bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating canine elbow joint stabilisation through mechanical constraints of the deep fascia and other soft tissues
Authors: Chong Timothy E. , Davies Helen M. S.
Published: December 2017

The objective of this research was to investigate how the range of flexion and extension of the canine elbow joint is constrained by the mechanical connections and attachments of soft tissue structures. The skin, a section of deep fascia and several muscles from both forelimbs from six adult greyhounds and seven other breeds were sequentially transected or removed, over 13 steps. During each step, repeated measurements of elbow flexion and extension were recorded using a goniometer. Only marginally significant changes to the range of flexion occurred in any of the 13 steps or overall for the greyhounds. Clearly significant changes to extension occurred in several dissection steps. Removing the skin resulted in a significant increase in elbow extension of 1.7° ± 0.3 (P < 0.001) in the greyhounds and 1.6° ± 0.3 (P < 0.001) in the other breeds. Severing the deep fascia from the humerus and its connections across the elbow joint resulted in the largest significant change in elbow extension of 9.9° ± 0.3 (P < 0.001) in the greyhounds and 6.9° ± 0.7 (P < 0.001) in the other breeds. Transecting the biceps brachii m. close to the elbow resulted in an increase of 2.8° ± 0.3 (P < 0.001) in the greyhounds but a non‐significant change in the other breeds. Transecting the extensor carpi radialis m. from its origin resulted in an increase of 5.5° ± 0.4 (P < 0.001) in the greyhounds and 3.9° ± 0.7 (P < 0.001) in the other breeds. These results suggest that the collagenous framework and attachments of the skin, deep fascia, and extensor carpi radialis m., play a significant role in the function of the canine elbow by restricting it from overextension and hence stabilising it during periods of loading, in a variety of different canine breeds, and that these structures are functionally integrated into the way the forelimb supports the bodyweight separately from any involvement of muscle tone or muscle movements. Observations on the anatomical connections of the deep fascia between the cranial distal humerus and the antebrachial fascia highlighted its probable importance in relating movements between the shoulder and the carpus.
Development of a picture‐scale‐questionnaire to assess liking for fatty, salty, sweet, and umami seasonings compared to a sensory evaluation for Japanese consumers
Authors: Nakano Yuko , Wakita Andrea , Kasamatsu Chinatsu , Nonaka Masahiko , Kasai Midori , Schlich Pascal
Published: December 2017

PrefQuest is a web‐based questionnaire that measures the liking for sweet, fatty‐sweet, salty, and fatty‐salty sensations using combinations of images of French food items. We adapted the original PrefQuest questionnaire for Japanese respondents (J‐PrefQuest). J‐PrefQuest comprises 17 Japanese food items categorized into four sensations: fatty, salty, sweet, and umami. Participants responded by indicating their preferred level of seasoning for each food item on a 6‐point scale. Segmentation of 161 respondents identified groups who preferred: (a) high amount of umami seasonings; (b) low amount of umami seasonings; (c) high amount of fatty and low amount of salty seasonings. To validate the questionnaire, 70 female university students were recruited for a sensory evaluation of five levels of seasoning used for six food items on a 9‐point hedonic scale before completing the questionnaire. The validity of J‐PrefQuest questionnaire was then analyzed by comparing the two results.

Practical applications

Measuring personal preference or “liking” for the taste of food items is important as such information may contribute to the prevention of various diseases and improve the quality of life of consumers. We developed a simple questionnaire with pictures to evaluate the liking for fatty, salty, sweet, and umami sensations of Japanese respondents. This questionnaire focuses on typical seasonings added to different Japanese food items and provides objective information about liking different food sensations. Thus, it has application as an important screening tool to identify respondents who may need to make their food consumption behavior more healthy. Moreover, following minor modifications, this questionnaire could also be used in other Asian countries where plain white rice is the stable food.
Serological responses to revaccination with hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines among HIV‐positive individuals whose anti‐HAV antibody waned after primary vaccination
Authors: Chen Guan‐Jhou , Sun Hsin‐Yun , Lin Kuan‐Yin , Cheng Aristine , Huang Yi‐Chia , Hsieh Szu‐Min , Sheng Wang‐Huei , Liu Wen‐Chun , Hung Chien‐Ching , Chang Shan‐Chwen
Published: December 2017

Background

Among HIV‐positive individuals, seroprotection for hepatitis A virus (HAV) following primary vaccination may wane with time. However, seroresponses to HAV revaccination are rarely investigated among HIV‐positive patients who have lost protective antibodies after primary vaccination.

Methods

During the outbreak of acute hepatitis A in Taiwan after June 2015, HAV‐seronegative, HIV‐positive individuals were advised to receive two doses of HAV vaccines at 24 weeks apart. A retrospective 1:2 matched case‐control study was conducted to compare the seroresponses at weeks 4, 24, 28 and 48 of HAV vaccination between those who underwent revaccination after having lost protective antibodies (case patients) and those who underwent primary vaccination (controls).

