bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social and behavioural factors associated with depressive symptoms among university students in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ngin Chanrith , Pal Khuondyla , Tuot Sovannary , Chhoun Pheak , Yi Rosa , Yi Siyan
Published: September 2018

Objective

To explore social and behavioural factors associated with depressive symptoms among university students in Cambodia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

Two public universities—one in the capital city of Phnom Penh and another in Battambang provincial town.

Participants

This study included 1359 students randomly selected from all departments in the two universities using a multistage cluster sampling method for a self-administered questionnaire survey in 2015.

Primary outcome measure

Depressive symptoms measured by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. All measures in the study were self-reported.

Results

The proportion of students with depressive symptoms and severe depressive symptoms were 50.6% and 19.6%, respectively. After adjustment in multivariate logistic regression analysis, depressive symptoms remained significantly associated with poor academic performance (adjusted OR (AOR)=7.31, 95% CI 2.24 to 23.86), higher consumption of unhealthy food (AOR=1.72, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.76), a negative self-perception about body shape (AOR=0.54, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.99) and general health status (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.28 to 7.00), and limited physical activeness (AOR=0.30, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.58). Depressive symptoms also remained significantly associated with adverse childhood experiences including physical violence (AOR=1.39, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.86), psychological abuse (AOR=1.82, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.42) and lack of general and medical care (AOR=0.51, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.86) by family during childhood.

Conclusions

The key factors associated with depressive symptoms were family related and individual behaviours and attitudes. Thus, efforts should be invested in comprehensive screening and intervention programmes to diagnose those vulnerable students early, offer immediate treatment and cater appropriate support.
Association of oral ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin with the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia: a nationwide cohort study in Korea
Authors: Cho Yongil , Park Hyun Soo
Published: September 2018

Objective

To evaluate whether oral ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia in Korea’s general population.

Design

Population-based cohort study using administrative claims data on a national scale in Korea.

Setting

All primary, secondary and tertiary care settings from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015.

Participants

Patients who were prescribed the relevant study medications at outpatient visits.

Primary outcome measures

Each patient group that was prescribed ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin or moxifloxacin was compared with the group that was prescribed cefixime to assess the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation, flutter and cardiac arrest). Using logistic regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score, OR and 95% CI for serious ventricular arrhythmia were calculated for days 1–7 and 8–14 after the patients commenced antibiotic use.

Results

During the study period, 4 888 890 patients were prescribed the study medications. They included 1 466 133 ciprofloxacin users, 1 141 961 levofloxacin users, 1 830 786 ofloxacin users, 47 080 moxifloxacin users and 402 930 cefixime users. Between 1 and 7 days after index date, there was no evidence of increased serious ventricular arrhythmia related to the prescription of ciprofloxacin (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.06) and levofloxacin (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.29). Ofloxacin had a 59% reduced risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia compared with cefixime during 1–7 days after prescription. Whereas the OR of serious ventricular arrhythmia after the prescription of moxifloxacin was 1.87 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.11) compared with cefixime during 1–7 days after prescription.

Conclusions

During 1–7 days after prescription, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were not associated with increased risk and ofloxacin showed reduced risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia. Moxifloxacin increased the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia.
Paradox of self-care gender differences among Italian patients with chronic heart failure: findings from a real-world cross-sectional study
Authors: Dellafiore Federica , Arrigoni Cristina , Pittella Francesco , Conte Gianluca , Magon Arianna , Caruso Rosario
Published: September 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to critically analyse and describe gender differences related to self-care among patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

A monocentric real-world cohort of 346 patients with chronic HF in follow-up was used for this cross-sectional study. We report data related to the cohort’s demographic and clinical characteristics. Self-care was assessed using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index before patients’ discharge. After bivariate analysis, logistical regression models were used to describe the relationship between gender, self-care behaviours and self-care confidence. While men were found to have more than quadruple the risk of poor self-care than women (OR 4.596; 95% CI 1.075 to 19.650), men were also found to be approximately 60% more likely to have adequate self-care confidence than women (OR 0.412; 95% CI 0.104 to 0.962). Considering that self-care confidence is described as a positive predictor of behaviours, our results suggest a paradox. It is possible that the patient–caregiver relationship mediates the effect of confidence on behaviours. Overall, adequate levels of self-care behaviours are a current issue, ranging 7.6%–18.0%.

Conclusion

This study sets the stage for future research where elements of the patient–caregiver relationship ought to be considered to inform the planning of appropriate educational interventions. We recommend routinely measuring patients’ self-care behaviours to guide their follow-up and as a basis for any changes in their daily life behaviours.
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on chronic neurocognitive deficits of post-traumatic brain injury patients: retrospective analysis
Authors: Hadanny Amir , Abbott Stefanie , Suzin Gil , Bechor Yair , Efrati Shai
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in participants suffering from chronic neurological deficits due to traumatic brain injury (TBI) of all severities in the largest cohort evaluated so far with objective cognitive function tests and metabolic brain imaging.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 154 patients suffering from chronic neurocognitive damage due to TBI, who had undergone computerised cognitive evaluations pre-HBOT and post-HBOT treatment.

