bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Painting with Music
Authors: Laferrière Carolyn
Published: March 2020

When Apollo is depicted playing his lyre, the representation of his active musical performance suggests a sonic element in the viewer’s perception of the image. In this paper, I examine how Apollo’s music and its effect upon his audience are communicated in late Archaic Athenian vase-painting. I draw attention to three musical terms, namely ῥυθµός, συµµετρία, and ἁρµονία, which were defined around the same time that the images were created. These concepts were also used for art criticism, encouraging a comparison between art and music. Working between these musical terms and the visual images, I show that the material representation of Apollo’s music informs each image’s composition through the repetition of similar lines and forms among Apollo, his instrument, his audience, and the plants and animals that accompany them. The images suggest that the sounds of the god’s music draw the composition together into a musical harmonia, thereby continually reaffirming the unifying character inherent to Apollo’s music.
New Music in New York
Authors: Power Timothy
Published: March 2020

The article reviews a production of Euripides’ Herakles mounted by Barnard Columbia Ancient Drama, with an historically informed vocal and aulos score. I discuss aspects of the treatment of music in both the play and the performance, and I assess the production in light of recent approaches to the musical reconstruction of Euripidean tragedy.
The Theory of Analogy in Thomistic Philosophy and in the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea
Authors: Haeften Chris van
Published: March 2020

Introduction to the translation of “De leer der analogie in de thomistische wijsbegeerte en in de wijsbegeerte der wetsidee” by Herman Dooyeweerd (1942), Philosophia Reformata 7 (1–2), pp. 47–57.
Hoplothrips species recorded from China (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), with one new species from Yunnan
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A. , WANG JUN
Published: March 2020

The genus Hoplothrips is the third most species-rich in the subfamily Phlaeothripinae (Mound et al. 2020), and currently comprises 131 species (ThripsWiki 2020). Most of these live on dead branches of woody angiosperm trees and are presumed to feed on fungal hyphae or their liquid breakdown products (Kobro & Rafoss 2006). Many species in this genus exhibit considerable sexual dimorphism, also considerable polyphenism associated with variation in body size. As a result of this variation in body structure, species identification in this genus is often difficult (Mound & Walker 1986; Mound 2017; Mound et al. 2018).
Contribution of ITS towards identifying mites of the family Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) collected from cattle manure in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: ANJOS KARINA A. , ARAÚJO-SILVA SHIRLEY B. , FIORINI LEONARDO C. , DUARTE FERNANDA C. , SAMPAIO PAULO H. S. , RODRIGUEIRO TATYANA S. C. , HARAKAVA RICARDO , MENDES MÁRCIA C.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to analyse morphological and molecular (ITS region) characteristics for eight species of mites in the family Macrochelidae that are present in cattle manure in Brazil. Six of these species were already known in Brazil and, for five of these, both tools (morphology and phylogeny) were concordant regarding all the trees used. The species G. saprophila and M. scutatus were reported in the present study for the first time in Brazil. The data obtained in this study suggest that the molecular analysis corroborated the morphological identification in most species of macrochelids. The results also demonstrate the need to correlate identifications through dichotomous keys, by using phylogenetic studies to better distinguish cryptic species.
Structural and Morphological Changes of Monolayers of a Block Copolymer with Dendron and Perfluoroalkyl Side Chains by Mixing a Perfluorooctadecanoic Acid
Authors: Mitamura Koji , Imae Toyoko , Mouri Emiko , Torikai Naoya , Matsuoka Hideki , Nakamura Tetsuya
Published: March 2020

Hybrid Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of a perfluorooctadecanoic acid mixed with a rigid block copolymer, poly(3,5-bis(3,5-bis(benzyloxy)benzyloxy)benzyl methacrylate-random-methacrylic acid)-block-poly(2-perfluorooctylethyl acrylate), which is composed of benzyloxy
dendron side chains and perfluorinated side chains, were prepared and characterized by surface pressure–surface area isotherms, atomic force microscopic images and neutron and X-ray reflectometries. The two-dimensionally phase-separated structures of monolayer films and their morphologies
with plateau and terrace were confirmed. The monolayers were separated into a dendron layer, a perfluorinated layer, and a carboxyl layer. The layer formation is originated not only in the intermolecular interaction between a perfluorooctadecanoic acid and a block copolymer but also in the
geometry of the molecules. Especially, the amphiphilicity of perfluorinated surfactant plays a role to the ordered array of the block copolymers.
Pyramidal Nanostructures of Zinc Oxide
Authors: Angappane S. , John Neena Susan , Kulkarni G. U.
Published: March 2020

