bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LO33: Prehospital adverse events associated with nitroglycerin use in STEMI patients with right ventricle infarction
Authors: McConnell A.H. , Davis M. , Van Aarsen K. , Columbus M. , Lewell M.
Published: May 2017

Introduction: Paramedics in our region do not perform 15-lead ECGs. As a result, patients experiencing a Right Ventricular Infarct (RVI) may receive nitroglycerin (NTG). In many cases, paramedics do not administer NTG to those with inferior STEMI out of concern that there may be an associated RVI. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in prehospital adverse events (AEs) associated with NTG administration in patients with unrecognized RVIs compared to those with an inferior STEMI and no RVI. Methods: Ambulance Call Records (ACR) of patients with prehospital STEMI between Jan 1, 2012 and Dec 31, 2015 were analyzed for the incidence of NTG administration. AEs were defined as HR<60 bpm, systolic BP <100 mmHg or drop of 1/3, GCS decrease of >2, syncope, arrest or death. Hospital records were reviewed to determine patients diagnosed with an inferior STEMI without RVI and those with a concurrent or primary RVI as diagnosed on angiography, ECG or discharge diagnosis. Results: Of the 334 ACRs that were filtered and manually reviewed, 144 were excluded (not STEMI, inter-facility transports, duplicate ACR) resulting in 189 patients that had a prehospital STEMI. The mean (SD) age was 66.9 (13.5) years and 70.6% were male. Of 189 STEMI patients, 82 (42.9%) received NTG. Nineteen (41.3%) of these patients were subsequently diagnosed with RVI and 27 (58.7%) had inferior STEMI without RVI. For patients receiving NTG, AEs occurred in 11 (57.9%) within the RVI group, and 10 (37.0%) within the inferior STEMI group (Δ 20.9%, 95% CI -7.8% to 45.4%, p=0.2). Cardiac arrest or death did not occur in either group. A total of 107 did not receive NTG and of these, 93 (86.9%) did not meet conditions or had contraindications for NTG use (22 RVI, 42 inferior STEMI). Three patients had a cardiac arrest and one died while in EMS care, none of which received NTG or had RVIs. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest no difference in the rate of AEs between patients with inferior STEMI and STEMI with RVI when NTG is administered in the prehospital setting. In our EMS system, the conditions and contraindications of NTG administration may be protective against AEs in RVIs, so the potential benefit of a prehospital 15-lead ECG may be limited.
LO34: System and patient level determinants of EMS offload delay
Authors: Innes G. , Stewart D. , Wang D. , Lang E.
Published: May 2017

Introduction: Arriving EMS patients often experience offload delay due to a lack of available care spaces. Arrival in an overcrowded ED is the primary cause of offload delay, but patient characteristics may also play a role. Our objective was to describe system and patient level determinants of offload delay. Methods: From July 2013 to June 2016, administrative data was collated from the four Calgary Zone adult EDs. All CTAS level 2 and 3 patients arriving by ambulance were eligible for study. To define patient complexity and illness severity, we captured patient demographic data, living situation (homecare/facility vs. independent), vital signs, complaint category (medical, cardiovascular, mental health/neuro, GI, trauma/MS, other), biochemical parameters (serum Na, K, creatinine, hemoglobin, WBC), patient care needs (IV fluid bolus, IV antibiotics, CT scan, admission) and mortality at 7 and 30 days. Results: 162,002 EMS patients were studied. Of these, 67,785 went to a care space within 15 minutes (minimal offload delay), 53,185 between 15 and 59 minutes (moderate offload delay), and 41,032 at ≥60 minutes (severe offload delay). Vital signs, biochemical and hematologic parameters did not differ between groups. ED site was a strong predictor of offload delay (odds ratio {OR}=1.0, 2.03, 2.14, 3.5 for the 4 EDs), as was arrival on weekday (OR=1.38) or night shift (OR=0.71). After adjusting for site, day and time of arrival, multivariate logistic regression models showed the following associations with offload delays of more than 15 minutes: male sex (OR=0.94), age (OR=1.01 per year of age), dependent living situation (OR=1.15), CTAS 3 acuity (OR=1.27), number of prior ED visits within a year (OR=1.06 per visit), and complaint category: general medical (1.0), cardiovascular (0.90), mental health/neuro (0.90), GI (0.85), trauma/MS (0.61). Odds ratio estimates were precise—all with p<0.001. Offload delay was associated with prolonged time to MD, increased EDLOS and higher LWBS/AMA rates. Delayed patients had similar rates of IV antibiotic use, but lower rates of IV fluid bolus, CT use, admission, and 7-day mortality. Conclusion: The strongest predictor of offload delay is arrival to a crowded ED, but patient factors including female sex, older age, dependent living status and repeat hospital use increase risk. Patients subjected to offload delay also appear to have lesser immediate care needs and lower short-term mortality.
LO35: Impact of EMS direct referral to community care on services received
Authors: Van Aarsen K. , CHE A. Dukelow , Lewell M. , Loosley J.R. , Pancino S.
Published: May 2017