Results

The average age was 42.7±14.6 years, and 58.4% were men. All patients had documented TBI 0.3–33 years (mean 4.6±5.8, median 2.75 years) prior to HBOT. HBOT was associated with significant improvement in all of the cognitive domains, with a mean change in global cognitive scores of 4.6±8.5 (p<0.00001). The most prominent improvements were in memory index and attention, with mean changes of 8.1±16.9 (p<0.00001) and 6.8±16.5 (p<0.0001), respectively. The most striking changes observed in brain single photon emission computed tomography images were in the anterior cingulate and the postcentral cortex, in the prefrontal areas and in the temporal areas.

Conclusions

In the largest published cohort of patients suffering from chronic deficits post-TBI of all severities, HBOT was associated with significant cognitive improvements. The clinical improvements were well correlated with increased activity in the relevant brain areas.
Implementing myocardial infarction systems of care in low/middle-income countries
Authors: Nascimento Bruno R , Brant Luisa C Caldeira , Marino Bárbara C A , Passaglia Luiz Guilherme , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P
Published: September 2018

Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an increasing trend from 6.1 million deaths in 1990 to 9.5 million in 2016, markedly driven by rates observed in low/middle-income countries (LMIC). Improvements in myocardial infarction (MI) care are crucial for reducing premature mortality. We aimed to evaluate the main challenges for adequate MI care in LMIC, and possible strategies to overcome these existing barriers.

Reperfusion is the cornerstone of MI treatment, but worldwide around 30% of patients are not reperfused, with even lower rates in LMIC. The main challenges are related to delays associated with patient education, late diagnosis and inadequate referral strategies, health infrastructure and insufficient funding. The implementation of regional MI systems of care in LMIC, systematising timely reperfusion strategies, access to intensive care, risk stratification and use of adjunctive medications have shown some successful strategies. Telemedicine support for remote ECG, diagnosis and organisation of referrals has proven to be useful, improving access to reperfusion even in prehospital settings. Organisation of transport and referral hubs based on anticipated delays and development of MI excellence centres have also resulted in better equality of care. Also, education of healthcare staff and task shifting may potentially widen access to optimal therapy.

In conclusion, efforts have been made for the implementation of MI systems of care in LMIC, aiming to address particularities of the health systems. However, the increasing impact of MI in these countries urges the development of further strategies to improve reperfusion and reduce system delays.
Barriers to the release of human tissue for clinical trials research in the UK: a national survey of cellular pathology laboratories on behalf of the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cellular Molecular Pathology (CM-Path) initiative
Authors: Macklin Philip S , Hall Andrew , Lee Jessica , Hair Jane , Speirs Valerie , Thomas Gareth J , Oien Karin A , Verrill Clare
Published: October 2018

Aim

To survey UK cellular pathology departments regarding their attitudes and practices relating to release of human tissue from their diagnostic archives for use in clinical trial research.

Methods

A 30-item questionnaire was circulated to the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cellular Molecular Pathology initiative and Confederation of Cancer Biobanks mailing lists. Responses were collected over a 10-month period from November 2016 to August 2017.

Results

38 departments responded to the survey, the majority of which regularly receive requests for tissue for research purposes. Most requests come from academia and financial support to facilitate tissue release comes from a variety of sources. A range of practices were reported in relation to selection of the most appropriate sample to release, consent checking, costing and governance frameworks.

Conclusions

This survey demonstrates wide variation in practice across the UK and identifies barriers to release of human tissue for clinical trial research. Until we can overcome these obstacles, patient samples will remain inaccessible to research. Therefore, this study highlights the urgent need for clear and coordinated national guidance on this issue.
Acetaminophen ingestion improves muscle activation and performance during a 3-min all-out cycling test
Authors: Morgan Paul T. , Vanhatalo Anni , Bowtell Joanna L. , Jones Andrew M. , Bailey Stephen J.
Published: September 2018

Acute acetaminophen (ACT) ingestion has been shown to enhance cycling time-trial performance. The purpose of this study was to assess whether ACT ingestion enhances muscle activation and critical power (CP) during maximal cycling exercise. Sixteen active male participants completed two 3-min all-out tests against a fixed resistance on an electronically braked cycle ergometer 60 min after ingestion of 1 g of ACT or placebo (maltodextrin, PL). CP was estimated as the mean power output over the final 30 s of the test and W′ (the curvature constant of the power–duration relationship) was estimated as the work done above CP. The femoral nerve was stimulated every 30 s to measure membrane excitability (M-wave) and surface electromyography (EMGRMS) was recorded continuously to infer muscle activation. Compared with PL, ACT ingestion increased CP (ACT: 297 ± 32 W vs. PL: 288 ± 31 W, P < 0.001) and total work done (ACT: 66.4 ± 6.5 kJ vs. PL: 65.4 ± 6.4 kJ, P = 0.03) without impacting W′ (ACT: 13.1 ± 2.9 kJ vs. PL: 13.6 ± 2.4 kJ, P = 0.19) or the M-wave amplitude (P = 0.66) during the 3-min all-out cycling test. Normalised EMGRMSamplitude declined throughout the 3-min protocol in both PL and ACT conditions; however, the decline in EMGRMSamplitude was attenuated in the ACT condition, such that the EMGRMSamplitude was greater in ACT compared with PL over the last 60 s of the test (P = 0.04). These findings indicate that acute ACT ingestion might increase performance and CP during maximal cycling exercise by enhancing muscle activation.
Highway 400 precast concrete inlay panel project: Instrumentation plan, installation, and preliminary results
Authors: Pickel Daniel , Tighe Susan , Lee Warren , Fung Rico
Published: September 2018