Results

Seventy‐five case patients and 150 matched controls were included. The serological response rates were consistently higher among the case patients than controls: 88.1% vs 10.5% at week 4 following the first dose of HAV vaccination (P < .001); 93.3% vs 46.0% at week 24 (immediately before the second dose; P < .001); 98.7% vs 62.7% at week 28 (4 weeks after the second dose; P < .001) and 98.7% vs 92.7% at week 48 (P = .06). The anti‐HAV antibody titres as reflected by the semi‐quantitative assay for the case patients were also significantly higher than the controls at weeks 24, 28 and 48 following HAV vaccination.

Conclusions

We demonstrated faster and better serological responses to HAV revaccination among the HIV‐positive individuals who had lost their anti‐HAV antibodies after primary vaccination. Single dose of HAV revaccination may provide rapid and sufficient seroresponses for HAV during the outbreak of acute hepatitis A.
Amino acid deprivation and central carbon metabolism regulate the production of outer membrane vesicles and tubes by Francisella
Authors: Sampath Vinaya , McCaig William D. , Thanassi David G.
Published: December 2017

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent Gram‐negative bacterial pathogen that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. F. novicida, a model tularemia strain, produces spherical outer membrane vesicles (OMV), as well as novel tubular vesicles and extensions of the cell surface. These OMV and tubes (OMV/T) are produced in a regulated manner and contain known virulence factors. Mechanisms by which bacterial vesicles are produced and regulated are not well understood. We performed a genetic screen in F. novicida to decipher the molecular basis for regulated OMV/T formation, and identified both hypo‐ and hyper‐vesiculating mutants. Mutations in fumA and tktA, involved in central carbon metabolism, and in FTN_0908 and FTN_1037, of unknown function, resulted in severe defects in OMV/T production. Cysteine deprivation was identified as the signal that triggers OMV/T formation in F. novicida during growth in rich medium. We also found that fully virulent F. tularensis produces OMV/T in a similarly regulated manner. Further analysis revealed that OMV/T production is responsive to deprivation of essential amino acids in addition to cysteine, and that the hypo‐vesiculating mutants are defective in responding to this signal. Thus, amino acid starvation, such as encountered by Francisella during host cell invasion, regulates the production of membrane‐derived structures.
Peptidoglycan hydrolysis mediated by the amidase AmiC and its LytM activator NlpD is critical for cell separation and virulence in the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris
Authors: Yang Li‐Chao , Gan Yong‐Liang , Yang Li‐Yan , Jiang Bo‐Le , Tang Ji‐Liang
Published: December 2017

The essential stages of bacterial cell separation are described as the synthesis and hydrolysis of septal peptidoglycan (PG). The amidase, AmiC, which cleaves the peptide side‐chains linked to the glycan strands, contributes critically to this process and has been studied extensively in model strains of Escherichia coli. However, insights into the contribution of this protein to other processes in the bacterial cell have been limited. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a phytopathogen that causes black rot disease in many economically important plants. We investigated how AmiC and LytM family regulators, NlpD and EnvC, contribute to virulence and cell separation in this organism. Biochemical analyses of purified AmiC demonstrated that it could hydrolyse PG and its activity could be potentiated by the presence of the regulator NlpD. We also established that deletion of the genes encoding amiC1 or nlpD led to a reduction in virulence as well as effects on colony‐forming units and cell morphology. Moreover, further genetic and biochemical evidence showed that AmiC1 and NlpD affect the secretion of type III effector XC3176 and hypersensitive response (HR) induction in planta. These findings indicate that, in addition to their well‐studied role(s) in cell separation, AmiC and NlpD make an important contribution to the type III secretion (T3S) and virulence regulation in this important plant pathogen.
Autonomy‐supportive, Web‐based lifestyle modification for cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women: Randomized trial
Authors: Kim Hye‐Ryoung , Kim Hee‐Seung
Published: December 2017

The management of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, is essential for the health of postmenopausal women. In this study, we identified the effects of autonomy‐supportive, Web‐based lifestyle modification for the management cardiometabolic risk of postmenopausal women, and assessed the mediation effect of intrinsic motivation. This study was a randomized trial involving 71 postmenopausal Korean women. For the intervention group, we provided the Web‐based autonomy supports for 12 weeks; however, for the control group, individual consultations on healthy lifestyle was conducted at the first meeting. In the intervention group, cardiometabolic risks ameliorated as follows: waist circumference and waist‐to‐height ratio decreased by 3.9 cm and 0.03 cm, respectively; triglycerides decreased by 8.5 mg/dl; triglycerides‐to‐high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol ratio decreased by 0.21; systolic blood pressure decreased by 3.3 mmHg, and the visceral adiposity index decreased. Among the subdomain of intrinsic motivation, perceived competence, effort/importance, and perceived choice showed an association with waist circumference changes. Web‐based autonomy supports can be effective in implementation and maintenance, and the amelioration of cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women.
Longitudinal vitamin D deficiency is inversely related to mite sensitization in early childhood
Authors: Chiu Chih‐Yung , Su Kuan‐Wen , Tsai Ming‐Han , Hua Man‐Chin , Liao Sui‐Ling , Lai Shen‐Hao , Chen Li‐Chen , Yao Tsung‐Chieh , Yeh Kuo‐Wei , Huang Jing‐Long
Published: December 2017

Background

There are few studies addressing the longitudinal analysis of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on the development of atopic diseases in early childhood.