Introduction: The Community Referral by Emergency Medical Services (CREMS) program was implemented in January 2015 in Southwestern Ontario. The program allows Paramedics, who are interacting with a patient as a direct result of a call to 9-1-1, to directly refer patients in need of home care support to their local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) for needs assessment. If indicated, subsequent referrals are made to specific services (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy and geriatrics) by the CCAC. Ideally, CREMS connects each patient with appropriate, timely care, supporting individual needs. Similar referral programs have been implemented in communities with preliminary data showing positive results. The primary objective of this project was to evaluate the success of the CREMS program by determining the number of referrals made by EMS in London-Middlesex to CCAC since implementation as well as the proportion of referred patients receiving a new or increase in service due to EMS referral. Methods: Data for all CCAC referrals from London-Middlesex EMS was collected for a thirteen month period (February 2015-February 2016). Data was evaluated for quantity of referrals and proportion that led to a patient receiving new or increased home care service. Results: There were 436 referrals made in the study period which represented 391 individuals. 54% of patients were between 65-84 years of age. Of the 391 patients, 162 (41%) were not known to CCAC and of those 119 (73%) received a new service due to EMS referral. The most common new services were occupational therapy (61%) and nursing (47%). Of the 229 (59%) of patients that were already known to CCAC, 101 (44%) received an increase in service due to EMS referral. No patients refused a new or increase in service. Conclusion: Of all patients referred to CCAC, 56% received a new service or had a change in existing services which suggests that a large number of patients benefited from early EMS referral to community services. The results of this project provide impetus to continue and expand the CREMS program. Future studies will evaluate if the implementation of this program has reduced patient reliance on 911 requests for paramedic care as well as Emergency Department transports.
LO37: Routine application of defibrillation pads and time to first shock in prehospital STEMI complicated by cardiac arrest
Authors: Felder S.L. , Davis M.
Published: May 2017

Introduction: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in North America, with recent studies suggesting that between 4 to 11% of patients diagnosed with STEMI suffer an out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest (OHCA). Previously published research has shown that shorter time to initial defibrillation in patients with VF/VT OHCA increases functional survival. The purpose of this study is to assess whether the routine application of defibrillation pads in STEMI decreases the time to initial defibrillation in those who suffer OHCA. Methods: Ambulance call records (ACR) for patients diagnosed with STEMI in Middlesex-London in the prehospital setting from Jan 1, 2012 to Jun 30, 2016 were reviewed. Patients were included in the study if they were 18 years of age or older with a confirmed diagnosis of STEMI and suffered an OHCA with an initial shockable rhythm (VF or VT) while in paramedic care. The pre-pad protocol (routine application of defibrillation pads in STEMI patients) was implemented by Middlesex-London EMS in July 2014. If inclusion criteria were met, ACRs were reviewed to determine whether the pre-pad protocol was implemented and to extract the time to initial defibrillation and relevant demographic and event features. Associated hospital charts were reviewed to evaluate inpatient event features and survival. T-test was used to assess the difference between mean times to defibrillation. Results: 446 patients were diagnosed with prehospital STEMI. Of those, 11 patients experienced a paramedic witnessed cardiac arrest. Four of the 11 had defibrillation pads applied upon diagnosis of STEMI. In patients who received pre-pad application, the mean time to initial defibrillation was 17.71 sec, compared to 72.71 sec in patients who had pads applied following arrest (MD 54.97 sec CI 22.69 to 87.24 sec). All patients treated with the pre-pad protocol survived to discharge from hospital, while one patient in the routine care group died in the ED. Conclusion: Routine application of defibrillation pads decreases the time to initial defibrillation in STEMI patients who suffer OHCA. Larger studies are required to evaluate whether this decreased time to defibrillation translates into mortality benefit in this subset of patients who experience OHCA.
Nonlinear and Temperature-Dependent Material Properties of AU/SN Alloy for Power Module
Authors: Liao L. L. , Chiang K. N.
Published: May 2017

In recent years, the material Au-20Sn eutectic solder, which is resistant to high temperatures, is used for electric interconnections in high-power modules, the material properties such as temperature and strain rate dependent stress-strain curve are critically needed for reliability assessment of Au-20Sn solder joint. Thus, this study was performed to determine the material properties of Au-20Sn eutectic solder under various strain rates and temperature loads. Many researches using shear test to determine the shear resistance of solder joint, however, the mechanical strength as measured by the shear test is the maximum shear strength of the package joint, but this measurement does not represent the stress-strain behavior of Au-20Sn material. To identify the material properties of Au-20Sn eutectic solder, the tensile test was performed to measure its mechanical strength and nonlinear material properties. The strain rate effect was examined in terms of the influence of the mechanical strength on the Au-20Sn eutectic solder at different tensile rates. The temperature-dependent material properties of Au-20Sn solder were also measured under various thermal loadings, and material properties of Au-20Sn obtained in this research can be applied to the simulation model, the thermomechanical behavior and reliability of the power module can be further analyzed and evaluated.
Modal Analysis and Dynamic Behavior for Analytical Drivetrain Model
Authors: Ghorbel A. , Abdennadher M. , Zghal B. , Walha L. , Haddar M.
Published: May 2017

