bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Poorer Pulmonary Function Accelerate Arterial Stiffening?
Authors: Okamoto Masaki , Shipley Martin J. , Wilkinson Ian B. , McEniery Carmel M. , Valencia-Hernández Carlos A. , Singh-Manoux Archana , Kivimaki Mika , Brunner Eric J.
Published: August 2019

Whether poorer pulmonary function accelerates progression of arterial stiffness remains unknown as prior observational studies have not examined longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness in relation to earlier pulmonary function. Data (N=5342, 26% female) were drawn from the Whitehall II cohort study. Participants completed repeated assessments of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV
1
, L) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV, m/s) over 5 years. The effect of FEV
1
on later cf-PWV and its progression was estimated using linear mixed-effects modeling. Possible explanatory mechanisms, such as mediation by low-grade systemic inflammation, common-cause explanation by preexisting cardiometabolic risk factors, and reverse-causation bias, were assessed. Poorer pulmonary function was associated with later higher cf-PWV and its subsequent progression (cf-PWV 5-year change 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.17 per SD lower FEV
1
) after adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure. Decrease in pulmonary function was associated with later higher cf-PWV (0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.30 in the top compared to bottom quartile of decline in FEV
1
). There was no evidence to support mediation by circulating CRP (C-reactive protein) or IL (interleukin)-6. Furthermore, arterial stiffness was not associated with later FEV
1
after accounting for cardiometabolic status. In conclusion, poorer pulmonary function predicted future arterial stiffness. These findings support pulmonary function as a clinically important risk factor for arterial stiffness and provide justification for future intervention studies for pulmonary function based on its relationship with arterial stiffness.
Estrogen Receptor-β Mediates Estradiol-Induced Pregnancy-Specific Uterine Artery Endothelial Cell Angiotensin Type-2 Receptor Expression
Authors: Mishra Jay S. , te Riele Gigi M. , Qi Qian-Rong , Lechuga Thomas J. , Gopalakrishnan Kathirvel , Chen Dong-bao , Kumar Sathish
Published: August 2019

The pregnancy-augmented uterine vasodilation is linked to increased AT
2
R (angiotensin type-2 receptor) that mediates the vasodilatory effects of angiotensin II. However, the mechanisms controlling AT
2
R expression during pregnancy remain unclear. Estrogens are known to play a role in vascular adaptations during pregnancy. We hypothesized that estrogen stimulates uterine artery AT
2
R expression via ER (estrogen receptor)-β-dependent transcription in a pregnancy-specific endothelium-dependent manner. Plasma estradiol levels increased and peaked in late pregnancy and returned to prepregnant levels post-partum, correlating with uterine artery AT
2
R and ERβ upregulation. Estradiol stimulated AT
2
R mRNA expression in endothelium-intact but not endothelium-denuded late pregnant and nonpregnant rat uterine artery ex vivo. Consistently, estradiol stimulated AT
2
R mRNA expression in late pregnant but not nonpregnant primary human uterine artery endothelial cells in vitro, which was abolished by ER antagonist ICI 182,780. Higher ERα protein bound to ER-responsive elements in
AT

2

R
promoter in the nonpregnant arteries whereas higher ERβ bound in the pregnant state. ERα protein levels were similar but higher ERβ protein levels were expressed in pregnant versus nonpregnant human uterine artery endothelial cells. Estradiol stimulation recruited ERα to the AT
2
R promoter in the nonpregnant state and ERβ to the AT
2
R promoter in pregnancy; however, only ERβ recruitment mediated transactivation of the
AT

2

R
reporter gene in pregnant human uterine artery endothelial cells. Estradiol-induced AT
2
R expression was abolished by the specific ERβ (not ERα) antagonist 4-[2-Phenyl-5,7-
bis
(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-
a
]pyrimidin-3-yl]phenol (PHTPP) and mimicked by the specific ERβ (not ERα) agonist 2,3-
bis
(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) in pregnant human uterine artery endothelial cells in vitro. This study demonstrates a novel role of pregnancy-augmented ERβ in AT
2
R upregulation in the uterine artery and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy.
Use and Outcomes Associated With Perioperative Amiodarone in Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Atreya Auras R. , Priya Aruna , Pack Quinn R. , Pekow Penelope S. , Stefan Mihaela , Lagu Tara , Lotfi Amir S. , Lindenauer Peter K.
Published: August 2019

Background

In randomized controlled trials, perioperative administration of amiodarone has been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial arrhythmias and length of stay (
LOS
) among patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. However, little is known about the use or effectiveness of perioperative amiodarone in routine clinical practice.

