bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrostomy tube use in children with cancer
Authors: McGrath Kathleen H. , Hardikar Winita
Published: March 2019

Children with cancer are at risk of malnutrition, which can impair critical childhood processes of growth and development and contribute to poor health outcomes. Enteral nutrition can effectively ameliorate malnutrition or weight loss in children with cancer; however, published nutrition support algorithms contain minimal specific information on gastrostomy tube use, and current literature is limited. Decisions about gastrostomy tube insertion in children with cancer can be challenging. Consideration of gastrostomy tube insertion is only appropriate in children with long‐term dependence on enteral nutrition, particularly when nasogastric tube insertion is predicted or proven to be problematic. Specific indications for patient selection are unclear, and referring clinicians may be unaware of important absolute and relative contraindications. Complications are predominantly minor in nature; however, reported rates are high. Morbidity must be weighed carefully against the need and anticipated duration of enteral nutrition support, and further research in this area is needed.
Thrombopoietin receptor agonist switch in children with persistent and chronic severe immune thrombocytopenia: A retrospective analysis in a large tertiary center
Authors: Suntsova Elena V. , Maschan Alexey A. , Baydildina Dina D. , Kalinina Irina I. , Petrova Uliana N. , Pshonkin Alexey V. , Novichkova Galina A.
Published: March 2019

We retrospectively analyzed sequential therapy with romiplostim and eltrombopag in 23 children with immune thrombocytopenia: switching from romiplostim to eltrombopag (10 patients) or vice versa (13 patients). The median age of patients at enrollment in the study was 5.6 years (2‐15 years). Switching from romiplostim to eltrombopag was effective in eight (80%) patients, whereas switching from eltrombopag to romiplostim was effective in eight (62%) patients. The response rate was similar in patients failing the first thrombopoietin receptor agonist and those who had previous response. To date, all responders continue to maintain platelets over 50 × 109/L at 13‐39 months after switching.
Examination of the prescription of antiepileptic drugs to prenatal and postpartum women in Japan from a health administrative database
Authors: Ishikawa Tomofumi , Obara Taku , Jin Kazutaka , Nishigori Hidekazu , Miyakoda Keiko , Suzuka Masato , Ikeda‐Sakai Yasuko , Akazawa Manabu , Nakasato Nobukazu , Yaegashi Nobuo , Kuriyama Shinichi , Mano Nariyasu
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of prescriptions of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to prenatal and postpartum women in Japan using a large administrative database.

Methods

The dates of pregnancy onset and delivery were estimated using published algorithms and infant birth months. The prevalence of prescribed AEDs, the maximum dose of some AEDs, and the frequency of potential combination therapy with AEDs were evaluated for the 180 days before pregnancy onset, during pregnancy, and at 180‐day postpartum.

Results

In total, 33 941 pregnant women were eligible for analysis. At least one AED was prescribed to 225 women (66 per 10 000 deliveries) between 180 days before pregnancy and 180‐day postpartum and for 135 women (40 per 10 000 deliveries) during pregnancy. The prevalence of AED prescription declined during the first and second trimesters and increased in the third trimester and postpartum. Valproate was the most frequently prescribed drug, followed by clonazepam, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine. Nine (18.4%) of the 49 women with at least one prescription record of valproate in the first trimester were prescribed more than 600 mg/day of valproate. Concerning potential combination therapy, 40 (12 per 10 000 deliveries) concurrently received two or more AEDs between 180 days before pregnancy and 180‐day postpartum, respectively, 31 (9 per 10 000 deliveries) women received these drugs during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Various AEDs were prescribed to pregnant Japanese women. Women of reproductive age should select the appropriate AED before becoming pregnant, depending on the risk benefit profile.
Electrically conductive and mechanically tough graphene nanocomposite hydrogels with self‐oscillating performance
Authors: Ren Jie , Zhang Aixia , Zhang Lan , Li Yan , Yang Wu
Published: March 2019

Conventional hydrogels are extremely brittle, fragile and poorly conductive, which limits their applications in a variety of aspects. In this study, we fabricated a novel kind of nanocomposite self‐oscillating hydrogel poly(AA‐co‐Fe(phen)3)/PVA/RGO with high conductivity and good mechanical strength by dispersing reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Due to the synergetic effect of RGO dispersed in the hydrogels or dry gels and Fe metal which is the reduction product of the Fe(phen)3 moiety by RGO, the hydrogels have a high conductivity of 18.2 S m−1 with 0.67 wt% RGO content. The dispersed RGO in the hydrogels combined with the network structure by means of hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking and electrostatic interaction and was demonstrated to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. The elastic modulus achieves 65.2 kPa (1020% of the tensile strength) and 236.4 kPa (with 70% compression), respectively. In addition, the prepared hydrogels exhibit a self‐oscillating behavior in a Belousov–Zhabotinsky solution free of catalyst. These results can be broadly applied in the future in the development of an autonomous on–off switching, flexible/stretchable, graphene‐based soft electronic device. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of elevated carbon dioxide concentration on growth, productivity and glyphosate response of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)
Authors: Bajwa Ali A , Wang Haochen , Chauhan Bhagirath S , Adkins Steve W
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

The rise in atmospheric CO2 has huge impacts on the biology and management of invasive weed species such as Parthenium hysterophorus. This study evaluated the effect of ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (700 ppm) CO2 concentrations on P. hysterophorus growth, reproductive output and response to glyphosate applied at several doses including the recommended dose (800 g a.e. ha−1).