A generalized dynamic model for an automotive drive train system was detailed to investigate its modal properties and dynamic behavior. The model's engine excitation, clutch, gearbox and disc brake were presented. Then, vibration modes were obtained and classified into clutch, transmission system, disc brake, bearing and combined modes. For each vibration mode, the kinetic and strain modal energies distributions were studied. The dynamic equations were resolved using the numerical Newmark method. The dynamic behavior of the bearings and transmission errors for the two gear stages were studied, and, the effect of the disc brake parameters on the transmission error was analyzed. Finally, a frequency sweep analysis was studied to investigate the system resonance problem.
Structural Source Identification from Acoustic Measurements Using an Energetic Approach
Authors: Samet A. , Ben Souf M. A. , Bareille O. , Ichchou M. N. , Fakhfakh T. , Haddar M.
Published: May 2017

An inverse energy method for the identification of the structural force in high frequency ranges from radiated noise measurements is presented in this paper. The radiation of acoustic energy of the structure coupled to an acoustic cavity is treated using an energetic method called the simplified energy method. The main novelty of this paper consists in using the same energy method to solve inverse structural problem. It consists of localization and quantification of the vibration source through the knowledge of acoustic energy density. Numerical test cases with different measurement points are used for validation purpose. The numerical results show that the proposed method has an excellent performance in detecting the structural force with a few acoustical measurements.
Numerical Implementation of Coupled Anisotropic Plasticity-Ductile Damage in Sheet Metal Forming Process
Authors: Autay R. , Koubaa S. , Wali M. , Dammak F.
Published: May 2017

This paper deals with the implementation of an anisotropic plasticity constitutive equations exhibiting non-linear isotropic, kinematic hardening and coupled continuum ductile damage models. A fully implicit integration of the coupling constitutive equations is adopted and leads to two non-linear local scalar equations solved using the Newton method. The consistent local tangent modulus is obtained in a closed form by exact linearization of the algorithm. The numerical treatment of the proposed algorithm is implemented on ABAQUS using user interface material subroutines (UMAT and VUMAT). The performance of the present algorithm is assessed and bared out by numerical examples.
Analytical Solutions for Axisymmetric Normal Loadings Acting on a Particulate Composite Modeled as a Mixture of Two Linear Elastic Solids
Authors: Kurt E. , Dokuz M. S.
Published: May 2017

Constitutive equations, based on continuum mechanics and representing behavior of a mixture of two elastic solids, can be used for modeling of materials such as particulate composites. In this study, the behavior of continuum of a mixture occupying half-space under axisymmetric loads is calculated using Fourier and Hankel transform methods. For this purpose, Love's strain functions are used and the general solution of problem under proper boundary conditions is presented. By applying the results obtained to the sinusoidal distributed vertical load and Boussinesq problems that require the use of Cartesian and cylindrical coordinate systems, displacement vectors, diffusive force vector and components of stress tensors are calculated. At the end of the study, the experimental results of a special particulate composite are used to check the accuracy of the solutions obtained.
Mixing Efficiency via Alternating Injection in a Heterogeneous Porous Medium
Authors: Li J. S. , Li Q. , Cai W. H. , Li F. C. , Chen C. Y.
Published: May 2017

We numerically verify better fluid mixing efficiency can be achieved by alternating injection scheme in a heterogeneous porous medium, whose permeability heterogeneity is characterized by two statistical parameters, i.e., the variance s and the correlation length l. Nevertheless, the fingering pattern is strongly affected by permeability distribution to result in similar fingering interface on each of injected layer of less viscous fluids. Instead of randomly chaotic fingering interaction in a homogeneous condition, more orderly channeling interaction occurs in a heterogeneous medium. As a result, higher Peclet number Pe (relative measure of advection and diffusion effects) generally leads to worse mixing efficiency in a heterogeneous medium, which might contradict the result found in a homogeneous case. By the same token, in the cases which strong chaotic fingering interaction already exists in homogeneous conditions, e.g., sufficiently short alternating injection interval Δt, large viscosity contrast A and high Pe, the presence of permeability heterogeneity would constrain the randomly chaotic fingering interaction and favors the more orderly channeling interaction, so that mixing efficiency is deteriorated compared with the corresponding homogeneous case.
Physical activity in the classroom to prevent childhood obesity: a pilot study in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Mardones Francisco , Arnaiz Pilar , Soto-Sánchez Johana , Saavedra Juana , Domínguez Angélica , Rozowski Jaime , Iriarte Laura , Cantwell Wood Jennifer
Published: May 2017

This paper describes a 4-month pilot study that tested the suitability of a physical activity intervention for first graders (children aged 6 and 7 years) in a public school in Santiago, Chile. Teachers were trained to deliver the programme in the classroom during the school day. Teachers were surveyed to determine if this intervention fit within their curriculum and classroom routines and they reported in a focus group that it was suitable for them. All children actively participated in the programme and positive changes in their attitudes towards physical activity were observed by their teachers. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and hand grip strength were measured in the students. A significant reduction was observed in children with high waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile, and in mean systolic blood pressure. However, statistical power values for those comparisons were rather low. Anthropometry and hand grip strength were not modified. The latter calculations and the lack of a control group are showing the weaknesses of this pilot study and that further research with a larger sample size and an experimental design is strongly needed.
ON WEIHRAUCH REDUCIBILITY AND INTUITIONISTIC REVERSE MATHEMATICS
Authors: KUYPER RUTGER
Published: May 2017