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition of the oxide onto Si(100) substrate at 600 °C. An examination of the morphology using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy reveals well formed pyramidal structures consistent with the
growth habit of ZnO. A domain matched epitaxy across the interface makes the ZnO pyramids orient along the axes of Si(100) surface. The pyramidal nanostructures signify an intermediate state in the growth of hexagonal nanorods of ZnO. The hardness of the nanostructures as well as their response
to oxygen gas have been investigated using nanoindentation and conducting probe methods respectively. ZnO nanostructures are much harder than their bulk. The hardness of ZnO pyramids obtained by nanoindentation is 70 ± 10 GPa which is about one order more that of bulk ZnO. Besides,
the nanostructures exhibit high sensitivity towards oxygen. A 70% increase in the resistance of ZnO nanostructures is observed when exposed to oxygen atmosphere.
Structural Transition in Nanostructured Eu2O3 Under High Pressures
Authors: Dilawar Nita , Varandani Deepak , Pandey V. P. , Kumar Mahesh , Shivaprasad S. M. , Sharma P. K. , Bandyopadhyay A. K.
Published: March 2020

We report here studies on the effect of high pressure on the structural properties of nano-sized Europium sesquioxide (Eu2O3) up to a pressure of about 16.4 GPa. At ambient conditions, the starting sample was found to be predominantly cubic type Eu2O3
or in Eu3+ state with a trace of Eu2 +. The presence of Eu2+ state is assumed to be arising due to the non-stoichiometric Eu1−xO phase which is obtained from XPS studies by the deconvolution of the Eu 3d-core levels. The Raman studies at ambient
show a strong peak at about 333 cm−1, which is known to occur due to the Fg mode of cubic Eu2O3 and in a similar way, the XRD data shows major peaks corresponding to the cubic phase of Eu2O3. A Mao-Bell type diamond anvil
cell (DAC) was used to generate high pressures for XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies. It was observed that the material undergoes a structural change from cubic to monoclinic structure with an on set transition pressure at around 2 GPa and completes at around 8 GPa. This has been inferred
from the fact that above about 2.0 GPa pressure, Raman studies show the emergence of a new peak corresponding to the monoclinic phase which increases in intensity and shifts further with increase in pressure, while the XRD studies show that above about 2.0 GPa, the peaks corresponding to monoclinic
phase emerge, which show a slight increase in preferred orientation as the pressure is increased. A detailed discussion has been provided to explain this fact.
One-Step Preparation of MgO Hollow Spheres and Hexagonal Cylinders via Zn Template
Authors: Shi L. , Xu Y. M. , Li Quan
Published: March 2020

Polycrystalline hollow spheres and single crystalline hexagonal cylinders of MgO have been fabricated by chemical vapor deposition using ZnO and Mg as the starting materials. The Zn produced during the chemical reaction serves as template material, and vaporization of which leads to
the formation of the hollow structures. The presence of trace amount of Si in the source material is identified to be critical for the existence of the stable MgO hollow structures, which otherwise would be damaged during the Zn template removal process. The same principle can be readily adopted
in many other material systems and result a variety of hollow structures for catalyst, sensor and medical applications.
Nanocrystalline Ceria Powders Through Citrate–Nitrate Combustion
Authors: Purohit R. D. , Saha S. , Tyagi A. K.
Published: March 2020

Nanocrystalline ceria powders have been synthesized by combustion technique using citric acid as a fuel and nitrate as an oxidizer. The auto-ignition of the gels containing cerium nitrate and citric acid resulted in ceria powders. A theory based on adiabatic flame temperature for different
citric acid-to-cerium nitrate molar ratios has been proposed to explain the nature of combustion reaction and its correlation with the powder characteristics. Specific surface area and primary particle size of the ceria powder obtained through fuel-deficient precursor was found to be ≈127
m2/g and 2.5–10 nm, respectively. The combustion synthesized ceria powder when cold pressed and sintered in air at 1250 °C for 1 hour resulted in ≈96% of its theoretical density with sub-micron grains.
A Rapid and Facile Method for Hydrothermal Synthesis of CdTe Nanocrystals Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Yang Rui , Yan Yuxi , Mu Ying , Ji Wei , Li Xuwen , Zou MingQiang , Fei Qiang , Jin Qinhan
Published: March 2020

By using a novel procedure, a new kind of water-soluble CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) is synthesized in aqueous solutions at the temperature of 100 °C. In this procedure, tripeptide thiol glutathione was used as stabilizing agent, CdTe NCs with controllable photoluminescence wavelength
from 500 nm to 680 nm were prepared within two hours. Compared with CdTe NCs prepared with thiohydracrylic acid as stabilizing agent, as-prepared NCs show much narrower photoluminescence FWHM, more symmetrical emission peak and higher photoluminescence quantum yield. The surface structure
of as-prepared CdTe NCs is deduced, therefore, there may be some unreported circular structure on the surface. Experimental results show that as-prepared NCs have very good biological compatibility and they are nontoxic. And these CdTe NCs can conjugate with biological molecules for further
biological luminescence study. The proposed hydrothermal synthesis procedure has the advantage of simplicity, inexpensiveness, time saving and mild operating conditions.
Solvothermal Preparation and Gas Sensing Properties of ZnO Whiskers
Authors: Jiaqiang Xu , Yuping Chen , Jianian Shen
Published: March 2020