Methods and Results

We studied patients ≥18 years old without a previous history of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias who underwent elective coronary bypass surgery between 2013 and 2014 within a network of 235
US
hospitals. Perioperative amiodarone was defined as receipt of amiodarone either on the day of or the day preceding surgery. We used covariate‐adjusted modeling and instrumental variable methods to examine the association between receipt of amiodarone and the development of atrial arrhythmias, in‐hospital mortality, readmission,
LOS
, and cost. Of 12 758 patients, 2195 (17.2%) received perioperative amiodarone, 3330 (26.1%) developed atrial arrhythmias postoperatively, and the average
LOS
was 6.4 days (±2.6 days). Instrumental variable analysis showed that receipt of perioperative amiodarone was associated with lower risk of atrial arrhythmias (risk difference −11 percentage points, 95%
CI
−19 to −4 percentage points;
P
=0.002) and a shorter
LOS
(−0.7 day, 95%
CI
−1.39 to −0.01 days;
P
=0.048). There was no association between receipt of perioperative amiodarone and in‐hospital mortality, cost, or readmission.

Conclusions

Among patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery without previous arrhythmias, perioperative amiodarone is associated with a lower risk of atrial arrhythmias and shorter
LOS
. These findings are consistent with previous randomized trials and lend support to current guideline recommendations.
Arterial Stiffness Can Be Modulated by Pressure‐Independent Mechanisms in Hypertension
Authors: Faconti Luca , Farukh Bushra , McNally Ryan , Webb Andrew , Chowienczyk Phil
Published: August 2019

Background

Effects of short‐term interventions on large‐artery stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (
PWV
) have mainly been explained by concomitant changes in blood pressure (
BP
). However, lower body negative pressure, which increases sympathetic activity and has other hemodynamic effects, has a specific effect on
PWV
in healthy volunteers.

Methods and Results

We examined effects of lower‐limb venous occlusion (
LVO
), a similar intervention to lower‐body negative pressure that reduces
BP
but increases sympathetic activity and device‐guided breathing (
DGB
), which reduces both
BP
and sympathetic activity, on
PWV
in patients with essential hypertension (n=70 after
LVO
, n=45 after
DGB
and
LVO
in random order). The short‐acting calcium channel antagonist nifedipine was used as a control for changes in
BP
.
LVO
produced a small but significant reduction in mean arterial pressure of 1.8 (95%
CI
0.3–3.4) mm Hg. Despite this, aortic and carotid‐femoral
PWV
increased during
LVO
by 0.8 (0.2–1.4) m/s and 0.7 (0.3–1.05) m/s, respectively.
DGB
reduced
PWV
by 1.2 (0.9–1.4) m/s, to a greater extent than did nifedipine 10 mg (reduction of 0.7 [0.1–1.3] m/s,
P
<0.05 compared with reduction during
DGB
). This occurred despite a greater decrease in
BP
with nifedipine compared with
DGB
.

Conclusions

Arterial stiffness can be modulated independently of
BP
over the short term. The mechanism could involve alterations in sympathetic activity or other as yet uncharacterized effects of
LVO
and
DGB
.
Revision of the species of Elaphropeza Macquart, 1827 (Diptera: Hybotidae, Tachydromiinae) from Amazon Basin and some remarks about E. ciliatocosta (Bezzi, 1904)
Authors: FREITAS-SILVA RAFAEL A. P. , ALE-ROCHA ROSALY
Published: August 2019

Five species of Elaphropeza Macquart, 1827 from the Amazon Basin region are recognized here and re-described in order to clarify and update previous descriptions, as well as illustrations: E. biseticauda (Smith, 1963), E. flavida (Williston, 1896), E. mazaruni (Smith, 1963) and E. similis (Smith, 1963). Re-description of Elaphropeza monochaeta (Bezzi, 1909) comb. nov. is updated, presenting characters nowadays utilized in taxonomy of this group. The female of E. biseticauda is described and illustrated for the first time and E. bergonzoi Raffone, 2000 syn. nov. is proposed as junior synonym of E. flavida. A key to Elaphropeza species from Amazon Basin is provided. Lectotype designation for E. flavida was made and geographical records of this species and the Australian species E. ciliatocosta (Bezzi, 1904) in the Neotropics are discussed.
Two new species of the genus Bhatia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from south India with new locality records of other species
Authors: VIRAKTAMATH C. A. , MURTHY M. SHANKARA
Published: August 2019

Bhatia radhamaniae sp. nov. (Karnataka: Sirsi) and Bhatia serrata sp. nov. (Kerala: Nilambur) are described and illustrated. The genus Bhatia is redefined. A key to species of Bhatia from the Indian subcontinent is also provided. New locality records for Bhatia distanti Zhang & Webb, Carvaka kumari Viraktamath, Indokutara conica Viraktamath, Kotabala adiveyyai Viraktamath and Parohinka longiseta (Melichar) are given.
A new species of karst dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Sarawak, Borneo
Authors: GRISMER L. LEE , ONN CHAN KIN
Published: August 2019

