bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ebola haemorrhagic fever in africa: a necessary highlight
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Samuel
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this commentary is to re-evaluate the historic and scientific facts on Ebola haemorrhagic fever and the role of the international community, especially Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in stemming the tide. It rehashes the argument on causes and prevention and draws attention of readers to emphasize the need for establishment of airport, sea port and border health posts with well drilled and efficient health professionals to be able to test, detect and quarantine persons with Ebola and treat them to prevent the spread of the disease from infected persons to primary or first contacts and secondary contacts. Significantly, countries in the West African sub-region are alarmed by the potential spread of the disease to countries that have hitherto been free of the disease. The potential global threat of the disease has been analysed and measures to be taken by countries within the West-African sub-region have been emphasized. This notwithstanding, does the declaration of countries as Ebola-free suggest the last of it?
Performance assessment of six public health programs in Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Cleenewerck Laurent , Bhalla Devender , Gulma Kabiru Abubakar
Published: November 2019

This research aimed to evaluate the performance of six ongoing public health programs through core performance indicators in Katsina State, Nigeria. The healthcare delivery in Africa is mostly program-based. This requires that such programs need to be evaluated which may in turn help to identify any existing gaps towards the improvement of patients' access and coverage to their given service. We identified all active health facilities where our programs on malaria, Routine Immunization (RI), Family Planning (FP), Tuberculosis and Leprosy (TBL), HIV/AIDS, and Free Medicare (FMC) were being carried out. After that, a representative sample was derived to obtain data regarding five key performance indicators by using a Logistics Indicators Assessment Tool. Of 1,718 facilities, a total of 983 (57.22%) were visited, In other words, by assuming a normal distribution; each facility expectedly covers only 3,371 individuals. All programs provided different and diverse results on each indicator; however, the most obvious challenge was in the stock-out and demand vs. receipt of required medications. These are particularly for malaria, FMC, FP, and HIV. For instance, the stock-out lasted 222 days for malaria and 135 days for FP. Despite this, none of the programs had a lower than gold-standard near-term availability of required products. Program-based healthcare delivery is inadequate and ineffective unless the local system gets simultaneously developed. If required medications are not becoming available, optimal access, coverage, and benefits cannot be expected to be obtained. Clearly, Nigeria experiences a push system of meeting term supplies. Nigeria needs to strengthen its pharmaceutical system.
Comparison of blood pressure and blood glucose level among elderly with non-communicable disease
Authors: Sari Ni Putu Wulan Purnama , Artsanthia Jintana
Published: November 2019

Due to increasing age, elderly are prone to non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Easy physical condition monitoring of people with HT and/or DM is by measuring their blood pressure (BP) and/or blood glucose level (BGL) periodically. This study aimed to compare and analyze the differences of BP and BGL among elderly with HT and/or DM in Bangkok and Surabaya. This cross-sectional study involved 100 and 96 elderly with HT and/or DM in communities of Bangkok and Surabaya respectively (n=196). There were three groups of samples which consisted of 60 DM, 68 HT, and 68 DM&HT cases. Instruments used were demography questionnaire, sphygmomanometer, and glucometer. Test of one-way ANOVA, Least Significant Difference (LSD), Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U were used for data analysis (α<.05). There was a significant difference of systolic and diastolic BP found between groups (p=.000 and p=.011 respectively), but no difference found between the groups of HT and DM&HT (p=.657 and p=.330 respectively). There was a significant difference of BGL found between groups (p=.002), but no difference found between the groups of HT and DM (p=.075) and between the groups of DM and DM&HT (p=.066). BP is significantly different between the group of HT and DM in term of systole and diastole, especially in elderly, but BGL is similar. The risk of being HT for elderly with DM is very high. Elderly with DM&HT have high BP and BGL similarly to those with single disease of HT or DM. 
Black cumin seed oil increase leucocyte and CD4Thelper number in sprague-dawley rats induced with dimethylbenzanthracene
Authors: Hidayati Titiek , Akrom Akrom , Indrayanti Indrayanti , Sagiran Sagiran
Published: November 2019

Cigarette smoke contains 7, 12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Metabolic of DMBA is immunosuppressive. Black cumin seed oil (BCSO) is an immunomodulation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BCSO on leukocyte, CD4Th and CD4CD25Treg in Sprague-Dawley (SD) mice induced with DMBA. The 96 SD rats were divided into 8 groups of 12. Group I received aquabidest and standard feeding. Groups II, III and IV received BCSO (an equivalent of 6.8, 68 and 136 mg/kg BW / day thymoquinone, respectively). Group V received thymoquinone (50 mg / kg BW / day) and group VI received tamoxifen (60 mg / kg BW). Group VII (DMBA) was induced with DMBA (10x20mg / kg BW for 5 weeks). Group VIII received standard feeding and corn oil treatment. In the third week, all groups began to be induced with DMBA (20 mg/kg BW twice per week for five weeks). Data collection of leukocytes, CD4Th and CD4CD25Treg was performed at week 27th. The mean difference of CD4Th and CD4CD25Treg counts between groups was calculated with one way ANOVA. Results: The administration of BCSO, thymoquinone, and tamoxifen had increased leukocytes and CD4 Th cell count. The CD4Th cell count of the treatment groups was higher than that of the DMBA group (p <0.05). BCSO equivalent doses of 6.8 and 68 mg/kg BW / day thymoquinone showed immunoprotective effects. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the BCSO administration at doses of 6.8 and 68 mg/kg BW / day shows immunoprotective effects due to DMBA induction.
Assessment of the Kempe Family Stress Inventory in self-care post-restrain schizophrenia
Authors: Yusuf Ah , Suhron Muhammad , Subarniati Rika
Published: November 2019

