bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visually guided TEE probe insertion, making a case based on anatomic variation: A cadaveric study
Authors: Jahangir Ahad , Shah Sachin P. , Ahmad Mirza Mujadil , Wade Ronald , DuCanto James , Khandheria Bijoy K. , Ammar Khawaja Afzal
Published: September 2018

Aims

The variations in upper esophageal anatomy currently are unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate this variation and assess its impact on transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion.

Methods

We included 9 consecutive cadavers studied at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Clinical Surgical Laboratory. Each cadaver was first intubated blindly by an echocardiographer (KAA) and then under direct vision with a UE Medical VL 400 video laryngoscope (Newton, MA) by an anesthesiologist (JD).

Results

The visually guided method took a shorter average time (19.4 ± 13.4 seconds) and fewer passes (2.4 ± 2.1 passes) than blind insertion (30.3 ± 19.1 seconds, 5.3 ± 3.3 passes). None of the cadavers had the esophagus located directly posterior to the trachea. The esophageal hiatus was posterior and to the right of the trachea in most (n = 6); in these, the traditional “forward” jaw thrust helped to open the esophageal hiatus. Two cadavers had the esophagus and trachea located almost side by side, and in these the “forward” jaw thrust method failed. Instead, the jaw needed to be pulled to the left in order to advance the probe.

Conclusion

This is the first study to describe anatomic variations in the location of and relationship between the upper esophageal sphincter and the larynx for the purpose of transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion. Awareness of the side‐by‐side anatomic variation can help to improve esophageal intubation by prompting the use of a new “pull to the side” technique instead of the traditional “forward” jaw thrust.
What explains the missing girls in nineteenth‐century Spain?
Authors: Beltrán Tapia Francisco J. , Gallego‐Martínez Domingo
Published: September 2018

Infant and childhood sex ratios in nineteenth‐century Spain were abnormally high, thus pointing to some sort of unexplained excess female mortality. This article analyses internal regional variation and shows that certain economic and social factors mitigated gender discrimination against newborn and/or young girls. In particular, the presence of wage labour opportunities for women and the prevalence of extended families in which different generations of women cohabited had beneficial effects on girls’ survival. Likewise, infant and child sex ratios were lower in dense, more urbanized areas.
Intensive community treatment and support “Youth Wraparound” service in Western Australia: A case and feasibility study
Authors: Smith Warwick , Sitas Michael , Rao Pradeep , Nicholls Craig , McCann Polly , Jonikis Tony , James Julian , Cohen Stephen , Ellis Jason , Waters Flavie
Published: September 2018

Background

Multiple services are often needed to address the needs of young people with complex emotional or behavioural needs. The Youth Wraparound model of service aims to provide all health and supportive services from one coordinating agency. While this has been researched overseas, there are currently few examples of this described in the Australian psychiatric context.

Aim

To document the implementation and evaluation of a Youth Wraparound service which was provided to a young person with exceptionally complex and challenging needs for 6 months. A single‐case study design is presented with an evaluation of the clinical outcome and economic costs.

Methods

We present a description of the service context, principles of the model of care, implementation process, and an evaluation of service utilization data from health and child protection services and mental health records. A single‐case longitudinal design compared service utilization data obtained up to 3 years prior to treatment with data collected one and a half years since treatment commenced.

Results

There were significant reductions in the number of admissions to emergency departments, mental health wards and secure units, and improvements in mental health and well‐being. Yearly average time in institutional settings reduced from 69% to 7%. Cost savings in health utilization were estimated at $2 326 790.

Conclusions

The Youth Wraparound model has the potential to offer improved clinical outcomes, significant cost savings over time, improved coordination between care providers, and an alternative to detention or incarceration.
Insect pollination is at least as important for marketable crop yield as plant quality in a seed crop
Authors: Fijen Thijs P. M. , Scheper Jeroen A. , Boom Timo M. , Janssen Nicole , Raemakers Ivo , Kleijn David
Published: September 2018

The sustainability of agriculture can be improved by integrating management of ecosystem services, such as insect pollination, into farming practices. However, large‐scale adoption of ecosystem services‐based practices in agriculture is lacking, possibly because growers undervalue the benefits of ecosystem services compared to those of conventional management practices. Here we show that, under representative real‐world conditions, pollination and plant quality made similar contributions to marketable seed yield of hybrid leek (Allium porrum). Relative to the median, a 25% improvement of plant quality and pollination increased crop value by an estimated $18 007 and $17 174 ha−1 respectively. Across five crop lines, bumblebees delivered most pollination services, while other wild pollinator groups made less frequent but nevertheless substantial contributions. Honeybees actively managed for pollination services did not make significant contributions. Our results show that wild pollinators are an undervalued agricultural input and managing for enhancing pollinators makes sense economically in high‐revenue insect‐pollinated cropping systems.
phlda3 overexpression impairs specification of hemangioblasts and vascular development
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Li Jia , Yang Zhongcheng , Wang Li , Li Lei , Deng Wenqing , Zhou Juan , Wang Longfei , Xu Chengqi , Chen Qiuyun , Wang Qing K.
Published: September 2018