RESULTS

The plants in control treatment (no herbicide) grew taller (41%), produced a larger number of leaves (13%) and flowers (39%), and higher dry biomass (34%) at elevated CO2 as compared to the ambient CO2. Glyphosate caused significant reduction in chlorophyll content of P. hysterophorus plants grown at both CO2 concentrations in a dose‐dependent manner. The percentage herbicide injury was relatively less at elevated CO2 as compared to the ambient CO2 at 7 and 14 days after glyphosate application but it was almost similar at 21 days after application. This shows that elevated CO2 might have slowed the translocation of glyphosate initially, but most plants were killed eventually close to 21 days after application. The survival rate was higher under elevated as compared to the ambient CO2 at recommended and lower doses of glyphosate. There was a negligible difference between the two CO2 concentrations for the plant dry biomass reduction over the control treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

P. hysterophorus growth and reproductive potential (indicated by number of flowers) improved significantly by CO2 enrichment but there was little effect on the overall efficacy of glyphosate applied to control this species. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Extending the Effectiveness of Electrofishing to Estuarine Habitats: Laboratory and Field Assessments
Authors: Lieschke Jason A. , Dean Jan C. , Pickworth Andrew
Published: March 2019

Electrofishing is a widely used and highly effective method of sampling freshwater fishes. However, power limitations currently restrict electrofishing to waterways with ambient electrical conductivities up to 5,000 μS/cm. At these higher conductivities, the electrofishing devices currently available are limited in providing the peak power required for effective electrofishing (i.e., peak power drops below the fish capture threshold). The Grassl Model EL65IIGI1 electrofisher (GEF) is a new, high‐power boat electrofishing system designed to successfully fish waters with electrical conductivities exceeding 5,000 μS/cm, but its electrical output and effective power range for fish capture remain untested. We used tank and field electrical load tests to document the output power capability of the GEF over a wide range of electrical resistances and conductivities. Maximum power output for the low voltage range was 246,500 peak watts, with a maximum current of 1,880 peak amperes. Effective fish capture conductivity for the GEF with standard electrodes was estimated to range from 30 to 35,000 μS/cm. Our results demonstrate that the GEF greatly extends electrofishing capability into estuarine and brackish‐water habitats.
How commuting affects subjective wellbeing
Authors: Clark Ben , Chatterjee Kiron , Martin Adam , Davis Adrian
Published: March 2019

Commuting between home and work is routinely performed by workers and any wellbeing impacts of commuting will consequently affect a large proportion of the population. This paper presents findings from analyses of the impact of commuting (time and mode) on multiple aspects of Subjective Well-Being (SWB), including: satisfaction with life overall and the SWB sub-domains of job satisfaction, satisfaction with leisure time availability and self-reported health. Measures of strain and mental health (GHQ-12) are also examined. Six waves of individual-level panel data from Understanding Society (2009/10 to 2014/15) are analysed, providing a sample of over 26,000 workers living in England. Associations between commuting and SWB are identified, paying particular attention to those arising from individual changes in commuting circumstances over the six waves. It is found that longer commute times are associated with lower job and leisure time satisfaction, increased strain and poorer mental health. The strongest association is found for leisure time satisfaction. Despite these negative associations with the SWB sub-domains, longer commute times were not associated with lower overall life satisfaction (except where individuals persisted with them over all six waves). Workers in England appear to be successful in balancing the negative aspects of commuting against the wider benefits, e.g. access to employment, earnings and housing. Differences amongst selected population sub-groups are also examined. The job satisfaction of younger adults and lower income groups are not found to be negatively associated with longer commute times; longer commute times are more strongly negatively associated with the job satisfaction of women compared to men. With respect to mode of transport, walking to work is associated with increased leisure time satisfaction and reduced strain. The absence of the commute, via working from home, is associated with increased job satisfaction and leisure time satisfaction. Overall, the study indicates that shorter commute times and walkable commutes can contribute to improved SWB—particularly through the release of leisure time. But life satisfaction overall will only be maintained if the benefits of undertaking the commute (earnings and satisfactory housing/employment) are not compromised.
Imaging of Tumor Spheroids, Dual-Isotope SPECT, and Autoradiographic Analysis to Assess the Tumor Uptake and Distribution of Different Nanobodies
Authors: Beltrán Hernández Irati , Rompen Rene , Rossin Raffaella , Xenaki Katerina T. , Katrukha Eugene A. , Nicolay Klaas , van Bergen en Henegouwen Paul , Grüll Holger , Oliveira Sabrina
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Recent studies have shown rapid accumulation of nanobodies (NBs) in tumors and fast clearance of the unbound fraction, making NBs exceptional tracers for cancer imaging. In this study, we investigate the combination of in vitro imaging of tumor spheroids, in vivo dual-isotope single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and ex vivo autoradiographic analysis of tumors to efficiently, and with few mice, assess the tumor uptake and distribution of different NBs.