Basic Health Research stated that the prevalence of schizophrenia in the Indonesian population in 2018 showed schizophrenia was seven per mile; previously only 1.7 permil. The aim of the study was to explain the stress reaction and experience of families who have people with schizophrenia post-restrain. The Methods A total of 135 families who have people with schizophrenia post-restrain October to December 2018. This research was Mix Method employed Sequential Explanatory design. the research instrument used was The Kempe Family Stress Inventory (KFSI) and using in-depth interview. The results of the study illustrated that the total mean score of a stress reaction in families normal was 43.48 (S.D=5.6),mild was 34.33 (S.D=4.7) whilesevere was 56.45 (S.D=4.45). The psychological burden was expressed by families in the form of fear and worry. The results showed a reaction to high stress and family experience lacking in self-care of people with post-restrain mental disorders.
Breastfeeding friendly airport to support healthy tourism
Authors: Handayani Lina , Arzani Arzani , Jayanti Mahayu Agustia , Astuti Rini Puji , Noviyanti Della , Dewi Maya Kusuma
Published: November 2019

Motivation for breastfeeding and social support is very important for the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding support and motivation is obtained from family, leaders and the government. The implication of the government support given is the existence of regulations for organizer of public facilities that stating that the owner of public facilities must support the exclusive breastfeeding program at the airport. The airport is an important means for the mobility of both domestic and foreign tourist. The role of airport is very important to realizing healthy tourism. This study used a case study design. The subjects of this study were the leaders, staff and visitors of Adisutjipto International Airport. The number of informants is five people. The research instruments were interview guides and observation forms. Knowledge, attitudes and informant support for the exclusive breastfeeding program are good. There needs to be a stronger promotion effort for all levels of society so that exclusive breastfeeding programs can be achieved. Provision of nursery rooms at Adisutjipto International Airport is in accordance with government standards with facilities such as tables, chairs, baby boxes, washing stand, dispensers and trash can. Adisutjipto International Airport is confirmed as a breastfeeding friendly airport.
Determinants of food safety practices among food handlers in selected food establishments
Authors: Oumer Abdu
Published: November 2019

Despite great efforts against foodborne diseases, the occurrence of these problems remains a significant health issue in both developed and developing countries. This study was to assess determinants of food safety practice among food handlers in selected food establishments in Dire Dawa City administration, in 2017. Cross sectional survey was conducted among 356 food handlers from the selected food establishments in different categories. The CODEX food safety questionnaire was used to assess food safety knowledge (23 questions), attitude (six questions) and practice using interview and observation checklists (15 points). Satisfactory practice was defined as those who practice 70% of food safety measures correctly. Frequency, percentage, mean, binary logistic regression with a crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval were calculated. Out of the total study subjects, 354 food handlers participated in this study with 99.4% response rate. A total of 191 food handlers, 54.0% were female with overall mean age of 29.5 years. About 129 (36.4%), 194 (54.8%) and 106 (29.9%) had adequate knowledge, positive attitude and satisfactory food safety practice. Having food safety training (AOR= 2.0), with adequate knowledge (AOR = 2.83), positive attitude (AOR= 2.09), presence of food safety guideline (AOR = 2.23) and supervision (AOR= 2.07) were significant predictors of satisfactory food safety practices. In general food safety/hygienic practices of food handlers was found to be low. Having adequate knowledge, positive attitude, presence of food safety guideline and formal food safety training were significant predictors of food safety practices among food handlers.
Pregnant mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards preventions of iron deficiency anemia in Harar town, Ethiopia
Authors: Abdu Abdu Oumer , Hussein Arif H.
Published: November 2019

Low maternal risk perception, poor dietary practice and low adherence to iron and folate tablets among pregnant women are major contributors for higher burden of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia contribute to more than half of Anemia among pregnant women. Thus the level of maternal awareness and attitude towards dietary and other prevention practices of anemia are not well established in the study area. This study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant mothers towards the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in Ethiopia, 2018. Hospital based cross sectionals study was conducted on randomly selected, 128 pregnant mothers attending antenatal care service in Harar town. Data were collected by health professionals using pre tested questionnaire containing socio demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice related questions. Attitude questions were organized in five Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree using positive statements. Similarly, practices were assessed in yes/no (appropriate practices were scored as yes or no otherwise). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 using frequency, tables, graphs and means. Pearson correlation with r was used to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the mean practice by different factors. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women on preventions of IDA are not satisfactory. Thus poor practice towards prevention of IDA is the main contributing factor for high burden of anemia. 
The decision making process of being palliative volunteer
Authors: Sari Ni Putu Wulan Purnama , Sari Nia Novita
Published: November 2019