We show that there is a strong connection between Weihrauch reducibility on one hand, and provability in EL0, the intuitionistic version of RCA0, on the other hand. More precisely, we show that Weihrauch reducibility to the composition of finitely many instances of a theorem is captured by provability in EL0 together with Markov’s principle, and that Weihrauch reducibility is captured by an affine subsystem of EL0 plus Markov’s principle.
How Does Culture Matter? TheXin(Heart-Mind)-based Social Competence of Chinese Executives
Authors: Wei Hongguo , Bilimoria Diana , Li Shaobing
Published: May 2017

In this study we explore the emotional and cognitive dimensions of Chinese business leaders’ social competence. We argue for a culturally inclusive conceptualization of leader social competence and its internal structure, which takes into account Chinese indigenous features. Data were collected by critical incident interviews from 42 top executives of small- and medium-sized private enterprises in China. A total of 302 competency episodes were included in the current study. Grounded theory was used for data analysis. The followingxin(heart-mind)-based social competencies were referenced in episodes of effective Chinese competency-relevant social interactions:guanxibuilding and maintenance, empathy, inspiration with wisdom, empowerment and developing others, resilience, and appreciation of problem solving. Each of these competencies includes an emotional and a cognitive element and embodies dynamic interplay between the emotional and cognitive dimensions of social competence. Xin-based social competencies impact effective interactions in relational contexts that implicate the individual self, the organizational self, and their interactions. The theoretical contributions and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-32, Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89 and L. reuteri GMNL-263 ameliorate hepatic injuries in lupus-prone mice
Authors: Hsu Tsai-Ching , Huang Chih-Yang , Liu Chung-Hsien , Hsu Kuo-Ching , Chen Yi-Hsing , Tzang Bor-Show
Published: May 2017

Probiotics are known to regulate host immunity by interacting with systemic and mucosal immune cells as well as intestinal epithelial cells. Supplementation with certain probiotics has been reported to be effective against various disorders, including immune-related diseases. However, little is known about the effectiveness of Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-32 (GMNL-32), Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89 (GMNL-89) and L. reuteri GMNL-263 (GMNL-263) in the management of autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NZB/W F1 mice, which are a lupus-prone animal model, were orally gavaged with GMNL-32, GMNL-89 or GMNL-263 to investigate the effects of these Lactobacillus strains on liver injuries in NZB/W F1 mice. The results thus obtained reveal that supplementary GMNL-32, GMNL-89 or GMNL-263 in NZB/W F1 mice ameliorates hepatic apoptosis and inflammatory indicators, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and C-reactive protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions. In addition, supplementation with GMNL-32, GMNL-89 or GMNL-263 in NZB/W F1 mice reduced the expressions of hepatic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α proteins by suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signalling pathways. These findings, presented here for the first time, reveal that GMNL-32, GMNL-89 and GMNL-263 mitigate hepatic inflammation and apoptosis in lupus-prone mice and may support an alternative remedy for liver disorders in cases of SLE.
Differential analysis of mutations in the Jewish population and their implications for diseases
Authors: EINHORN YARON , WEISSGLAS-VOLKOV DAPHNA , CARMI SHAI , OSTRER HARRY , FRIEDMAN EITAN , SHOMRON NOAM
Published: May 2017

Sequencing large cohorts of ethnically homogeneous individuals yields genetic insights with implications for the entire population rather than a single individual. In order to evaluate the genetic basis of certain diseases encountered at high frequency in the Ashkenazi Jewish population (AJP), as well as to improve variant annotation among the AJP, we examined the entire exome, focusing on specific genes with known clinical implications in 128 Ashkenazi Jews and compared these data to other non-Jewish populations (European, African, South Asian and East Asian). We targeted American College of Medical Genetics incidental finding recommended genes and the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) germline cancer-related genes. We identified previously known disease-causing variants and discovered potentially deleterious variants in known disease-causing genes that are population specific or substantially more prevalent in the AJP, such as in theATPandHGFACgenes associated with colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Additionally, we tested the advantage of utilizing the database of the AJP when assigning pathogenicity to rare variants of independent whole-exome sequencing data of 49 Ashkenazi Jew early-onset breast cancer (BC) patients. Importantly, population-based filtering using our AJP database enabled a reduction in the number of potential causal variants in the BC cohort by 36%. Taken together, population-specific sequencing of the AJP offers valuable, clinically applicable information and improves AJP filter annotation.
Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty treatment of longstanding Eustachian tube dysfunction
Authors: Singh T , Taneja V , Kulendra K , Farr M , Robinson J , Rejali D
Published: May 2017

Background:

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a poorly defined condition associated with various symptoms and it can predispose to middle-ear disease. Balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty has been proposed as a treatment for Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Objective:

To evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty in patients with recurrent, previously treated chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Methods:

The study was conducted on 11 patients (13 ears) who had undergone previous unsuccessful medical and surgical treatment. Tympanometry was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included pure tone audiogram assessment and seven-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire score.