Procedures

The irrelevant NB R2 (16 kDa) and the EGFR-targeted NBs 7D12 (16 kDa) and 7D12-R2 (32 kDa) were investigated. Confocal microscopy was used to study the penetration of the NBs into A431 tumor spheroids over time, using the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab (150 kDa) as a reference. Dual-isotope [111In]DOTA-NB/[177Lu]DOTA-NB SPECT was used for longitudinal imaging of multiple tracers in the same animal bearing A431 tumor xenografts. Tumor sections were analyzed using autoradiography.

Results

No binding of the irrelevant NB was observed in spheroids, whereas for the specific tracers an increase in the spheroid’s covered area was observed over time. The NB 7D12 saturated the spheroid earlier than the larger, 7D12-R2. Even slower penetration was observed for the large mAb. In vivo, the tumor uptake of 7D12 was 19-fold higher than R2 after co-injection in the same animal, and 2.5-fold higher than 7D12-R2 when co-injected. 7D12-R2 was mainly localized at the rim of tumors, while 7D12 was found to be more evenly distributed.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the combination of imaging of tumor spheroids, dual-isotope SPECT, and autoradiography of tumors is effective in comparing tumor uptake and distribution of different NBs. Results were in agreement with published data, highlighting the value of monomeric NBs for tumor imaging, and re-enforcing the value of these techniques to accurately assess the most optimal format for tumor imaging. This combination of techniques requires a lower number of animals to obtain significant data and can accelerate the design of novel tracers.
Ethics, Human Rights, the Intelligent Robot, and its Subsystem for Moral Beliefs
Authors: Sandewall Erik
Published: March 2019

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights specifies a number of properties that characterize human beings, such as ‘dignity’, ‘conscience’, and several others. In this article we focus on these properties and on how they have been defined in the history of philosophy. We show how they can be interpreted in terms of a prototypical architecture for an intelligent robot, and how the robot can be provided with several aspects of ethical capability in this way. The key idea is to provide the robot with a Moral Belief System that cooperates with, and moderates the robot’s capability of planning and action.
Deformation Fabric and Vein Emplacement in the Rocks of Gadag-Chitraudrga Schist Belt (Western Dharwar craton, Southern India) - Relationship with Regional Tectonics
Authors: Mondal Tridib Kumar
Published: March 2019

Abstract of Lecture delivered on 9th January, 2019 at the Montly Meeting of the Geological Society of India, Bangalore
Morphology and Chemistry of Zircons from the Paleoproterozoic Cu (±Mo±Au) Hosting Granitoids of Malanjkhand Mine Area, Central India
Authors: Arya Deepa , Gupta Saurabh , Kumar Santosh , Broska Igor , Vaculovic Tomáš
Published: March 2019

Morphology and chemistry of zircons from Paleoproterozoic granitoids (~2470 Ma) of Malanjkhand mine area, central India have been used to understand nature of parental magma and its evolutionary history. External morphology of non-metamict zircons belongs to S3, S1-2, G1, P2, S24 and S25 subtypes of Pupin’s typological scheme, which crystallized in a calc-alkaline, metaluminous hybridizing magma. The Zr/Hf ratios of zircons point to a low degree of differentiation of parental magma. Most zircons bear low sum of rare earth elements (ΣREE<700 ppm) indicating late stage of crystallization, whereas a zircon with anomalously high LREE and ΣREE probably indicates at an early stage of its crystallisation in the absence of other REE bearing accessory phases or might have been influenced later by hydrothermal fluids. The Nb content of zircons is similar to those commonly formed in high-K, calc-alkaline granitoid magma series. The zircon (Th/U>1) with high ΣREE (5019 ppm) and Ti (56 ppm) contents provides zircon crystallization temperature (TZr) of 938°C suggesting its crystallisation in a relatively high-T intermediate magma composition. However, zircons with Th/U<1 bear Ti content below the detection limit (33 ppm) due to their crystallization in a relatively more evolved aluminous melt fraction of parental calc-alkaline magma. All zircons exhibit positive Ce- and negative Eu-anomalies, which probably indicate mildly oxidising magma condition of zircon crystallization synchronous with plagioclase.
Itacolumite (Flexible Sandstone) From Kaliana, Charkhi Dadri District, Haryana, India
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Sharma Milap Chand , Singh Yamuna , Singh Neelratan , Kumar Pankaj , Chopra Sundeep
Published: March 2019

The objective of this study is to highlight main causes of flexibility in itacolumite from Kaliana Hills, Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana. Results of petrominerological studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3D analysis of SEM images, and quantitative micro fabric analysis reveal that the intergranular void spaces are significantly higher in more flexible specimen (mean 47.68 μm) relative to less flexible specimen (mean 14.32 μm, i.e., <3 times), whereas, non-flexible sandstones show negligible intergranular void spaces (4.97-6.40 μm). Therefore, it may be envisaged that the flexibility in Kaliana itacolumite is due to the presence of more intergranular void spaces. The chemical corrosion appears to be the main reason for the formation of more void spaces in between the constituent grains in the flexible sandstones. Leaching effect on the grains is evident on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images. These solution channels and embayment might have removed the significant amount of cementing material and silica by dissolution and solution activity. Thus, obviously, the flexibility in the itacolumite was induced by solution activity, more the solution activity, more the void spaces and hence more resultant flexibility. Almost vertically dipping beds of sandstone would have facilitated capillary movement and solutioning leading to development of concomitant leaching induced porosity.