The phlda3 gene encodes a small, 127‐amino acid protein with only a PH domain, and is involved in tumor suppression, proliferation of islet β‐cells, insulin secretion, glucose tolerance, and liver injury. However, the role of phlda3 in vascular development is unknown. Here, we show that phlda3 overexpression decreases the expression levels of hemangioblast markers scl, fli1, and etsrp and intersegmental vessel (ISV) markers flk1 and cdh5, and disrupts ISV development in tg(flk1:GFP) and tg(fli1:GFP) zebrafish. Moreover, phlda3 overexpression inhibits the activation of protein kinase B (AKT) in zebrafish embryos, and the developmental defects of ISVs by phlda3 overexpression were reversed by the expression of a constitutively active form of AKT. These data suggest that phlda3 is a negative regulator of hemangioblast specification and ISV development via AKT signaling.
Variability in hardseededness and seed coat thickness of three populations of Desmanthus virgatus (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)
Authors: Richard Geraldina Alicia , Zabala Juan Marcelo , Cerino María Carolina , Marinoni Lorena del Rosario , Beutel Mauro Exequiel , Pensiero José Francisco
Published: September 2018

Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd. has significant fodder potential, but its seeds have high and persistent levels of physical dormancy which interfere with its field establishment. The purpose of this study was to analyse the variability of physical dormancy in three populations of seeds from humid and arid regions of Argentina, grown and collected in different years and locations. The hardseededness and the percentage of seeds with intact lenses after a softening treatment and the seed coat thicknesses were compared. The variability observed in the obtained percentages of hardseededness, intact lenses and seed coat thicknesses was related to the origin and the environment in which these seeds had developed. Although further work is needed, arid environments seem to favour the development of thicker seminal layers, being an important factor that determines the impermeable nature of the seeds in this species. This information is required for future genetic improvement programs and for understanding the evolutionary process of the populations of this species in different environments.
Associations between the mediterranean diet and sleep in older adults: Results from the hellenic longitudinal investigation of aging and diet study
Authors: Mamalaki Eirini , Anastasiou Costas A , Ntanasi Eva , Tsapanou Angeliki , Kosmidis Mary H , Dardiotis Efthimios , Hadjigeorgiou Giorgos M , Sakka Paraskevi , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Yannakoulia Mary
Published: September 2018

Aim

Although there is some evidence of the relationships between sleep duration/quality and nutrient and/or food intake, the associations between sleep and dietary patterns have been poorly explored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep duration and quality in relation to adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), and to investigate the sex‐ and age‐specific associations in a population‐representative cohort of older adults.

Methods

Participants from the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet were included. The sample consisted of 1639 adults aged ≥65 years. Sleep duration and quality were assessed through a self‐report questionnaire, whereas adherence to the MeDi was evaluated by an a priori score.

Results

Sleep quality was positively associated with the MeDi in the unadjusted and the adjusted model (age, sex, depression, years of education, body mass index, level of physical activity and total energy intake were added as covariates). In contrast, sleep duration was not associated with MeDi adherence either in the unadjusted or the adjusted models. In relation to the age‐related associations, sleep quality was positively associated with MeDi adherence in those aged ≤75 years, and not in those aged >75 years. Associations between sleep and MeDi did not differ between men and women.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that sleep quality is associated with MeDi adherence in older adults; there are also age‐specific associations between sleep quality and the MeDi. Although additional studies are required, improvements in diet quality should be considered in the context of sleep management interventions in older individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1543–1548.
Retrieving Groundwater Depletion and Drought in the Tigris‐Euphrates Basin Between 2003 and 2015
Authors: Chao Nengfang , Luo Zhicai , Wang Zhengtao , Jin Taoyong
Published: September 2018

