bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic prescribing for endodontic infections: a survey of dental students in Italy
Authors: Salvadori M. , Audino E. , Venturi G. , Garo M. L. , Salgarello S.
Published: April 2019

Aim

To determine the knowledge of final year undergraduate students attending Italian universities on the appropriate use of systemic antibiotics for endodontic infections.

Methodology

Final year dental students from twenty Italian universities completed a one‐page questionnaire on antibiotic use for the treatment of endodontic infections. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests.

Results

A total of three hundred and three students completed the questionnaire. The average duration of antibiotic prescription proposed by respondents was 5.48 ± 1.06 days. Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was the first‐choice antibiotic (85.2%) followed by amoxicillin alone (13.5%), azithromycin (1.0%) and clarithromycin (0.3%), for patients not allergic to penicillin. Clarithromycin was the first‐choice drug for patients with a penicillin allergy (56.1%), followed from azithromycin (31.7%), clindamycin (11.9%) and levofloxacin (0.3%). Alveolar abscess with systemic manifestations was reported as the principal reason to prescribe antibiotics (97.7%) followed by the same condition without systemic manifestations (85.5%). For the scenario of irreversible pulpitis, 5% of students considered antibiotics necessary. Almost 52% of students would prescribe antibiotics for apical acute periodontitis; 29.7% would prescribe antibiotics for chronic apical periodontitis with sinus tract, and 13.5% indicated these drugs for chronic apical periodontitis without sinus tract.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the knowledge of Italian students on antibiotics and indications for their use in endodontics.
Influence of apical preparation size and irrigation technique on root canal debridement: a histological analysis of round and oval root canals
Authors: Lee O. Y. S. , Khan K. , Li K. Y. , Shetty H. , Abiad R. S. , Cheung G. S. P. , Neelakantan P.
Published: April 2019

Aim

To examine the debridement of round and oval root canals prepared to two apical sizes with and without ultrasonically activated irrigation.

Methodology

Mandibular premolars with round (n = 48) and oval (n = 48) root canals were pair‐matched after microCT scanning and randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 20): group 1, rotary NiTi to size 20, .04 taper; group 2, rotary NiTi to size 40, .04 taper. Specimens were subdivided into two subgroups (n = 10): subgroup A, syringe and needle (SNI); subgroup B, ultrasonically activated irrigation (UAI). Untreated canals (eight oval and eight round) served as controls. Specimens were processed for histological evaluation for measurement of the remaining pulp tissue and debris (RPT), and the perimeter percentage of root canal area untouched by the instruments (PRAU). Following assessment of normality, multiple‐way anova models were used to study the effects of preparation size, irrigation technique and canal cross‐sectional shape, and their interactions on the RPT and PRAU (α = 0.05).

Results

All experimental groups had significantly less RPT than the control (P < 0.05). Both the preparation size (20 vs. 40) and the irrigation technique (SNI vs. UAI) had a significant effect on RPT (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). Groups irrigated with SNI always had significantly greater RPT than those irrigated with UAI, irrespective of the preparation size (P < 0.001). Canals prepared to size 20 had significantly greater RPT than those with size 40 in the SNI subgroup (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the UAI subgroup (P = 0.481).

Conclusions

Root canals prepared to a larger size (40) were cleaner than those prepared to a smaller size (20), when irrigation was performed with a syringe and needle. When the irrigant was ultrasonically activated, smaller preparations resulted in canals that were as clean as larger preparations. This finding was common to both round and oval canals of freshly extracted premolars with vital pulp tissue.
THE PHILLIPS CURVE IN A MATCHING MODEL
Authors: Hu Tai‐Wei , Wallace Neil
Published: April 2019

Following ideas in Hume, monetary shocks are embedded in the Lagos‐Wright model in a new way: There are only nominal shocks accomplished by individual transfers that are sufficiently noisy so that realizations of those transfers do not permit the agents to deduce much about the aggregate realization. Assuming that the distribution of aggregate shocks is almost degenerate, aggregate output increases with the growth rate of the stock of money—our definition of the Phillips curve. This almost degeneracy assumption is far from being necessary; under some mild conditions, the Phillips curve result holds for a large class of distributions.
APPARENT BIAS: WHAT DOES ATTITUDE POLARIZATION SHOW?
Authors: Benoît Jean‐Pierre , Dubra Juan
Published: April 2019

Many, though not all, experiments have found that exposing groups of subjects who disagree to the same evidence may cause their initial attitudes to strengthen and move further apart, or polarize. Some have concluded that findings of attitude polarization show that people process information in a biased manner so as to support their initial views. We argue that, on the contrary, polarization is often what we should expect to find in an unbiased Bayesian population, in the context of experiments that find polarization.
Do Patented Innovations Reduce Stock Price Crash Risk?*
Authors: Ben‐Nasr Hamdi , Bouslimi Lobna , Zhong Rui
Published: April 2019