ZnO whiskers were prepared by a solvothermal process with Zn(OH)2−4, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), n-amyl alcohol and n-hexane at 140 °C. The influence of preparation condition on the morphology of the resultant sample was investigated
through change zinc salts, co-surfactants, surfactants, reaction temperature, and reaction time. Experimental results revealed that the morphology of as-obtained ZnO was affected strongly by the zinc salts and surfactants. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron diffraction (ED). Results showed that ZnO whiskers had the diameters of 100–500 nm, the lengths of several μm, and grown along orientation of [0001]. The gas sensitivities of the as-prepared ZnO
whiskers were detected. The results revealed that the ZnO whiskers had excellent potential application for gas sensor.
Experimental Study of Interaction of Laser Radiation with Silver Nanoparticles in SiO2 Matrix
Authors: Sendova M. , Sendova-Vassileva M. , Pivin J. C. , Hofmeister H. , Coffey K. , Warren A.
Published: March 2020

Thin films of silica containing silver nanoparticles were deposited by magnetron co-sputtering followed by thermal annealing in air or Ar + 2% H2. Laser fragmentation of the particles was carried out at two different wavelengths. The films were characterized by UV-VIS absorption
spectroscopy and plasmon resonance numerical modeling based on the Mie theory, together with Rutherford backscattering elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy chemical characterization, combined with statistical analysis of the transmission electron microscopy micrographs, and
surface topography study by atomic force microscopy. It is demonstrated that the fragmentation is a result of a thermal process and its mechanism does not depend on the laser wavelength as long as the laser light is absorbed by the silver particles. Laser treatment with moderate fluences does
not alter the precipitated metal content while fragmenting the particles. TEM study indicates that laser assisted silver particle modification can serve as a method for narrowing the particle size distribution.
Fabrication of Nanosized Molecular Array Device and Logic Gate Using Dimethyl-Phenylethynyl Thiol
Authors: Kim Do-Hyun , Lee Hyoyoung , Song Chung-Kun , Lee Changjin
Published: March 2020

We fabricated an array of molecular devices with a simple vertical metal-molecule-metal (MMM) junction. The nano via holes are formed in SiNx or SiO2 layer by RIE to contain the molecules inside. Finally, the top Ti/Au contact has been deposited by e-beam evaporation with
cooling stage. By using self-assembly process, the organic molecules dissolved in dry and oxygen-free THF are inserted to the nanopore array device for 24 hours. We used the newly synthesized compound 4-[4-(3,5-Dimethyl-phenylethynyl)-3-nitro-phenylethynyl]-benzenethiol (DN), which is designed
for adding two methyl groups at 3,5 position of phenylethynyl group of Tour's compound (4-(2-Nitro-4-phenylethynyl-phenylethyyl)-benzenethiol). The molecular devices produced the diode-like I−V characteristics and were implemented to logic gate with 3 × 3 array devices containing
the DN molecule.
Detection of Tumor Markers Using Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Park Dong-Won , Kim Yo-Han , Kim Beom Soo , So Hye-Mi , Won Keehoon , Lee Jeong-O , Kong Ki-Jeong , Chang Hyunju
Published: March 2020

We have developed a biosensor capable of detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) markers using single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistors (SWNT-FETs). These SWNT-FETs were fabricated using nanotubes produced by a patterned catalyst growth technique, where the top contact
electrodes were generated using conventional photolithography. For biosensor applications, SU-8 negative photoresist patterns were used as an insulation layer. CEA antibodies were employed as recognition elements to specific tumor markers, and were successfully immobilized on the sides of
a single-walled carbon nanotube using CDI-Tween 20 linking molecules. The binding of tumor markers to these antibody-functionalized SWNT-FETs was then monitored continuously during exposure to dilute CEA solutions. The observed sharp decrease in conductance demonstrates the possibility of
realizing highly sensitive, label-free SWNT-FET-based tumor sensors.
Nanoparticle Embedded p-Type Electrodes for GaN-Based Flip-Chip Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kwak Joon Seop , Song J.-O. , Seong T.-Y. , Kim B. I. , Cho J. , Sone C. , Park Y.
Published: March 2020

We have investigated high-quality ohmic contacts for flip-chip light emitting diodes using Zn–Ni nanoparticles/Ag schemes. The Zn–Ni nanoparticles/Ag contacts produce specific contact resistances of 10−5–10−6 Ωcm2 when
annealed at temperatures of 330–530 °C for 1 min in air ambient, which are much better than those obtained from the Ag contacts. It is shown that blue InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well light emitting diodes fabricated with the annealed Zn–Ni nanoparticles/Ag contacts give much lower
forward-bias voltages at 20 mA compared with those of the multi-quantum well light emitting diodes made with the as-deposited Ag contacts. It is further presented that the multi-quantum well light emitting diodes made with the Zn–Ni nanoparticles/Ag contacts show similar output power
compared to those fabricated with the Ag contact layers.
Fabrication of Nanosized Alumina Powders by a Simple Polymer Solution Route
Authors: Lee Sang-Jin , Chun Sung-Yong , Lee Choong-Hyo , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: March 2020