Quantitative estimates of the groundwater depletion and droughts in the Tigris‐Euphrates Basin (TEB) can be useful for sustainably managing its water resources. Here, data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission are used to infer the monthly changes in the total water storage of the TEB from January 2003 to December 2015. Additionally, the data of altimetry and output from land surface models are used to remove the contributions from lake water changes and other hydrological factors to obtain the total groundwater depletion (TGWD), human‐driven groundwater depletion (HGWD), and climate‐driven groundwater depletion. We conclude that an alarming rate of decrease in the total water storage and the loss of TGWD have an “accelerating” trend, as the trend during 2007 to 2015 was 3.6 times that during 2003 to 2006. Moreover, the HGWD is 116.09 Gt, which accounts for 98% of the TGWD. Finally, the total storage deficit index (TSDI) is derived from the GRACE data to characterize the drought of the TEB. The results show that TSDI agrees well with the actual drought rather than the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) and that the TEB has been undergoing a severe drought since September 2007 according to both the TSDI and PDSI. The research in this study provides an effective and unique method for understanding the hydrological processes and sustainable use of water resources in regions or countries with little data, which is essential for more efficient, sustainable, and cross‐boundary cooperative water resource management.
Plastic yielding of glass in high‐pressure torsion apparatus
Authors: Ding Linfeng , Kerber Michael , Kunisch Clemens , Kaus Boris J. P.
Published: September 2018

Hardness measurements performed at room temperature have demonstrated that glass can flow under elevated pressure, whereas the effect of high pressure on glass rheology remains poorly quantitated. Here, we applied a high‐pressure torsion apparatus to deform SCHOTT SF6® glass and attempted to quantitate the effect of pressure and temperature on the shear deformation of glass subjected to pressures from 0.3 to 7 GPa and temperatures from 25 to 496°C. Results show that the plastic yield deformation was occurring during the HPT experiments on the SF6 glass at elevated temperature from 350 to 496°C. The yield stress of SF6 glass decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing pressure. An extended Arrhenius model with one set of parameters, namely infinite yield stress Y0 = 0.17 ± 0.1 GPa, activation energy Ea = 4.8 ± 0.5 kJ/mol and activation volume Va = 1.4 ± 0.2 cm3/mol, can explain the experimental results well.
Non‐separable utilities and aggregate instability
Authors: Chen Been‐Lon , Lee Shun‐Fa , Raurich Xavier
Published: September 2018

This paper studies an infinite‐horizon two‐sector growth model with sector‐specific externalities and preferences that are non‐separable between consumption and leisure. We find two main results. First, a larger income effect on the labor supply increases the possibility of macroeconomic instability. Second, a larger elasticity of the labor supply may increase or decrease the possibility of aggregate instability, depending on the intensity of the income effect.
Heterogeneous firms, urban costs and agglomeration
Authors: Zhou Yiming
Published: September 2018

This paper explores how the interaction between firm heterogeneity, urban costs and transport costs determines spatial configuration across regions within a simple general equilibrium model. We shed light on how firm heterogeneity affects the centrifugal and centripetal forces and reshapes the spatial configuration of an urban space economy. We show analytically that an increase in firm heterogeneity increases the range in which a symmetric equilibrium is stable. In addition, full agglomeration is shown to be always sustainable, which complements existing results in literature.
Ropy exopolysaccharide‐producing Bifidobacterium longum YS108R as a starter culture for fermented milk
Authors: Yan Shuang , Yang Bo , Stanton Catherine , Ross Reynolds Paul , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei
Published: September 2018

Bifidobacteria are generally inferior compared to traditional starter lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in terms of fermentation properties. The results of this study showed that the use of a ropy EPS producing strain Bifidobacterium longumYS108R during fermentation improved the physicochemical properties of fermented milk, including decreased whey syneresis and increased water‐holding capacity and apparent viscosity, however, another non‐ropy EPS producing strain B. longum C11A10B did not exert such effects. Furthermore, we found that synergistically fermented milk with YS108R and commercial starter could reduce the production of acetic acid, a metabolite of bifidobacteria, and scored better in terms of sensory evaluation, especially with regards to mouthfeel texture. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a single mutation in the protein‐tyrosine kinase gene of strain YS108R, which may relate to ropy phenotype. Our results indicate that ropy‐EPS producing B. longumYS108R is suitable as an adjunct culture for the manufacture of novel fermented dairy products.
Analytical method to detect adulteration of ground roasted coffee
Authors: Song Ha Yan , Jang Hae Won , Debnath Trishna , Lee Kwang‐Geun
Published: September 2018