Using a large sample of US firms, we document a significantly negative relation between the number of patents (citations) and stock price crash risk. Our findings are consistent with the arguments that patented innovation activities send a high‐quality signal and reduces proprietary information costs, which lowers information asymmetry and enhance disclosure. Further, we find that such impact of patented innovation on stock price crash risk is more pronounced in firms with weak corporate governance and high information opacity. Our findings provide new evidence on the real effects of patented innovation on crash risk in equity market.
The practice of collective bargaining in the private sector in Quebec (Canada): the changing ‘rules of the game’
Authors: Hennebert Marc‐Antonin , Pérez‐Lauzon Sara
Published: April 2019

Drawing on 45 semi‐structured interviews with union negotiators active in the Quebec private sector, this article shows that local bargaining practices, despite their plurality, have tended to change following major trends. It also reveals, more fundamentally, a redefinition of the ‘rules of the game’. The transformation and stability of these social rules, which are much more focused on the needs of employers, have tended to weaken collective bargaining as a tool for industrial democracy.
A hybrid neural network approach to minimize total completion time on a single batch processing machine
Authors: Rafiee Parsa N. , Keshavarz T. , Karimi B. , Moattar Husseini S. M.
Published: April 2019

In this research, the problem of scheduling a single batch processing machine (BPM) with nonidentical job sizes is considered. The objective is to minimize the total completion time of the jobs. A BPM can process a group of jobs simultaneously as a batch as long as its capacity is not violated. The processing time of a batch is equal to the maximum processing time of all the jobs in the batch. The research problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model. Since the problem under study is shown to be NP‐hard, a neural network based approach that combines a heuristic algorithm and the iterative learning approach is proposed. The computational experiments are designed to compare the effectiveness of the neural network approach with CPLEX and the other available heuristics in the literature. The results show that the proposed approach outperforms the other algorithms in terms of solution quality.
Extranasal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma: A post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease
Authors: Acar Ayda , Nurlu Ertan , Sokmen Nur , Ozsan Nazan , Davulcu Eren A. , Ceylan Can
Published: April 2019

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare form of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. It mostly occurs in the upper respiratory tract. Cutaneous involvement can be seen among the extranasal ENKTLs. After solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease because of immunosuppressive therapy is usually B cell‐derived; T and NK/T cell‐derived disease is rarely seen. A 43‐year‐old female patient who had renal transplantation 14 years ago presented with cutaneous ulceration and subcutaneous nodules located in the abdomen. The patient was diagnosed with ENKTL, nasal type. Although it is rare, ENKTL nasal type is a lymphoproliferative disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous tumoural lesions.
Dynamic testing: Can a robot as tutor be of help in assessing children's potential for learning?
Authors: Resing Wilma C.M. , Bakker Merel , Elliott Julian G. , Vogelaar Bart
Published: April 2019

This study examined whether computerized dynamic testing by utilizing a robot would lead to different patterns in children's (aged 6–9 years) potential for learning and strategy use when solving series‐completion tasks. The robot, in a “Wizard of Oz” setting, provided instructions and prompts during dynamic testing. It was found that a dynamic training resulted in greater accuracy and more correctly placed pieces at the post‐test than repeated testing only. Moreover, children who were dynamically trained appeared to use more heuristic strategies at the post‐test than their peers who were not trained. In general, observations showed that children were excited to work with the robot. All in all, the study revealed that computerized dynamic testing by means of a robot has much potential in tapping into children's potential for learning and strategy use. The implications of using a robot in educational assessment were stressed further in the discussion.
Isorhamnetin attenuates osteoarthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and protecting chondrocytes through modulating reactive oxygen species homeostasis
Authors: Zhou Feng , Mei Jingtian , Yuan Kai , Han Xiuguo , Qiao Han , Tang Tingting
Published: April 2019

Increasing evidence indicates that osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disease affecting the whole joint, including both cartilage and subchondral bone. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been demonstrated to be one of the important destructive factors during early‐stage OA development. The objective of this study was to investigate isorhamnetin (Iso) treatment on osteoclast formation and chondrocyte protection to attenuate OA by modulating ROS. Receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) was used to establish the osteoclast differentiation model in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in vivo. H2O2 was used to induce ROS, which could further cause chondrocyte apoptosis. We demonstrated that Iso suppressed RANKL‐induced ROS generation, which could mediate osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, we found that Iso inhibited osteoclast formation and function by suppressing the expression of osteoclastogenesis‐related genes and proteins. We proved that Iso inhibited RANKL‐induced activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and AKT signalling pathways in BMMs. In addition, Iso inhibited ROS‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis by regulating apoptosis‐related proteins. Moreover, Iso was administered to an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‐induced OA mouse model. The results indicated that Iso exerted beneficial effects on inhibiting excessive osteoclast activity and chondrocyte apoptosis, which further remedied cartilage damage. Overall, our data showed that Iso is an effective candidate for treating OA.
Empathy and burnout: A multicentre comparative study between residents and specialists
Authors: Ferreira Sara , Afonso Pedro , Ramos Maria do Rosário
Published: April 2019

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

The prevalence of burnout among medical doctors and its negative effect on empathy can influence therapeutic success. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of empathy and burnout between residents and specialists as well as to study the correlation between empathy and burnout.