Nanosized alumina (Al2O3) powders had been successfully fabricated by a simple polymer solution route employing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an organic carrier. The fabricated alumina powders had an average particle size of 6.1 nm with a high specific surface area
of 99.5 m2/g. As well, the alumina powders were fully crystallized to α phase at a relatively low temperature of 1000 °C. The PVA polymer contributed to a soft and porous microstructure of the calcined alumina powders, and ball-milling process with the porous powders
was effective in making nanosized alumina powders. In addition, the content and degree of polymerization of the PVA affected the development of crystallization and powder properties. In this study, the simple polymer technique and milling process for the fabrication of nanosized alumina powders
are introduced, and the effects of PVA on the property of the synthesized alumina powders are observed. For the study, the characterizations of the synthesized powders are conducted by using XRD, TEM, particle size analyzer, and nitrogen gas adsorption.
A Refractive Index Based Micro-Structured Sensor for Blood Components Detection in Terahertz Regime
Authors: Habib Md. Ahasan
Published: March 2020

In this article, a hexagonal packing photonic crystal fiber based optical sensor is presented and analyzed for different blood components identification using terahertz (THz) signal. The numerical analysis of the proposed sensor is performed by using finite element method based software
Comsol V5.0. The proposed fiber is investigated in terahertz frequency spectrum from 1.3 THz to 2.5 THz for higher relative sensitivity and numerical aperture as well as lower absorption loss and confinement loss for better sensing applications. The reported hollow core fiber provide better
interaction of light and the analytes, so that high relative sensitivity of 83.45%, 81.20%, 80.78%, 79.60% and 78.80% are obtained for RBCs, Hemoglobin, WBCs, Plasma and Water respectively at a particular geometric condition. Moreover, very low confinement loss and absorption loss with high
numerical aperture is offered by the proposed sensor in terahertz spectrum. This optical sensor may be an alternative option to detect blood components present in the blood in a very efficient manner.
Properties of Potassium Permanganate as Oxidant in the Determination of Fexofenadine in Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Asha P. K. , Raghu M. S. , Devi V. S. Anusuya
Published: March 2020

Fexofenadine has been assayed by two methods. Titration (given as Method A) and spectrophotometric (given as Method B) were two methods involved in the assay procedure. The proposed titrimetric technique depends on the oxidation of FFH with identified abundance of KMnO4 and
uninvolved KMnO4 was dictated by reacting it with FAS whose molarity is 0.05 M. Response stoichiometry is observed to be 1:2 (FFH: potassium permanganate).
Akt2 Affects Periodontal Inflammation via Altering the M1/M2 Ratio
Authors: Wu X. , Chen H. , Wang Y. , Gu Y.
Published: March 2020

Periodontitis is a bacteria-driven inflammatory destructive disease that leads to attachment loss, bone resorption, and even tooth loss. Accumulating studies revealed that macrophages might play an nonnegligible role during the processes of periodontitis. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we found novel Akt2/JNK1/2/c-Jun and Akt2/miR-155-5p/DET1/c-Jun signaling pathways that regulated the polarization of macrophages and altered periodontal inflammatory status. Through hematoxylin and eosin, immunostaining, and immunofluorescence staining of clinical specimens, a higher number of M1 phenotype macrophage infiltration was found in periodontitis than in normal controls. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence showed that overexpression of Akt2 in RAW 264.7 cells induced M1 macrophage polarization and decreased M2 polarization, while knockdown of Akt2 exerted an opposite effect. Furthermore, overexpression of Akt2 activated the JNK pathway and then increased the release of proinflammatory mediators, while knockdown of Akt2 downregulated the above genes accordingly. Importantly, the macrophage polarization and the subsequent alteration of pathway molecules induced by overexpression of Akt2 could be rescued by Akt2 and JNK inhibitors. Moreover, JNK inhibition could facilitate M2 polarization of macrophages. In a mouse periodontitis model, the novel signaling pathway as well as clinical phenotype was further verified. Inhibition of Akt2 facilitated macrophage M2 polarization and rescued the bone loss due to periodontitis. Collectively, we identified novel Akt2/JNK1/2/c-Jun and Akt2/miR-155-5p/DET1/c-Jun signaling pathways that regulate macrophage polarization and highlight that Akt2 inhibition promotes M2 polarization of macrophages and can be a novel potential candidate in the treatment of periodontitis.
Traveling with Companions: The Social Customer Journey
Authors: Hamilton Ryan , Ferraro Rosellina , Haws Kelly L. , Mukhopadhyay Anirban
Published: March 2020

When customers journey from a need to a purchase decision and beyond, they rarely do so alone. This article introduces the social customer journey, which extends prior perspectives on the path to purchase by explicitly integrating the important role that social others play throughout the journey. The authors highlight the importance of “traveling companions,” who interact with the decision maker through one or more phases of the journey, and they argue that the social distance between the companion(s) and the decision maker is an important factor in how social influence affects that journey. They also consider customer journeys made by decision-making units consisting of multiple individuals and increasingly including artificial intelligence agents that can serve as surrogates for social others. The social customer journey concept integrates prior findings on social influences and customer journeys and highlights opportunities for new research within and across the various stages. Finally, the authors discuss several actionable marketing implications relevant to organizations’ engagement in the social customer journey, including managing influencers, shaping social interactions, and deploying technologies.
Rainfall shocks and intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Cools Sara , Flatø Martin , Kotsadam Andreas
Published: March 2020