Methods

We investigated 155 children who regularly followed up at our clinic for 5 years as subjects enrolled in a birth cohort study. The pattern of vitamin D levels from birth to 5 years of age was clustered using K‐means method in R software. Absolute eosinophil count (AEC), and total serum and specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against food (egg white, milk, and wheat) and inhalant allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farina, and Cladosporium herbarum) were measured at 1.5, 3, 4 and 5 years of age.

Results

A total of 137 children with serum samples obtained over at least 3 time points during the follow‐up period were recruited. Using K‐means clustering, the dynamic changes in vitamin D levels were significantly stratified into 3 clusters (cluster A, ≥30 ng/mL, n = 61; cluster B, 20‐29.9 ng/mL, n = 53; cluster C, <20 ng/mL, n = 23). Despite no statistical association with atopic diseases, a persistent vitamin D deficiency appeared to be associated with eosinophilia at age 3, and total serum and mite‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels at age 4. Furthermore, an associated higher prevalence of mite sensitization at age 4 was significantly associated with the risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency is inversely associated with AEC and mite‐specific IgE levels, which may potentially increase susceptibility to develop allergies including rhinitis and asthma in early childhood.
Seeing the light to change colour: An evolutionary perspective on the role of melanopsin in neuroendocrine circuits regulating light‐mediated skin pigmentation
Authors: Bertolesi Gabriel E. , McFarlane Sarah
Published: December 2017

Melanopsin photopigments, Opn4x and Opn4m, were evolutionary selected to “see the light” in systems that regulate skin colour change. In this review, we analyse the roles of melanopsins, and how critical evolutionary developments, including the requirement for thermoregulation and ultraviolet protection, the emergence of a background adaptation mechanism in land‐dwelling amphibian ancestors and the loss of a photosensitive pineal gland in mammals, may have helped sculpt the mechanisms that regulate light‐controlled skin pigmentation. These mechanisms include melanopsin in skin pigment cells directly inducing skin darkening for thermoregulation/ultraviolet protection; melanopsin‐expressing eye cells controlling neuroendocrine circuits to mediate background adaptation in amphibians in response to surface‐reflected light; and pineal gland secretion of melatonin phased to environmental illuminance to regulate circadian and seasonal variation in skin colour, a process initiated by melanopsin‐expressing eye cells in mammals, and by as yet unknown non‐visual opsins in the pineal gland of non‐mammals.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with cure and durable remission of late‐onset primary isolated central nervous system hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Khazal Sajad , Polishchuk Veronika , Soffer Gary , Prinzing Samantha , Gill Jonathan , Mahadeo Kris M.
Published: December 2017

Primary isolated CNS presentation of HLH is exceedingly rare and typically associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe an adolescent patient with late‐onset, primary isolated CNS HLH and a compound heterozygous PRF1 mutation (c50delT (p.L17 fs); c.1229G>C (p.R410P)), not previously reported with this phenotype. He was successfully treated with allogeneic HSCT following a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen, despite a high pre‐HSCT comorbidity index. Two years after transplant, he is alive and in disease remission. While patients with systemic HLH and active CNS disease have relatively poorer outcomes, a high index of suspicion may aid with early diagnosis of primary isolated CNS HLH; prompt treatment with HSCT may be associated with improved cure and durable remission of this rare disease.
Relationship between trade openness and economic growth in Latin America: A causality analysis with heterogeneous panel data
Authors: Roquez‐Diaz Adolfo , Escot Lorenzo
Published: December 2017

We empirically analyze the causality relationship between economic growth and international trade using new advancements in the econometric methodology for heterogeneous panel data applied to Latin American countries. First, we test for dependencies between the units of cross‐section (countries) and then we test for cointegration between growth and openness. Finally, we test for Granger causality using a heterogeneous panel data test. The results reject the hypothesis of general, unidirectional, and homogeneous relationship between trade openness and economic growth in Latin American countries as a group. However, considering heterogeneity, we found significant evidence of causality from trade liberalization to economic growth in Chile, Peru, Nicaragua, and Uruguay; we have found bidirectional causality in Mexico and Honduras; and a causal relationship from economic growth to trade liberalization in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
A Quasi‐Score Statistic for Homogeneity Testing against Covariate‐Varying Heterogeneity
Authors: Todem David , Hsu Wei‐Wen , Fine Jason P.
Published: December 2017