Higher degree of flexibility in itacolumite specimen from quarry dump, compared to in-situ fresh itacolumite specimen, is apparently due to more exposure of former to surface processes like weathering, more solution activity and corrosion leading to more removal of cementing material and silica accompanied by concomitant augmentation of considerable intergranular void spaces (>3 times), relative to the latter. It is thus clear that relatively less flexibility in in-situ itacolumite is linked with its less solutioning relative to itacolumite from dump. Thermal shock resistance property of itacolumite can be used as a model material to process synthetic flexible ceramics by mixing phases with large differences of thermal expansion properties.
Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium using Natural Goethite: Isotherm, Thermodynamic and Kinetic Study
Authors: Kar Shanti , Equeenuddin Sk. Md.
Published: March 2019

This paper examines the potential of natural goethite as an adsorbent for removing Cr(VI) from the aqueous solution through adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics and kinetics study. The study is based on the batch experiments as a function of initial Cr(VI) concentrations, contact time, pH and temperature at fixed solid/solution ratio. The pH has pronounced effect on process of removal and removal is higher in lower pH range, maximum (99.14 %) being at pH 2. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto goethite is endothermic in nature and therefore, higher temperature favours the uptake. The adsorbent capacity was determined using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. The results showed that the adsorption fits best to the Langmuir isotherm model with the adsorption capacity 0.727 mg/g. Pseudo-first-order kinetic, pseudo-second-order kinetic and intraparticle diffusion were used to analyze the adsorption kinetic at different initial Cr(VI) concentrations. The kinetic study indicated that the pseudo-second order model explained the adsorption mechanism and intra-particle diffusion was found to be the rate-controlling step. The negative values of Gibb’s free energy explained that the adsorption was feasible and spontaneous.
In-situ Determination of Trace Element and REE Partitioning in a Natural Apatite-Carbonatite Melt System using Synchrotron XRF Microprobe Analysis
Authors: Schleicher Helmut
Published: March 2019

Inclusions of calcite within large euhedral apatite crystals from the pyroxenite-carbonatite-syenite complex of Sevattur, Tamil Nadu, south India, were identified to represent inclusions of a primary carbonatitic melt (calcite I) from which the apatites have crystallized. The apatites themselves are embedded into a younger batch of calcite-carbonatitic melt (calcite II).

Using the synchrotron XRF microprobe at beamline L at HASYLAB/DESY (Hamburg), the concentrations of the trace elements Ba, Sr, Y, Zr, Th, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Er were determined both in melt inclusions as well as in host apatites and younger carbonatite matrix. Unexpected high REE concentrations were found not only in apatite but also in calcite, especially of the younger matrix phase, in agreement with the whole rock geochemistry. The data reveal an equilibrium distribution between melt inclusions and host apatite that allows the calculation of partition coefficients D = CiAp / CiCc=melt for elements of interest.

Assuming 9% crystallization of the melt, which can be calculated from the whole rock analyses, the composition of the primary carbonatite melt prior to apatite crystallization can be determined. This composition is, with the exception of only few elements, nearly equal to that of the younger matrix carbonatite melt (calcite II), and thus gives evidence for the existence of different pulses of carbonatite melt during crystallization and consolidation of the carbonatite body.

The results allow new insights into the processes of trace element and REE distribution between the two major igneous components of carbonatites and thus into the question of carbonatitic fractionation processes. The data reveal that mere apatite crystallization and fractionation does not lead to enriched REE compositions during carbonatite evolution but lowers their concentrations in the residual melts. But alternatively, if segregated apatite is collected and incorporated by a new melt batch, the overall REE of this melt will be increased.
Drainage Characteristics of Tectonically Active Area: An Example from Mawar Basin, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Authors: Wani Ahsan Afzal , Bali Bikram Singh , Lone Shahnawaz
Published: March 2019