A new species of karst dwelling Cnemaspis is described from western Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Cnemaspis paripari sp. nov. is presumably endemic to the karst outcroppings which extend approximately 4.2 km between Gua Angin and Gua Pari-pari in the district of Bau. It is the only species of Southeast Asian Cnemaspis with a median, subcaudal row of bead-like scales and whose adult males have a bright yellow head and a bright yellow regenerated tail. Cnemaspis paripari sp. nov. differs markedly from the other three species of Bornean Cnemaspis in aspects of size, squamation, and coloration and its presence underscores the potential unrealized diversity of this genus in Borneo as compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
Catalogue of type specimens of invertebrates in the collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. V. Arachnida: Araneae, Opiliones and Scorpiones
Authors: SATURNINO REGIANE , TOURINHO ANA LÚCIA , DE AZEVEDO CLARISSA SALETTE , BAPTISTA RENNER L. C. , MAGALHÃES CÉLIO
Published: August 2019

A catalogue of type specimens of Araneae, Opiliones and Scorpiones deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil, is presented. There are 52 holotypes and 99 lots of paratypes for 68 species of Araneae; 6 holotypes and 18 lots of paratypes for 7 species of Opiliones; and 19 holotypes and 20 lots of paratypes for 19 species of Scorpiones.
A contribution to the Cicadidae fauna of Vietnam (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha), with one new species and twenty new records
Authors: THAI PHAM HONG , YANG JENG-TZE
Published: August 2019

According to previous reports, the number of cicada species known from Vietnam is 131; these represent 45 genera. Neotanna yunnanensis Lei et Chou, 1997 and Neotanna sinensis Ouchi, 1938 are transferred to Tanna Distant, 1905 to become Tanna yunnanensis (Lei et Chou, 1997) comb. nov. and Tanna sinensis (Ouchi, 1938) comb. nov., Proretinata vemaculata Chou & Yao, 1986 is transferred to Angamiana Distant, 1890 to become Angamiana vemacula (Chou et Yao, 1986) comb. nov.. Twenty additional species are here recorded for the fauna of Vietnam for the first time: Scolopita lusiplex Chou et Lei, 1997, Hea fasciata Distant, 1906, Hea yunnanensis Chou et Yao, 1995, Katoa chlorotica Chou et Lu, 1997, Mogannia effecta Distant, 1892, Nipponosemia guangxiensis Chou et Wang, 1993, Ambragaeana ambra Chou et Yao, 1985, Balinta tenebricosa (Distant, 1888), Gaeana cheni Chou et Yao, 1985, Gaeana hainanensis Chou et Yao, 1985, Sulphogaeana dolicha Lei, 1997, Paratalainga yunnanensis Chou et Lei, 1992, Formotosena seebohmi (Distant, 1904), Angamiana vemacula (Chou et Yao, 1986), Pomponia backanensis sp. nov., Purana guttularis (Walker, 1858), Tanna yunnanensis (Lei et Chou, 1997), Tanna sinensis (Ouchi, 1938), Euterpnosia ruida Lei et Chou, 1997, Inthaxara flexa Lei et Li, 1996, and Sinosemia shirakii Matsumura, 1927. One of these, Katoa chlorotica, is the first representative of the subfamily Tettigadinae and the tribe Tibicini for Vietnam. One new species, Pomponia backanensis sp. nov., is described and a key to species of Vietnamese Pomponia is provided.
First records of Tachydromia Meigen and Tachypeza Meigen (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Viet Nam, with descriptions of four new species
Authors: GROOTAERT PATRICK , SHAMSHEV IGOR
Published: August 2019

First records of Tachydromia Meigen and Tachypeza Meigen from Viet Nam are provided, including descriptions of four new species: Tachydromia achterbergi sp. nov., Tachydromia annamensis sp. nov., Tachypeza vietnamensis sp. nov. and Tachypeza vriesi sp. nov. Tachydromia doi Shamshev & Grootaert is recorded for the first time from Viet Nam as well as a female of a new but unnamed Tachydromia. A key to Oriental species for both Tachydromia and Tachypeza is compiled.
Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) in Southeast Asia: a synopsis of 104 genera, with an illustrated key to genera and checklist of species
Authors: XUE XIAO-FENG , ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: August 2019

This paper provides a synopsis of 104 genera of eriophyoid mites in Southeast Asia, with an identification key to families and genera, and a checklist of 325 species. A new species—Paniculatus curcasis sp. nov. on Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) from Java, Indonesia—was described. Four new combinations were proposed—Cosella crotoni (Boczek & Chandrapatya, 2000), comb. nov. on Croton oblongifolius (Euphorbiaceae) from Thailand; Paraphytoptus binarius (Keifer, 1977), comb. nov. on Peltophorum pterocarpum (Fabaceae) from Thailand; Leipothrix mangiferae (Chandrapatya, 1997), comb. nov. on Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae) from Thailand; and Levonga caseariae (Chandrapatya, 1997) comb. nov. on Casearia grewiaefolia (Flacourtiaceae) from Thailand. Four new names were proposed for junior homonyms—Quadriporca samphran nom. nov. on Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae) from Thailand; Knorella blumcanae nom. nov. on Bambusa blumcana (Poaceae) from Thailand; Rhombacus bangkoki nom. nov. on Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae) from Thailand; and Tetra stipularisis nom. nov. on Bridelia stipularis (Euphorbiaceae) from Thailand.
Description of two new species, Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. (Nematoda:
Aphanolaimidae) and Makatinus africanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aporcelaimidae), and SEM observations on three known species from freshwater sources in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga, South Africa)
Authors: GIRGAN CHANTELLE , MARAIS MARIETTE , FOURIE HENDRIKA , TIEDT LOURENS , SWART ANTOINETTE
Published: August 2019

Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. and Makatinus africanus n. sp. are described from freshwater sources in the Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. is characterised by a body length of 1240–1613 μm, more than 800 body annules, lateral field originating between the first and second lateral body pore at the 34th–46th annule, first lateral body pore located at the 25th–35th annule, vagina V-shaped and bent anteriorly, 142–195 µm long uterus and 165–207 µm long tail with spinneret offset. This species is ovoviviparous and no males were found. Makatinus africanus n. sp. is characterised by a large, thick body (3228–4128 μm long, a = 30–39 wide), slightly set off lip region with amalgamated lips; 31–34 μm long odontostyle; long tongue-shaped cardia, and stout, short tail (30–43 μm long) with a small peg / digitate extension and male absent. Populations of three known species, Chronogaster africana, Eutobrilus annetteae and Neotobrilus ampiei, from fresh water at the Telperion Nature Reserve are described and scanning electron microscope graphs of these species published for the first time.
A new species of Isoperla (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) from the Qinling Mountains of northwestern China and notes on the Chinese species of the genus
Authors: CHEN ZHI-TENG , SONG LIANG-DONG , FENG WEN-TAO
Published: August 2019

A new species of the perlodid genus Isoperla Banks, 1906, Isoperla qinlinga Chen, sp. nov. from Shaanxi Province of northwestern China is described. The new species is characterized by the mostly dark head and pronotum, the poorly developed vesicle, the modified ventral and dorsal aedeagal lobes, and the slightly developed, rounded subgenital plate of the female. Comments are provided on the known species of Isoperla of China.
Three new species of the genus Alloteratura Hebard, 1922 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae: Meconematini) from China
Authors: XIN YARUI , SHI FUMING
Published: August 2019

This paper describes three new species of the genus Alloteratura Hebard, 1922 from China, i.e. Alloteratura (Alloteratura) sagittala sp. nov., Alloteratura (Alloteratura) flabellata sp. nov., Alloteratura (Meconemopsis) pentadactyla sp. nov., and provides characteristic photographs.
A Role for Barotropic Eddy–Mean Flow Feedbacks in the Zonal Wind Response to Sea Ice Loss and Arctic Amplification
Authors: Ronalds Bryn , Barnes Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2019

Previous studies have suggested that, in the zonal mean, the climatological Northern Hemisphere wintertime eddy-driven jet streams will weaken and shift equatorward in response to Arctic amplification and sea ice loss. However, multiple studies have also pointed out that this response has strong regional differences across the two ocean basins, with the North Atlantic jet stream generally weakening across models and the North Pacific jet stream showing signs of strengthening. Based on the zonal wind response with a fully coupled model, this work sets up two case studies using a barotropic model to test a dynamical mechanism that can explain the differences in zonal wind response in the North Pacific versus the North Atlantic. Results indicate that the differences between the two basins are due, at least in part, to differences in the proximity of the jet streams to the sea ice loss, and that in both cases the eddies act to increase the jet speed via changes in wave breaking location and frequency. Thus, while baroclinic arguments may account for an initial reduction in the midlatitude winds through thermal wind balance, eddy–mean flow feedbacks are likely instrumental in determining the final total response and actually act to strengthen the eddy-driven jet stream.
Are Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Preceded by Anomalous Tropospheric Wave Activity?
Authors: Cámara Alvaro de la , Birner Thomas , Albers John R.
Published: August 2019

A combination of 240 years of output from a state-of-the-art chemistry–climate model and a twentieth-century reanalysis product is used to investigate to what extent sudden stratospheric warmings are preceded by anomalous tropospheric wave activity. To this end we study the fate of lower tropospheric wave events (LTWEs) and their interaction with the stratospheric mean flow. These LTWEs are contrasted with sudden stratospheric deceleration events (SSDs), which are similar to sudden stratospheric warmings but place more emphasis on the explosive dynamical nature of such events. Reanalysis and model output provide very similar statistics: Around one-third of the identified SSDs are preceded by wave events in the lower troposphere, while two-thirds of the SSDs are not preceded by a tropospheric wave event. In addition, only 20% of all anomalous tropospheric wave events are followed by an SSD in the stratosphere. This constitutes statistically robust evidence that the anomalous amplification of wave activity in the stratosphere that drives SSDs is not necessarily due to an anomalous amplification of the waves in the source region (i.e., the lower troposphere). The results suggest that the dynamics in the lowermost stratosphere and the vortex geometry are essential, and should be carefully analyzed in the search for precursors of SSDs.
A Climatological Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification in Environments of Upper-Tropospheric Troughs
Authors: Fischer Michael S. , Tang Brian H. , Corbosiero Kristen L.
Published: August 2019