In this work, an HPLC‐based detection method for identification of coffee powder adulterated with roasted barley, wheat and rice powders was developed by using various chemical indices such as monosaccharides (mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose), trigonelline and nicotinic acid. As a quality assurance, the recovery efficiencies were 84.1%–90.2% for the monosaccharides, 113.6% for trigonelline and 114.9% for nicotinic acid. The limits of detection were 0.047–0.070 mmol kg−1 for the monosaccharides, 0.209 mg kg−1 for trigonelline and 0.117 mg kg−1 for nicotinic acid. The glucose concentration in coffee samples adulterated with roasted barley, wheat and rice at 99:1 (w/w) mixing ratio was significantly different from the control coffee sample. The limit of discrimination from adulterated coffee samples was 1% (w/w) when glucose was used as a chemical index (P < 0.05).
Pink grapefruit lycopene encapsulated in alginate‐based beads: stability towards freezing and drying
Authors: Aguirre Calvo Tatiana R. , Santagapita Patricio R.
Published: September 2018

Alginate‐based beads containing lycopene extract were produced with the addition of various sugars and biopolymers. In present work, lycopene stability was studied on beads subjected to thermal treatments: continuous freezing (−18 °C, 30 days), four freezing/thawing (f/t) cycles, dehydration by vacuum‐ and freeze‐drying. The progress of crystallisation was assessed using transversal relaxation times (T2) obtaining isothermal curves at different temperatures. Alginate beads containing trehalose with β‐cyclodextrin and arabic gum retained a high lycopene content (>80%) after freezing and drying, regardless of the freezing or drying method. Instead, beads containing only alginate showed sever lycopene decrease in all cases. Continuous freezing affected both lycopene content and stability to a higher extent than f/t cycles. Isothermal studies revealed the lower amount of crystallised water in beads containing trehalose (with or w/o other excipients), reducing also the time to arrive at the 50% of crystallisation during freezing.
Simulation of time series using periodic gamma autoregressive models
Authors: Leite de Almeida Duca Victor Eduardo , Castro Souza Reinaldo , Costa Ferreira Pedro Guilherme , Cyrino Oliveira Fernando Luiz
Published: September 2018

Periodic autoregressive models are frequently used to model hydrologic series. In the literature, annual streamflow series are approximated by normal distribution. However, for short periods (daily, weekly, monthly) this is no longer the case, particularly due to the data skewness. A new class of first‐order model was, therefore, studied in an attempt to overcome this problem. The model has an autoregressive structure and can be additive, multiplicative, or hybrid, but with gamma marginal distribution. Furthermore, the classical model assumes that the method of moments is effective for parameters estimation. For the first time, this paper undertakes a complete analysis of the hybrid model for this context and the novelty lies in the parameter estimation via maximization of the likelihood function. For an application in the Brazilian case, the additive model proved to be more effective than previously reported and the method allows high orders and skewed distributions.
Role of interfaces in damage process of irradiated lithium aluminate nanocrystals
Authors: Setyawan Wahyu , Senor David J. , Devanathan Ram
Published: September 2018

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand the differences in the response of single crystal and nanocrystalline γ‐LiAlO2 to energy deposition by 10 keV Li recoils. The simulations are performed at 573 K and focus on the damage production in the absence of thermal annealing. The grain boundaries in the nanocrystals are found to be amorphous. Analyses of the fate of the beam ions show that the amorphous grain boundaries and differently oriented nanograins increase the number of backscattered ions and decrease the number of transmitted ions. Damaged regions protruding from the grain boundaries provide a direct evidence of the role of the grain boundaries as scattering centers in collision cascades. The simulations show that the defect density produced in the nanocrystals is about twice that in the single crystals. In both samples, Li defects account for 70% of the defects, demonstrating that LiO4 tetrahedra are much more susceptible to damage than AlO4 tetrahedra. Furthermore, Li defects occur preferentially near grain boundaries. Diffusion simulations confirm the limited thermal diffusion of defects at 573 K, effectively separating the damage production from thermal annealing in the irradiation simulations. Nevertheless, the mean square displacements of grain‐boundary defects are found to be larger than lattice defects and surface defects.
Complex impedance spectroscopy of perovskite microwave dielectric ceramics with high dielectric constant
Authors: Wang Zixing , Yuan Changlai , Zhu Baohua , Feng Qin , Liu Fei , Xu Jiwen , Zhou Changrong , Chen Guohua
Published: September 2018