Results:

Balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty resulted in significant improvements in 11 patients’ subjective but not objective outcome measures.

Conclusion:

The objective abnormality and subjective symptoms in Eustachian tube dysfunction may represent two distinct pathological processes, which may nevertheless influence and exacerbate each other.
A moist edge environment aids the regeneration of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations
Authors: Lou Z C , Lou Z H
Published: May 2017

Objective:

To review the history of moist therapy used to regenerate traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.

Study design:

Literature review.

Methods:

The literature on topical agents used to treat traumatic tympanic membrane perforations was reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of moist therapy were analysed.

Results:

A total of 76 studies were included in the analysis. Topical applications of certain agents (e.g. growth factors, Ofloxacin Otic Solution, and insulin solutions) to the moist edges of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations shortened closure times and improved closure rates.

Conclusion:

Dry tympanic membrane perforation edges may be associated with crust formation and centrifugal migration, delaying perforation closure. On the contrary, moist edges inhibit necrosis at the perforation margins, stimulate proliferation of granulation tissue and aid eardrum healing. Thus, moist perforation margins upon topical application of solutions of appropriate agents aid the regeneration of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.
Superior petrosal sinus causing superior canal dehiscence syndrome
Authors: Schneiders S M D , Rainsbury J W , Hensen E F , Irving R M
Published: May 2017

Objective:

To determine signs and symptoms for superior canal dehiscence syndrome caused by the superior petrosal sinus.

Methods:

A review of the English-language literature on PubMed and Embase databases was conducted, in addition to a multi-centre case series report.

Results:

The most common symptoms of 17 patients with superior petrosal sinus related superior canal dehiscence syndrome were: hearing loss (53 per cent), aural fullness (47 per cent), pulsatile tinnitus (41 per cent) and pressure-induced vertigo (41 per cent). The diagnosis was made by demonstration of the characteristic bony groove of the superior petrosal sinus and the ‘cookie bite’ out of the superior semicircular canal on computed tomography imaging.

Conclusion:

Pulsatile tinnitus, hearing loss, aural fullness and pressure-induced vertigo are the most common symptoms in superior petrosal sinus related superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Compared to superior canal dehiscence syndrome caused by the more common apical location of the dehiscence, pulsatile tinnitus and exercise-induced vertigo are more frequent, while sound-induced vertigo and autophony are less frequent. There is, however, considerable overlap between the two subtypes. The distinction cannot as yet be made on clinical signs and symptoms alone, and requires careful analysis of computed tomography imaging.
Beyond the ‘Great Game’: The Russian origins of the second Anglo–Afghan War
Authors: MORRISON ALEXANDER
Published: May 2017

Drawing on published documents and research in Russian, Uzbek, British, and Indian archives, this article explains how a hasty attempt by Russia to put pressure on the British in Central Asia unintentionally triggered the second Anglo–Afghan War of 1878–80. This conflict is usually interpreted within the framework of the so-called ‘Great Game’, which assumes that only the European ‘Great Powers’ had any agency in Central Asia, pursuing a coherent strategy with a clearly defined set of goals and mutually understood rules. The outbreak of the Second Anglo–Afghan war is usually seen as a deliberate attempt by the Russians to embroil the British disastrously in Afghan affairs, leading to the eventual installation of ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan, hosted for many years by the Russians in Samarkand, on the Afghan throne. In fact, the Russians did not foresee any of this. ‘Abd al-Rahman's ascent to the Afghan throne owed nothing to Russian support, and everything to British desperation. What at first seems like a classic ‘Great Game’ episode was a tale of blundering and unintended consequences on both sides. Central Asian rulers were not merely passive bystanders who provided a picturesque backdrop for Anglo–Russian relations, but important actors in their own right.
Between Western Academia and Pakistan: Fazlur Rahman and the fight for fusionism
Authors: ABBAS MEGAN BRANKLEY
Published: May 2017

In the wake of European colonization, Muslims across the globe have wrestled with the problem of intellectual dualism, or the bifurcation of knowledge into the distinct Islamic and modern Western spheres. This article examines the career of Pakistani intellectual and University of Chicago professor, Fazlur Rahman (1919–1988), who emerged as a particularly significant figure in this debate over intellectual dualism in the latter half of the twentieth century. Arguing that academic methodologies were integral for Muslim understandings of Islam, Rahman broke down the dichotomy between Western and Islamic knowledge in favour of a merging of the two, an approach I term ‘fusionism’. He propagated this fusionist vision, with mixed success, in his native Pakistan and across the Islamic world. In his position as a respected professor at the University of Chicago, Rahman furthermore re-imagined and utilized the Western university as a valuable space for modern Islamic thought, thereby challenging any sharp boundary between the two discourses and their respective institutions.
Characterization of tabanid flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in South Africa and Zambia and detection of protozoan parasites they are harbouring
Authors: TAIOE MOETI O. , MOTLOANG MAKHOSAZANA Y. , NAMANGALA BONIFACE , CHOTA AMOS , MOLEFE NTHATISI I. , MUSINGUZI SIMON P. , SUGANUMA KEISUKE , HAYES POLLY , TSILO TOI J. , CHAINEY JOHN , INOUE NOBORU , THEKISOE ORIEL M. M.
Published: May 2017