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario was interested in a rehabilitation strategy that could be used to address deep-seated rutting issues encountered on its 400-series highways. A precast concrete inlay panel (PCIP) rehabilitation design was developed and constructed involving the installation of precast panels into partially-milled asphalt pavement. Sub-surface instrumentation was installed at the PCIP–asphalt interface including earth pressure cells and moisture sensors installed in six instrumentation clusters. This instrumentation has been monitored to gather information regarding the PCIP trial installation. Readings from the moisture sensors indicate that water penetrates beneath the PCIPs in precipitation events, though these moisture levels recede under dry conditions, indicating that the water can exit the sub-slab area. Static load testing using a fully-loaded gravel truck was used to determine the different support reactions caused by different loading configurations. Higher loads were generally found beneath the joints in the two loading situations studied.
BUY-AND-HOLD PROPERTY FOR FULLY INCOMPLETE MARKETS WHEN SUPER-REPLICATING MARKOVIAN CLAIMS
Authors: NEUFELD ARIEL
Published: October 2018

We show that when the price process [Formula: see text] represents a fully incomplete market, the optimal super-replication of any Markovian claim [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] being nonnegative and lower semicontinuous is of buy-and-hold type. Since both (unbounded) stochastic volatility models and rough volatility models are examples of fully incomplete markets, one can interpret the buy-and-hold property when super-replicating Markovian claims as a natural phenomenon in incomplete markets.
GREAT ENGINES TURN ON SMALL PIVOTS: A PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE MANUFACTURING IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Authors: HASAN SYED
Published: October 2018

This paper uses estimates of total factor productivity of small enterprises to identify the reasons underlying idiosyncratic variation. Empirical analysis is used to segregate internal and external determinants of productivity using a novel dataset. For reliable estimation, the baseline estimates are corrected for simultaneity bias using instrumental variables and selectivity bias through Heckman correction. Results identify significance of factors operating within firms; educational qualification and professional training of entrepreneurs for higher levels of productivity and the external drivers of productivity differences; sources of energy, selective access to credit and agglomeration economies. The research has important implications for entrepreneurs and policy intervention.
Management of an Aquatic Invasive Weed with Uncertain Benefits and Damage Costs: The Case of Elodea Canadensis in Sweden
Authors: Marbuah George , Gren Ing-Marie , Tattersdill Kristina , McKie Brendan G.
Published: October 2018

The invasive aquatic weed Elodea canadensis (Mich) (Canadian pondweed) might provide benefits for nature and society when present in low abundance by contributing to nutrient regulation in lakes, particularly in more degraded environments where native species are unable to persist, but can cause damage when it forms extensive monocultures that choke lake littoral zones. Using a bioeconomic model developed to describe the population dynamics and uncertain spatial dispersion of the weed in Lake Löt in Sweden, we conducted an analysis of optimal management of the species as regards good and bad effects on society. A theoretical finding was that the level of control required depends on the benefits, damage costs, control costs, and uncertainty in dispersal of the weed. Lake Löt was chosen as the case because data on dynamics of the weed are available for this lake. The empirical results showed that the total net benefits were sensitive to inclusion of uncertainty and benefits of the species, but uncertainty had little effect on the level and timing of optimal control of the weed. However, the cost of no action with associated damage costs net of benefits of the weed proved to be considerably larger than the control costs, irrespective of inclusion of benefits and uncertainty.
Should Credit Card Issuers Reissue Cards in Response to a Data Breach?
Authors: Graves James T. , Acquisti Alessandro , Christin Nicolas
Published: October 2018

When card data is exposed in a data breach but has not yet been used to attempt fraud, the overall social costs of that breach depend on whether the financial institutions that issued those cards immediately cancel them and issue new cards or instead wait until fraud is attempted. This article empirically investigates the social costs and benefits of those options. We use a parameterized model and Monte Carlo simulation to compare the cost of reissuing cards to the total expected cost of fraud if cards are not reissued. The ranges and distributions in our model are informed by publicly available information, from which we extrapolate estimates of the number of credit card records historically exposed in data breaches, the probability that a card exposed in a breach will be used for fraud, and the associated expected cost of existing-account credit card fraud. We find that automatically reissuing cards may have lower social costs than the costs of waiting until fraud is attempted, although the range of results is considerably broad.
Vectors of Babesiosis
Authors: Gray Jeremy S. , Estrada-Peña Agustín , Zintl Annetta
Published: October 2018