The AC impedance of SrTiO3, Ca0.9Sr0.1TiO3, Ca0.7Sm0.2TiO3, and Ca0.7Sm0.3Ti0.7Al0.3O3 microwave dielectric ceramics with perovskite structures has been analyzed. The impedance spectroscopy results reveal the electrical properties of this series of samples vary significantly with the ceramic microstructure and electrical homogeneity. The εr values of grains for SrTiO3 and Ca0.9Sr0.1TiO3 ceramics are 193.8 and 138.1, respectively, confirming that dielectric response of the high‐εr microwave ceramics is contributed to the grains, at microwave frequencies. Impedance spectroscopy of Ca0.7Sm0.2TiO3 ceramic illustrates that electrical heterogeneous microstructures include interior grains and grain shells. The secondary phase existing in Ca0.7Sm0.2TiO3 ceramic causes deviation in bulk permittivity, resulting in a higher εr ~ 148 of grains than εr ~ 112 of bulk permittivity, measured at microwave frequencies. Grain and grain‐boundary impedance of Ca0.7Sm0.3Ti0.7Al0.3O3 ceramic cannot be separated completely. The permittivities of grains and grain boundaries in Ca0.7Sm0.3Ti0.7Al0.3O3 ceramic are εg ~ 17.8 and εgb ~ 20.8, and the combination of them is close to εr ~ 40 at microwave frequencies. The LogI−LogU curves of the ceramic system indicate that the conducting mechanism of grains and grain boundaries follows ohmic behavior.
Job satisfaction, job stress and nurses’ turnover intentions: The moderating roles of on‐the‐job and off‐the‐job embeddedness
Authors: Fasbender Ulrike , Van der Heijden Beatrice I. J. M. , Grimshaw Sophie
Published: September 2018

Aim

Using an interactionist perspective to test on‐the‐job embeddedness and off‐the‐job embeddedness as possible moderators for the predictive effects of job satisfaction and job stress on nurses’ turnover intentions.

Background

As turnover worsens nurse shortages across the globe, researchers needs to find ways to work out and reduce nurses’ turnover intentions. By exploring contributory factors, namely on‐the‐job and off‐the‐job embeddedness as two distinctive forms that both act as moderators, we add to the literature on effective nurse retention and highlight that incorporating off‐the‐job factors can provide a more realistic understanding of why people consider leaving their organization.

Design

Survey of 361 nurses of the United Kingdom's (UK's) National Health Service, in 2016.

Method

We conducted hierarchical multiple regression and simple slope analyses.

Results

Job satisfaction was negatively associated with turnover intentions, and this negative relationship was stronger when off‐the‐job embeddedness was high (vs. low). Job stress was positively related to turnover intentions, yet high (vs. low) off‐the‐job embeddedness buffered this relationship. In contrast, when on‐the‐job embeddedness was high (vs. low), the relationship between job stress and turnover intentions were even stronger.

Conclusion

Results showed that using an interactionist perspective is useful in predicting nurse turnover. Nursing management should be made aware of the importance of being embedded off‐the‐job to prevent nurse turnover. This paper issues guidelines to form a more comprehensive staff retention programme for the healthcare sector.
Marital functioning and treatment outcome in couples undergoing assisted reproduction
Authors: Martínez‐Pampliega Ana , Cormenzana Susana , Martín Sagrario , Navarro Lucía
Published: September 2018

Aim

To investigate the relationship between the quality of marital functioning and communication, individual psychological symptomatology, and pregnancy achievement in couples undergoing assisted reproduction.

Background

The results concerning marital functioning and the feasibility of pregnancy yield contradictory outcomes and the quality of the relationship of the couple undergoing assisted reproduction has not been analysed from systemic models. Our hypothesis is that when undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART), the couple's functioning and communication will be related to the pregnancy rate.

Design

This study employs a cross‐sectional design with couples receiving ART.

Methods

Spanish heterosexual couples (N = 185) completed the self‐report instruments. The data were collected from 2010 ‐ 2015. All the couples completed at least one treatment process, or at least 1 year had gone by since beginning the treatment.

Results

The association between couple relationship quality and the individual psychological symptomatology experienced during the assisted reproduction process was confirmed in men and women. Although both members of the couple experienced an increase of symptomatology, only men's symptomatology was statistically significantly linked to pregnancy achievement.