Tabanids are haematophagous flies feeding on livestock and wildlife. In the absence of information on the relationship of tabanid flies and protozoan parasites in South Africa and Zambia, the current study was aimed at characterizing tabanid flies collected in these two countries as well as detecting protozoan parasites they are harbouring. A total of 527 tabanid flies were collected whereby 70·2% were from South Africa and 29·8% were from Zambia. Morphological analysis revealed a total of five different genera collected from the sampled areas namely:Ancala, Atylotus, Haematopota, PhilolicheandTabanus. DNA extracted from South AfricanTabanus parandTabanus taeniolatested positive for the presence ofTrypanosoma congolense(Savannah) andTrypanosoma theileriwhilst one member fromT. parwas positive forTrypanosoma bruceispecies. DNA extracted from Zambian tabanid flies tested positive for the presence ofBesnoitiaspecies at 1·27% (2/157),Babesia bigemina5·73% (9/157),Theileria parva30·11% (30/157) and 9·82% (14/157) forTrypanosoma evansi. This study is the first to report on relationship ofBabesiaandTheileriaparasites with tabanid flies. Further investigations are required to determine the role of tabanids in transmission of the detected protozoan parasites in livestock and wildlife in South Africa and Zambia.
Psychological autopsy study comparing suicide decedents, suicide ideators, and propensity score matched controls: results from the study to assess risk and resilience in service members (Army STARRS)
Authors: Nock M. K. , Dempsey C. L. , Aliaga P. A. , Brent D. A. , Heeringa S. G. , Kessler R. C. , Stein M. B. , Ursano R. J. , Benedek D.
Published: May 2017

Background

The suicide rate has increased significantly among US Army soldiers over the past decade. Here we report the first results from a large psychological autopsy study using two control groups designed to reveal risk factors for suicide death among soldiers beyond known sociodemographic factors and the presence of suicide ideation.

Methods

Informants were next-of-kin and Army supervisors for: 135 suicide cases, 137 control soldiers propensity-score-matched on known sociodemographic risk factors for suicide and Army history variables, and 118 control soldiers who reported suicide ideation in the past year.

Results

Results revealed that most (79.3%) soldiers who died by suicide have a prior mental disorder; mental disorders in the prior 30-days were especially strong risk factors for suicide death. Approximately half of suicide decedents tell someone that they are considering suicide. Virtually all of the risk factors identified in this study differed between suicide cases and propensity-score-matched controls, but did not significantly differ between suicide cases and suicide ideators. The most striking difference between suicides and ideators was the presence in the former of an internalizing disorder (especially depression) and multi-morbidity (i.e. 3+ disorders) in the past 30 days.

Conclusions

Most soldiers who die by suicide have identifiable mental disorders shortly before their death and tell others about their suicidal thinking, suggesting that there are opportunities for prevention and intervention. However, few risk factors distinguish between suicide ideators and decedents, pointing to an important direction for future research.
FINDING COMMERCE: THETABERNAAND THE IDENTIFICATION OF ROMAN COMMERCIAL SPACE
Authors: Holleran Claire
Published: May 2017

Although commercial activity was one of the central features of Roman urban centres, the identification of commercial space in the archaeological record is not always straightforward. Identifications are routinely made through the application of Latin nomenclature to particular architectural typologies, almost inevitably leading to interpretations of space influenced by both textual and modern analogies, a practice which can be most clearly demonstrated by the so-calledtaberna. Using thetabernaas a case-study, this paper explores the issues of Latin nomenclature and textual analogy; architectural typology and modern analogy; and material evidence and functional space, demonstrating the difficulties of identifying specific functions for so-calledtabernaein the archaeological record. It argues that a much wider variety of spaces should be viewed as potentially commercial, since commerce — and especially retail — could take place almost anywhere, and suggests ways in which we could use the ancient evidence to look for commerce beyond thetaberna, demonstrating the commercial potential of streets, porticoes, arcades, open spaces, and even private houses, since the separation of commercial and domestic activities in the ancient world was minimal.
Before the vote: UK foreign policy discourse on Syria 2011–13
Authors: Ralph Jason , Holland Jack , Zhekova Kalina
Published: May 2017