Tropical cyclone (TC)–trough interactions are a common occurrence in the North Atlantic basin and lead to a variety of TC intensity changes, from rapid intensification (RI) to rapid weakening. To test whether certain TC–trough configurations are more favorable for RI than others, the upper-tropospheric troughs involved in such interactions were objectively classified into one of three clusters through the implementation of a machine-learning, dimensionality-reduction technique in conjunction with a k-means clustering algorithm. Through composite analyses, the upper-tropospheric potential vorticity structure, the TC convective structure, and the TC environment were examined for both rapidly intensifying TCs and nonrapidly intensifying (non-RI) TCs. As a whole, RI episodes were associated with upper-tropospheric troughs of shorter zonal wavelengths and greater upstream TC–trough displacements than non-RI episodes. RI was found to occur most frequently when an upper-tropospheric cutoff low was located approximately 500–1000 km southwest of the TC location. RI occurred preferentially in environments associated with less ventilation of the TC warm core with low-entropy environmental air. An examination of potential trough-induced forcing for convection revealed little relationship between RI and eddy flux convergence of angular momentum. Nonetheless, RI episodes were associated with anomalously vigorous convective activity within the TC inner core, as diagnosed by infrared and passive microwave satellite imagery.
Involuntary admission of psychiatric patients: Referring physicians’ perceptions of competence
Authors: Hotzy Florian , Marty Silvan , Moetteli Sonja , Theodoridou Anastasia , Hoff Paul , Jaeger Matthias
Published: August 2019

Background:

Involuntary admissions can be detrimental for patients. Due to legal, ethical and clinical considerations, they are also challenging for referring physicians. Nevertheless, not much is known about the subjective perceptions of those who have to decide whether to conduct an involuntary admission or not.

Aims:

This study aimed at answering the question whether psychiatrists’ perceptions of confidence during psychiatric emergency situations and consecutive involuntary admissions differ from those of physicians without a psychiatric training.

Method:

We assessed the professional background and subjective perceptions during psychiatric emergency situations in physicians who executed involuntary admissions to the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich. We used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests and chi-square tests to compare the responses of 43 psychiatrists with those of 64 other physicians.

Results:

Psychiatrists felt less time constraints compared with non-psychiatric residents. The latter also had more doubts on the necessity of the involuntary admission issued. Psychiatrists considered themselves significantly more experienced in handling psychiatric emergency situations and in handling the criteria for involuntary admissions than other physicians. Psychiatrists and other physicians did not differ in their satisfaction concerning course and results of psychiatric emergency situations which was overall high. About half of all participants felt pressure from third parties.

Conclusion:

Psychiatric emergency situations are challenging situations not only for patients but also for the involved physicians. Physicians with a specialized training might be more confident in the handling of psychiatric emergency situations and exertion of involuntary admissions. Non-psychiatric physicians might benefit from specialized training programs.
The Effect of Time on Root Coverage Outcomes: A Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Tavelli L. , Barootchi S. , Cairo F. , Rasperini G. , Shedden K. , Wang H.L.
Published: August 2019

The stability of root coverage outcomes has gained a great deal of interest. However, insufficient evidence is available, mainly due to limited direct comparisons among different techniques and the small sample size among clinical trials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose a mixed-models network meta-analysis (NMA) that includes the novelty of assessing time on root coverage outcomes while simultaneously comparing different surgical approaches. A literature search was performed by 2 individual reviewers to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the outcomes of root coverage procedures of at least 2 time points to estimate the slopes of different treatment approaches. The primary outcomes were the changes in slopes for recession depth (REC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and clinical attachment level. Sixty RCTs with a total of 2,554 gingival recessions (1,864 patients) were included in the NMA. Connective tissue graft (CTG) and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) approaches provided superior initial REC reduction compared to flap advancement alone. However, only CTG-based procedures were effective in maintaining the stability of the gingival margin over time, while EMD, acellular dermal matrix, collagen matrix, and flap alone showed a similar tendency for gingival recession recurrence. Baseline REC and KTW at the earliest postoperative recall were predictors for the stability of the gingival margin. In addition, a geographic center effect on the treatment slopes was observed for REC and KTW. While limitations of the present linear mixed-modeling approach should be considered as it refers to estimation and comparison of time slopes based on an examined while linear framework, the designed NMA showed to be an effective tool for the simultaneous comparison of multiple treatment approaches while taking into account the critical element of time.
SRSD Fractions: Helping Students at Risk for Disabilities Add/Subtract Fractions With Unlike Denominators
Authors: Ennis Robin Parks , Losinski Mickey
Published: August 2019