Babesiosis, caused by piroplasmid protozoans in the genus Babesia, is arguably the most important vector-borne disease of livestock and companion animals and is growing in importance as a zoonosis. Ixodid ticks were identified as vectors more than a hundred years ago, but the particular tick species transmitting some significant pathogens are still unknown. Moreover, it is only recently that the complexity of the pathogen–tick relationship has been revealed as a result of studies enabled by gene expression and RNA interference methodology. In this article, we provide details of demonstrated and incriminated vectors, maps of the current knowledge of vector distribution, a summary of established features of the pathogen life cycle in the vector, and an outline of molecular research on pathogen–tick relationships. The article concludes with a discussion of vector ecology and disease epidemiology in a global-change context and with suggestions for future research.
Improvements in Drill-Core Headspace Gas Analysis for Samples from Microbially Active Depths
Authors: Miyakawa Kazuya , Okumura Fumiaki
Published: October 2018

The IsoJar™ container is widely used in headspace gas analysis for gases adsorbed on cuttings or bore cores from oil and gas fields. However, large variations in the carbon isotopic ratios of CH4and CO2are often reported, especially for data obtained from depths of <1000 m. The IsoJar™ method leaves air in the headspace that allows microbial oxidation of CH4to CO2, meaning that isotopic fractionation occurs during storage. This study employed the IsoJar™ method to investigate the causes of differences inδ13C data reported by previous studies in the Horonobe area of Japan. It was found that after 80 d storage,δ13CCO2values decreased by ~2‰, whileδ13CCH4values increased by >30‰, whereas samples analyzed within a week of collection showed no such fluctuations. The conventional amount of microbial suppressant (~0.5 ml of 10% benzalkonium chloride (BKC) solution) is insufficient to suppress microbial activity if groundwater is used as filling water. The significant variations in carbon isotopic compositions previously reported were caused by microbial methane oxidation after sampling and contamination by groundwater from different depths. To avoid these problems, we recommend the following: (1) if long-term sample storage is necessary, >10 ml of 10% BKC solution should be added or >0.3% BKC concentration is required to suppress microbial activity; (2) analyses should be performed within one week of sampling; and (3) for CO2analyses, it is important that samples are not contaminated by groundwater from different depths.
CEnsLoc: Infrastructure-Less Indoor Localization Methodology Using GMM Clustering-Based Classification Ensembles
Authors: Akram Beenish Ayesha , Akbar Ali Hammad , Kim Ki-Hyung
Published: October 2018

Indoor localization has continued to garner interest over the last decade or so, due to the fact that its realization remains a challenge. Fingerprinting-based systems are exciting because these embody signal propagation-related information intrinsically as compared to radio propagation models. Wi-Fi (an RF technology) is best suited for indoor localization because it is so widely deployed that literally, no additional infrastructure is required. Since location-based services depend on the fingerprints acquired through the underlying technology, smart mechanisms such as machine learning are increasingly being incorporated to extract intelligible information. We propose CEnsLoc, a new easy to train-and-deploy Wi-Fi localization methodology established on GMM clustering and Random Forest Ensembles (RFEs). Principal component analysis was applied for dimension reduction of raw data. Conducted experimentation demonstrates that it provides 97% accuracy for room prediction. However, artificial neural networks,k-nearest neighbors,K∗, FURIA, and DeepLearning4J-based localization solutions provided mean 85%, 91%, 90%, 92%, and 73% accuracy on our collected real-world dataset, respectively. It delivers high room-level accuracy with negligible response time, making it viable and befitted for real-time applications.
Inhibitory Effect of Japanese Traditional Kampo Formula Frequently Prescribed in Gynecological Clinics on CYP3A4
Authors: Ni Hao , Matsumoto Takashi , Watanabe Junko , Makino Toshiaki
Published: October 2018

Recently, the use of herbal medicines has become popular, and information on drug interactions between herbal medicines and chemical drugs is needed in clinics. In Japan, the number of patients taking Japanese traditional Kampo medicines has been increasing, and the proper drug information about herb‐drug interaction is highly demanded. The most established herb‐drug interaction is the case of grapefruit juice (GFJ) via the inhibition on CYP3A4 expressed in the small intestine. In the present study, we compared the inhibitory titer on CYP3A4 between the target Kampo products and GFJ used as positive control. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of GFJ and three extracts of Kampo formulas frequently used in gynecological clinics on CYP3A4 in vitro and calculated the related titer of one‐time dosage of Kampo formulas to GFJ in order to predict its effect on clinics. Although the extracts of these three Kampo formulas and the most of crude drug components in the formulas exhibited the inhibitory effects on CYP3A4 in some levels, the possibilities of tokishakuyakusan and keishibukuryogan to cause drug interaction can be quite low; however, it is possible that the excessive dosage of kamishoyosan may cause drug interaction with the substrate of CYP3A4 in clinics.
Positive Solutions for Higher Order Nonlocal Fractional Differential Equation with Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Jiang Jiqiang , Liu Weiwei , Wang Hongchuan
Published: October 2018