The literature of recent UK policy toward Syria focuses on the 2013 chemical weapons crisis. We examine policy discourses leading up to that. The government supported the removal of Assad but faced the challenge of explaining how that would be realised. Given its unwillingness and inability to mobilise support for military intervention, or to tailor policy goals to match available means, government strategy arguably lacked credibility. Our purpose is to examine how the government tried to close this ends means gap and how, having failed to do that, its ‘discursive strategy’ legitimised its approach. We argue the resources for the government’s discursive strategy on Syria can be found in the earlier articulation of ‘liberal conservatism’. A policy that from an ideal-liberal or ideal-conservative position might have been criticised as half-baked was maintained by a strategy that gave consideration to, but did not completely follow through on, either archetype. Drawing on an analysis of 2,152 sources and supplemented by elite interviews, we illustrate how this strategy managed the interplay of two basic discourses: a liberal insistence that the UK should support ‘the Arab Spring’ and a conservative insistence that military intervention was imprudent because ‘Syria was not Libya’.
Validating the Power of Bilingual Schooling: Thirty-Two Years of Large-Scale, Longitudinal Research
Authors: Collier Virginia P. , Thomas Wayne P.
Published: May 2017

This chapter summarizes the findings of 32 years of research from all of our longitudinal studies to date, conducted in 36 school districts in 16 U.S. states, more than 7.5 million student records analyzed, following English learners (of all language backgrounds) as far as Grades K–12. These studies are very generalizable to all regions and contexts of the United States and have been replicated in other countries, answering questions regarding program effectiveness for policymakers in education. We have shown that English-only and transitional bilingual programs of short duration only close about half of the achievement gap between English learners and native English speakers, while high-quality, long-term bilingual programs close all of the gap after 5–6 years of schooling through the students’ first and second languages (L1 and L2). In addition, our studies answer the linguistic question of how long it takes student groups to reach grade-level achievement in their L2, and we have developed and refined our theoretical Prism model by collecting and analyzing program effectiveness data, basing the Prism model on our empirical findings.
Review of Child Second Language Acquisition (SLA): Examining Theories and Research
Authors: Oliver Rhonda , Azkarai Agurtzane
Published: May 2017

Within the field of second language acquisition (SLA), there has been much less research undertaken with children than with adults, yet the two cohorts are quite distinct in characteristics and in their learning processes. This article provides a review of child SLA research, particularly the research with a pedagogical focus. We describe a series of studies, including those informed by different theoretical perspectives (interactionist and sociocultural), in different instructional settings (i.e., second language, foreign language, immersion, and content and language integrated learning [CLIL] contexts) and using different research methodologies (longitudinal, case study, experimental, and naturalistic). We begin by highlighting the importance of age as a factor in SLA research, presenting studies that have focused on the differences existing between younger and older learners. We also consider interventions that can support language learning—including form-focused instruction and the use of tasks. We finish by presenting a proposed change in the way that research with children is conducted.
The first study on opportunistic intestinal microsporidiosis in IBD patients receiving immunosuppressive medications in Iran
Authors: HASANI Z. , AGHDAEI H. ASADZADEH , BALAII H. , AZIMIRAD M. , MIRSAMADI E. S. , MIRJALALI H. , ZALI M.R.
Published: May 2017

Microsporida are known as opportunistic unicellular organisms and have recently been reclassified as fungi that have been frequently reported from patients with congenital and acquired immunity failure disorders, worldwide. However, use of immunosuppressive medications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients significantly decreases overall immunity, and increases their susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Totally, 71 stool samples were collected from IBD patients consisted of 69 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and two Crohn's disease (CD) patients. All patients had taken immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulator drugs for at least 3 weeks. DNA was extracted from all stool samples and Nested PCR was performed using genus-specific primers based on small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Fisher's Exact Test was applied to evaluate statistical association between microsporidia infection and sex, age and types of IBD. Mean of age ± s.d., women and men percentage of the attended patients were 36·17 ± 11·93, 60·6%, and 39·4%, respectively. A 440-bp fragment of SSU rRNA gene attributed to Enterocytozoon bieneusi was amplified from 12·7% of IBD patients. No Encephalitozoon DNA was detected in the samples. No microsporidia-positive sample was found in CD patients. Fisher's Exact Test showed that there was no statistically significant correlation between intestinal microsporidiosis and age, sex, and IBD types with P values: 0·389, 1·00, and 1·00, respectively. This study has shown IBD patients undergoing immunosuppressive/immunomodulators medications, which may be susceptible to intestinal microsporida infection. E. bieneusi is the commonest intestinal microsporidan reported from IBD patients.
Evidence and molecular characterization ofBartonellaspp. and hemoplasmas in neotropical bats in Brazil
Authors: IKEDA P. , SEKI M. C. , CARRASCO A. O. T. , RUDIAK L. V. , MIRANDA J. M. D. , GONÇALVES S. M. M. , HOPPE E. G. L. , ALBUQUERQUE A. C. A. , TEIXEIRA M. M. G. , PASSOS C. E. , WERTHER K. , MACHADO R. Z. , ANDRÉ M. R.
Published: May 2017

