0.01). Of patients with eye disease, 77% were men who had sex with men (MSM) and 65% were HIV-positive. Patients with eye disease had 5.97 (95% CI: 3.70, 9.63) higher odds of having syphilis compared to patients without eye disease. When adjusted for age, race, gender/sexual orientation, insurance status, and HIV status, this association between positive syphilis test and eye disease decreased but was still significant (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.17, 3.41). Patients who present with an eye diagnosis to STI/primary care clinic have a higher probability of positive syphilis tests even after adjusting for other risk factors for syphilis. High-risk patients with eye symptoms should have routine STI testing and in keeping with CDC and AAO recommendations, full ophthalmologic examination.
The discursive production and maintenance of class privilege: Permeable geographies, slippery rhetorics
Authors: Thurlow Crispin , Jaworski Adam
Published: August 2017

The underlying premise of this article is that the social meanings and cultural entanglements of the so-called super-rich or 1% reach far beyond any specific people or place. To be sure, the tightly managed, tailored spaces of super-elites are often less exclusive than first meets the eye, and the markers of super-elite status circulate in quite informal, banal ways. Drawing on a combination of textual and fieldwork data, we map three interlocking semiotic landscapes: the Luxury Travel Fair in London, the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai and then ‘elite’ signage and ‘luxury’ labelling from around the world. Using this kind of discourse-ethnographic evidence, the point we make is a simple but, we believe, important one: the geographies of eliteness are deliberately permeable just as its rhetorics are strategically slippery. Indeed, the hegemonic power of contemporary class privilege lies precisely – albeit paradoxically – in a constantly maintained appearance of ubiquity, inclusivity and ordinariness.
The clinical relevance of repeat renal biopsies in the management of lupus nephritis: a South African experience
Authors: Tannor E K , Bates W D , Moosa M R
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Clinically, repeat renal biopsies (RRBs) have been performed in lupus nephritis to identify changes in class, plan treatment and assist in prognostication. We set out to compare the histopathological features and outcomes of disease flare and protocol biopsy patients.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on repeat biopsies performed between January 1984 and December 2015 in lupus nephritis patients. Disease flares and protocol biopsies were compared.

Results

Of 614 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) renal biopsies, 127 (20.7%) RRBs were identified. Disease flare patients accounted for 96 (75.6%) and protocol biopsies for 31 (24.4%) of RRBs. Seventy (72.9%) disease flare patients retained their original class on repeat biopsy. When categorised as proliferative and non-proliferative histology, 83 (87.4%) of the disease flare biopsy patients remained histologically unchanged. Treatment remained unchanged in 57 (60.0%) patients following RRBs for disease flares. Response to immunosuppression in disease flare patients was poorer. Non-response was associated with increased chronicity index (OR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.01–1.76; p = 0.045). Thirty-three (36.3%) disease flare patients developed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in one year as compared to one (3.6%) protocol biopsy patient ( p = 0.003). ESKD in disease flare patients was associated with non-response to treatment (OR = 24.6; 95% CI 2.7–219.3; p = 0.004) on multivariate analysis. One-year mortality was 30.0% in the disease flare patients and 3.5% in protocol biopsy patients ( p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Repeat biopsies in disease flare patients infrequently led to histological class changes, failed to lead to change of treatment in the majority of patients, and were associated with poorer outcomes.
Prediction and tolerance intervals for dynamic treatment regimes
Authors: Lizotte Daniel J , Tahmasebi Arezoo
Published: August 2017

We develop and evaluate tolerance interval methods for dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) that can provide more detailed prognostic information to patients who will follow an estimated optimal regime. Although the problem of constructing confidence intervals for DTRs has been extensively studied, prediction and tolerance intervals have received little attention. We begin by reviewing in detail different interval estimation and prediction methods and then adapting them to the DTR setting. We illustrate some of the challenges associated with tolerance interval estimation stemming from the fact that we do not typically have data that were generated from the estimated optimal regime. We give an extensive empirical evaluation of the methods and discussed several practical aspects of method choice, and we present an example application using data from a clinical trial. Finally, we discuss future directions within this important emerging area of DTR research.
Meningioma With Tyrosine-Rich Crystalloids: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Reinertsen Erik , Neill Stewart G. , Nael Kambiz , Brat Daniel J. , Hadjipanayis Costas G.
Published: August 2017