Global climate change makes extreme precipitation events likely to become more frequent and intense in large parts of Africa. We study the effect of rainfall shocks on intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis shows the presence of spatial autocorrelation in rainfall shocks, which compromises the exogeneity of rainfall shocks in many applications. We correct for the autocorrelation using spatial polynomials. In particular, we use three different estimation strategies. We first use the complete cross-sectional sample to analyze whether recent droughts are correlated with respondents’ experience with intimate partner violence during the last year. We then use the nine countries with repeated surveys to construct a repeated cross-section analysis at the grid level. Finally, we use event history analysis on a time series constructed from the information provided by the abused women about when the violence first took place. We find no robust evidence that droughts increase intimate partner violence. Potential explanations are that the rainfall shocks do not affect spouses’ power, or that the slow onset of the droughts allows for a calmer response to the crisis. We contribute to the wider literature on climate and conflict as many of the mechanisms, economic and psychological, that link climate to violence apply to both intimate partner violence and organized violence.
The Effects of Expert and Augmented Feedback on Learning a Complex Medical Skill
Authors: Cecilio-Fernandes Dario , Cnossen Fokie , Coster Jenifer , Jaarsma AD (Debbie) C. , Tio René A.
Published: March 2020

Many medical skills are complex due to their requirements for integration of declarative (biomedical) knowledge with perceptual–motor and perceptual–cognitive proficiency. While feedback generally helps learners guide their actions, it is unclear how feedback supports the integration of declarative knowledge with skills. Thus, we investigated the effect of expert and augmented feedback on acquisition and retention of a complex medical skill (acquiring a transthoracic echocardiogram) in a simulation study. We randomly assigned 36 medical undergraduate students to one of three feedback sources: Expert (EF), Augmented visual (HS), and Expert plus Help Screen (EF + HS). Participants practiced until reaching proficiency. Outcome measures (knowledge test and practical skill ratings on a 5-point scale), were gathered at initial acquisition and at retention after 11 days, the time needed to obtain the images and the quality of images obtained. We divided the knowledge test into three topics: names of the images, manipulation of the probe, and anatomy of the heart. At acquisition, immediately after training, EF group participants were faster at obtaining images than participants in the two other groups. On the retention test, there were no group differences for speed of obtaining images, but the EF + HS group scored significantly higher than the other two groups on image quality. Thus, expert feedback best assisted initial acquisition and combined augmented and expert feedback best assisted retention of this complex medical task. Expert assistance reduced learners’ cognitive load during initial practice, helping learners integrate declarative knowledge with physical skills.
Socioeconomic Position and the Incidence, Severity, and Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Wiemken Timothy L. , Carrico Ruth M. , Furmanek Stephen P. , Guinn Brian E. , Mattingly William A. , Peyrani Paula , Ramirez Julio A.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The influence of socioeconomic disparities on adults with pneumonia is not well understood. The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between community-level socioeconomic position, as measured by an area deprivation index, and the incidence, severity, and outcomes among adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods

This was an ancillary study of a population-based, prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with CAP in Louisville, Kentucky, from June 1, 2013, through May 31, 2015. We used a race-specific, block group–level area deprivation index as a proxy for community-level socioeconomic position and evaluated it as a predictor of CAP incidence, CAP severity, early clinical improvement, 30-day mortality, and 1-year mortality.

Results

The cohort comprised 6349 unique adults hospitalized with CAP. CAP incidence per 100 000 population increased significantly with increasing levels of area deprivation, from 303 in tertile 1 (low deprivation), to 467 in tertile 2 (medium deprivation), and 553 in tertile 3 (high deprivation) ( P < .001). Adults in medium- and high-deprivation areas had significantly higher odds of severe CAP (tertile 2 odds ratio [OR] = 1.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.39]; tertile 3 OR = 1.4 [95% CI, 1.18-1.64] and 1-year mortality (tertile 2 OR = 1.3 [95% CI, 1.11-1.54], tertile 3 OR = 1.3 [95% CI, 1.10-1.64]) than adults in low-deprivation areas.

Conclusions

Compared with adults residing in low-deprivation areas, adults residing in high-deprivation areas had an increased incidence of CAP, and they were more likely to have severe CAP. Beyond 30 days of care, we identified an increased long-term mortality for persons in high-deprivation areas. Community-level socioeconomic position should be considered an important factor for research in CAP and policy decisions.
Youth voices in post-English riots Tottenham: The role of reflexivity in negotiating negative representations
Authors: Elster Julius
Published: March 2020