In statistical modelling, it is often of interest to evaluate non‐negative quantities that capture heterogeneity in the population such as variances, mixing proportions and dispersion parameters. In instances of covariate‐dependent heterogeneity, the implied homogeneity hypotheses are nonstandard and existing inferential techniques are not applicable. In this paper, we develop a quasi‐score test statistic to evaluate homogeneity against heterogeneity that varies with a covariate profile through a regression model. We establish the limiting null distribution of the proposed test as a functional of mixtures of chi‐square processes. The methodology does not require the full distribution of the data to be entirely specified. Instead, a general estimating function for a finite dimensional component of the model, that is, of interest is assumed but other characteristics of the population are left completely unspecified. We apply the methodology to evaluate the excess zero proportion in zero‐inflated models for count data. Our numerical simulations show that the proposed test can greatly improve efficiency over tests of homogeneity that neglect covariate information under the alternative hypothesis. An empirical application to dental caries indices demonstrates the importance and practical utility of the methodology in detecting excess zeros in the data.
Cold‐water or partial‐body cryotherapy? Comparison of physiological responses and recovery following muscle damage
Authors: Hohenauer E. , Costello J. T. , Stoop R. , Küng U. M. , Clarys P. , Deliens T. , Clijsen R.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study is to compare (a) the physiological responses following cold‐water immersion (CWI) and partial‐body cryotherapy (PBC) and (b) the effects on recovery following a muscle‐damaging protocol (5 × 20 drop jumps). Nineteen healthy males were randomly allocated into either a CWI (10°C for 10 minutes; n = 9) or a PBC (−60°C for 30 seconds, −135°C for 2 minutes; n = 10) group. The physiological variables (thigh muscle oxygen saturation [SmO2], cutaneous vascular conductance [CVC], mean arterial pressure [MAP], and local skin temperature) were assessed immediately prior and up to 60 minutes post‐treatment (10‐minutes intervals). The recovery variables (thigh muscle swelling, maximum voluntary contraction [MVC] of the right knee extensors, vertical jump performance [VJP], and delayed onset of muscle soreness [DOMS]) were measured immediately prior and up to 72 hours post‐treatment (24‐hours intervals). Compared to PBC values, CVC (at 30 minutes), SmO2 (at 40 minutes), and lower extremity skin temperature (thigh/shin at 60 minutes) were significantly reduced in the CWI group after the treatment (all P < .05). Only lower extremity skin temperature was significantly reduced in the PBC group directly post‐treatment (all P < .05). MAP significantly increased in both groups after the treatments (both P < .05). DOMS did not differ between groups. MVC and VJP returned to baseline in both groups after 24 hours (P > .05). CWI had a greater impact on the physiological response compared to PBC. However, both treatments resulted in similar recovery profiles during a 72‐hours follow‐up period.
Inactivation of Middle East respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus in human plasma using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light
Authors: Hindawi Salwa I. , Hashem Anwar M. , Damanhouri Ghazi A. , El‐Kafrawy Sherif A. , Tolah Ahmed M. , Hassan Ahmed M. , Azhar Esam I.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Middle East respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is a novel zoonotic pathogen. Although the potential for MERS‐CoV transmission through blood transfusion is not clear, MERS‐CoV was recognized as a pathogen of concern for the safety of the blood supply especially after its detection in whole blood, serum, and plasma of infected individuals. Here we investigated the efficacy of amotosalen and ultraviolet A light (UVA) to inactivate MERS‐CoV in fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Pooled FFP units were spiked with a recent clinical MERS‐CoV isolate. Infectious and genomic viral titers were determined in plasma before and after inactivation with amotosalen/UVA treatment by plaque assay and reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. In addition, residual replicating or live virus after inactivation was examined by passaging in the permissive Vero E6 cells.

RESULTS

The mean MERS‐CoV infectious titer in pretreatment samples was 4.67 ± 0.25 log plaque‐forming units (pfu)/mL, which was reduced to undetectable levels after inactivation with amotosalen/UVA demonstrating a mean log reduction of more than 4.67 ± 0.25 pfu/mL. Furthermore, inoculation of inactivated plasma on Vero E6 cells did not result in any cytopathic effect (CPE) even after 7 days of incubation and three consecutive passages, nor the detection of MERS RNA compared to pretreatment samples which showed complete CPE within 2 to 3 days postinoculation and log viral RNA titer ranging from 9.48 to 10.22 copies/mL in all three passages.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that amotosalen/UVA treatment is a potent and effective way to inactivate MERS‐CoV infectious particles in FFP to undetectable levels and to minimize the risk of any possible transfusion‐related MERS‐CoV transmission.
Association of prognostic features and treatment on survival time of dogs with systemic mastocytosis: A retrospective analysis of 40 dogs
Authors: Moirano S. J. , Lima S. F. , Hume K. R. , Brodsky E. M.
Published: December 2017