We report a case of fibrous meningioma with tyrosine-rich crystalloid in the frontal lobe of a middle-aged woman. The patient presented with a history of several years of worsening headaches and blurry vision, which progressed to include syncopal episodes and right-sided weakness. Imaging demonstrated a dural-based extra-axial mass arising from the right orbital roof and extending superiorly along the right frontal convexity causing right-to-left midline shift. The patient underwent a craniotomy and operative resection. Tumor architecture and cytology was similar to that of a Schwannian neoplasm, with spindled cells arranged in a fascicular architecture and displaying focal nuclear palisading. Immunohistochemical stains confirmed a diagnosis of fibrous meningioma. Light microscopy demonstrated extracellular deposits of eosinophilic crystalline material parallel to the spindled tumor cells, reminiscent of “tyrosine-rich” crystals described in salivary gland neoplasms. This is the third meningioma featuring tyrosine-rich crystalloid reported in the literature; we also summarize the previous 2 reports.
Toward Equity and Diversity in Literacy Research, Policy, and Practice: A Critical, Global Approach
Authors: Morrell Ernest
Published: August 2017

Can growing inequities between rich and poor and massive manifestations of hatred and intolerance amid rising tides of global populism inspire a focus on equity and diversity in literacy research, policy, and practice? Can such calls for change be collaborative rather than competitive? Can we envision self-love, wellness, and intercultural understanding as compelling ends of a reimagined literacy pedagogy? Toward these ends, this essay offers demographic, moral, and economic imperatives for fundamentally reconsidering literacy policy and practice. It then presents five “big” ideas. We must ask different questions, we must identify and problematize our notions of success, we must advocate for the equitable distribution of material resources, we must fight for bottom-up accountability practices, and we must envision new literacy practices that reflect our new global reality. Finally it advocates a global postcolonial critical literacies framework where teachers are positioned as intellectuals and agents of change, where students have opportunities to collaboratively produce and distribute multimodal compositions, where children have access to a wider array of literary texts that enable them to become powerful, reflexive readers of the word and the world, and where parents and communities are partners in the project of nurturing powerful readers, authors, and speaker.
Attitudes and Barriers to Healthy Diet and Physical Activity: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Vaughan Christine A. , Ghosh-Dastidar Madhumita , Dubowitz Tamara
Published: August 2017

Healthy diet and physical activity (PA) prevent and reduce chronic disease. Social cognitive theory delineates multiple attitudes and barriers that influence these behaviors. Understanding covariation in these attitudes and barriers is complex. We examined whether individuals could be grouped into a small number of categories that are easier to study. Interviews were conducted with 982 adults from two low-income, predominantly African American neighborhoods in the same city. Social cognitive constructs, including self-efficacy, social norms, and internal and external barriers to diet and exercise, and walking were self-reported. We measured moderate to vigorous physical activity with accelerometers and diet with 24-hour recalls. We conducted a latent profile analysis of attitudes and barriers to diet and PA and identified four classes: (a) moderate diet and negative exercise attitudes, where participants were roughly average on dietary attitudes but reported exercise-related challenges, including lower social support, outcome expectancies, physical functioning, and self-efficacy; (b) few barriers and benefits of healthy diet and exercise, where participants reported fewer barriers and lower outcome expectancies for diet and PA; (c) moderate overall attitudes, where participants had average scores on most indicators but below-average exercise self-efficacy and slightly more exercise barriers; and (d) positive overall attitudes, characterized by more positive attitudes toward both diet and PA across most domains, particularly regarding self-efficacy to overcome exercise barriers. These profiles could inform efforts to tailor individual-level interventions for diet and PA of persons at high risk of chronic diseases.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Children: Clinical Observations, Animal Models, and Regulatory Status
Authors: Shi Qiang , Yang Xi , Greenhaw James J. , Salminen Alec Thomas , Russotti Gary M. , Salminen William F.
Published: August 2017

Drug-induced liver injury in children (cDILI) accounts for about 1% of all reported adverse drug reactions throughout all age groups, less than 10% of all clinical DILI cases, and around 20% of all acute liver failure cases in children. The overall DILI susceptibility in children has been assumed to be lower than in adults. Nevertheless, controversial evidence is emerging about children’s sensitivity to DILI, with children’s relative susceptibility to DILI appearing to be highly drug-specific. The culprit drugs in cDILI are similar but not identical to DILI in adults (aDILI). This is demonstrated by recent findings that a drug frequently associated with aDILI (amoxicillin/clavulanate) was rarely associated with cDILI and that the drug basiliximab caused only cDILI but not aDILI. The fatality in reported cDILI studies ranged from 4% to 31%. According to the US Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs labels, valproic acid, dactinomycin, and ampicillin appear more likely to cause cDILI. In contrast, deferasirox, isoniazid, dantrolene, and levofloxacin appear more likely to cause aDILI. Animal models have been explored to mimic children’s increased susceptibility to valproic acid hepatotoxicity or decreased susceptibility to acetaminophen or halothane hepatotoxicity. However, for most drugs, animal models are not readily available, and the underlying mechanisms for the differential reactions to DILI between children and adults remain highly hypothetical. Diagnosis tools for cDILI are not yet available. A critical need exists to fill the knowledge gaps in cDILI. This review article provides an overview of cDILI and specific drugs associated with cDILI.
An Immunohistochemical Investigation of Renal Phospholipidosis and Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Ma Jing Ying , Snook Sandra , Garrovillo Sheryl , Johnson Charles , La David
Published: August 2017