The order Chiroptera is considered the second largest group of mammals in the world, hosting important zoonotic virus and bacteria.Bartonellaand hemotropic mycoplasmas are bacteria that parasite different mammals’ species, including humans, causing different clinical manifestations. The present work aimed investigating the occurrence and assessing the phylogenetic positioning ofBartonellaspp. andMycoplasmaspp. in neotropical bats sampled from Brazil. Between December 2015 and April 2016, 325 blood and/or tissues samples were collected from 162 bats comprising 19 different species sampled in five states of Brazil. Out of 322 bat samples collected, while 17 (5·28%) were positive to quantitative PCR forBartonellaspp. based onnuoGgene, 45 samples (13·97%) were positive to cPCR assays for hemoplasmas based on 16S rRNA gene. While seven sequences were obtained forBartonella(nuoG) (n= 3),gltA(n= 2),rpoB(n= 1),ftsZ(n= 1), five 16S rRNA sequences were obtained for hemoplasmas. In the phylogenetic analysis, theBartonellasequences clustered withBartonellagenotypes detected in bats sampled in Latin America countries. All five hemoplasmas sequences clustered together as a monophyletic group by Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. The present work showed the first evidence of circulation ofBartonellaspp. and hemoplasmas among bats in Brazil.
Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic strain in children with CHD
Authors: Wisotzkey Bethany L. , Soriano Brian D. , Buddhe Sujatha
Published: May 2017

Background

In CHD, three-dimensional strain analysis may overcome limitations of Doppler and two-dimensional strain of the left ventricle. The aims of this study were to evaluate feasibility and reproducibility of three-dimensional longitudinal, circumferential, and radial systolic strain by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography compared with two-dimensional echocardiography.

Methods

Patients with CHD, biventricular circulation with a systemic left ventricle, and who had two- and three-dimensional imaging performed on the same day from 2010 to 2014 were included. Quantitative two- and three-dimensional strain analyses were performed (two-dimensional cardiac performance analysis version 1.2 and four-dimensional left ventricular analysis version 3.1). Intra- and inter-observer variabilities were calculated on 25 studies.

Results

A total of 30 patients, including 19 (61%) males, with a median age of 3.6 years (0.1–22 years) were included. The mean fractional shortening was 34.6±5.3%, and the mean ejection fraction was 62.0±6.4%. Measurement of two- and three-dimensional strain was feasible in >95% of segments. Good correlation was observed between longitudinal and circumferential strain (r=0.92, p⩽0.001 and r=0.87, p⩽0.001), but not radial strain (r=0.29, p=0.2). Intra- and inter-observer agreements were better for three-dimensional compared with two-dimensional strain, and better for both two- and three-dimensional longitudinal and circumferential strains compared with radial strain.

Conclusion

Left ventricular three-dimensional strain analysis is feasible in children with CHD. The reproducibility of longitudinal and circumferential strain by three-dimensional analyses is better. Further longitudinal studies are warranted for the potential clinical application of this new technology.
Migration Patterns and Core–Periphery Relations from the Central and Eastern-European Perspective
Authors: Török Ibolya
Published: May 2017

The aim of the paper is to present the current trends in the migration flows of Central and Eastern-European (CEE) countries in the light of socio-economic transition and core-periphery relations. To view migration as a broader process of social and economic development, post-accession mobility information will be analysed within a multi-scalar approach, across time and space, considering first the migration pattern from the CEE countries towards other EU regions in general, and then with a special emphasis on Romania in the light of the 2007 EU enlargement process. The spatial variation of migration was investigated using Moran’s I and Gi* statistics, which is a useful tool for identification of spatial patterns. Alongside the analysis of migration processes between receiving and sending areas (core and periphery regions) the author will discuss how the position of the core and periphery could change, with economic development taking place in a number of periodic waves. Based on the transnationalism paradigm, the author will also highlight the impact of migrants’ changed mobility practices and behaviour on the locality of origin.
Two Armenian manuscripts in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. First Manuscript
Authors: NERSESSIAN VREJ
Published: May 2017

Armenian Manuscipt of the Pauline Letters with Euthalian material and the Apocraphal Letter of the Corinthians to St Paul and the 3rd Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Akner (Cilicia) dated 1246.
Two Armenian manuscripts in the Library of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Second Manuscript.
Authors: NERSESSIAN VREJ NERSES
Published: May 2017

The Royal Asiatic Society's manuscript of the Chronicle [«Գաւազանա գիրք»] of Georg Khubov: a unique source of Armenian political aspirations for independence in the 18 th and first half of the 19th century. (RAS. Arm. Ms. no.2)
The role of working memory in processing L2 input: Insights from eye-tracking
Authors: INDRARATHNE BIMALI , KORMOS JUDIT
Published: May 2017

Our study investigated how attention paid to a target syntactic constructioncausative hadis related to the storage capacity and attention regulation function of working memory (WM) and how these WM abilities moderate the change of knowledge of the target construction in different input conditions. 80 Sri Lankan learners of English were exposed to examples of the target construction in explicit and implicit learning conditions and their eye movements were tracked as they read the input. Correlational and multiple regression analyses indicated a very strong relationship between WM abilities and gains in the knowledge of the target construction. WM scores were closely associated with gains in receptive knowledge in all input conditions, but they had a weaker link to the improvement of productive knowledge in the implicit learning conditions. The amount of attention paid to input was also strongly related to WM abilities.