Geomorphic and neo tectonic studies have been carried out for the first time in Mawar basin of the Kashmir valley. On the basis of field investigations and geomorphic data derived from toposheets and satellite imageries, with the help of Arc GIS (10.3) and Global Mapper (18) the relationship between morphology and tectonics has been investigated in Mawar basin, which lies to the northwest of Kashmir valley. The morphotectonic aspects like mountain front sinuosity (Smf), hypsometric integral (Hi), have been studied to relate the tectonic forces with erosive power and identify the areas where field investigations are required. The field interpretation indicates that the landforms of the area are structurally controlled and mainly consist of tectonic linear, parallel striking ridges and valleys. The course of Mawar is mostly controlled by the Mawar fault striking east–west and local structures present in the area. General morphometric parameters like assymetry factor (Af), transverse topography symmetry (T), stream length gradient (SL) and valley floor width to height ratio (Vf) have been computed to draw the conclusion of tectonic activity on the drainage. The Af and T suggest that the basin has shifted to the right side and the Mawar river has shifted to the left side when facing downstream. The SL values indicate that the river has fluctuations in gradient/knickpoints at 6.8, 10 and 18 km from the source. However the Vf values infer the basin has deeply incised V-shaped valleys. All the quantified geomorphic indices and their interrelationship with the geomorphology are useful in comparing different drainage basins in terms of tectonic character and are helpful in delineating the areas where more detailed works will be fruitful. The results of computed geomorphic indices, geomorphology and the structures present in the Karewas (Plio Pleistocene) deposits inferred that the basin has shown activity in Pleistocene period, suggesting the basin is tectonically active.
Disaster Management Dynamics – An Analysis of Chaos from the Flash Flood (2013) in the Fragile Himalayan System
Authors: Sen Ranen , Chakrabarti Sharadindra
Published: March 2019

Managing a disaster is a very complex issue in which both the people and the affected region of the particular country are involved. In disasters, the vision of reality entails proper understanding of complexity, uncertainty and instability in the backdrop of nonlinear dynamics. Decision making in case of disasters is a nonlinear thread which has to wind its way through various rhythms and systems that range from ground reality to management operations.

The Uttarakhand disaster of 2013 is not a simple straight line extension of a house fire or an automobile accident. It is a mixed web of complexity, nonlinearity, instability and chaos. Maintaining hierarchy in decision making and managing a disaster of such magnitude in public domain has been found to be ineffective in operations. The theory of chaos and the science of complexity can lead to better disaster management options. In fact, chaos theory provides viable framework for management of natural disasters. Chaos theory describes how the human society influences the reality. Indeed, in some degrees, the society relevant for the region creates it.

In the Indian Himalayas in Uttarakhand state, during the third week of June 2013, intermittent and unprecedented precipitation covering large area led to flash floods and landslides. They carried away everything resulting in colossal loss of life and property. Incoherencies in management occurred mainly because of lack of understanding of nonlinear dynamics and deterministic chaos in natural phenomena and a fixed approach i.e. ‘mode lock-in’ approach in decision making.

In this article, the disaster situation is established to have been initiated due to forces of deterministic chaos. On this basis, some suggestions are formulated where help of the chaos theory may prove congenial to decision making.
The Effect of Geological Factors on the Grout Curtain Performance Analysis of Darian Dam Using the Results of Instrumentation Data in the First Impounding
Authors: Aghda Seyed Mahmoud Fatemi , GanjaliPour Kamal , Esmaeilzadeh Masoud
Published: March 2019

Determining the conditions of underground water level is one of the key factors in geotechnical analyses. In most dam construction projects, electrical and mechanical piezometers are installed for determining groundwater conditions, water level and its seasonal fluctuations, the position of perched and confined aquifer and investigate the conditions of pore water in dam and abutments. Besides, observation wells are located to verify underground water level fluctuations in different seasons and before and after impounding in different parts of the site.

In this study, seepage status, water passages, and weaknesses of gout curtain of Darian dam are evaluated. Darian earthfill dam with a height of 176 m built on the Sirvan river is located in the west of Iran. The main methods used to improve the foundation and abutments in Darian dam include grout injections, consolidation, and drainage system. After the first impounding of Darian dam, the grout curtain has not reduced the potential in a considerably of the right side of the dam. In other words, the groundwater level in the upstream and downstream of grout curtain is almost the same. In this regard, the electrical and mechanical piezometers installed in upstream and downstream of grout curtain, iso-piezometric map, true equipotential lines, and phreatic flow line at different instrumentation levels and a downstream cross-section of grout curtain were depicted by obtaining continuous readings of observation wells. The results of instrumentation data and comparison of an iso-piezometric map of observation wells before and after impounding indicate that the grout curtain of Darian dam cuts a geologic unit with low permeability in the right side. By impounding and rise of water in the reservoir and the change in the hydro-geological boundaries, a different condition dominates both sides of this geological unit. Continuous reading of piezometers, observation wells, and drainages adequately explains that inefficiency of grout curtain on the right side is due to the water trapped behind the radiolarite unit.
Short clinically-based prediction model to forecast transition to psychosis in individuals at clinical high risk state
Authors: Kotlicka-Antczak Magdalena , Karbownik Michał S. , Stawiski Konrad , Pawełczyk Agnieszka , Żurner Natalia , Pawełczyk Tomasz , Strzelecki Dominik , Fusar-Poli Paolo
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The predictive accuracy of the Clinical High Risk criteria for Psychosis (CHR-P) regarding the future development of the disorder remains suboptimal. It is therefore necessary to incorporate refined risk estimation tools which can be applied at the individual subject level. The aim of the study was to develop an easy-to use, short refined risk estimation tool to predict the development of psychosis in a new CHR-P cohort recruited in European country with less established early detection services.