In this paper, by using the spectral analysis of the relevant linear operator and Gelfand’s formula, some properties of the first eigenvalue of a fractional differential equation were obtained; combining fixed point index theorem, sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions are established. An example is given to demonstrate the application of our main results.
Triatomine Fauna and Recent Epidemiological Dynamics of Chagas Disease in an Endemic Area of Northeast Brazil
Authors: Melo Cláudia M. , Cruz Ana Carla F. G. , Lima Antônio Fernando V. A. , Silva Luan R. , Madi Rubens R. , Jeraldo Veronica de Lourdes S. , Mercado Ruben
Published: October 2018

Updated information of the dispersion dynamics of Chagas disease (CD) and a systemic analysis of these data will aid the early identification of areas that are vulnerable to transmission and enable efficient intervention. This work synthesized spatiotemporal information regarding triatomine fauna and analyzed this information in combination with the results from serological tests to elucidate the epidemiological panorama of CD in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. This is a retrospective analytical study that utilized information from the database of the National Chagas Disease Control Program. Between 2010 and 2016, 838 triatomines of eight species, namely, Panstrongylus geniculatus, which was first recorded in the state of Sergipe, Panstrongylus lutzi, P. megistus, Triatoma brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata, T. tibiamaculata, T. melanocephala, and Rhodnius neglectus, were collected. Optical microscopy revealed that 13.2% of triatomines examined were infected by Trypanosoma cruzi-like flagellates. The distribution of triatomines exhibits an expanding south-central to northern dispersion, with a preference for semiarid and agreste areas and occasional observations in humid coastal areas due to anthropogenic actions reflected in the environment. Of the human cases analyzed from 2012 to 2016, 8.3% (191/2316) presented positive serology for Trypanosoma cruzi, and this proportion showed a gradual increase in the southern center of the state and new notifications in coastal regions. There is a need for intensification and continuity of the measures adopted by the Chagas Disease Control Program in Sergipe, identifying new priority areas for intervention and preferential ecotopes of the vectors, considering the occurrence of positive triatomines intradomicilliary and a source of new triatomines in the peridomiciles.
Dynamic Games Methods in Synthesis of Safe Ship Control Algorithms
Authors: Lisowski Józef
Published: October 2018

The paper presents application of dynamic games methods, multistage positional and multistep matrix games, to automate the process control of moving objects, on the example of safe control of own ship in collision situations when passing many ships encountered. Taking into consideration two types of ships cooperation, for each of the two types of games, positional and matrix, four control algorithms for determining a safe ship trajectory supporting the navigator’s maneuvering decision in a collision situation are presented. The considerations are illustrated by examples of computer simulation in Matlab/Simulink software of safe trajectories of a ship in a real situation at sea. Taking into account the smallest final deviation game trajectory from the reference trajectory of movement, in good visibility at sea, the best is trajectory for cooperative matrix game, but in restricted visibility at sea, the best is trajectory for cooperative positional game.
Capacities in Generalized Orlicz Spaces
Authors: Baruah Debangana , Harjulehto Petteri , Hästö Peter
Published: October 2018

In this paper basic properties of both Sobolev and relative capacities are studied in generalized Orlicz spaces. The capacities are compared with each other and the Hausdorff measure. As an application, the existence of quasicontinuous representative of generalized Orlicz functions is proved.
Determinants of Food Taboos in the Pregnant Women of the Awabel District, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia
Authors: Getnet Wollelaw , Aycheh Wubie , Tessema Taddele
Published: October 2018

Background. Food taboos have great effect on pregnant women through prohibited essential food and/or drinks. It is transferred from generation to generation and has negative effect on pregnant mothers' health. Objective. To assess magnitude of food taboo and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health institutions in Awabel district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. Methods. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted. Three hundred seven pregnant women were selected for the study. All governmental health institutions in the district were included for the study. Data were entered in to Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of food taboo. Results. Twenty-seven percent of pregnant mother encountered food taboos. Avoided food items by pregnant mothers were linseed, coffee, tea, cabbage, porridge, wheat bread, banana, pimento, groundnut, salty diet, nug, sugarcane, pumpkin, and coca drinks. Reasons mentioned for avoidance of this food items were plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery, fear of abortion, and fetal abnormality. Age of the mother AOR= 2.97 (1.71-5.16), income AOR= 0.28 (0.11-0.72), and previous antenatal care AOR= 2.33 (1.89-5.47) were significantly associated with food taboo. Conclusion. Our study revealed that considerable proportion of food taboo exists during pregnancy in the study area. This can be improved by strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up.
Inverted Yoga and Near Syncope: An Unusual Diagnosis of Right Ventricular Myxoma
Authors: David Wadie , Rehman Narmeen , Singh Robby , David Shukri
Published: October 2018

Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare and are difficult to diagnose. Although usually benign in nature, myxomas require surgical resection due to their increased risk of embolic and cardiac complications, with the timing of resection dependent on the presentation and size of the tumor. However, if diagnosed early, patients with primary benign cardiac tumors have excellent prognosis following surgery. Therefore, a high index of suspicion and a wide differential diagnosis are very important in detecting rare conditions that can affect otherwise healthy individuals. We present an uncommon case of a right ventricular myxoma that was discovered when the patient was performing inverted yoga and experienced a near syncopal episode. Patient subsequently underwent an echocardiographic evaluation and was found to have a right ventricular myxoma that was excised. Although recurrence is rare, it is important for physicians to remain vigilant and continue careful and consistent follow-up for patients with a history of a cardiac myxoma.
Passively Q-Switched Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser via Evanescent Field Interaction with Few-Layer Molybdenum Ditelluride
Authors: Wu Man , Li Ying
Published: October 2018

We demonstrate an all-fiberized passively Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) via evanescent field interaction between molybdenum ditelluride saturable absorber (SA) and guided mode of the D-shaped fiber. By integrating the few-layer molybdenum ditelluride prepared by CVD method onto the side-polished fiber, the SA can be realized by the strong interaction between the evanescent field of the waveguide and the nonlinear optical material. The proposed passively Q-switched EDFL could deliver output pulses at 1566 nm wavelength with pulse width of 5.03 μs, a repetition rate of 13.9 kHz, a pulse energy of 150.6 nJ, and an output power of 2.1 mW when pumped by a 980 nm laser diode of 180 mW.
Transfer Robustness Optimization for Urban Rail Transit Timetables
Authors: Ning Liqiao , Zhao Peng , Xu Wenkai , Qiao Ke
Published: October 2018

A good timetable is required to not only be efficient, but also yield effectiveness in preventing and counteracting delays. When travelling via urban rail transit networks, transferring passengers may miss their scheduled connecting train because of a feeder train delay that results in them experiencing increased travel costs. Considering that running time supplements and transfer buffer times yield different effects on the travel plans of transferring and nontransferring passengers, we formulate an expected extra travel cost (EETC) function to appropriately balance efficiency and robustness, which is then implemented in the construction of a robust transfer optimization model with the objective of minimizing the total EETC. Next, to improve the computational efficiency, we propose an approximate linearization approach for the EETC function and introduce two types of binary variables and auxiliary substitution variables to convert the nonlinear model to a mixed-integer linear model. Experimental results show that our proposed method can yield practically applicable solutions with significant reductions in both EETC and probability of missing a transfer.
Unbalanced 14;X Translocation and Pattern of X Inactivation in a Female Patient with Multiple Congenital Anomalies
Authors: Mohamed Amal Mahmoud , Zaki Maha S. , Kamel Alaa K. , Issa Mahmoud Y. , Mekkawy Mona , Safwat Peter , Mazen Inas
Published: October 2018

We report on a female patient who was first evaluated at the age of 6 years with developmental delay, dysmorphic facial features, seizures, and autistic behavior. A brain CT showed complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, and EEG recorded bilateral epileptogenic foci. Karyotype analysis revealed 45,X,psu dic(14;X)(p11;p22). FISH using 14q and Xp subtelomeric probes, combined with a SHOX gene-specific probe, and centromere X and XIST gene analysis revealed ish psu dic(14;X)(D14S1420+; DXYS129-, SHOX-, DXZ1+, XIST+). Array CGH detected a 2-Mb loss at Xp22.33 and a 4.6-Mb gain at Xp22.2p22.12. The deletion contains 34 genes, of which CSF2RA and SHOX are OMIM morbid genes. The duplication also contains some OMIM morbid genes, of which CDKL5, NH5, RPS6KA3, and AP1S2 are the most important. The late replicating chromatin technique was used to detect the pattern of X inactivation in the normal X and in the translocated chromosome. The translocated X was found to be inactive in 70% of the studied blood lymphocytes with patchy extension of inactivation to chromosome 14. In conclusion, the phenotype of the patient may be partially affected by the haploinsufficiency of the genes that are known to escape X inactivation and that lie within the deleted region and by other deleted or duplicated genes on the abnormal X chromosome due to an alternative pattern of X inactivation. The phenotype of the patient was significantly aggravated and complicated by the functional monosomy of some genes on chromosome 14 due to partial spreading of inactivation and silencing of those genes. This case report indicates the importance of structural and functional studies and emphasizes the clinical importance of the follow-up of abnormal microarrays.
Microcephaly/Trigonocephaly, Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Atypical Dysmorphic Features in a Boy with Xp22.31 Duplication
Authors: Pavone Piero , Corsello Giovanni , Marino Silvia , Ruggieri Martino , Falsaperla Raffaele
Published: October 2018