Palliative care delivery in Surabaya community, Indonesia, is in collaboration with palliative volunteers. The decision to be palliative volunteer was not easy, mainly because of financial matter, time limitation, and role conflict. This study aimed to analyze the decision making process of being a palliative volunteer in Surabaya. This qualitative study involved 13 female palliative volunteers under the supervision of Public Health Center (PHC) of Rangkah. In-depth-interview was used for data collection. Instruments used were interview guideline, observation sheet, and voice recorder. Collaizi method was used for data analysis. The majority was 40-50 years old, married, housewife, and high school graduated. Each participant manages 5-8 patients to be home-visited regularly. The driving force and the reason to persistently be a palliative volunteer was the willingness to help others in need. The major entry point acting as stimulus was health care professional in the Rangkah PHC. The decision making model applied was descriptive model, because despite of insufficient information through various entry points but the decision made was fast and persistent.
Fighting zoonotic, rabies and public health in Colonial India
Authors: Rahaman Sk Maidul
Published: November 2019

Rabies is the oldest Zoonotic diseases in the world and one of the most important Zoonotic diseases in India. It was one of the most difficult problems confronted both by the medical and veterinary authorities in colonial India. The disease is transmitted from animal to animal and from animal to man through saliva. More than 90 per cent of cases of human rabies are transmitted by dogs which was a major concern of public health. A few British officials and soldiers were bitten by dogs during the colonial period. As a result, they suffered from rabies. As ownerless dogs were infested all through the country, the disease prevailed largely at that time. Gradually, rabies became a problem to the colonial Government. Louis Pasteur obtained his first success against rabies through vaccination in 1885. At that time, Dr. Lingard, Bacteriologist, had proposed to introduce a system of anti-rabies vaccination in the Bacteriological laboratory at Poona. A similar proposal was also submitted by J.H.B. Hallen, a civil Surgeon in 1890. Later, five institutes were established in India for anti-rabies treatment. Gradually rabies patients were treated at pasture institute. Thus, this paper examines impact of rabies, treatment and veterinary public health policy in colonial India. The great Zoonotic waves of rabies that suffered public health in colonial India are also focus of this paper.
The chamomile aromatherapy reduce the scale of nausea
Authors: Putri Ima Nurcahyanti , Amelia Rizky , Rahayu Sri
Published: November 2019

The incidence of cervical cancer in the world is 17 per 100,000 women, while the mortality rate ranges from 8.2 per 100,000 women. One therapy for cancer treatment is chemotherapy. The side effects caused by chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting. In addition to drugs, complementary therapy given to chemotherapy patients is chamomile aromatherapy. This study aims to determine the effect of chamomile aromatherapy on reducing the scale of nausea after chemotherapy of cervical cancer patients in Dr. Moewardi Hospital. The type of research used is quasy experiment, using a research design non equivalent with the control group pretest and posttest design.
 The sample used was 30 patients with the criteria of patients who experienced Acute & Delayed Nausea. Analyze data used Paired Samples Test and Independent T-Test. The results showed that the average scale of nausea before chamomile aromatherapy intervention was 15.40. And the average scale of nausea after intervention was 2.87 as evidenced by the value p=0.000 (p<0.05). The average value of the nausea after treatment scale in the control group was 7.33, and the nausea scale average value in the intervention group was 2.87. So that it can be concluded that there is an effect after being given chamomile aromatherapy to reduce the scale of nausea after chemotherapy with p=0.000.
Prognostic Implications of Global Longitudinal Strain by Feature-Tracking Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Reindl Martin , Tiller Christina , Holzknecht Magdalena , Lechner Ivan , Beck Alexander , Plappert David , Gorzala Michelle , Pamminger Mathias , Mayr Agnes , Klug Gert , Bauer Axel , Metzler Bernhard , Reinstadler Sebastian J.
Published: November 2019

Background:

The high accuracy of feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging qualifies this novel modality as potential gold standard for myocardial strain analyses in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients; however, the incremental prognostic validity of feature-tracking-CMR over left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial damage remains unclear. This study therefore aimed to determine the value of myocardial strain measured by feature-tracking-CMR for the prediction of clinical outcome following ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods:

This prospective observational study enrolled 451 revascularized ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients. Comprehensive CMR investigations were performed 3 (interquartile range, 2–4) days after infarction to determine LVEF, global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain, and global circumferential strain as well as myocardial damage. Primary end point was a composite of death, re-infarction, and congestive heart failure (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]).