Methods:

A cohort of 105 CHR-P individuals was assessed with the Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States12/2006, and then followed for a median period of 36 months (25th-75th percentile:10–59 months) for transition to psychosis. A multivariate Cox regression model predicting transition was generated with preselected clinical predictors and was internally validated with 1000 bootstrap resamples.

Results:

Speech disorganization and unusual thought content were selected as potential predictors of conversion on the basis of published literature. The prediction model was significant (p < 0.0001) and confirmed that both speech disorganization (HR = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.39–2.05) and unusual thought content (HR = 1.51; 95%CI: 1.27–1.80) were significantly associated with transition. The prognostic accuracy of the model was adequate (Harrell’s c- index = 0.79), even after optimism correction through internal validation procedures (Harrell’s c-index = 0.78).

Conclusions:

The clinical prediction model developed, and internally validated, herein to predict transition from a CHR-P to psychosis may be a promising tool for use in clinical settings. It has been incorporated into an online tool available at:https://link.konsta.com.pl/psychosis. Future external replication studies are needed.
Stressful life events, gender and obesity
Authors: Conklin A.I. , Guo S.X.R. , Yao C.A. , Tam A.C.T. , Richardson C.G.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To determine whether stressful life events are related to levels of obesity in a group of ethnically diverse Canadian youth and the extent to which the relationship differs by gender.

Methods

This study of 905 adolescents (age 13–17 years) from a BC population-based cohort (BASUS) used self-reported data from Wave 5 (2011 fall) on stressful life events and socio-demographic factors and from Wave 6 (2012 spring) on weight and height. Multivariable logistic regression models conditioned on known confounders and used a cross-product term for effect modification by gender. Post-estimation analysis calculated gender-specific predicted mean probabilities of having obesity associated with greater frequency of stressful life events.

Results

Compared to young men reporting no stressful life events in the previous year, young men reporting one event were nearly 50% more likely to have obesity at 6-month follow-up (OR 1.47 [95% CI: 0.63, 3.41]) and those reporting multiple stressful life events were twice as likely to have obesity at 6-month follow-up (OR 2.07 [95% CI: 0.79–5.43]). Only young women reporting multiple events showed a higher likelihood of having obesity at the end of the study (OR 1.32 [95% CI: 0.41–4.18]) than their counterparts reporting no life events.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the frequency of major life events may be an important social stressor associated with obesity in adolescents, particularly for young men. However, findings should be replicated in larger samples using measured anthropometry to inform future obesity prevention strategies.
The effect of family size on education: new evidence from China's one-child policy
Authors: Argys Laura M. , Averett Susan L.
Published: March 2019

Economists theorize that the inverse relationship between income and family size reflects a trade-off between child quality and quantity. Testing this hypothesis requires addressing the simultaneity of the quality and quantity decisions. The unanticipated birth of twins and sex composition of the first two children have been used as the exogenous variation in family size with mixed results. We exploit the One-Child Policy (OCP) in China, which exogenously reduced fertility, and examine how the OCP affected the education of Chinese migrants to the USA. Using the American Community Survey and a difference-in-differences strategy, we find higher levels of education for Chinese migrants born after the OCP compared with their counterparts from other East Asian countries. This finding provides additional support for the existence of a quality-quantity trade-off.
Lifestyle intervention programme for Indian women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kapoor Deksha , Gupta Yashdeep , Desai Ankush , Praveen Devarsetty , Joshi Rohina , Rozati Roya , Bhatla Neerja , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Reddy Prasuna , Patel Anushka , Tandon Nikhil
Published: March 2019

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention (diet and physical activity) among women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), delivered by trained facilitators.

Methods

Fifty-six normoglycaemic or prediabetic women with prior GDM were recruited at mean of 17 months postpartum. Socio-demographic, medical and anthropometric data were collected. Six sessions on lifestyle modification were delivered in groups (total four groups, with 12–15 women in each group). Pre and post intervention (6 months) weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters were compared.

Results

The intervention was feasible, with 80% of women attending four or more sessions. Post-intervention analyses showed a significant mean reduction of 1.8 kg in weight, 0.6 kg/m2 in BMI and 2 cm in waist circumference. There was also a significant drop of 0.3 mmol/L in fasting plasma glucose, 0.9 mmol/L in 2 h post glucose load value of plasma glucose, 3.6 mmHg in systolic BP, and 0.15 mmol/L in triglyceride levels. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and diastolic BP were non-significant.

Conclusions

This study showed feasibility of the lifestyle intervention delivered in group sessions to women with prior gestational diabetes.
Accurate reconstruction of electric field of ultrashort laser pulse with complete two-step phase-shifting
Authors: Cai Yi , Chen Zhenkuan , Zheng Shuiqin , Lin Qinggang , Zeng Xuanke , Li Ying , Li Jingzhen , Xu Shixiang
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a complete two-step phase-shifting (TSPS) spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction (SPIDER) to improve the reconstruction of ultrafast optical fields. Here, complete TSPS acts as a balanced detection that can not only remove the effect of the dc term of the interferogram, but also reduce measurement noises, and thereby improve the capability of SPIDER to measure the pulses with narrow spectra or complex spectral structures. Some prisms are chosen to replace some environment-sensitive optical components, especially reflective optics to improve operating stability and improve signal-to-noise ratio further. Our experiments show that the available shear can be decreased to 1.5% of the spectral width, which is only about $1/3$ compared with traditional SPIDER.
New small-bodied ornithopods (Dinosauria, Neornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous Wonthaggi Formation (Strzelecki Group) of the Australian-Antarctic rift system, with revision ofQantassaurus intrepidusRich and Vickers-Rich, 1999
Authors: Herne Matthew C. , Nair Jay P. , Evans Alistair R. , Tait Alan M.
Published: March 2019