Methods

This is an exploratory study of a convenience sample of 104 doctors who work in health institutions in Greater Lisbon area in Portugal, covering central hospitals, district hospitals, and health centres. Each doctor filled in a questionnaire, which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).

Results

Participants were divided in two subgroups: 51% residents (n = 53) and 49% specialists (n = 51). A difference (p = .048) in JSE scores between residents (mean 116.4, SD 12.8) and specialists (mean 120.78, SD 12.84) has been identified. Furthermore, in all three MBI subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment), the group of residents showed significantly higher mean scores. In general, empathy scores showed an inverse relationship between depersonalization (r = –0.390, p < .0001) and lack of personal accomplishment (r = –0.447, p < .0001). Finally, we found that an increase in MBI level is associated with a decrease in empathy levels.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that there is a significant difference in burnout subscales scores between residents and specialists and that these have a negative correlation with empathy level. These exploratory results draw attention to the importance of preventing burnout in hospital and health care centres professionals, in particular in residents, through the implementation of individual and organizational structured measures.
Soft tissue replication in single unit implant impressions—A three dimensional clinical study
Authors: da Silva Marques Duarte Nuno , Marques Pinto Ricardo Jorge , Alves Rita Vanessa Aparício Aguiar , Baratieri Luiz Narciso , da Mata António Duarte Sola Pereira , Caramês João Manuel Mendez
Published: April 2019

Objective

Comparison of soft tissue replication between conventional and digital impressions for definitive single unit implant rehabilitation in the esthetic zone.

Materials and Methods

Six patients were recruited according to inclusion criteria for this cross‐over pilot study and submitted to a conventional silicone implant impression with customized coping and a digital impression with an intraoral scanner. Stereolithography files obtained from the same patient were superimposed with appropriate software and trueness evaluated between methods at predetermined locations (56 in hard and soft tissues and 18 in the emergence profile, per patient). Results were presented as mean root mean square (RMS) ± 95% confidence interval and effect size calculated with Hedges' g ± 95%. Mann‐Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis were performed when appropriate and α was set at .05.

Results

Trueness between methods equated to 51.08[45.68;56.47] μm and 60.46[52.29;68.62] μm in hard and soft tissues, respectively. Soft tissue replication by intraoral scanner acquisition corresponded to a statistically significant RMS of 243.89[209.15;278.63] μm equating to a Hedges' g of 1.52[1.22;1.82] which corresponded to a large effect size.

Conclusions

The proposed method could be considered for soft tissues assessment and the results suggest that intraoral impression techniques produce statistically significant changes in peri‐implant soft tissue replication, although below the clinically detectable threshold.

Clinical Significance

The proposed technique allows for the 3D determination of peri‐implant tissues changes in digital models with higher sensitivity than visual techniques, thus presenting itself as a promising alternative in clinical studies and that the use of an intraoral scanner obtained significant differences in the soft tissue emergence profile replication when compared with the gold standard.
Rumen parameters of yaks (Bos grunniens) and indigenous cattle (Bos taurus) grazing on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Shi Fuyu , Wang Hucheng , Degen Abraham Allan , Zhou Jianwei , Guo Na , Mudassar Shah , Long Ruijun
Published: April 2019

Yaks and indigenous Qaidam cattle and cattle‐yak crosses (C × Y) graze on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) throughout the year, but yaks are raised at higher elevations than cattle. Yaks do not receive supplementary feed whereas cattle require supplementary feed during harsh winter. We hypothesized that yaks would cope with the severe conditions of the QTP better than cattle and utilize the pasture more efficiently. We also hypothesized that differences between species would be pronounced in winter, when conditions are particularly harsh. To test these hypotheses, seasonal rumen fluid parameters of yaks, C × Y and cattle (n = 3 for each) were examined. Rumen fluid was collected in summer and winter from each genotype 2, 5 and 12 hr after a day of grazing. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate, propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle in summer (p < 0.05), while propionate concentration was lower in yaks than in cattle in winter (p < 0.05). Concentrations of ammonia and urea were greater (p < 0.001) in yaks than in cattle (p < 0.001) in summer, whereas, concentrations of free amino acids (AA) were greater in cattle than in yaks in summer and winter (p < 0.001). Concentrations of total VFA, acetate, propionate and butyrate decreased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate increased linearly for yak and C × Y with sampling time (p < 0.05) in summer. In summer, concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle (p < 0.05). In conclusion, rumen fermentation characteristics of yaks showed that they coped better than cattle or C × Y in the harsh climate as we hypothesized. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, this emerged only in summer, when pasture was plentiful and not in winter, when pasture was scarce.
Link between insomnia and perinatal depressive symptoms: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Emamian Farnoosh , Khazaie Habibolah , Okun Michele L. , Tahmasian Masoud , Sepehry Amir A.
Published: April 2019