Systemic mastocytosis is a rare phenomenon, with limited information regarding prognostic features and effective treatment of canine patients with this disease. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of certain features and treatments on dogs with systemic mastocytosis. The medical records of 40 dogs from 4 northeastern US veterinary hospitals, with evidence of systemic mast cell disease, were evaluated retrospectively. Variables analysed with relation to overall survival and prognostic significance included treatment protocol used, substage, presence of a cutaneous or visceral tumour, presence of multiple cutaneous Mast cell tumours, grade of the primary tumour and metastatic site(s). Dogs with metastatic disease confined to distant lymph nodes lived longer than those with circulating mast cells in the blood (P = .001), and those with metastatic disease evident in more than 2 sites had a worse prognosis than those with disease in a single location (P = .005). Additionally, administration of chemotherapeutic agents led to increased survival over prednisone therapy alone (P = .008), with the combination of lomustine, vinblastine and prednisone prolonging survival over the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, toceranib phosphate (P = .002). Presence of mast cells in the blood and/or evidence of disease in more than 2 sites indicate widespread dissemination suggesting their use as negative prognostic features. Furthermore, a chemotherapy protocol including combination lomustine and vinblastine therapy may be more effective than toceranib phosphate for the treatment of dogs with disseminated mast cell disease. Overall, patients with systemic mastocytosis have a grave prognosis and more effective treatment options are needed.
Donor deferral policies for men who have sex with men: past, present and future
Authors: Goldman M. , W‐Y Shih A. , O'Brien S. F. , Devine D.
Published: December 2017

We review the history and evolution of blood donor criteria for men who have sex with men (MSM). Deferral policies in many jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Brazil and many western European countries are based on a period of abstinence from MSM, often of 12 months duration. Several countries (Italy, Spain and Portugal) defer donors based on sexual behaviours considered to be at high risk, regardless of whether the partner is same sex or opposite sex. Compliance is a key determinant in the efficacy of any deferral policy. We summarize research themes and strategies discussed at a January 2017 meeting held in Toronto, Canada, to provide an evidence basis for future policy changes.
Evolution of the Juan Fernández diving beetle, Rhantus selkirki (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)
Authors: Michat Mariano C. , Balke Michael
Published: December 2017

Here we provide evidence that confinement in Robinson Crusoe Island (located about 660 km west of continental Chile) over evolutionary time leads to strong morphological modifications in diving beetle (Dytiscidae) larvae. We analysed a large set of morphological larval characters for all currently recognised genera of Colymbetinae as a framework, to infer phylogenetic relationships within the large genus Rhantus Dejean, 1833 and, in particular, of the charismatic Juan Fernández diving beetle, Rhantus selkirki Jäch, Balke & Michat, 2015, comparing our results with a recent phylogeny of the Colymbetinae based on DNA sequence data. We suggest that adaptation to the island's particular habitats resulted in the reversal of certain characters of R. selkirki back to the plesiomorphic states. This may cause the species to be erroneously interpreted as more ‘primitive’ if only morphological characters are analysed. Confinement in the particular, shallow and barely vegetated aquatic habitats of Robinson Crusoe Island for a long time seems to have led to this divergent morphology, particularly in characters related to swimming ability such as several leg and urogomphal setae. In this way, R. selkirki larvae secondarily resemble those of some earlier diverging dytiscid lineages such as Agabinae and Copelatinae, which typically creep on the bottom of water bodies and do not swim well.
PERFORMANCE OF SAWDUST CONCRETE AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE
Authors: Pervez Memon Ruhal , Achekzai Lemar , Mohd. Sam Abdul Rahman , Abdul Awal A. S. M. , Memon Uroosa
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to shows the behavior of sawdust concrete at elevated temperature. Sawdust is considered as waste material but nowadays this waste material is utilized in the construction of the building as sawdust concrete. Sawdust is a by-product of wood which is generally used in the production of lightweight concrete, possessing low thermal conductivity. In this study sawdust concrete was made at three different proportions of cement and sawdust 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 by volume. At these proportions, the physical and mechanical properties such as density, workability, strength, fire resistance, mass loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity and residual strength were investigated after 28 days of curing. It was found that with the increment in the amount of sawdust, the workability and strength decreases, however in terms of fire resistance, concrete with lower amount of sawdust performed well. Considering the overall physical and mechanical properties, sawdust concrete can be used in building construction.
Barreras para la prevención y detección temprana de cáncer de cuello uterino
Authors: Aranguren Pulido Leydi Vanesa , Burbano Castro Jorge Hernán , González José David , Mojica Cachope Ana María , Plazas Veloza Deisy Jimena , Prieto Bocanegra Brigitte Migdolia
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: Identificar las barreras para la detección temprana del cáncer de cuello uterino. Método: Revisión integrativa de literatura, en bases de datos como Science Direct, Medline, SciELO y Scopus, publicados durante los últimos seis años, escritos en inglés, portugués y español. Resultados: Los aspectos socioculturales, las estrategias de prevención empleadas y la dificultad para acceder a la atención fueron las barreras encontradas en la revisión; igualmente, la poca aceptación de la vacuna contra el virus del papiloma humano y la no asistencia a la citología cérvico-vaginal inciden en la aparición de numerosos casos de lesiones preneoplásicas. Conclusiones: Se evidencia la necesidad de fortalecer las acciones de educación, información y abogacía del profesional de enfermería, que contribuyan a reducir la incidencia de esta patología, lo cual representa un reto importante para el personal de salud.
La realidad de convertirse en madre: vivencias de una adolescente
Authors: Moreno Mojica Claudia , Hernández Mancipe Leidy , Rincón Villamil Tania
Published: December 2017