Results:

During a follow-up of 24 (interquartile range, 11–48) months, 46 patients (10%) experienced a MACE event. All 3 strain indices were impaired in patients with MACE (all
P
<0.001). However, GLS emerged as the strongest MACE prognosticator among strain parameters (area under the curve, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.69–0.77]) and was significantly better (
P
=0.005) than LVEF (area under the curve, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.59–0.68]). The association between GLS and MACE remained significant (
P
<0.001) after adjustment for global radial strain, global circumferential strain, and LVEF as well as for infarct size and microvascular obstruction. The addition of GLS to a risk model comprising LVEF, infarct size, and microvascular obstruction led to a net reclassification improvement (0.35 [95% CI, 0.14–0.55];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

GLS by feature-tracking-CMR strongly and independently predicted the occurrence of medium-term MACE in contemporary revascularized ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients. Importantly, the prognostic value of GLS was superior and incremental to LVEF and CMR markers of infarct severity.
Arterial Stiffness Gradient, Systemic Reflection Coefficient, and Pulsatile Pressure Wave Transmission in Essential Hypertension
Authors: London Gerard M. , Pannier Bruno , Safar Michel E.
Published: November 2019

Arterial stiffness and impedance gradients are known to influence pressure wave propagation and macrovascular-microvascular interactions. We studied the association between the carotid-femoral arterial stiffness gradient and the systemic reflection coefficient (N=393); of this population, 246 also underwent assessment of forward/backward pressure wave propagation and microvascular pulsatile pressure transmission (MPPT). Hemodynamic parameters were measured noninvasively. From peripheral vascular resistance and characteristic impedance, we estimated the systemic reflection coefficient and MPPT on peripheral and cardiac microcirculation in age-matched, sex-matched and body mass index-matched individuals with (n=147) or without (n=98) hypertension. The arterial stiffness gradient, systemic reflection coefficient, and correlations between the arterial stiffness gradient and age or blood pressure were similar in both populations. MPPT was higher in hypertension (
P
<0.0001), and the subendocardial viability (Buckberg) index lower (
P
<0.0001). In both populations, the systemic reflection coefficient and arterial stiffness gradient were significantly associated with changes in MPPT and the subendocardial viability index. Despite similar systemic reflection coefficients, the carotid reflected pressure and MPPT were higher in hypertension. Maintaining the systemic reflection coefficient within normal ranges was, therefore, insufficient to compensate for higher carotid forward pressure waves which, in hypertension, were associated with increased aortic stiffness (
P
<0.0001) and higher stroke volume (
P
=0.0365). Independently of cardiovascular risk, hypertension-induced changes have a weighted effect on MPPT, although insufficient to compensate for increased forward pressure waves. In hypertension, elevated aortic stiffness negatively affects the arterial stiffness gradient and systemic reflection coefficient but positively affects forward pressure.
Short-Term Prognostic Impact of Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults Without Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kim Esther D. , Ballew Shoshana H. , Tanaka Hirofumi , Heiss Gerardo , Coresh Josef , Matsushita Kunihiro
Published: November 2019

Arterial stiffness, represented as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD). In older populations, however, this association seems attenuated. Moreover, the prognostic values of pulse wave velocity at different arterial segments and newer parameters like cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) remain unclear, especially in US older adults.

In 3034 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study participants (66–90 years) without CVD, we examined the associations of 4 pulse wave velocity measures (cfPWV, heart-femoral, brachial-ankle, heart-ankle) and 2 new measures of arterial stiffness (CAVI and cardio-femoral vascular index derived from heart-ankle and heart-femoral, respectively) with incident CVD (coronary disease, stroke, and heart failure) and all-cause mortality.

Over a median follow-up of 4.4 years, there were 168 incident CVD events and 244 deaths. Overall, stiffness measures did not show strong associations with CVD, except cfPWV, which demonstrated a J-shaped association even after adjusting for potential confounders (hazard ratio, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.08–3.09] in top quartile and 1.97 [1.14–3.39] in bottom quartile versus second bottom quartile). When each CVD was examined separately, heart failure was most robustly associated with higher cfPWV, and stroke was strongly associated with lower cfPWV. There were no significant associations with all-cause mortality.

Among different measures of pulse wave velocity, cfPWV showed the strongest associations with CVD, especially heart failure, in older adults without CVD. Other pulse wave velocity measures had no strong associations. Our findings further support cfPWV as the index measure of arterial stiffness and the link of arterial stiffness to heart failure development but also suggest somewhat limited prognostic value of arterial stiffness in older adults overall.
Potential of Stratified Medicine for High Blood Pressure Management
Authors: Porcher Raphaël , Tran Viet-Thi , Blacher Jacques , Ravaud Philippe
Published: November 2019