Evidence shows the possible link between insomnia and perinatal depressive symptoms. In order to find a convergent quantitative answer, we collected data via the search of Medline, EMBASE and reference tracking, which included nine studies (a total sample of 1,922 women). An aggregate effect size estimate (correlation coefficient) was generated using the comprehensive meta‐analysis software. For the meta‐analytic procedure, a random effects model was set a priori. Moderating factors, including study design, method of assessment of depression, geographical origin of data, publication year, mean age, % married, breastfeeding rate, quality and type of data, % primiparous and history of depression, were examined via categorical or univariate mixed‐effects (method of moments) meta‐regression methods. Heterogeneity and publication bias were examined using standard meta‐analytic approaches. We found a significant, medium‐size relationship between insomnia and perinatal depressive symptoms (point estimate, 0.366; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.205–0.508; p < 0.001; n = 9) and this was significantly heterogeneous (Q, 118.77; df, 8; p < 0.001; I2, 93.26%). The effect size estimate was significant for studies reporting no history of depression (point estimate, 0.364; 95% CI, 0.035–0.622; p < 0.05; n = 5) and for study design. With meta‐regression, no moderating factor (age, marriage rate, breastfeeding rate, pregnancy history or publication year) significantly mediated the effect size estimate. The depression assessment scale used, but not other categorical variables, explained the magnitude of heterogeneity. We found that insomnia during the perinatal period is associated with depressive symptoms, which warrants screening pregnant mothers for insomnia and depression.
Extra‐pair mating in a socially monogamous and paternal mouth‐brooding cardinalfish
Authors: Rueger Theresa , Harrison Hugo B. , Gardiner Naomi M. , Berumen Michael L. , Jones Geoffrey P.
Published: April 2019

Many vertebrates form monogamous pairs to mate and care for their offspring. However, genetic tools have increasingly shown that offspring often arise from matings outside of the monogamous pair bond. Social monogamy is relatively common in coral reef fishes, but there have been few studies that have confirmed monogamy or extra‐pair reproduction, either for males or for females. Here, long‐term observations and genetic tools were applied to examine the parentage of embryos in a paternally mouth‐brooding cardinalfish, Sphaeramia nematoptera. Paternal care in fishes, such as mouth‐brooding, is thought to be associated with a high degree of confidence in paternity. Two years of observations confirmed that S. nematoptera form long‐term pair bonds within larger groups. However, genetic parentage revealed extra‐pair mating by both sexes. Of 105 broods analysed from 64 males, 30.1% were mothered by a female that was not the partner and 11.5% of broods included eggs from two females. Despite the high paternal investment associated with mouth‐brooding, 7.6% of broods were fertilized by two males. Extra‐pair matings appeared to be opportunistic encounters with individuals from outside the immediate group. We argue that while pair formation contributes to group cohesion, both males and females can maximize lifetime reproductive success by taking advantage of extra‐pair mating opportunities.
Engagement in the Use of English and Chinese as Foreign Languages: The Role of Learner‐Generated Content in Instructional Task Design
Authors: LAMBERT CRAIG , ZHANG GRACE
Published: April 2019

This study investigates learner engagement in pedagogic task performance by triangulating multiple sources of data to gain insight into the cognitive and affective processes that take place on a range of tasks and how they engage learners of different target languages. The study provides a detailed analysis of 4 learners’ second language (L2) performance (2 first language [L1] Japanese learners of English; 2 L1 Japanese learners of Chinese). All learners completed an identical set of 12 communication tasks in 3 discourse genres (instruction, narrative, and opinion) in a learner‐generated (LGC) and teacher‐generated content (TGC) condition. The performances were followed by immediate stimulated video recalls and questionnaires on perceived levels of anxiety and motivation during each task. Triangulation of these data sources revealed that both the English and Chinese learners were more socially and emotionally engaged in LGC tasks than in TGC tasks and that this engagement was associated with more fluent and accurate, but less complex, speech. The difference between the Chinese and English learners was in their self‐reported preferences and levels of anxiety and motivation while performing the tasks in the respective conditions. Based on the learners’ background profiles, this difference in subjective response to the tasks is attributed to previous experience with formal L2 instruction.
Nexus of Christian Mysteries: The Filioque and its Doctrinal “Life-Significance”
Authors: Owens Shane M.
Published: April 2019