Immunohistochemical staining for the lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) has been proposed previously as an alternative to electron microscopy to identify hepatic phospholipidosis. This study used LAMP-2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) to diagnose phospholipidosis in rats exhibiting renal tubular injury. Rats were administered toreforant, a histamine H4 receptor antagonist by oral gavage at a dose of 3, 10, or 100 mg/kg/d for 6 months. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed renal tubular epithelial cell vacuolation, hypertrophy, degeneration, and luminal dilation in the 100 mg/kg/d group animals. Renal tubular injury was confirmed using kidney injury marker 1 (KIM-1) IHC. The involvement of phosopholipidosis in the renal injury was investigated by LAMP-2. Adipophilin IHC was included to differentiate phospholipidosis from lipidosis. Increased LAMP-2 staining was observed in the 100 mg/kg/d group animals when compared to vehicle group animals. Lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 staining was most prominent in the outer stripe of the outer medulla where KIM-1 staining was also most prominent. By contrast, adipophilin staining was not increased. Phospholipidosis was also confirmed by electron microscopy. These data support the use of LAMP-2 IHC as a diagnostic tool and suggest an association between phospholipidosis and the renal tubular injury caused by toreforant.
MRI and clinical characteristics of suspected cerebrovascular accident in nine cats
Authors: Whittaker Danielle E , Drees Randi , Beltran Elsa
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are infrequently reported in cats. To date, clinical characteristics, including lesion localisation and MRI findings, have only been reported in two cats. The aim of the current study is to document MRI findings in cats presenting with CVAs over an 11 year period. Cases were reviewed according to initial clinical presentation, subsequent physical and neurological findings, predisposing systemic disease and short- and long-term (when available) outcome with a view to identifying any typical pattern in disease occurrence.

Methods

Patient records of cats presenting to a single referral centre from January 2005 to September 2016 with acute onset, non-progressive (after 24 h) intracranial signs compatible with a CVA and where an MRI was performed within 72 h were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Nine cats met the inclusion criteria. All cats had ischaemic CVAs (presumptively diagnosed in eight cats and confirmed in one cat following post-mortem examination). No cases of haemorrhagic CVAs were identified. Four cats presented with territorial infarcts that were confined to the territory of the rostral or caudal cerebellar arteries (n = 4). Lacunar infarcts were identified in five cats in the location of the cerebrum (n = 1), the thalamus/midbrain (n = 2) and the medulla oblongata (n = 2). Concurrent systemic disease was identified in most (n = 8/9). In the present study short-term prognosis was favourable and 8/9 cats survived to 48 h following admission.

Conclusions and relevance

CVAs in cats occur in the same vascular territories as in dogs and have similar MRI features. This study notes that the presenting cats had a high likelihood of concurrent disease (8/9 cases) but had a favourable short-term prognosis, if neither the clinical presentation nor concurrent disease were severe.
Case Report of Onychomycosis and Tinea Corporis Due to Microsporum gypseum
Authors: Fike Jesse M. , Kollipara Ramya , Alkul Suzanne , Stetson Cloyce L.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Microsporum gypseum is a geophilic dermatophyte that colonises keratinous substances in the soil. Fur-bearing animals carry this dermatophyte but are rarely infected. Human infection can be acquired from the soil, carrier or infected animals, and rarely other humans. M gypseum is an uncommon cause of cutaneous infection in humans and typically manifests as tinea corporis, tinea barbae, and tinea capitis. Onychomycosis is rarely caused by M gypseum.

Case Summary:

We present a case of a 32-year-old white man who presented with a red scaly rash and nail dystrophy after adopting a pet rat 10 years prior to presentation. A fungal culture of a nail clipping grew out M gypseum, and the patient was treated with terbinafine daily for 6 weeks for dystrophic onychomycosis and tinea corporis. After the 6 weeks of treatment, the erythema at the proximal nail fold and distal finger had improved but still persisted. An additional 6 weeks of terbinafine daily completely resolved the clinical manifestations of onychomycosis.

Conclusion:

The increase in incidence of M gypseum onychomycosis over the past 2 decades is thought to be due to phylogenetic evolution of the dermatophyte from soil saprophyte to a human parasite. Increasing domestication of mammals is also thought to contribute to increasing incidence. Treatment consists of an extended course of terbinafine or itraconazole.