The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guidelines lowered the thresholds for defining and treating hypertension. However, the SPRINT trial showed substantial heterogeneity in benefits and harms of intensive antihypertensive treatment depending on patients’ characteristics. We aimed at illustrating the potential gains of personalizing intensive antihypertensive treatment. Using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 to 2014 (n=2067), and prediction models derived from the SPRINT trial, we computed expected benefits and harms of intensive antihypertensive treatment for individuals aged 50 or more. We compared 2 interventions: (1) intensive antihypertensive treatment for all individuals meeting the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association thresholds and (2) a stratified medicine strategy excluding from intensive treatment individuals with predicted unfavorable benefit-risk. Outcome measures were model-predicted 5-year risk of cardiovascular events or death (myocardial infarction, acute coronary, stroke, acute decompensated heart failure, and cardiovascular-related death), and severe adverse events (hypotension, syncope, electrolyte abnormalities, bradycardia, and acute kidney injury). Per 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, 40.1 million (39.2%) US individuals aged 50 or more should initiate or intensify antihypertensive treatment, thereby preventing cardiovascular events for 795 000 individuals and inducing severe adverse events for 848 000 over 5 years. A stratified treatment strategy could decrease the number of individuals treated by 21.2 million (52.9%) and reduce the number of individuals with severe adverse events by 38.3%, with 11.7% fewer individuals with cardiovascular events prevented. Personalizing antihypertensive treatment according to predicted benefits and harms could spare treatment for more than half individuals while reducing harms 3× more than benefits.
Change in Blood Pressure Variability Among Treated Elderly Hypertensive Patients and Its Association With Mortality
Authors: Chowdhury Enayet K. , Nelson Mark R. , Wing Lindon M. H. , Jennings Garry L. R. , Beilin Lawrence J. , Reid Christopher M. , Bruce A. , Beckinsale P. , Thompson J. , McMurchie M. , Fraser G. , Gleave D. , Cope V. , DeLooze F. , Moore S. , Dibben C. , Newbury J. , McDermott B. , Willson K. , Bear C. , Harrap S. , Johnston C. , Ryan P. , Brown M. , Ryan P. , Fletcher P. , Feneley M. , Dewar E. , Marley J. , Marley J. , Moss J. , Webb P. , Glasziou P. , Boyle F. , Primrose J. , Piterman L. , De Looze F. , Dickinson J. , Gambrill J. , Joseph P. , Donnan G. , Morgan T. , Whitworth J. , MacMahon S. , Silagy C.
Published: November 2019

Background

Information is scarce regarding effects of antihypertensive medication on blood pressure variability (
BPV
) and associated clinical outcomes. We examined whether antihypertensive treatment changes
BPV
over time and whether such change (decline or increase) has any association with long‐term mortality in an elderly hypertensive population.

Methods and Results

We used data from a subset of participants in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure study (n=496) aged ≥65 years who had 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure recordings at study entry (baseline) and then after a median of 2 years while on treatment (follow‐up). Weighted day‐night systolic
BPV
was calculated for both baseline and follow‐up as a weighted mean of daytime and nighttime blood pressure standard deviations. The annual rate of change in
BPV
over time was calculated from these
BPV
estimates. Furthermore, we classified both
BPV
estimates as
high
and
low
based on the baseline median
BPV
value and then classified
BPV
changes into

stable: low
BPV

,

stable: high
BPV

,
decline: high to low
, and
increase: low to high
. We observed an annual decline (mean±
SD
: −0.37±1.95; 95% CI, −0.54 to −0.19;
P
<0.001) in weighted day‐night systolic
BPV
between baseline and follow‐up. Having constant stable: high
BPV
was associated with an increase in all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio: 3.03; 95% CI, 1.67–5.52) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio: 3.70; 95% CI, 1.62–8.47) in relation to the stable: low
BPV
group over a median 8.6 years after the follow‐up ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Similarly, higher risk was observed in the decline: high to low group.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that in elderly hypertensive patients, average
BPV
declined over 2 years of follow‐up after initiation of antihypertensive therapy, and having higher
BPV
(regardless of any change) was associated with increased long‐term mortality.
Bilateral Gamma/Delta Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Affects Interhemispheric Speech Sound Integration
Authors: Preisig Basil C. , Sjerps Matthias J. , Hervais-Adelman Alexis , Kösem Anne , Hagoort Peter , Riecke Lars
Published: November 2019

Perceiving speech requires the integration of different speech cues, that is, formants. When the speech signal is split so that different cues are presented to the right and left ear (dichotic listening), comprehension requires the integration of binaural information. Based on prior electrophysiological evidence, we hypothesized that the integration of dichotically presented speech cues is enabled by interhemispheric phase synchronization between primary and secondary auditory cortex in the gamma frequency band. We tested this hypothesis by applying transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) bilaterally above the superior temporal lobe to induce or disrupt interhemispheric gamma-phase coupling. In contrast to initial predictions, we found that gamma TACS applied in-phase above the two hemispheres (interhemispheric lag 0°) perturbs interhemispheric integration of speech cues, possibly because the applied stimulation perturbs an inherent phase lag between the left and right auditory cortex. We also observed this disruptive effect when applying antiphasic delta TACS (interhemispheric lag 180°). We conclude that interhemispheric phase coupling plays a functional role in interhemispheric speech integration. The direction of this effect may depend on the stimulation frequency.
Performance Monitoring during Visual Priming
Authors: Westerberg Jacob A. , Maier Alexander , Woodman Geoffrey F. , Schall Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2019