Neither a recapitulation of the Catholic Church's teaching on the Filioque nor a comprehensive reconstruction of Thomas Aquinas’ theology of the Spirit, this paper is instead a response to several objections raised against Thomas’ defense of the Filioque by the highly-original Orthodox theologian Sergei Bulgakov. Following his patristic predecessors, particularly Augustine of Hippo and Cyril of Alexandria, and the conciliar tradition, Thomas situates the contemplation of the Spirit's procession within Christology—for He is the Spirit of Christ (see Rom. 8:9). The Christological framing of the Spirit's procession a Filio leavens theological examination of the doctrine's expansive influence on the understanding of other Christian Mysteries. By examining Matthias Joseph Scheeben's speculative reflections on the procession of the Spirit as analogous to the creation of Eve and illuminative of the Church as Bride of Christ, Bulgakov's most damning criticism, that the Filioque is a theologoumenon lacking in “life-significance” is rebutted. Finally, additional avenues of elaborating upon the Spirit's procession as indivisibly connected to other mysteries of the faith are advanced.
Relationship Between Visceral Metastases and Survival in Patients with Metastasis‐related Spinal Cord Compression
Authors: Lun Deng‐xing , Wang Xiao‐dong , Ji Yu‐dong , Hu Yong‐cheng , Yang Xiong‐gang , Yu Xiu‐chun , Zhang Guo‐chuan , Zhuang Qing‐shan
Published: April 2019

Objective

To investigate whether visceral metastases have a significant impact on survival in patients with metastasis‐related spinal cord compression (MSCC), and to determine the difference in prognosis between patients with and without visceral metastases.

Methods

Three institutional databases were searched to identify all patients who had undergone spinal surgery for spinal metastases between March 2002 and June 2010. Data on patient characteristics including pre‐ and post‐operative medical conditions, were collected from medical records or by telephone follow‐up. Survival data were obtained either from medical records or by searching a governmental cancer registry.

Results

The mean age of study patients was 59.6 ± 10.5 years (range, 18–84 years), of whom 102 were male and 67 female. The median and mean postoperative survival times were 7.0 ± 0.5 (95% CI 6.0–8.0) months and 12.6 ± 1.2 (95% CI 10.1–15.0) months, respectively, in all patients, being 5.0 ± 0.5 (95% CI 4.0–6.0) months and 10.8 ± 2.4 (95% CI 6.1–15.5) months, respectively, for patients with visceral metastases and 7.0 ± 0.8 (95% CI 5.4–8.6) months and 13.0 ± 1.4 (95%CI 10.3–15.6) months, respectively, for patients without visceral metastases (P= 0.87). These survival times did not differ significantly between groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions showed that visceral metastases had no statistically significant association with survival (P = 0.277), whereas rate of growth of primary tumor (P = 0.003), preoperative Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (P < 0.001), change in KPS (P < 0.001), and Frankel grade (P = 0.091) were independent prognostic factors in the whole cohort (P = 0.005). Changes in KPS (P = 0.001) and major complications (P = 0.003) were significantly associated with survival in patients with visceral metastases, whereas rate of growth of primary tumor (P = 0.016), change in KPS (P = 0.001), and preoperative KPS (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with survival in patients without visceral metastases.

Conclusions

Visceral metastases do not appear to predict the prognosis of patients with MSCC; thus, more aggressive surgery should be considered in patients with MSCC who have visceral metastases. Additionally, prognostic factors differ according to visceral metastases status in these patients.
Progressive increase of FcεRI expression across several PBMC subsets is associated with atopy and atopic asthma within school‐aged children
Authors: Leffler Jonatan , Read James F. , Jones Anya C. , Mok Danny , Hollams Elysia M. , Laing Ingrid A. , Le Souef Peter N. , Sly Peter D. , Kusel Merci M.H. , de Klerk Nicholas H. , Bosco Anthony , Holt Patrick G. , Strickland Deborah H.
Published: April 2019

Background

Antigen‐specific IgE binds the Fcε receptor I (FcεRI) expressed on several types of immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs). Activation of FcεRI on DCs in atopics has been shown to modulate immune responses that potentially contribute to asthma development. However, the extent to which DC subsets differ in FcεRI expression between atopic children with or without asthma is currently not clear. This study aimed to analyse the expression of FcεRI on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from atopic children with and without asthma, and non‐atopic/non‐asthmatic age‐matched healthy controls.

Methods

We performed multiparameter flow cytometry on PBMC from 391 children across three community cohorts and one clinical cohort based in Western Australia.