Introducción: En el mundo, el embarazo durante la adolescencia se considera un problema de salud pública, y uno de los ámbitos que influyen en esta situación es el psicosocial, en el cual la adolescente se enfrenta a la aceptación o rechazo por parte de su familia y contexto social inmediato, que la lleva a tomar la decisión de adoptar o no el rol materno. Objetivo: Conocer y comprender, mediante la técnica del relato biográfico, el proceso de convertirse en madre adolescente. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa de tipo descriptivo, con diseño de relato biográfico, que se utiliza para describir exhaustivamente la experiencia vivida por una persona. Resultados: Se obtuvieron ocho categorías: “recordando mi niñez”, “mi primer amor”, “lo prohibido lo más deseado”, “lo inesperado llegó”, “enfrentando la dura realidad”, “aprendiendo a ser mamá”,
“adopción del rol materno” y “en busca de mis sueños”. Conclusiones: Las categorías generadas y analizadas a la luz de la literatura y la teoría de Mercer permitieron conocer y comprender el proceso por el cual transita la adolescente para convertirse en madre, desde donde si bien el aspecto fisiológico en un factor de riesgo determinante durante la gestación, son los aspectos psicológicos, sociales y del entorno inmediato los que determinan la calidad de vida de la díada y, por ende, el cuidado integral, holístico y humano que el equipo de salud debe brindar.
Demandas en el CIADI y el derecho humano al agua: ¿tratados de inversiones vs. derechos humanos?
Authors: Echaide Javier
Published: December 2017

Argentina es el país más demandado ante el Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias sobre Inversiones (CIADI) y uno de los que más Tratados Bilaterales de Inversión (TBI) ha firmado (58 en total, 55 vigentes). La mayoría de esas demandas fueron presentadas por empresas transnacionales (ETN) por la crisis 2001-2002 así como se refirieron a sectores económicos relacionados con recursos naturales. El 20% de dichas demandas se vinculan con el sector de agua potable y saneamiento, lo que también convierte a la Argentina en el país más demandado en el CIADI por este sector. Son casos de alta conflictividad social y en donde se evidencia el rol del Estado como regulador frente al reclamo de protección de la propiedad privada por parte de las ETN, donde resalta una asimetría jurídica que favorece la protección de las inversiones sobre el resguardo de los derechos humanos, particularmente del derecho humano al agua reconocido por la ONU en 2010. Tomando el caso argentino como testigo, esta ponencia expondrá dicha asimetría que contraviene las bases más elementales del derecho internacional, evidenciando la necesidad de revisar el régimen internacional de protección de inversiones y su adecuación a los derechos humanos en tanto obligaciones erga omnes.
Globalized Nation-State – Theoretical Proposal for the Analysis of the Implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement
Authors: Szegedy-Maszák Ildikó
Published: December 2017

Uno de los posibles impedimentos –y quizá más significativos– de la implementación de los Acuerdos de Paz de Colombia, puede derivarse de las diversas fallas en la formulación de las normas. El presente artículo introduce la teoría de Estado-nación globalizado basado en la revisión de literatura seleccionada sobre procesos económicos y políticos de la sociedad contemporánea. La teoría de Estado-nación globalizado propone resolver la paradoja y la cooptación del Estado colombiano e introducir debate político con la participación de todos los miembros de la sociedad en la formulación de normas. Por esta razón, se argumenta que la propuesta de Estado-nación globalizado es aplicable al análisis de la implementación de los Acuerdos del Proceso de Paz, especialmente su Primer Capítulo sobre Reforma Rural Integral.
Pasado, presente y futuro de la justicia transicional en el Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos
Authors: Acosta-López Juana Inés , Espitia Murcia Cindy
Published: December 2017

No existen dudas de que el papel de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH) será fundamental para la sostenibilidad de la paz en Colombia. Las decisiones de este tribunal relacionadas con los mecanismos judiciales y extrajudiciales de justicia transicional y la convencionalidad del texto del Acuerdo de Paz y de las normas y políticas proferidas para su implementación, ya están teniendo y tendrán un efecto fundamental en el rumbo que tomará el país en los próximos años. En este sentido, resulta de vital importancia revisitar la jurisprudencia del Tribunal Internacional desde una perspectiva crítica y propositiva, con el fin de analizar si las reglas establecidas por la Corte en el pasado (en su gran mayoría tránsito de dictaduras a democracia) han sido modificadas o contextualizadas en la jurisprudencia aún incipiente del presente (tránsitos de conflicto armado a la paz y paz negociada) y plantear los retos y desafíos de la jurisprudencia del futuro, especialmente para el caso de Colombia. Este artículo pretende aportar a este análisis, a partir del estudio, tanto de los casos que ya han sido decididos por el Tribunal Internacional, como de aquellos que están en trámite en esta sede judicial. 
La validez de los procedimientos de reforma constitucional fast track
Authors: Pulido-Ortíz Fabio Enrique
Published: December 2017