Many students fall below benchmarks in the area of fractions computation, particularly students with disabilities. Self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) is one strategy with proven effectiveness for improving outcomes for students with disabilities, although very few studies have applied SRSD to the area of mathematics. In this study, we used SRSD Fractions to teach adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, simplifying fractions, and converting fractions to mixed numbers using the mnemonics FILMS, CUT, and EDIT. A researcher provided instruction in small groups to fifth-grade students at risk for disabilities. The results from use of a multiple-baseline-across-groups design suggest a functional relationship between SRSD Fractions and 8 fifth-grade students’ digits correct on timed fraction probes. Results from treatment fidelity, social validity, and academic engagement during the intervention are also reported. We also discuss limitations and directions for future researchers.
Fault diagnosis of rolling element bearing weak fault based on sparse decomposition and broad learning network
Authors: Li Xiaocheng , Wang Jingcheng , Zhang Bin
Published: August 2019

Rolling element bearings are widely used in rotating machinery and, at the same time, they are easily damaged due to harsh operating environments and conditions. As a result, rolling element bearings are critical to the safe operation of the mechanical devices. The incipient fault information extraction of rolling bearings mainly faces the following difficulties: (1) The fault signal is too weak. (2) The fault mechanism and the dynamic model of the rolling bearing system are complex. (3) The oscillations caused by the fault shocks are overlapped due to the smaller impact between two adjacent faults. (4) The impact interval of the fault will change randomly. To overcome the aforementioned difficulties, a connection network constructed by resonance-based sparse signal decomposition (RSSD) and broad learning system (BLS) without the need for deep architecture, namely RSSD-BLS, is proposed for intelligent fault diagnosis. We construct RSSD-BLS by input layer, RSSD decomposition layer, feature layer and output layer. So, when the observed vibration signals are the input layer, the network first uses RSSD to decompose the raw vibration signal into high resonance components and low resonance components. Then, the network obtains energy spectrum features of high resonance components which decomposed by RSSD to extract the unique features in the feature. Finally, the network recognizes different fault conditions in the output layer. Through comparing with commonly used intelligent network diagnosis method, the superiority of the proposed RSSD-BLS is verified.
Standards and Their (Recurring) Stories: How Augmented Reality Markup Language Was Built on Stories of Past Standards
Authors: Liao Tony
Published: August 2019

This article focuses on the role of past standards stories and how they are deployed strategically in ways that shape the process of standards creation. It draws upon an ethnographic study over multiple years of standards meetings, discussions, and online activity. Building on existing work that examines how standards are shaped by stories, this study follows the development of Augmented Reality Markup Language and maps how the story of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) became the key story that actors utilized and debated to push for participation, agreement, and material development of the standard. The authors present several different ways the recurring HTML story was effective at various points in the process as a diagnostic tool, promissory future, empirical evidence, and confidence building measure. Understanding these strategic deployments serves as an empirical example of how recurring stories of the past can shape standards development. These mappings illustrate how standards can be built on past standards sociologically as well as technologically and also broadens our theoretical tools for understanding the importance of stories in the sociology of standards.
Does the Association Between Age and Major Illness Vary by Healthcare System Quality?
Authors: Andersson Matthew A. , Wilkinson Lindsay R. , Schafer Markus H.
Published: August 2019

This study builds on research into global aging, by offering a multiple-indicator test of whether national healthcare system quality modifies the association between age and major illness. Recent individual-level data on morbidity among respondents aged 50 or older (16 countries; 2014 European Social Survey) are merged with nation-level healthcare indicators. Healthcare system quality is assessed using a subjective, evaluation-based approach and an objective, attributable-mortality approach. Lagged nation-level economic and health indicators are controlled to help isolate healthcare system effects. Results across subjective and objective approaches to healthcare system quality are strikingly consistent. While older individuals showed approximately a 10% reduction in probability of major illness when residing in countries with higher healthcare quality, associations between age and morbidity indices combining number and severity of illness showed greater modification by healthcare quality, with reductions around 18%. Taken together, results are suggestive of healthcare’s protective role in reducing age-related illness and disability.
Age-related changes in the relation between preschoolers’ anger and persistence
Authors: Ramsook K. Ashana , Benson Lizbeth , Ram Nilam , Cole Pamela M.
Published: August 2019

Although the functionalist perspective on emotional development posits that emotions serve adaptive functions, empirical tests of the role of anger mostly focus on how anger contributes to dysfunction. Developmentally, as children gain agency and skill at emotion regulation between the ages of 36 months and 48 months, their modulation of anger may facilitate its functional role for behavior. We examined this possibility through study of how 120 children’s anger and sadness were related to persistence during the transparent locked box task at ages 36 and 48 months. Using survival analyses, we examined how children’s anger and sadness were related to their giving up during the challenging task, and whether those relations were moderated by age. Using hidden Markov models (HMMs), we examined how children transitioned among anger, sadness, and on-task behavior states and whether those dynamics differed with age. Survival analysis revealed that age moderated the relation between anger and giving up. Greater anger was associated with greater likelihood of giving up earlier in the task at 36 months but with lower likelihood of giving up at 48 months. HMM analyses revealed that children were more likely to transition from a Calm/On-task to Calm/Off-task state at 36 months than at 48 months; that children were more likely to remain in an Anger/On-task state at 36 months than at 48 months; and that children were more likely to transition from Calm/On-task to Anger/On-task, and from Anger/On-task back to Calm/On-task at 48 months than at 36 months. Taken together, the findings suggest that anger appraisals may facilitate children in maintaining persistence, but that this functionality may develop with age.
An investigation of cultural objects in conflict zones through the lens of TripAdvisor reviews: A case of South Caucasus
Authors: Hajibayova Lala
Published: August 2019