Conclusion

It is necessary to support the couple from the assisted reproduction centres, promoting cohesion, flexibility, and communication in the relationship. The intervention process should also be understood from a systemic perspective; that is, considering dyadic transactions as a systemic unit. Two aspects seem to be especially relevant for clinical nurses in ART: (a) the man's role is crucial for treatment success; (b) the woman's communication is crucial to the process.
Plectin protects podocytes from adriamycin‐induced apoptosis and F‐actin cytoskeletal disruption through the integrin α6β4/FAK/p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Ni Yongliang , Wang Xin , Yin Xiaoxuan , Li Yan , Liu Xigao , Wang Haixin , Liu Xiangjv , Zhang Jun , Gao Haiqing , Shi Benkang , Zhao Shaohua
Published: September 2018

Podocyte injury is an early pathological change characteristic of various glomerular diseases, and apoptosis and F‐actin cytoskeletal disruption are typical features of podocyte injury. In this study, we found that adriamycin (ADR) treatment resulted in typical podocyte injury and repressed plectin expression. Restoring plectin expression protected against ADR‐induced podocyte injury whereas siRNA‐mediated plectin silencing produced similar effects as ADR‐induced podocyte injury, suggesting that plectin plays a key role in preventing podocyte injury. Further analysis showed that plectin repression induced significant integrin α6β4, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Mutating Y1494, a key tyrosine residue in the integrin β4 subunit, blocked FAK and p38 phosphorylation, thereby alleviating podocyte injury. Inhibitor studies demonstrated that FAK Y397 phosphorylation promoted p38 activation, resulting in podocyte apoptosis and F‐actin cytoskeletal disruption. In vivo studies showed that administration of ADR to rats resulted in significantly increased 24‐hour urine protein levels along with decreased plectin expression and activated integrin α6β4, FAK, and p38. Taken together, these findings indicated that plectin protects podocytes from ADR‐induced apoptosis and F‐actin cytoskeletal disruption by inhibiting integrin α6β4/FAK/p38 pathway activation and that plectin may be a therapeutic target for podocyte injury‐related glomerular diseases.
An exceptional uterine inversion in a virgo patient affected by submucosal leiomyoma: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Della Corte Luigi , Giampaolino Pierluigi , Fabozzi Annamaria , Di Spiezio Sardo Attilio , Bifulco Giuseppe
Published: September 2018

Inversion of the uterus is quite a rare obstetric (puerperal) or gynecological (non‐puerperal) condition. Non‐puerperal type may be benign or malign mass induced or idiopathic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with a large review of literature of uterine inversion in a patient without sexual experience. We report the case of a 52‐year‐old, unmarried virgo woman, affected by schizophrenia, was referred to our emergency room for evidence of a mass outside of the vaginal introitus, combined with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. The patient underwent vaginal myoma resection and abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy. The diagnosis of uterine inversion was confirmed during operation. Diagnosis of uterine inversion is often not easy and imaging studies might be helpful. Despite the rarity, uterine non‐puerperal inversion is possible: for this reason, it is necessary to perform appropriate, conservative treatment, especially in women affected by benign myomas and with a desire for pregnancy.
Improvement of LVEF in patients with HFrEF with coronary heart disease after revascularization—A real‐world study
Authors: Peng Ding , Liu Jing‐hua
Published: September 2018

Objective

This study aimed to explore the predictive factors for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement after revascularization.

Methods

This real‐world study examined 993 patients with ischemic HFrEF who had received revascularization (PCI or CABG), had survived at least 90 days and had undergone an echocardiography review. Based on the change in the LVEF, we divided the patients into two groups.

Result

We obtained 454 patients with ≥10% improvement and 539 with <10% improvement or deterioration. By Cox regression analysis, we obtained five independent factors for LVEF improvement, including female (P = 0.018, OR 0.726, 95% CI 0.557‐0.947), prior MI (P = 0.000, OR 0.590, 95% CI 0.476‐0.732), LVEF (P = 0.008, OR 0.967, 95% CI 0.943‐0.991), digoxin (P = 0.027, OR 0.708, 95% CI 0.521‐0.961), loop diuretic (P = 0.000, OR 1.515, 95% CI 1.208‐1.901), and triple‐vessel disease (P = 0.000, OR 1.462, 95% CI 1.192‐1.792). By multivariate generalized estimation, we obtained seven factors associated with the degree of improvement, namely, low LVEF, short LVESD, short LVEDD, no prior MI, no hyperuricemia, clopidogrel use and triple‐vessel disease.

Conclusions

The method of revascularization (PCI vs CABG) had no effect on LVEF improvement. Patients with severely impaired baseline LVEFs, triple‐vessel disease, or no history of MI tended to exhibit marked LVEF improvement (≥10%) after revascularization. In addition, LVESD, LVEDD, hyperuricemia, clopidogrel use and loop diuretic affected the degree of improvement.
Bioinformatics analysis of microarray profiling identifies the mechanism of focal adhesion kinase signalling pathway in proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells modulated by green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin 3-gallate
Authors: Luo Xiao , Guo Lihua , Zhang Lirong , Hu Yu , Shang Dongmei , Ji Degang
Published: September 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate potential gene and signal pathway associated with tumour progression.