The Flat Rocks locality in the Wonthaggi Formation (Strzelecki Group) of the Gippsland Basin, southeastern Australia, hosts fossils of a late Barremian vertebrate fauna that inhabited the ancient rift between Australia and Antarctica. Known from its dentary,Qantassaurus intrepidusRich and Vickers-Rich, 1999 has been the only dinosaur named from this locality. However, the plethora of vertebrate fossils collected from Flat Rocks suggests that further dinosaurs await discovery. From this locality, we name a new small-bodied ornithopod,Galleonosaurus dorisaen. gen. n. sp. from craniodental remains. Five ornithopodan genera are now named from Victoria.Galleonosaurus dorisaen. gen. n. sp. is known from five maxillae, from which the first description of jaw growth in an Australian dinosaur is provided. The holotype ofGalleonosaurus dorisaen. gen. n. sp. is the most complete dinosaur maxilla known from Victoria. Micro-CT imagery of the holotype reveals the complex internal anatomy of the neurovascular tract and antorbital fossa. We confirm thatQ. intrepidusis uniquely characterized by a deep foreshortened dentary. Two dentaries originally referred toQ. intrepidusare reassigned toQ.?intrepidusand a further maxilla is referred to cf.Atlascopcosaurus loadsiRich and Rich, 1989. A further ornithopod dentary morphotype is identified, more elongate than those ofQ. intrepidusandQ.?intrepidusand with three more tooth positions. This dentary might pertain toGalleonosaurus dorisaen. gen. n. sp. Phylogenetic analysis recovered Cretaceous Victorian and Argentinian nonstyracosternan ornithopods within the exclusively Gondwanan clade Elasmaria. However, the large-bodied taxonMuttaburrasaurus langdoniBartholomai and Molnar, 1981 is hypothesised as a basal iguanodontian with closer affinities to dryomorphans than to rhabdodontids.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/4af87bb4-b687-42f3-9622-aa806a6b4116
Gastropods of the genusAntistreptusas examples of persistent molluscan lineages in the Neogene of the southwestern Atlantic
Authors: Pastorino Guido , Griffin Miguel
Published: March 2019

Gastropods of the southwestern Atlantic genusAntistreptusDall, 1902 from extant and Neogene deposits are reviewed. Fossil specimens come from the Punta Entrada Member of the Monte León Formation (50°21′25.4″S, 68°53′05.9″W). Extant samples are from museum collections and two expeditions on board the R/V “Puerto Deseado” to Burdwood Bank (54°13.934′S, 66°30.997′W) and surroundings. Dissection of soft parts and study of the type material ofA.magellanicusDall, 1902,Euthria(Glypteuthria)contrariaStrebel, 1908, andA.rolaniCastellanos, 1986 reveal that the latter two nominal species are synonymous. Neogene material assigned to the same genus could not be distinguished as a different species. According to the stratigraphic occurrence of the fossil material, the life-span of the genusAntistreptusDall, 1902 and the speciesA.magellanicusDall, 1902 is ~22 Myr, similar to that of the bivalveCyclochlamys argentinaPastorino and Griffin, 2018.
A computerized adaptive testing advancing the measurement of subjective well-being
Authors: Wu Yifang , Cai Yan , Tu Dongbo
Published: March 2019

This article aimed at developing an adaptive version of the subjective well-being (SWB) scale to measure a comprehensive concept of SWB among Chinese university students. Item response theory was employed to formulate the item bank of the SWB scale and computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for SWB (CAT-SWB), based on several commonly used SWB scales, after unidimensionality testing, model selection, local dependence testing, parameter estimation, item fit test and differential item functioning (DIF) analysis were performed. Finally, two CAT simulations using simulated-data and real-data were carried out to verify and evaluate the CAT-SWB. Results indicated that the proposed CAT-SWB had an excellent performance in that it largely reduces the number of test items and the length of test time without losing measurement precision.
Roman History
Authors: Corke-Webster James
Published: March 2019

The first time I visited Pompeii, I was walking along one of its iconic paved streets when another visitor in front of me stumbled over a rough patch of pavement. Looking down resentfully, she turned to her friend and said in an irritated tone, ‘Look at this! They really need to do something about these roads…’. If that sore-toed tourist had found Eric Poehler's new book, The Traffic Systems of Pompeii, in the Pompeian gift shop, she would have been much illuminated. This long-gestated project represents an exciting new type of scholarship on the ancient world, using evidence gleaned from the scratched and rutted roads of Pompeii and other urban sites across the empire to expose both how ancient traffic worked and the constantly evolving negotiations between residents and government over its control.
Reception
Authors: Bridges Emma , Paul Joanna
Published: March 2019