This study is an investigation of how cultural sites and objects in the former conflict zones of South Caucasus are constructed in user-generated narratives in TripAdvisor reviews and images. An analysis of these reviews and images was found to demonstrate the embodied orientation of reviewers’ narrations, wherein the disputed nature of the cultural sites is mainly voiced in the form of dissatisfaction with the socio-economical situation and services. This study suggests that the forgotten nature of frozen conflicts engendered an erosion of and disconnect from cultural heritage, ties and significance for those who fled the contested areas.
‘I Gave You More’: Discretionary Power in a Corruption Experiment
Authors: Czap Hans J. , Czap Natalia V.
Published: August 2019

Bribes are gifts that are given with an expectation of favourable treatment from a public official or an authority figure. In some cultures, gift giving is a widely accepted part of social interaction and the rejection of gifts may be frowned upon. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether and how the (in)ability to reject gifts/bribes impacts corrupt behaviour. We present the results of an economic experiment in which two agents (firms) are competing for governmental funds. The firms may choose to bribe a public official, who is responsible for distributing the funds. We find that if there is an option to reject bribes, then the average funds allocated to the bribers are lower than in case there is no such option. This holds regardless of whether the bribe was, in fact, accepted or rejected. We also find that if the bribe was rejected, the bribers receive less governmental funds on average. Our results shed some light on the persistence of corruption in cultures in which giving gifts and expecting gifts in return is a deeply rooted custom. Prevalence of this practice in the social context spills over into the business context and leads to higher corruption levels, and more economic distortion than when bribing is just a form of business transaction.

JEL: D01, D02, D73, D90
Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation preserves platelet function after cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Argiriadou Helena , Antonitsis Polychronis , Gkiouliava Anna , Papapostolou Evangelia , Deliopoulos Apostolos , Anastasiadis Kyriakos
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Cardiac surgery on conventional cardiopulmonary bypass induces a combination of thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction which is strongly related to postoperative bleeding. Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation has been shown to preserve coagulation integrity, though effect on platelet function remains unclear. We aimed to prospectively investigate perioperative platelet function in a series of patients undergoing cardiac surgery on minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation using point-of-care testing.

Methods:

A total of 57 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery on minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation were prospectively recruited. Anticoagulation strategy was based on individualized heparin management and heparin level–guided protamine titration performed in all patients with a specialized point-of-care device (Hemostasis Management System – HMS Plus; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Platelet function was evaluated with impedance aggregometry using the ROTEM platelet (TEM International GmbH, Munich, Germany). ADPtest and TRAPtest values were assessed before surgery and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Results:

ADPtest value was preserved during surgery on minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (58.2 ± 20 U vs. 53.6 ± 21 U; p = 0.1), while TRAPtest was found significantly increased (90 ± 27 U vs. 103 ± 38 U; p = 0.03). Postoperative ADPtest and TRAPtest values were inversely related to postoperative bleeding (correlation coefficient: −0.29; p = 0.03 for ADPtest and correlation coefficient: −0.28; p = 0.04 for TRAPtest). The preoperative use of P2Y12 inhibitors was identified as the only independent predictor of a low postoperative ADPtest value (OR = 15.3; p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

Cardiac surgery on minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation is a platelet preservation strategy, which contributes to the beneficial effect of minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation in coagulation integrity.
Enhanced recovery after surgery in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Gao Ruyue , Yang Heying , Li Yanan , Meng Lingbing , Li Yaping , Sun Beibei , Zhang Guofeng , Yue Ming , Guo Fei
Published: August 2019

Objective

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols help optimize inpatient care and minimize discomfort. This study was performed to explore the safety, feasibility, and clinical and social value of ERAS in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery.

Methods

This study included all children (n = 125) who underwent appendectomy, pyloromyotomy, transabdominal Soave’s procedure, Meckel’s diverticulum resection, or reduction of intussusception in our institution from January to September 2018. We compared surgical outcomes between children who underwent surgery under conventional perioperative regimens (control group, n = 57) and those who were treated with ERAS protocols (ERAS group, n = 68).

Results

There were no significant intergroup differences in demographic or surgical data. However, the bowel function recovery time, postoperative intravenous nutrition time, duration of postoperative hospital stay, and hospital costs were significantly lower in the ERAS group than control group. There was no significant intergroup difference in the complication rate.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that implementation of ERAS protocols is safe and feasible in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery. They can improve patient comfort, shorten the duration of the postoperative hospital stay, reduce hospital costs, and accelerate postoperative rehabilitation without increasing the risk of postoperative complications. Therefore, ERAS protocols deserve wider implementation and promotion.
Intervention for burnout among postgraduate chemistry education students
Authors: Ezeudu Florence Obiageli , Attah Florence Oboochi , Onah Anthonia Ebere , Nwangwu Tochukwu Longinus , Nnadi Ekwutosi Monica
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study investigated the efficacy of a group rational emotive behavioural intervention for burnout among postgraduate chemistry education students in Nigeria.