Numerous negative representations of youth emerged in the aftermath of the 2011 English riots. This article intends to fill a gap in the literature on the ‘riot-affected’ areas by looking at how youths from Tottenham (the North London constituency where a peaceful demonstration escalated into the English riots of 2011) deal with stereotypical and homogeneous portrayals put forward by the British mainstream news media and many government ministers. In drawing on an alternative conceptualisation of reflexivity that spells out how reflexive orientations relate to lived experiences, the article aims to open up novel pathways for understanding youth reflexivity in the context of being regularly subjected to negative representations. This is achieved by tying reflexive activity more closely to Alfred Schütz’s notion of ‘stock of knowledge’. The study applies qualitative methods to empirically address how a group of eighteen 15- to 25-year-olds from Tottenham reflexively negotiate the harmful consequences of stigmatised identities. The most striking conclusion to emerge from the data is that Tottenham’s young people embody a diverse range of youth identities and reflexive attitudes; a conclusion that flies in the face of the way in which much of the media depicted youths after the riots.
Who Cares about Healthcare Workers? Care Extractivism and Care Struggles in Germany and India
Authors: Wichterich Christa
Published: March 2020

This paper suggests the concept of care extractivism to explore strategies and mechanisms which pursue the persistent low social and monetary acknowledgement of healthcare work in Germany and India. Recently, caretakers and nurses in both countries went on strike, pointing to a crisis situation in social reproduction and various forms of care extraction. In Germany, care for the elderly and nursing in hospitals are marked by strategies of familialisation and voluntarisation, of standardisation and digital surveillance and by transnationalisation through the import of migrant workers. In India’s rural health provision, voluntarism subsidises welfarism; in private and public hospitals, hierarchisation and contractualisation of employment deepen care extraction. Stereotypes of nursing as natural female, caste norms and various stigmata reinforce the low valuation of care work. In both countries, neoliberal policies merge with patriarchal structures of social reproduction, intensify care extraction and create a cheap care work force which however is no longer docile.
Book review: Ritu Dewan, Radha Sehgal, Aruna Kanchi and Swat Raju, Invisible Work, Invisible Workers: The Sub-Economies of Unpaid Work and Paid Work Action Research on Women’s Unpaid Labour
Authors: Mondal Nandita
Published: March 2020

Ritu Dewan, Radha Sehgal, Aruna Kanchi and Swat Raju, Invisible Work, Invisible Workers: The Sub-Economies of Unpaid Work and Paid Work Action Research on Women’s Unpaid Labour. Delhi, UN WOMEN and ActionAid, 203 pp.
Book review: Pamela Philipose and Aditi Bishnoi (Eds.), Women’s Employment—Work in Progress
Authors: Sridharan Damyanty
Published: March 2020

Pamela Philipose and Aditi Bishnoi (Eds.), Women’s Employment—Work in Progress. Delhi: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung India, Paperback, 2013, pp. IX +200. ISBN: 81-7440-070-2.
Does Diabetes Distress Influence Clinical Response to an mHealth Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Intervention?
Authors: Clark Taylor L. , Gallo Linda , Euyoque Johanna A. , Philis-Tsimikas Athena , Fortmann Addie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether baseline levels of diabetes distress (DD) impacted clinical benefit from a mobile health (mHealth) diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) intervention (“Dulce Digital”).

Methods

This secondary analysis included the full sample of 126 Hispanic adults (mean age = 48.43 years, SD = 9.80) with type 2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin A1C >7.5% enrolled from a Federally Qualified Health Center in a randomized, nonblinded clinical trial that compared Dulce Digital to usual care. Dulce Digital participants received educational/motivational, medication reminders, and blood glucose monitoring prompt text messages over 6 months.

Results

Baseline levels of DD prospectively moderated the effect of Dulce Digital (vs usual care) on glycemic control over 6 months, such that Dulce Digital participants with higher DD experienced relatively greater benefit from the intervention. The effect of the intervention on A1C change was 178% larger among individuals experiencing moderate/high versus no/low DD.

Conclusions

Although research has found DD to be associated with poorer self-management and clinical outcomes, individuals already distressed about their diabetes may benefit from a lower-burden mHealth DSME/S approach.
Culturally Relevant Leadership in Gifted Education: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Mun Rachel U. , Ezzani Miriam D. , Lee Lindsay Ellis
Published: March 2020

Researchers have consistently pointed to teacher deficit views, inequitable identification of policies and practices, and differential access to resources to explain the dearth of traditionally underserved learners in gifted programs across the nation. Culturally relevant leadership is one way to remedy this problem through systemic educational reform at the district and school levels. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic review of the literature on leadership, systemic reform, and identification and services in gifted education for culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) K–12 students in the United States. Drawing from this literature, we report what we know to date on systemic district reforms and their consideration of minoritized populations in gifted education through five themes: systemic bias; equity and excellence; deficit thinking; hiring practices, training, and professional development; and parent and community networks. We then reflect on the potential for equitable systemic reform efforts inclusive of CLED students.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A 28‐Year Experience
Authors: Kwan Kera , Ghazizadeh Shabnam , Moon Andy S. , Rünger Dennis , Sajed Dipti , Elashoff David , St John Maie
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate the management and recurrence outcomes of head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma (HN‐MCC) at a single institution.

Study Design

A retrospective review of outcomes in patients with HN‐MCC.

Setting

A tertiary center from May 1990 to December 2018.

Subjects and Methods

Electronic medical records of patients with HN‐MCC were reviewed.