Repetitive performance of single-feature (efficient or pop-out) visual search improves RTs and accuracy. This phenomenon, known as priming of pop-out, has been demonstrated in both humans and macaque monkeys. We investigated the relationship between performance monitoring and priming of pop-out. Neuronal activity in the supplementary eye field (SEF) contributes to performance monitoring and to the generation of performance monitoring signals in the EEG. To determine whether priming depends on performance monitoring, we investigated spiking activity in SEF as well as the concurrent EEG of two monkeys performing a priming of pop-out task. We found that SEF spiking did not modulate with priming. Surprisingly, concurrent EEG did covary with priming. Together, these results suggest that performance monitoring contributes to priming of pop-out. However, this performance monitoring seems not mediated by SEF. This dissociation suggests that EEG indices of performance monitoring arise from multiple, functionally distinct neural generators.
Attitudes toward artificial intelligence in radiology with learner needs assessment within radiology residency programmes: a national multi-programme survey
Authors: Ooi SKG , Makmur A , Soon YQA , Fook-Chong SMC , Liew CJ , Sia DSY , Ting Y , Lim CY
Published: November 2019

INTRODUCTION We aimed to assess the attitudes and learner needs of radiology residents and faculty radiologists regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in radiology. METHODS A web-based questionnaire, designed using SurveyMonkey, was sent out to residents and faculty radiologists in all three radiology residency programmes in Singapore. The questionnaire comprised four sections and aimed to evaluate respondents’ current experience, attempts at self-learning, perceptions of career prospects and expectations of an AI/ML curriculum in their residency programme. Respondents’ anonymity was ensured. RESULTS A total of 125 respondents (86 male, 39 female; 70 residents, 55 faculty radiologists) completed the questionnaire. The majority agreed that AI/ML will drastically change radiology practice (88.8%) and makes radiology more exciting (76.0%), and most would still choose to specialise in radiology if given a choice (80.0%). 64.8% viewed themselves as novices in their understanding of AI/ML, 76.0% planned to further advance their AI/ML knowledge and 67.2% were keen to get involved in an AI/ML research project. An overwhelming majority (84.8%) believed that AI/ML knowledge should be taught during residency, and most opined that this was as important as imaging physics and clinical skills/knowledge curricula (80.0% and 72.8%, respectively). More than half thought that their residency programme had not adequately implemented AI/ML teaching (59.2%). In subgroup analyses, male and tech-savvy respondents were more involved in AI/ML activities, leading to better technical understanding. CONCLUSION A growing optimism towards radiology undergoing technological transformation and AI/ML implementation has led to a strong demand for an AI/ML curriculum in residency education.
Morphological and molecular investigation of freshwater Hildenbrandia (Hildenbrandiales, Rhodophyta) with a new species reported from Japan

Authors: NAN FANG-RU , HAN JIN-FEN , FENG JIA , LV JUN-PING , LIU QI , LIU XU-DONG , XIE SHU-LIAN
Published: November 2019

The morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on molecular methods were executed on the freshwater Hildenbrandia specimens collected in this study. The cell size and filament height of the specimen collected from Pipa Lake, Japan were larger than the widely recognized species Hildenbrandia angolensis and Hildenbrandia rivularis, whereas overlapped with Hildenbrandia jigongshanensis. Based on molecular evidences of rbcL phylogenetic analysis and comparison of ITS1 secondary structure, specimen collected from Shiga Prefecture, Japan was proposed as a new species Hildenbrandia japananense. It brings the freshwater Hildenbrandia species in Japan to two. The specimens collected from Niangziguan, Shanxi province, China represent two new records of H. jigongshanensis. It enriches the species diversity of genus Hildenbrandia and increases the distribution diversity of this freshwater red algal taxon.
Ganoderma weixiensis (Polyporaceae, Basidiomycota), a new member of the G. lucidum complex from Yunnan Province, China

Authors: YE LEI , KARUNARATHNA SAMANTHA C. , MORTIMER PETER E. , LI HUILI , QIU MING-HUA , PENG XING-RONG , LUANGHARN THATSANEE , LI YUN-JU , PROMPUTTHA ITTHAYAKORN , HYDE KEVIN D. , XU JIAN-CHU
Published: November 2019

Despite the ecological and economic significance of Ganoderma, the taxonomy of this group of mushrooms remains largely unresolved. In line with an attempt to further our understanding of Ganoderma, we describe a new species collected from Yunnan Province, China. Ganoderma weixiensis is described here based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and TEF1-α gene regions. This new species is characterized by a reddish-brown pileus, cream colored pore surface and context, eccentrically or centrally attached stipe, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores Comparisons of the morphological characteristics of G. weixiensis and its close relatives G. lucidum and G. leucocontextum are also presented.
Current knowledge on Mexican tardigrades with a description of Milnesium cassandrae sp. nov. (Eutardigrada: Milnesiidae) and discussion on the taxonomic value of dorsal pseudoplates in the genus Milnesium Doyère, 1840
Authors: MORENO-TALAMANTES ANTONIO , ROSZKOWSKA MILENA , GARCÍA-ARANDA MARIO ALBERTO , FLORES-MALDONADO JOSÉ JUAN , KACZMAREK ŁUKASZ
Published: November 2019