Results

We confirmed expression of FcεRI on basophils, monocytes, plasmacytoid and conventional DCs, with higher proportions of all cell populations expressing FcεRI in atopic compared to non‐atopic children. Further, we observed that levels of FcεRI expression were elevated across plasmacytoid and conventional DC as well as basophils in atopic asthmatic compared to atopic non‐asthmatic children also after adjusting for serum IgE levels.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the expression pattern of FcεRI on DC and basophils differentiates asthmatic from non‐asthmatic atopic children. Given the significant immune modulatory effects observed as a consequence of FcεRI expression, this altered expression pattern is likely to contribute to asthma pathology in children.
Striking contiguous depigmentation across the lower limbs in piebaldism and its implications for understanding melanocytic migration and development
Authors: Funkhouser Colton H. , Kinsler Veronica A. , Frieden Ilona J.
Published: April 2019

Piebaldism is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of pigmentation that is characterized by variable patches of depigmentation on the face, chest, abdomen, and extremities. We describe two cases of piebaldism, in whom the remarkable asymmetric distribution of the depigmented patches in a connected, contiguous pattern across the legs provides embryologic insights. This finding is not explained by the traditional theory that melanocytic migration only originates in the neural crest and progresses unilaterally down each leg. We propose that our cases, and other similar cases, can be explained by a recent theory of mesodermal melanocyte migration.
Topical sirolimus therapy for epidermal nevus with features of acanthosis nigricans
Authors: Dodds Melissa , Maguiness Sheilagh
Published: April 2019

We present a 4‐year‐old developmentally appropriate boy with short stature and widespread expanding epidermal nevus with features of acanthosis nigricans. He was found to have a mosaic mutation in FGFR3, the R248C variant. Despite several therapies, he continued to have growth, fissuring, and bleeding of the affected skin. Ultimately, topical sirolimus was attempted and found to improve thickness and overall symptoms.
Educational needs in families of pediatric liver and kidney transplant recipients: A quality improvement project
Authors: daCruz Katelin , Cousino Melissa K. , Smith Tanya , Bilhartz Jacob , Eder Sally J. , Fredericks Emily M.
Published: April 2019

Parents of pediatric liver and kidney transplant recipients were surveyed regarding their current education plans (eg, Individualized Education Program, 504), satisfaction with these plans, and interest in educational support from the psychosocial transplant team. Survey results indicate high rates of IEP and 504 plans, academic and related services, and accommodations among this population. The majority of parents/guardians reported satisfaction with their child's current school plan and did not report need for additional transplant team support specific to school services on the survey measure. However, other information highlights the importance for pediatric transplant teams to consider other ways to support this population's educational needs.
Improving Societal Outcomes in the Organ Donation Value Chain
Authors: Arora Priyank , Subramanian Ravi
Published: April 2019

In the context of the mismatch between organ demand and supply, a statistic worth noting is that across the donor service areas in the United States, the average (median) percentage of eligible potential donors from whom no organs are recovered is 28.3% (29%). The socially suboptimal quantity and quality of recovered organs form the context of our study, which takes the perspective of the social planner that has an overall quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) improvement objective. We model the operational decisions of two key supply‐side entities in a cadaver organ donation value chain (ODVC)—the organ procurement organization (OPO), and the hospital (trauma center) where potential donors arrive. We consider the OPO’s effort level in seeking authorization for organ donation, the hospital’s effort level in identifying and referring potential donors to the OPO, and the hospital’s priority scheme for scheduling organ recovery and other procedures in its operating room (OR). We develop an analytical model to study the effects of contextual factors (including reimbursement rates for the hospital, shared OR capacity between organ recovery and other procedures, donor heterogeneity, and increments in QALYs for organ recipients and the hospital’s other patients), and the decisions of the OPO and the hospital, on their respective payoffs and on societal outcomes. Our analysis identifies possible misalignments in the objectives of the social planner, the OPO, and the hospital, and we recommend contracts that can help the ODVC achieve socially‐optimal QALY performance while ensuring that neither the OPO nor the hospital would be worse off.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in tolerant and susceptible potato cultivars in response to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea tuber infection
Authors: Lekota M. , Muzhinji N. , van der Waals J. E.
Published: April 2019

Powdery scab caused by Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss) has recently become one of the most devastating potato diseases of economic importance in South Africa. The use of resistant cultivars has long been considered the most effective and sustainable strategy to manage the pathogen. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance of potato tubers to Sss. Using RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq), 2058 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from two potato cultivars (tolerant and susceptible) in response to Sss infection. Analysis of the expression patterns of 10 selected defence‐response genes was carried out at two different stages of tuber growth using RT‐qPCR to validate the RNA‐seq data. Several defence‐related genes showed contrasting expression patterns between the tolerant and susceptible cultivars, including marker genes involved in the salicylic acid hormonal response pathway (StMRNA, StUDP and StWRKY6). Induction of six defence‐related genes (StWRKY6, StTOSB, StSN2, StLOX, StUDP and StSN1) persisted until harvest of the tubers, while three other genes (StNBS, StMRNA and StPRF) were highly up‐regulated during the initial stages of disease development. The results of this preliminary study suggest that the tolerant potato cultivar employs quantitative resistance and salicylic acid pathway hormonal responses against tuber infection by Sss. The identified genes have the potential to be used in the development of molecular markers for selection of powdery scab resistant potato lines in marker‐assisted breeding programmes.
Punctuated Equilibrium and Bureaucratic Autonomy in American City Governments
Authors: Park Angela Y. S. , Sapotichne Joshua
Published: April 2019