Newly available in paperback in 2018, Simon Perris’ The Gentle, Jealous God. Reading Euripides’ Bacchae in English, sets out to ‘adumbrate a new cultural history for this classic play’ (20). While, as the author points out, the Bacchae has received attention in recent years from reception scholars interested in its performance history – including Erika Fischer-Lichte's 2014 Dionysus Resurrected – less has been written on translated versions or adaptations which are intended primarily for reading rather than performance. Perris’ work moves the conversation forward by examining in detail a series of case studies, while touching on many more examples in the course of his discussion.
Insulin resistance and obesity, and their association with depression in relatively young people: findings from a large UK birth cohort
Authors: Perry B. I. , Khandaker G. M. , Marwaha S. , Thompson A. , Zammit S. , Singh S. P. , Upthegrove R.
Published: March 2019

Background

Depression frequently co-occurs with disorders of glucose and insulin homeostasis (DGIH) and obesity. Low-grade systemic inflammation and lifestyle factors in childhood may predispose to DGIH, obesity and depression. We aim to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations among DGIH, obesity and depression, and to examine the effect of demographics, lifestyle factors and antecedent low-grade inflammation on such associations in young people.

Methods

Using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort, we used regression analyses to examine: (1) cross-sectional and (2) longitudinal associations between measures of DGIH [insulin resistance (IR); impaired glucose tolerance] and body mass index (BMI) at ages 9 and 18 years, and depression (depressive symptoms and depressive episode) at age 18 years and (3) whether sociodemographics, lifestyle factors or inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6) at age 9 years] confounded any such associations.

Results

We included 3208 participants. At age 18 years, IR and BMI were positively associated with depression. These associations may be explained by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. There were no longitudinal associations between DGIH/BMI and depression, and adjustment for IL-6 and C-reactive protein did not attenuate associations between IR/BMI and depression; however, the longitudinal analyses may have been underpowered.

Conclusions

Young people with depression show evidence of DGIH and raised BMI, which may be related to sociodemographic and lifestyle effects such as deprivation, smoking, ethnicity and gender. In future, studies with larger samples are required to confirm this. Preventative strategies for the poorer physical health outcomes associated with depression should focus on malleable lifestyle factors.
Intentionality, belief, and the logical problem of evil
Authors: PEARCE KENNETH L.
Published: March 2019

This article provides a new defence against the logical problem of evil, based on the naturalistic functional/teleological theory of mind (NFT). I argue that if the NFT is self-consistent then it is consistent with theism. Further, the NFT entails that it is not possible for created minds to exist in the absence of evil. It follows that if the NFT is self-consistent then the existence of God is consistent with the existence of evil.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Sunitinib versus Interferon-Alfa for First-Line Treatment of Advanced and/or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in Singapore
Authors: Pruis Sil-ling , Aziz Mohamed Ismail Abdul , Pearce Fiona , Tan Min Han , Wu David Bin-Chia , Ng Kwong
Published: March 2019

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sunitinib versus interferon-alfa for the treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Singapore.

Methods

A partitioned survival model with three health states (progression-free, progressive disease, and death) was developed from a healthcare payer perspective over a 10-year time horizon. Survival curves from the pivotal trial of sunitinib versus interferon-alfa were extrapolated beyond the trial period to estimate the underlying progression-free survival and overall survival parametric distributions. Health state utilities were derived from the literature and direct costs were sourced from local public healthcare institutions. The sunitinib dose in the model reflected local prescribing practices whereby a combination of 50 mg (28 percent) and 37.5 mg (72 percent) strengths are used.

Results

The base-case analysis comparing sunitinib versus interferon-alfa resulted in an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SGD191,061 (USD139,757) per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the ICER was most sensitive to variations in the utility value assumed for the progression-free health state and the price of sunitinib.

Conclusions

In the absence of any price reduction, sunitinib had an exceedingly high ICER and was not considered a cost-effective use of healthcare resources in Singapore's context for the first-line treatment of advanced RCC. The findings from our evaluation will be useful to inform local healthcare decision making and resource allocations for tyrosine kinase inhibitors when appraised alongside comparative clinical effectiveness data and payer affordability considerations.
Do parents provide a helping hand to vocabulary development in bilingual children?
Authors: LIMIA Valery , ÖZÇALIŞKAN Şeyda , HOFF Erika
Published: March 2019

Monolingual children identify referents uniquely in gesture before they do so with words, and parents translate these gestures into words. Children benefit from these translations, acquiring the words that their parents translated earlier than the ones that are not translated. Are bilingual children as likely as monolingual children to identify referents uniquely in gesture; and do parental translations have the same positive impact on the vocabulary development of bilingual children? Our results showed that the bilingual children – dominant in English or in Spanish – were as likely as monolingual children to identify referents uniquely in gesture. More importantly, the unique gestures, when translated into words by the parents, were as likely to enter bilingual and monolingual children's speech – independent of language dominance. Our results suggest that parental response to child gesture plays as crucial of a role in the vocabulary development of bilingual children as it does in monolingual children.