The Xp22.31 segment of the short arm of the human X chromosome is a region of high instability with frequent rearrangement. The duplication of this region has been found in healthy people as well as in individuals with varying degrees of neurological impairment. The incidence has been reported in a range of 0.4-0.44% of the patients with neurological impairment. Moreover, there is evidence that Xp22.31 duplication may cause a common phenotype including developmental delay, intellectual disability, feeding difficulty, autistic spectrum disorders, hypotonia, seizures, and talipes. We report on a patient with microcephaly and trigonocephaly, moderate intellectual disability, speech and language delay, and poor social interaction in addition to minor but atypical dysmorphic features. This report provides further insight into the pathogenicity of the Xp22.31 duplication by extending knowledge of its clinical features. This case, in association with those reported in the literature, indicates that the Xp22.31 duplication may contribute to cause pathological phenotypes with minor facial dysmorphisms, microcephaly, and intellectual disability as main features.
Mechanisms of Connexin-Related Lymphedema
Authors: Castorena-Gonzalez Jorge A. , Zawieja Scott D. , Li Min , Srinivasan R. Sathish , Simon Alexander M. , de Wit Cor , de la Torre Roger , Martinez-Lemus Luis A. , Hennig Grant W. , Davis Michael J.
Published: September 2018

Rationale:

Mutations in
GJC2
and
GJA1
, encoding Cxs (connexins) 47 and 43, respectively, are linked to lymphedema, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Because efficient lymph transport relies on the coordinated contractions of lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) and their electrical coupling through Cxs, Cx-related lymphedema is proposed to result from dyssynchronous contractions of lymphatic vessels.

Objective:

To determine which Cx isoforms in LMCs and lymphatic endothelial cells are required for the entrainment of lymphatic contraction waves and efficient lymph transport.

Methods and Results:

We developed novel methods to quantify the spatiotemporal entrainment of lymphatic contraction waves and used optogenetic techniques to analyze calcium signaling within and between the LMC and the lymphatic endothelial cell layers. Genetic deletion of the major lymphatic endothelial cell Cxs (Cx43, Cx47, or Cx37) revealed that none were necessary for the synchronization of the global calcium events that triggered propagating contraction waves. We identified Cx45 in human and mouse LMCs as the critical Cx mediating the conduction of pacemaking signals and entrained contractions. Smooth muscle–specific Cx45 deficiency resulted in 10- to 18-fold reduction in conduction speed, partial-to-severe loss of contractile coordination, and impaired lymph pump function ex vivo and in vivo. Cx45 deficiency resulted in profound inhibition of lymph transport in vivo, but only under an imposed gravitational load.

Conclusions:

Our results (1) identify Cx45 as the Cx isoform mediating the entrainment of the contraction waves in LMCs; (2) show that major endothelial Cxs are dispensable for the entrainment of contractions; (3) reveal a lack of coupling between lymphatic endothelial cells and LMCs, in contrast to arterioles; (4) point to lymphatic valve defects, rather than contraction dyssynchrony, as the mechanism underlying
GJC2
- or
GJA1
-related lymphedema; and (5) show that a gravitational load exacerbates lymphatic contractile defects in the intact mouse hindlimb, which is likely critical for the development of lymphedema in the adult mouse.
Genotype and Lifetime Burden of Disease in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ho Carolyn Y. , Day Sharlene M. , Ashley Euan A. , Michels Michelle , Pereira Alexandre C. , Jacoby Daniel , Cirino Allison L. , Fox Jonathan C. , Lakdawala Neal K. , Ware James S. , Caleshu Colleen A. , Helms Adam S. , Colan Steven D. , Girolami Francesca , Cecchi Franco , Seidman Christine E. , Sajeev Gautam , Signorovitch James , Green Eric M. , Olivotto Iacopo ,   For the SHaRe Investigators
Published: October 2018

Background:

A better understanding of the factors that contribute to heterogeneous outcomes and lifetime disease burden in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is critically needed to improve patient management and outcomes. The SHaRe registry (Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry) was established to provide the scale of data required to address these issues, aggregating longitudinal data sets curated by 8 international HCM specialty centers.

Methods:

Data on 4591 patients with HCM (2763 genotyped) followed up for a mean of 5.4±6.9 years (24 791 patient-years; median, 2.9 years; interquartile range, 0.3–7.9 years) were analyzed for cardiac arrest, cardiac transplantation, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, all-cause death, atrial fibrillation, stroke, New York Heart Association functional class III/IV symptoms (all making up the overall composite end point), and left ventricular ejection fraction <35%. Outcomes were analyzed individually and as composite end points.