Methods

Related microarray data set of breast cancer was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differential-expressed genes (DEGs) between two control samples and two treated samples were analysed using statistical software R. We collected 50 epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG)-related genes and 119 breast cancer-related genes to create a knowledge base for following pathway analysis.

Key findings

A total of 502 mRNAs were identified as DEGs based on microarray analysis. Upregulated DEGs mainly enriched in nuclear nucleosome, cell adhesion, DNA packaging complex, Wnt-activated receptor activity, etc., while the downregulated DEGs significantly enriched in ncRNA processing, mitotic nuclear division, DNA helicase activity, etc. DEGs mostly enriched in gap junction, cell cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, focal adhesion, etc. EGCG suppressed FAK signalling pathway. Furthermore, EGCG could inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis by modulating CCND1.

Conclusions

Epigallocatechin 3-gallate might exert influence on breast cancer progression through inhibiting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling pathway.
Operating Performance Effects of Service Quality and Environmental Sustainability Capabilities in Logistics
Authors: García‐Dastugue Sebastián , Eroglu Cuneyt
Published: September 2018

Resource allocation decisions in the areas of service quality and environmental sustainability can be challenging because ex ante it is difficult to assess the potential performance benefits of such investments. This study investigates the operating performance implications of service quality and environmental sustainability in the context of logistics. Specifically, using the resource‐based view of the firm as the theoretical framework, we examine future operating performance of firms that won service quality and environmental sustainability awards in logistics between 2004 and 2013. Awardees include firms that are logistics service providers and firms that operate in other industries; in all cases, these awards recognize firms’ logistics capabilities. Our results reveal that firms’ service quality and environmental sustainability capabilities, as recognized by winning awards in the respective categories, are associated with improved operating performance during the 3‐year post‐award period. Additionally, the performance benefits associated with service quality awards are greater than those associated with environmental sustainability awards. Our analysis further shows that whereas environmental sustainability relates to better future operating performance by enhancing only sales growth, service quality is positively associated with enhanced sales growth as well as cost efficiency. Finally, our results also indicate that positive operating performance implications of these awards are not contingent on the industry competitive intensity or innovative intensity. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Synergistic interactions between konjac‐mannan and xanthan/tragacanth gums in tomato ketchup: Physical, rheological, and textural properties
Authors: Mirzaei Massume , Alimi Mazdak , Shokoohi Shirin , Golchoobi Laleh
Published: September 2018

In this research, simultaneous contribution of konjac‐mannan (0.3%), xanthan (0.3%), and tragacanth (0.3%) gums in tomato ketchup was investigated comparing the physicochemical, rheological, texture, and sensory properties with the control sample containing 0.3% xanthan gum. Samples selected through viscosity and syneresis evaluation of the nine prepared samples were analyzed by color, flow behavior, frequency sweep, particle size, texture, and sensory experiments. Results indicated that increasing xanthan concentration did not have any significant effect on the apparent viscosity while considerable improvement was observed in the physical stability of ketchups containing konjac‐mannan/xanthan ascribed to smaller particles with larger contact surfaces encouraging gel network formation. Highest a* and a*/b* was observed for konjac‐mannan/xanthan (0.075%/0.225%) in which formation of hydrated gel granules of gums intensifies light diffraction due to the decreased particle size. This synergistically formed viscous three‐dimensional gel network is responsible for the highest cohesiveness and gumminess of the same sample between the ketchup formulations containing two gums. Organoleptic properties of ketchup samples containing konjac‐mannan/xanthan showed no significant difference with the control sample.

Practical applications

Development of modern food technologies along with the lifestyle changes over the past few decades and grown public awareness of the relevance between health and nutrition have considerably increased the consumption of ready meals containing low‐fat and fiber‐rich functional condiments. Ketchup is a popular sauce thickened with tomato pulp powder, potato or corn starch, modified starch, and severally available hydrocolloids such as carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan, guar, and locust bean gum. In this research work, mixtures of konjac‐mannan and xanthan/tragacanth hydrocolloids are used to produce new ketchups with improved physical and rheological properties and lower prices.
Early modern women in the English courts of law
Authors: Fikkers Lotte
Published: September 2018