En este trabajo se estudia la validez de los actos legislativos Fast Track (FT). Para ello, primero, se estudiará el concepto de validez jurídica resaltando las nociones de pertenecía, aplicabilidad jurídica y aplicabilidad moral de las normas. Luego se mostrará que los FT no cumplen con dos condiciones necesarias para la validez de las reformas constitucionales en Colombia: su carácter democrático y la exigencia de rigidez constitucional. Se concluye que los FT solo pueden pretender aplicabilidad moral (i.e si cada una de sus normas son moralmente adecuadas) pero que, en ese sentido, esos mecanismos de reforma constitucional resultan normativamente irrelevantes. 
A Necesidade de Cooperação na Proteção aos Deslocados Internos Perseguidos Pelo Estado Islâmico no Iraque (2014-2016)
Authors: Rathod Jayesh , Pacheco Cristina Carvalho , Pacífico Andrea Maria Calazans Pacheco , Sabino de Farias Igor Henriques
Published: December 2017

Este artículo aborda el aumento de los desplazados internos en Irak tras el surgimiento del grupo terrorista Estado Islámico y la necesidad de cooperación regional e internacional en la protección de esos individuos. Se discute el concepto de desplazamiento interno según las convenciones internacionales y expone la relación entre el aumento del número de individuos en esa situación en Irak y el surgimiento del grupo en 2014. Además, se sugieren algunas medidas de solución a la problemática. Como referencial teórico, se hace uso de la teoría de la cooperación por interés propuesta por Axelrod y Keohane (1985) y del concepto de cross-issue-persuasion, formulado por Betts (2009). Por último, se sugiere la creación de una zona de safe haven en el norte de Iraq, con el fin de proteger a las minorías religiosas forzadas a desplazarse en virtud de las acciones del Estado Islámico.
Evolución del concepto seguridad en los libros blancos de defensa de Chile
Authors: Faundes Cristián
Published: December 2017

El objetivo de este artículo es indagar respecto de la evolución del concepto seguridad en los libros de la Defensa Nacional en Chile, publicados en 1997, 2002 y 2010. El trabajo consiste en un análisis crítico conceptual y comparado de los textos, que se centra en la observación de cinco variables: 1) definición de seguridad, 2) definición de defensa, 3) objeto referente, 4) sectores de la seguridad y 5) definición de amenaza. En los resultados, se advierte un proceso por acotar el alcance del instrumento militar, un creciente interés político por separar la seguridad de la defensa, un intento inorgánico por incorporar la seguridad humana y el desplazamiento de la amenaza como eje articulador de la planificación de la defensa. En conclusión, evoluciona en forma significativa la manera de concebir la seguridad en el país, según atestigua el cuerpo conceptual de los libros blancos. La relevancia del tema abordado radica en el hecho de que la forma de entender la seguridad determina las preferencias respecto del empleo de la defensa, es decir, configura el marco del quehacer. El aporte del estudio consiste en desglosar la evolución del concepto seguridad y permite comprender las modificaciones políticas a los parámetros de acción del instrumento militar en el país.
Morfología craneofacial en niños con apnea obstructiva del sueño / Craneofacial Morphology in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Caiza Rennella Andrea Del Carmen , Sotomayor Guamán Gabriela Elizabeth , Terreros Peralta Andrea Catalina , López Eneida , Suarez Ángela , Otero Mendoza Liliana
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT. Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a Sleep breathing disorder in children associated with facial and skeletal features. Purpose: to identify craniofacial features associated with OSA in Colombian children. Method: 43 children from 6-13 years old were selected for cephalometric measurements. All patients had been studied trough polysomnography. Cases were represented for 19 children with OSA and 24 children without OSA were grouped as controls, and lateral radiographs were taken. Cephalometric variables analyzed were: anteroposterior cranial length (SN), skeletal classification (ANB), effective mandibular and maxillary length (Co-Pg) (Co-A), sagittal position of maxillary and mandible (N┴A) (N┴Pg), mandibular plane angle (FH-PM), Ricketts growth axis angle (Ba-N/Ptm-Gn), upper and lower pharynx and hyoid Bone position (HPM). Results: 84.2 % of children with OSA showed a decrease in the length of cranial base compared with 58.3 % of children without OSA (p = 0.067; OR=3.81 95 % CI 0.87- 16.7). The superior bone hyoid position is associated with absence of OSA (OR = 0.26 95 % CI 0.87 to 16.7.) Conclusions: these results suggest trends to relation between length of cranial base and bone hyoid position e and the presence of OSA in children.
Transmissibility of Bending Vibration of an Elastic Beam
Authors: Ding Hu , Dowell Earl H. , Chen Li-Qun
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes an isolation transmissibility for the bending vibration of elastic beams. At both ends, the elastic beam is considered with vertical spring support and free to rotate. The geometric nonlinearity is considered. In order to implement the Galerkin method, the natural modes and frequencies of the bending vibration of the beam are analyzed. In addition, for the first time, the elastic continuum supported by boundary springs is solved by direct numerical method, such as the finite difference method (FDM). Moreover, the detailed procedure of FDM processing boundary conditions and initial conditions is presented. Two numerical approaches are compared to illustrate the correctness of the results. By demonstrating the significant impact, the necessity of elastic support at the boundaries to the vibration isolation of elastic continua is explained. Compared with the vibration transmission with one-term Galerkin truncation, it is proved that it is necessary to consider the high-order bending vibration modes when studying the force transmission of the elastic continua. Furthermore, the numerical examples illustrate that the influences of the system parameters on the bending vibration isolation. This study opens up the research on the vibration isolation of elastic continua, which is of profound significance to the analysis and design of vibration isolation for a wide range of practical engineering applications.
New Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Bonaire (Lesser Antilles) and morphometric comparison between Eastern Pacific and Caribbean populations of Fortuyniidae
Authors: Pfingstl Tobias , Baumann Julia , Lienhard Andrea , Schatz Heinrich
Published: December 2017