Method

Participants were 36 postgraduate chemistry education students with high burnout symptoms; 18 students were randomly assigned to an experimental group and 18 to a control group. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory – Student Version was used to assess burnout.

Results

There was no significant difference between the experimental group and control group in pretest mean burnout scores. However, experimental group posttest scores showed a significant improvement compared with both experimental group pretest scores and with control group posttest scores, indicating that the group rational emotive behavioural intervention was effective in enabling postgraduate chemistry education students to manage burnout. Experimental group follow-up scores showed a significantly sustained improvement compared with both experimental group posttest scores and with control group follow-up scores, indicating that the effect of the intervention was maintained at follow-up.

Conclusion

The group rational emotive behavioural intervention was an effective treatment modality for burnout in postgraduate chemistry education students.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Within 3 Weeks Does Not Increase Stiffness and Complications Compared With Delayed Reconstruction: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Deabate Luca , Previtali Davide , Grassi Alberto , Filardo Giuseppe , Candrian Christian , Delcogliano Marco
Published: August 2019

Background:

Injury-to-surgery time has been identified as a key point in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, with early versus delayed treatment remaining a debated and controversial topic in the management of ACL tears.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The aim was to quantitatively synthesize the best literature evidence by including only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing early versus delayed ACL reconstruction, with a clear and univocal definition of cutoffs of early or delayed surgery. The hypothesis was that early treatment would lead to similar final clinical results compared with the delayed approach while providing a faster recovery without an increase in complications after ACL reconstruction.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed on February 12, 2019, using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and gray literature databases. According to previous literature, 2 analyses with different cutoffs for injury-to-surgery time (3 weeks and 10 weeks) were performed to distinguish early and delayed reconstruction. The influence of timing was analyzed through meta-analyses in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), risk of complications, range of motion (ROM) limitation, risk of retears, and residual laxity. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed following the Cochrane guidelines.

Results:

Eight studies (5 in 3-week cutoff analysis and 3 in 10-week cutoff analysis) were included. No differences were found in terms of PROMs, risk of complications, ROM limitation, risk of retears, and residual laxity either in the 3-week cutoff analysis or in the 10-week cutoff analysis ( P > .05). The level of evidence was moderate to low for the outcomes of the 3-week cutoff analysis and low to very low for the outcomes of the 10-week cutoff analysis.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis did not confirm the previously advocated benefits of delaying ACL surgery to avoid the acute posttraumatic phase. In fact, RCTs demonstrated that timing of surgery after ACL tears has no influence on the final functional outcome, risk of retears, or residual instability. While no data were available about the recovery time, literature results showed that early ACL reconstruction could be performed without increasing the risk of complications.

Study Registration:

CRD42019119319 (PROSPERO).
Single-Stage Multiple-Ligament Knee Reconstructions for Sports-Related Injuries: Outcomes in 194 Patients
Authors: LaPrade Robert F. , Chahla Jorge , DePhillipo Nicholas N. , Cram Tyler , Kennedy Mitchell I. , Cinque Mark , Dornan Grant J. , O’Brien Luke T. , Engebretsen Lars , Moatshe Gilbert
Published: August 2019

Background:

Outcomes after sports-related multiple-ligament knee reconstructions are limited.

Purpose:

To evaluate outcomes after single-stage surgical treatment of sports-related multiple-ligament knee injuries and to compare outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–based and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)–based multiple-ligament knee reconstructions.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Skeletally mature patients with at least 2 major knee ligaments torn during a sporting activity that required surgery with a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up were included. The Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up. Clinical data, including range of motion and knee stability, were also recorded at final follow-up.

Results:

A total of 276 patients with multiple-ligament knee injuries incurred during sport participation from 2010 to 2016 were identified. Of the 276 patients, 194 (70.5%) had complete follow-up at a mean 3.5 years (range, 2-8 years). There was a significant improvement in all outcome scores as compared with the preoperative scores ( P < .001 for all scores). The median (first and third quartiles) Tegner activity score improved from 1 (0, 2) preoperatively to 6 (4, 7) postoperatively. Significant improvements were from 41 (22, 57) to 90 (78, 95) and 44 (24, 60) to 3 (1, 8) for median Lysholm and WOMAC scores, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative outcome scores between patients treated in the acute and chronic phases. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between PCL- and ACL-based multiple-ligament knee injuries. Eighteen (9.3%) patients developed arthrofibrosis requiring reintervention surgery.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrated that single-stage anatomic-based knee ligament reconstructions with immediate postoperative rehabilitation in the setting of sports-related multiligament injuries yielded significantly improved outcomes irrespective of the ligament injury pattern. In addition, there was no difference in outcomes between ACL- and PCL-based injuries in the setting of sports-related multiligament injuries.