Results:

Median age at diagnosis was 45.8 (interquartile range, 30.9–58.1) years, and 37% of patients were female. Age at diagnosis and sarcomere mutation status were predictive of outcomes. Patients <40 years old at diagnosis had a 77% (95% CI, 72–80) cumulative incidence of the overall composite outcome by 60 years of age compared with 32% (95% CI, 29–36) by 70 years of age for patients diagnosed at >60 years old. Young patients with HCM (age, 20–29 years) had 4-fold higher mortality than the general US population at a similar age. Patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic sarcomere mutations had a 2-fold greater risk for adverse outcomes compared with patients without mutations; sarcomere variants of uncertain significance were associated with intermediate risk. Heart failure and atrial fibrillation were the most prevalent adverse events, although typically not emerging for several years after diagnosis. Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 32% (95% CI, 23–40) of patients <40 years of age at diagnosis but in 1% (95% CI, 1–2) of those >60 years old at diagnosis.

Conclusions:

The cumulative burden of HCM is substantial and dominated by heart failure and atrial fibrillation occurring many years after diagnosis. Young age at diagnosis and the presence of a sarcomere mutation are powerful predictors of adverse outcomes. These findings highlight the need for close surveillance throughout life and the need to develop disease-modifying therapies.
Siberia
Authors: Glants Musya
Published: September 2018

A growing dissatisfaction with second-rate status, i.e. with the ideological stigma of being Jewish, brought many personal changes. For my husband and me, for example, the decision to move to Siberia, where, thanks to geographical remoteness, the rules were less stringent, granted us a respite and a chance to overcome the boundaries of national and ethnic inequality.
Leningrad
Authors: Glants Musya
Published: September 2018

A new life began with my enrolment in the Ph.D. program at Leningrad State University. I describe the intellectual milieu of that moment as well as the ideological and material impediments to normal social and private life—fraught with injustice and the constant struggle between spiritual uprightness and political humiliation.
(Im)Possibilities of Latinx School Board Members’ Educational Leadership Toward Equity
Authors: Sampson Carrie
Published: September 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine how and why Latinx school board members address educational equity, both in general and as related to English learners (ELs). Research Method: This study used a qualitative multiple case study design to examine the leadership of six Latinx school board members representing three different school districts in the U.S. Mountain West region. Data included semi-structured interviews and archival materials. Findings: This study emphasizes the counter-stories of these Latinx school board members, pointing to how family, identity, and encounters with inequities often informed their efforts in addressing equity. Findings also illustrate how most of these board members employed strategies of embracing or avoiding representation, coalition-building, and public advocacy or political neutrality toward equity, with limited and inconsistent results for ELs. Finally, these Latinx school board members often experienced backlash from colleagues and voters that coincided with their efforts. Conclusion: These findings signify that Latinx school board members are often among the most committed on school boards to improving educational equity for ELs and other underserved populations. Moreover, their leadership provides unique and significant representation for these communities that lead to interesting possibilities. Yet Latinx school board members experience several internal and external challenges that make it nearly impossible for them to sufficiently expand educational opportunities for the aforementioned populations.
Molecular markers used in forensic genetics
Authors: Kowalczyk Marek , Zawadzka Ewelina , Szewczuk Dariusz , Gryzińska Magdalena , Jakubczak Andrzej
Published: October 2018

Forensic genetics is a field that has become subject to increasing interest in recent years. Both the technology and the markers used for forensic purposes have changed since the 1980s. The minisatellite sequences used in the famous Pitchfork case introduced genetics to the forensic sciences. Minisatellite sequences have now been replaced by more sensitive microsatellite markers, which have become the basis for the creation of genetic profile databases. Modern molecular methods also exploit single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are often the only way to identify degraded DNA samples. The same type of variation is taken into consideration in attempting to establish the ethnicity of a perpetrator and to determine phenotypic traits such as the eye or hair colour of the individual who is the source of the genetic material. This paper contains a review of the techniques and molecular markers used in human and animal forensic genetics, and also presents the potential trends in forensic genetics such as phenotyping.
A novel multi-focus image fusion method of nonwovens based on GHM multiwavelet transform technology
Authors: Chen Yang , Deng Na , Xin Binjie , Xing Wenyu , Zhang Zhengye
Published: October 2018

In the digital optical microscope, the depth of field is limited in the image acquisition of nonwoven fabrics. The image of the fabric under the single focus image cannot achieve a uniform focus in the whole field of vision, which leads to the blurring of some regions. A new method of multi-focus image fusion based on the Geronimo-Hardin-Massopust (GHM) multiwavelet transform is introduced in this article, which realizes the digital image fusion of a sequence of images taken at different focus settings to achieve a clearer focus fusion of the fiber mesh showing the full field of view within a single image. In this article, a self-built nonwovens micro imaging system is used to collect the image sequence of the fabric at different focus images, and the initial image sequence is processed by critical sampling prefiltering. The high and low frequency components of the image are processed by different fusion rules, and the fusion image of the initial fabric is obtained through the fusion of multiwavelets and inverse transformation. Then, the fusion image of the initial fabric and the subsequent focus image are fused, using the above method, and all the fiber areas after the fusion can be clearly shown to end the operating. Experiments show that the fusion method can solve the difficulty of accurate focusing in a single image with full field of vision.