Two new intertidal oribatid mite species were found on the coast of Bonaire. Litoribates bonairensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its only congener, L. caelestis, by the cerotegumental pattern and shape of sensillus. This is also the first record of the genus from the Caribbean region. Thasecazetes falcidactylus gen. nov., sp. nov. is characterized by conspicuous longitudinal notogastral ridges and sickle shaped claws and represents a new selenoribatid genus that probably shows a wider distribution within the Caribbean. Both species were found in mangrove habitats. An ecological preference for this environment may be considered. A morphometric investigation of Litoribates and Alismobates populations from the Galápagos Archipelago in the Eastern Pacific, several Caribbean areas and the Western Atlantic Bermuda Islands revealed certain remarkable facts: First, Litoribates species show a conspicuous higher size variation between the different locations than Alismobates species; second, the geographic distance between the populations is reflected in the extent of divergence and third, similar variation patterns shown in Litoribates and Alismobates indicate that both taxa have experienced similar evolutionary histories in the respective geographic regions. An additional molecular genetic analysis provides barcoding sequences for the new taxa and confirms their taxonomic distinctness.
Shear-wave anisotropy reveals pore fluid pressure–induced seismicity in the U.S. midcontinent
Authors: Nolte Keith A. , Tsoflias George P. , Bidgoli Tandis S. , Watney W. Lynn
Published: December 2017

S-wave anisotropy observations in the U.S. midcontinent provide direct evidence of pore fluid pressure–induced earthquakes.
A matter of trust
Authors: Hutson Matthew
Published: December 2017

Researchers are studying why many consumers are apprehensive about autonomous vehicles, and how to put them at ease.
Enzyme-free nucleic acid dynamical systems
Authors: Srinivas Niranjan , Parkin James , Seelig Georg , Winfree Erik , Soloveichik David
Published: December 2017

A rationally designed DNA-based oscillator

An important goal of synthetic biology is to create biochemical control systems with the desired characteristics from scratch. Srinivas
et al.
describe the creation of a biochemical oscillator that requires no enzymes or evolved components, but rather is implemented through DNA molecules designed to function in strand displacement cascades. Furthermore, they created a compiler that could translate a formal chemical reaction network into the necessary DNA sequences that could function together to provide a specified dynamic behavior.

Science
, this issue p.
eaal2052
The nanoscale circuitry of battery electrodes
Authors: Zhu Changbao , Usiskin Robert E. , Yu Yan , Maier Joachim
Published: December 2017

Wired for success

Although overall battery performance is limited by the electrochemistry of the component materials, the actual performance can be limited by a number of factors. Zhu
et al.
review different electrode architectures for lithium-ion batteries. In particular, they look at the relations between the kinetics and dimensionality of the different electrode constituents. Making things smaller can improve transport of electrons and ions, but at the cost of making the overall architecture more complex. The authors discuss the overall design rules and criteria to guide battery design.

Science
, this issue p.
eaao2808
RALF4/19 peptides interact with LRX proteins to control pollen tube growth in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Mecchia Martin A. , Santos-Fernandez Gorka , Duss Nadine N. , Somoza Sofía C. , Boisson-Dernier Aurélien , Gagliardini Valeria , Martínez-Bernardini Andrea , Fabrice Tohnyui Ndinyanka , Ringli Christoph , Muschietti Jorge P. , Grossniklaus Ueli
Published: December 2017

Timing a switch in tissue integrity

In plants, sperm cells travel through the pollen tube as it grows toward the ovule. Successful fertilization depends on the pollen tube rupturing to release the sperm cells (see the Perspective by Stegmann and Zipfel). Ge
et al.
and Mecchia
et al.
elucidated the intercellular cross-talk that maintains pollen tube integrity during growth but destroys it at just the right moment. The signaling peptides RALF4 and RALF19, derived from the pollen tube, maintain its integrity as it grows. Once in reach of the ovule, a related signaling peptide, RALF34, which derives from female tissues, takes over and causes rupture of the pollen tube.

Science
, this issue p.
1596
, p.
1600
; see also p.
1544