Results

Sixty cases were included, with 67% (40 of 60) males and a mean age of 73.3 years. Imaging had a moderate sensitivity and specificity for detection of occult disease when compared with histopathologic analysis. Forty‐two percent (25 of 60) of patients underwent neck dissection, and 12% (7 of 60) had a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). There was a high rate of negative SLNB findings. The majority of patients were treated with surgery alone (29 of 60), followed by a cohort (21 of 60) treated with surgery plus adjuvant treatment, and 10 of 60 patients were treated with radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. Recurrence‐free survival was 50%, 45%, and 42% at 1, 2, and 5 years.

Conclusions

We report higher recurrence rates and higher negative SLNB result rates than other studies. Our results affirm that imaging may not be a substitute for SLNB and that it had an intermediate ability to identify the occult disease. Traditional predictors, including SLNB and cervical node pathology, may not identify patients at risk for recurrence in HN‐MCC. We report similar recurrence rates in patients who had treatment of the cervical nodes by radiation therapy or neck dissection as compared with those who did not receive neck treatment.
An investigation of musical ability beliefs and self-concept among fourth-grade students in the United States
Authors: Shouldice Heather Nelson
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this ethnographic case study was to explore the musical ability beliefs and musical self-concepts among eight fourth-grade students whose music teacher believed in universal human musicality—the idea that all human beings have the potential to be musical and can become competent music makers. Data collection lasted 12 weeks and included twice-weekly observations of the students’ music class, numerous one-on-one interviews, and student journal entries. Findings included three themes: (a) conflicting beliefs about the root of musical ability (effort/practice or innate talent), (b) the fluidity and malleability of students’ musical self-concepts, and (c) a perception that musicmaking in the real world is only for performers. Implications include the need for music educators to actively confront the “talent myth” with their students, to be aware of the potential effects of overt comparison and judgment on students’ musical self-concepts, and to provide a learning environment in which mistakes are embraced and music-making is seen as possible and valuable for all.
Effect of time restricted feeding on the gut microbiome in adults with obesity: A pilot study
Authors: Gabel Kelsey , Marcell Jarrad , Cares Kate , Kalam Faiza , Cienfuegos Sofia , Ezpeleta Mark , Varady Krista A.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Time restricted feeding is a form of intermittent fasting where participants shorten the daily window in which they eat.

Aim:

This is the first study to examine the effects of intermittent fasting on changes in the gut microbiome.

Methods:

Adults with obesity ( n = 14) participated in a daily 8-hour time restricted feeding intervention (8-hour feeding window/16-hour fasting window) for 12 weeks. Fecal microbiota were determined by 16 S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) gene sequencing of stool samples.

Results:

Body weight decreased ( P < 0.05) by -2 ± 1 kg. Gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity remained unchanged. The two most common phyla were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes accounting for 61.2% and 26.9% of total abundance at baseline. No significant alterations in the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, or any other phyla were detected after 12 weeks of time restricted feeding.

Conclusions:

Time restricted feeding did not significantly alter the diversity or overall composition of the gut microbiome.
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: extracorporeal circulation optimization and minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation system evolution
Authors: Carozza Roberto , Fazzi Diego , Pietrini Armando , Cefarelli Mariano , Mazzocca Francesca , Vessella Walter , Berretta Paolo , Romagnoli Monica , Alfonsi Jacopo , Zahedi Hossein M. , Munch Christopher , Di Eusanio Marco
Published: March 2020

Treatment of aortic valve disease has become less and less invasive during the last years, thanks to progress in anesthesiology, surgical techniques, and perfusion management. In fact, it has been demonstrated that shorter skin incision, combined with ultra-fast-track anesthesia and minimized extracorporeal circuit could improve clinical outcomes. Current evidence shows that minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation system is associated with reduced red blood cells’ transfusion rate, improved end-organ perfusion, decreased incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, air embolism leakage, and so less cerebral accidents with better neurological outcomes. Moreover, the use of a closed circuit seems to be more physiologic for the patients, reducing systemic inflammatory response due to less air–blood contact and the use of biocompatible surfaces. In the literature, the benefits of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation are described mostly for coronary surgery but few data are nowadays available for minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation during aortic valve replacement. In this article, we describe our perfusion protocol in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement.
A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis of barriers and facilitators to paediatric symptom management at end of life
Authors: Greenfield Katie , Holley Simone , Schoth Daniel E , Harrop Emily , Howard Richard F , Bayliss Julie , Brook Lynda , Jassal Satbir S , Johnson Margaret , Wong Ian , Liossi Christina
Published: March 2020

Background:

Symptom management for infants, children and young people at end of life is complex and challenging due to the range of conditions and differing care needs of individuals of different ages. A greater understanding of these challenges could inform the development of effective interventions.

Aim:

To investigate the barriers and facilitators experienced by patients, carers and healthcare professionals managing symptoms in infants, children and young people at end of life.

Design:

A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken (PROSPERO ID: CRD42019124797).

Data sources:

The Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database, Evidence Search and OpenGrey were electronically searched from the inception of each database for qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods studies that included data from patients, carers or healthcare professionals referring to barriers or facilitators to paediatric end-of-life symptom management. Studies underwent data extraction, quality appraisal, narrative thematic synthesis and meta-analysis.