Mexico is a megadiverse country, however its tardigrade fauna is poorly known and to date 44 species have been reported from this region. In the present paper, an update of the reported Mexican tardigrades is presented, increasing the number of recorded tardigrades to 55 species (11 new records). Moreover, we describe Milnesium cassandrae sp. nov. from State of Nuevo León in northern Mexico. The new species is most similar to Mil. krzysztofi Kaczmarek & Michalczyk, 2007 and Mil. beasleyi Kaczmarek, Jakubowska & Michalczyk, 2012, but it differs from them mainly by details of the dorsal sculpture and some morphometric characters. We also discuss the taxonomic value of a recently described feature, ‘pseudoplates’, for differentiating the taxa within the genus Milnesium Doyère, 1840. [Zoobank URL: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0684AE18-0510-4F7B-B75D-AE5177FBF2A2]
A new genus and two new species of Apomecynini, a new species of Desmiphorini, and new records in Lamiinae and Disteniidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: HEFFERN DANIEL , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , BOTERO JUAN PABLO
Published: November 2019

A new Mexican state record is provided for Holoaerenica apleta Galileo & Martins, 1987 and a new Honduran record is provided for Antodice sexnotata Franz, 1959 (both Aerenicini). A new Mexican state record is provided for Ptericoptus caudalis Bates, 1880 (Apomecynini). A new record for Panama is provided for Novantinoe hovorei Santos-Silva, 2007 (Disteniidae, Disteniinae). Vandenbergheius celaquensis, gen. nov., sp. nov. (Apomecynini) is described from Honduras; Adetus croton (Apomecynini) is described from the USA (Texas), Mexico (Sonora, Jalisco, Chiapas, Michoacán, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Nuevo León), and Honduras; and Estoloides sinaloana (Desmiphorini) is described from Mexico (Sinaloa).
Dorcus tianlongi, a new species from central China (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae)
Authors: WANG CHENG-BIN , ZHOU CHAO
Published: November 2019

A new species of stag beetle, Dorcus tianlongi Wang & Zhou, new species (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae) is described from Guizhou Province, China. It is closely related to D. liyingbingi Huang & Chen, 2013 and D. mencius (Kriesche, 1935). Diagnostic characters of the three species are illustrated and compared. Dorcus mencius is for the first time recorded from Henan Province of China.
Maintenance Mechanism for the Teleconnection Pattern over the High Latitudes of the Eurasian Continent in Summer
Authors: Li Xinyu , Lu Riyu , Greatbatch Richard J. , Li Gen , Hong Xiaowei
Published: November 2019

There is a zonally oriented teleconnection pattern over the high-latitude Eurasian continent, which is maintained through baroclinic energy conversion. In this study, we investigate the unique features of the maintenance mechanism of this teleconnection. It is found that the baroclinic energy conversion is most efficient in both the midtroposphere and the lower troposphere, and that the baroclinic energy conversion in the lower troposphere is comparable to that in the midtroposphere. Further results indicate that the basic state plays a crucial role in the baroclinic energy conversion. For both the middle and lower troposphere, the atmospheric stability is low and the Coriolis parameter is large over high-latitude Eurasia, favoring strong baroclinic energy conversion. Particularly, in the lower troposphere, the atmospheric stability exhibits a clear land–sea contrast, favoring baroclinic energy conversion over the continents rather than the oceans. Furthermore, in the lower troposphere, the in-phase configuration of the meridional wind and temperature anomalies, which results from the strong meridional gradient of mean temperature around the north edge of the Eurasian continent, also significantly contributes to baroclinic energy conversion. This study highlights the role of the basic state of temperature rather than zonal wind in maintaining the high-latitude teleconnection through baroclinic energy conversion.
The Prevalence and Rationale for Presenting an Opposing Viewpoint in Climate Change Reporting: Findings from a U.S. National Survey of TV Weathercasters
Authors: Timm Kristin M. F. , Maibach Edward W. , Boykoff Maxwell , Myers Teresa A. , Broeckelman-Post Melissa A.
Published: November 2019

The journalistic norm of balance has been described as the practice of giving equal weight to different sides of a story; false balance is balanced reporting when the weight of evidence strongly favors one side over others—for example, the reality of human-caused climate change. False balance is problematic because it skews public perception of expert agreement. Through formative interviews and a survey of American weathercasters about climate change reporting, we found that objectivity and balance—topics that have frequently been studied with environmental journalists—are also relevant to understanding climate change reporting among weathercasters. Questions about the practice of and reasons for presenting an opposing viewpoint when reporting on climate change were included in a 2017 census survey of weathercasters working in the United States (N = 480; response rate = 22%). When reporting on climate change, 35% of weathercasters present an opposing viewpoint “always” or “most of the time.” Their rationale for reporting opposing viewpoints included the journalistic norms of objectivity and balanced reporting (53%), their perceived uncertainty of climate science (21%), to acknowledge differences of opinion (17%), to maintain credibility (14%), and to strengthen the story (7%). These findings show that climate change reporting from weathercasters sometimes includes opposing viewpoints, and possibly a false balance, but further research is necessary. Moreover, prior research has shown that the climate reporting practices among weathercasters are evolving rapidly and so the problem of false-balance reporting may already be self-correcting.
Addressing the Drivers of Carbon Emissions Embodied in Indian Exports: An Index Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Banerjee Suvajit
Published: November 2019