Several recent applications of Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) have yielded compelling findings linking institutional design and change distributions, yet, much more work needs to be done to understand institutional arrangements that make punctuated processes more or less likely. In responding to the recent call for more research on unraveling particular mechanisms through which bureaucracy moderates the odds of policy punctuations, this research explores the potential of bureaucratic expertise and professionalism in fostering rational decision making, and thus the stability in change dynamics. One important feature of urban government receives close attention: the position by professionalized, trained bureaucrats in municipalities (city manager and chief administrative officer) and the effects of their discretion on altering municipal budgetary change distributions. Analysis of a novel dataset of fiscal policy changes, charter and census information of city governments in the State of Michigan, 2005–11, suggests city governments, on average, produce change patterns that conform to the expectations of PET; more importantly, it reveals that heightened levels of managerial discretion can have a significant implication for helping cities experience less abrupt, punctuated budget changes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these results for PET, policy change dynamics, and the design of city‐governing institutions.
A General Asymptotic Framework for Distribution-Free Graph-Based Two-Sample Tests
Authors: Bhattacharya Bhaswar B.
Published: April 2019

Testing equality of two multivariate distributions is a classical problem for which many non-parametric tests have been proposed over the years. Most of the popular two-sample tests, which are asymptotically distribution free, are based either on geometric graphs constructed by using interpoint distances between the observations (multivariate generalizations of the Wald–Wolfowitz runs test) or on multivariate data depth (generalizations of the Mann–Whitney rank test). The paper introduces a general notion of distribution-free graph-based two-sample tests and provides a unified framework for analysing and comparing their asymptotic properties. The asymptotic (Pitman) efficiency of a general graph-based test is derived, which includes tests based on geometric graphs, such as the Friedman–Rafsky test, the test based on the K-nearest-neighbour graph, the cross-match test and the generalized edge count test, as well as tests based on multivariate depth functions (the Liu–Singh rank sum statistic). The results show how the combinatorial properties of the underlying graph affect the performance of the associated two-sample test and can be used to validate and decide which tests to use in practice. Applications of the results are illustrated both on synthetic and on real data sets.
The moral geography of the Earth system
Authors: Schmidt Jeremy J.
Published: April 2019

Human impacts on the Earth system have profound moral consequences. The uneven generation and distribution of harms, and the acceleration of human forces now altering how the Earth system functions, also trouble moral accounts of belonging. This article shows how moral geography can be renewed in this context. It begins by identifying how human impacts on the Earth system are shifting global norms of sustainability, such as in calls to enhance planetary stewardship and to transform social values. These shifts are important in themselves, but also reveal a deeper challenge to moral geography and the counterfactual heuristics traditionally relied on to understand belonging. In response, many critical scholars have rethought the terms and conditions of belonging in the Anthropocene in reference to considerations of novelty, time, ontology, and agency. I argue that these strategies face difficulties that are not only analytical, but which also arise from new practices of belonging that accept critiques yet reach markedly different conclusions. I examine two cases of this kind. The first treats human forces as a geological sphere: the technosphere. The second incorporates the planetary boundaries framework of Earth system science as the basis for a grundnorm (a norm basic to all others) in international programmes of environmental law and governance. Examining these two practices within the broader context of shifts in sustainability reveals a new politics of naturalisation unperturbed by critical scholarship on the Anthropocene. By contrast, a renewed moral geography can identify how earlier norms of sustainable development, especially the promotion of economic instruments to secure environmental relief, now structure the incorporation of Earth system science in sustainability transitions. Retaining the structure of sustainability and accepting critiques of the Anthropocene are now giving rise to a new form of neoliberalism without nature.
Evaluation of the Impact of Macroeconomic Variables on Stock Market Performance in Nigeria
Authors: Omodero Cordelia Onyinyechi , Mlanga Sunday
Published: April 2019

Stock market is an essential part of a nation’s economy and requires adequate evaluation of all factors that militate against its performance. This study investigates the role of macroeconomic variables in determining the stock market performance in Nigeria using annual time series data covering a period from 2009 to 2018. These data have been sourced from the World Bank Development Indicators, International Monetary Fund and CBN Statistical Bulletin. The results from the regression analysis indicate that exchange rate and interest rate do not have significant impact on share price index while inflation rate exerts a significant negative influence on share price index. On the contrary and in line with the concept of GDP and stock market performance, GDP significantly and positively impacts on share price index. The study among others suggests that the growth of the economy should be maintained to keep stock market flourishing while macroeconomic variables such as inflation, interest rate and exchange rate should be appropriately regulated by the relevant authorities to curtail all negative influences on stock market performance.
Ignition of Diesel Pilot Fuel in Dual-Fuel Engines
Authors: Grochowina Marcus , Hertel Daniel , Tartsch Simon , Sattelmayer Thomas
Published: April 2019