Results:

A total of 64 studies were included (32 quantitative, 18 qualitative and 14 mixed-methods) of medium-low quality. Themes were generated encompassing barriers/facilitators experienced by carers (treatment efficacy, treatment side effects, healthcare professionals’ attitudes, hospice care, home care, families’ symptom management strategies) and healthcare professionals (medicine access, treatment efficacy, healthcare professionals’ demographics, treatment side effects, specialist support, healthcare professionals’ training, health services delivery, home care). Only one study included patients’ views.

Conclusion:

There is a need for effective communication between healthcare professionals and families, more training for healthcare professionals, improved symptom management planning including anticipatory prescribing, and urgent attention paid to the patients’ perspective.
Prognostic value of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients with gastric cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Xiang , Wang Qing , Cao Huihua , Gao Zhenyan , Qian Guangyang , Lu Qicheng , Wu Yugang
Published: March 2020

Background

To investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies published between January 01, 1998 and December 31, 2018 that investigated the relationship between pre-treatment serum AFP levels and prognosis of patients with GC. Hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated.

Results

13 studies involving 9099 patients with GC were included in the meta-analysis. High pre-treatment serum AFP levels were significantly associated with poor outcome in patients with GC. Although there was significant heterogeneity between studies, sub-group analyses found that studies of ‘non-China’ countries, sample size <500, mixed treatment, or AFP cut-off value ≥20 ng/ml, had low heterogeneity.

Conclusions

The pooled analysis suggests that pre-treatment serum AFP levels can be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with GC. Further research is required to confirm these results.
Effect of carbamazepine on the bone health of people with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhong Rui , Chen Qingling , Li Mengmeng , Lin Weihong , Cui Li
Published: March 2020

Importance

Increasing evidence indicates that carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment in people with epilepsy (PWE) has adverse effects on bone health.

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effect of CBZ on the bone health of PWE.

Methods

Two independent reviewers systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE for eligible studies. Standard mean deviations (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals were used as a measure to investigate the effect of CBZ on bone-related outcomes in PWE.

Results

Levels of vitamin D (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −0.62, 95% CI: −0.89 to −0.35) and calcium (SMD: −0.38, 95% CI: −0.67 to −0.09) were significantly lower in the CBZ group than controls. Additionally, significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (SMD: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52–0.82) was observed in patients using CBZ than controls. However, no significant difference in BMD was found between the two groups (SMD: −0.06, 95% CI: −0.55 to 0.43). Conclusion and significance: This study provided evidence that CBZ treatment has a negative effect on bone health in PWE. Clinical implications are that long-term CBZ treatment may not be a good choice for PWE with skeletal diseases or osteoporosis.
HLA-B*1502 is associated with aromatic anticonvulsant drug-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions among the Hakka population in China
Authors: Zheng Zhiyuan , Zhong Hua , Zhang Qunji , Huang Qingyan , Wu Heming
Published: March 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between aromatic antiepileptic drug-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions and HLA-B*1502 genotype in patients from the Hakka population in Meizhou.

Methods

A total of 214 epileptic patients taking aromatic (n = 94) or non-aromatic anticonvulsants (n = 120) were included in the study from September 2016 to May 2018. Clinical data for the patients were analyzed retrospectively and HLA-B*1502 genotype testing was carried out.

Results

Thirty patients were HLA-B*1502(+) (14.02%). The proportion of HLA-B*1502(−) genotype and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) differed significantly between the two drug groups. In the aromatic anticonvulsant group, maculopapular eruption (MPE), Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS) occurred in 10 patients, including eight HLA-B*1502(+) and two HLA-B*1502(−) patients. MPE, HSS, SJS, and TEN occurred in 26 patients in the non-aromatic anticonvulsant group, including one HLA-B*1502(+) and 25 HLA-B*1502(−) patients. There was a significant correlation between the proportions of HLA-B*1502(+) genotype and induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in the two groups.

Conclusions

HLA-B*1502 is associated with aromatic anticonvulsant drug-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions among the Hakka population in Meizhou, China.
Four cases of pediatric neuralgic amyotrophy treated with immunotherapy: one-year follow-up and literature review
Authors: Hu Xiaoyue , Jing Miao , Feng Jun , Tang Jihong
Published: March 2020

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a neurological disease that occurs across all age groups, but its prognosis in children is controversial. The present report adds to the knowledge about its prognosis by describing four cases of pediatric NA in which the patients were treated with immunotherapy and followed up for 1 year. We also present a summary of relevant cases of pediatric NA treated with immunotherapy. The clinical features of the four present cases were similar to those of previously reported cases, and their symptoms improved after immunotherapy. At the 1-year follow-up, three of the children gained near complete recovery, and their improvement was significantly better than that observed at the 2-month follow-up. A review of the literature showed that most previously reported children with NA showed improvement after immunotherapy, but no more than half of the patients recovered fully. These findings indicate that in children with NA, immunotherapy is fairly effective and its benefits improve with time. Thus, long-term follow-up is needed in these patients to determine their prognosis.