This study identifies the determinants that have an observable impact over the change in carbon dioxide emissions embodied in the production of Indian exports by adopting an index decomposition analysis to address the contribution from four mutually non-exclusive factors which arise due to India’s increasing export performance during the 1995–2009 period on the change in total emissions embodied in exports. These four factors are scale effect, composition effect, emission regulation effect and production efficiency effect. The idea of bringing the last two effects is to capture the impact from technology factor due to international trade. This study found an increased emission embodiment in exports of 234.24 mega-tonnes by using input–output modelling with ‘emissions embodied in bilateral trade’ approach and then applies the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index-I (LMDI-I)-based additive and multiplicative formulae following Ang and Zhang (2000) and Ang (2004) to conduct the decomposition exercise. This study finds the scale effect as the largest contributing factor increasing the emission levels by more than 184 per cent of the original increase, while the other three effects creating dampening impact over this scale-driven increase. Emission regulation effects created the maximum cleaning-up impact, especially during the 2002–2009 phase.

JEL Codes: C67, F64, Q43, Q48, Q56
Public Sense of Water Fluoridation as Reflected on Twitter 2009–2017
Authors: Oh H.J. , Kim C.H. , Jeon J.G.
Published: November 2019

Though controversial, water fluoridation has been hailed as one of the top-ten public-health achievements of the 20th century in the United States of America. In this article, we aim to investigate the public sense of water fluoridation as reflected on Twitter, using data from 2009 to 2017. To this end, tweets related to water fluoridation were collected using queries such as “fluoridated water or fluoride water,” “water fluoridation or fluoridation of water,” and hashtags related to water fluoridation. The collected tweets ( n = 218,748) were examined through informetric, linguistic (word sentiment, word frequency, and word network analyses), and issue tweet analyses. We found that Twitter users who tweeted about water fluoridation in English between 2009 and 2017 constituted about <0.01% of all users including non-English users. In their tweets, words such as “poison” and “waste” were the strong negative sentiment words most often used. Of the top 30 words most frequently used, words related to information sources on water fluoridation and the safety of water fluoridation appeared more often than words related to its efficacy. Additionally, the words related to information sources on water fluoridation and the safety of water fluoridation were found to be core terms in the sentences of tweet mentions. Our linguistic analyses indicate that Twitter users responded sensitively to words that emphasize negative aspects of fluoridation. This is clearly shown in our issue tweet analysis, where tweet mentions expressing negative opinions about water fluoridation accounted for at least 59.2% of all mentions. By contrast, <15% of tweet mentions were found to be positive. These findings suggest that professionals need to reevaluate the current state of online information about water fluoridation, and improve it in a way so that the public can easily access reliable information sources.
Cult books revisited: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s The Phenomenon of Man
Authors: Grumett David
Published: November 2019

Teilhard’s The Phenomenon of Man was posthumously published and has been retranslated as The Human Phenomenon. It presents humankind in unity with an evolving world, locates parts in relation to the whole, and balances the perspectives of the outside and the inside. Key aspects include the tangential–radial energy distinction, axes of evolution, the noosphere and personalization. Although Teilhard regarded it as a scientific work, he leaves space for the theological notions of ensoulment, monogenism and the supernatural, and derives his hypothesis that Omega is a point of evolutionary convergence from Scripture. Today, Teilhard’s cosmic vision appeals to some and the global context he defines is ecologically significant, but his dense theorizing may obscure or detract from basic elements of Christian belief.
Editorial
Authors: Pulec Jack L.
Published: November 2019

Abstracts of all articles, full-color ENT clinics, past issue archives, more than 300 otolaryngology Web site links, an online convention hall, subscription information, Instructions to Authors, and Editorial Board review.
The turbinates in nasal and sinus surgery: A consensus statement
Authors: Rice Dale H. , Kern Eugene B. , Marple Bradley F. , Mabry Richard L. , Friedman William H.
Published: November 2019

A panel to discuss various issues concerning surgery of the middle and inferior turbinates in patients with nasal and sinus disease was convened by the American Rhino-logical Society during the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meetings in May 2001. The panel was chaired by the lead author (D.H.R.) and made up of the other authors listed above. What follows are some of the highlights of the presentations and the panelists’ conclusions and consensus recommendations.
The prevention of fire during oropharyngeal electrosurgery
Authors: Mattucci Kenneth F. , Militana Charles J.
Published: November 2019

We report the results of our study of 25 children who underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy under endotracheal general anesthesia with respect to their risk of fire in the oropharynx. We also attempt to explain the reasons for the difference between the relatively high incidence of airway explosions and fires that have occurred during tracheostomy with electrosurgery and electrocautery and the low incidence of these events during electrosurgical dissection of the tonsils. Finally, we review the precautions that physicians can take to lower the risk of operating-room fires and explosions.