Dual-fuel (DF) engines offer great fuel flexibility combined with low emissions in gas mode. The main source of energy in this mode is provided by gaseous fuel, while the diesel fuel acts only as an ignition source. For this reason, the reliable autoignition of the pilot fuel is of utmost importance for combustion in DF engines. However, the autoignition of the pilot fuel suffers from low compression temperatures caused by Miller valve timings. These valve timings are applied to increase efficiency and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Previous studies have investigated the influence of injection parameters and operating conditions on ignition and combustion in DF engines using a unique periodically chargeable combustion cell. Direct light high-speed images and pressure traces clearly revealed the effects of injection parameters and operating conditions on ignition and combustion. However, these measurement techniques are only capable of observing processes after ignition. In order to overcome this drawback, a high-speed shadowgraph technique was applied in this study to examine the processes prior to ignition. Measurements were conducted to investigate the influence of compression temperature and injection pressure on spray formation and ignition. Results showed that the autoignition of diesel pilot fuel strongly depends on the fuel concentration within the spray. The high-speed shadowgraph images revealed that in the case of very low fuel concentration within the pilot spray, only the first stage of the two-stage ignition occurs. This leads to large cycle-to-cycle variations and misfiring. However, it was found that a reduced number of injection holes counteract these effects. The comparison of a diesel injector with ten-holes and a modified injector with five-holes showed shorter ignition delays, more stable ignition and a higher number of ignited sprays on a percentage basis for the five-hole nozzle.
Relaminarization of Pipe Flow by Means of 3D-Printed Shaped Honeycombs
Authors: Kühnen Jakob , Scarselli Davide , Hof Björn
Published: April 2019

Based on a novel control scheme, where a steady modification of the streamwise velocity profile leads to complete relaminarization of initially fully turbulent pipe flow, we investigate the applicability and usefulness of custom-shaped honeycombs for such control. The custom-shaped honeycombs are used as stationary flow management devices which generate specific modifications of the streamwise velocity profile. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry and pressure drop measurements are used to investigate and capture the development of the relaminarizing flow downstream these devices. We compare the performance of straight (constant length across the radius of the pipe) honeycombs with custom-shaped ones (variable length across the radius) and try to determine the optimal shape for maximal relaminarization at minimal pressure loss. The optimally modified streamwise velocity profile is found to be M-shaped, and the maximum attainable Reynolds number for total relaminarization is found to be of the order of 10,000. Consequently, the respective reduction in skin friction downstream of the device is almost by a factor of 5. The break-even point, where the additional pressure drop caused by the device is balanced by the savings due to relaminarization and a net gain is obtained, corresponds to a downstream stretch of distances as low as approximately 100 pipe diameters of laminar flow.
On Leakage Issues of Sucker Rod Pumping Systems
Authors: Wang Sheldon , Rowlan Lynn , Elsharafi Mahmoud , Ermila Mansur A. , Grejtak Tomas , Taylor Carrie Anne
Published: April 2019

The issues of leakage with respect to the clearance between the pump plunger outer diameter and the pump barrel inner diameter and other operation conditions have been revisited in this paper. Both Poiseuille flow rate due to the pressure difference and Couette flow rate due to the plunger motion have been considered. The purpose of this study is to better understand the nature of the leakage with respect to pressure difference, eccentricity, and motion related to the plunger of typical sucker rod pump systems. More specifically, based on the newly derived relaxation time scales for transient solutions of the governing Navier–Stokes equations, the quasi-static nature of relevant measurement techniques is confirmed for the current production systems. This key observation is also demonstrated with a computational model using the experimentally measured pressure difference and the plunger movement.
Optimal Parameters of Grooved Conical Hybrid Journal Bearing With Shear Thinning and Piezo-viscous Lubricant Behavior
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Sharma Satish C.
Published: April 2019

To harness higher axial load capacity, a larger cone angle is used in conical bearings, resulting in an increase in the surface area which in turn increases the frictional power loss. The use of microgrooves in journal bearing helps in controlling this loss. Therefore, the present work is aimed to analyze conical hybrid journal bearing (i.e., combination of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic modes of operation) consisting of microgrooves along with shear thinning and piezo-viscous behavior of the lubricant. In this study, the microgroove attributes have been optimized by obtaining the solution of a Reynolds equation using finite element method and generalized minimum residual scheme (GMRES). These optimized groove attributes are used for numerically simulating the performance of the conical bearings. It has been observed that the best features of microgrooves and shear thinning behavior of the lubricant can be extracted to achieve better performance of the bearings. The results presented in this study are believed to be beneficial to the bearing designers and practising lubrication engineers.