The recent publication of The Oxford handbook of English law and literature, 1500–1700 (2017) has put the field of early modern law and literature firmly on the map. Despite the growing attention to the importance of these intersecting fields in early modern England, however, working with legal records is still a daunting task for many literary scholars. The early modern legal system with its various, sometimes competing jurisdictions and numerous law courts presents, to many scholars, a difficulty to navigate maze. Particularly for those working on early modern women's literature, and women's studies more generally, this is unfortunate: The legal archives offer a wealth of records in manuscript form pertaining to the lives and narratives of early modern women from all ranks of society, including the poor and the illiterate. This article aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the early modern law courts and their records, outlining the way the law restrained women as well as the possibilities it offered them, alongside the ways women were able to navigate these restrictions and opportunities. In doing so, this article provides tools for scholars working with early modern legal records for the first time.
Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole‐induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms in a child with congenital renal disease
Authors: Maarouf Melody , Wickenheiser Marilyn , Krase Jeffrey M. , Wolter Sierra , Shi Vivian Y.
Published: September 2018

We present a special case of an 8‐year‐old girl diagnosed with severe drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms due to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole for urinary tract infection prophylaxis for congenital vesicoureteral reflux. The patient is believed to have developed drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms because of her underlying renal disease.
Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn and associated hypercalcemia: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Stefanko Nicole S. , Drolet Beth A.
Published: September 2018

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is an uncommon disorder, and although usually benign, associated hypercalcemia can lead to complications such as failure to thrive and renal failure. Many sources suggest screening for hypercalcemia for 6 months following resolution of skin lesions, but little data are available to support this recommendation. This study examines existing published literature to better guide practitioners regarding screening evaluations of asymptomatic patients with subcutaneous fat necrosis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using a PubMed English literature search. Data from case reports and case series were collected regarding the presence of hypercalcemia and associated complications, birth history, and age of onset/resolution of skin lesions and laboratory abnormalities. Approximately half (51%) of infants reported had hypercalcemia. Most (77%) developed detectable hypercalcemia within 30 days of skin lesion onset, and 95% developed detectable hypercalcemia within 60 days of skin lesion onset. Hypercalcemia was detected in only 4% of patients > 70 days following onset of skin lesions. Seventy‐six percent had resolution of hypercalcemia within 4 weeks of detection. Hypercalcemia was more prevalent in full‐term vs pre‐term infants (P‐value = 0.054), and higher birthweight was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing hypercalcemia (P‐value = 0.022). Although gestational age trended toward significance, the only statistically significant clinical feature predicting the development of hypercalcemia was higher birthweight. Current recommendations for laboratory monitoring are not evidence‐based, and this study provides interim data to guide practitioners until prospective, randomized controlled trials are conducted.
FIRST‐ORDER LOGICAL VALIDITY AND THE HILBERT‐BERNAYS THEOREM
Authors: Ebbs Gary , Goldfarb Warren
Published: September 2018

What we call the Hilbert‐Bernays (HB) Theorem establishes that for any satisfiable first‐order quantificational schemaS, there are expressions of elementary arithmetic that yield a true sentence of arithmetic when they are substituted for the predicate letters inS. Our goals here are, first, to explain and defend W. V. Quine's claim that the HB theorem licenses us to define the first‐order logical validity of a schema in terms of predicate substitution; second, to clarify the theorem by sketching an accessible and illuminating new proof of it; and, third, to explain how Quine's substitutional definition of logical notions can be modified and extended in ways that make it more attractive to contemporary logicians.
Retracted:Leishmania infection activates host mTOR for its survival by M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Das Sushmita , Mandal Abhishek , Verma Sudha , Abhishek Kumar , Kumar Ashish , Kumar Vinod , Ghosh Ayan Kumar , Das Pradeep
Published: September 2018

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of growth and immunity of host cells. It's involvement in cancer and tuberculosis is well documented but least explored in Leishmania donovani invasion of host cells. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of mTOR in M2 macrophage polarization for Leishmania survival. We observed that Leishmania infection activated host mTOR pathway characterized by phosphorylation of mTOR, 70S6K and 4‐EBP1. Inhibition of mTOR resulted in decreased parasite load and percent infectivity. Moreover, Leishmania infection triggered cell proliferation as was evidenced by increased expression of cyclin A and p‐RPS6. mTOR activation during Leishmania infection resulted in reduced expression of M1 macrophage markers (eg, ROS, NO, iNOS, NOX‐1, IL‐12, IL‐1β and TNF‐α), and increased expression of M2 macrophage markers (eg, arginase‐1, IL‐10, TGF‐β, CD206 and CD163). Furthermore, we observed that in case of Leishmania infection, mTOR inhibition increased the translocation of NF‐κB to nucleus and deactivation of STAT‐3. Eventually, we observed that inhibition of M2 macrophage polarization reduced Leishmania survival inside macrophages. Therefore, our findings suggest that mTOR plays a crucial role in regulation of M2 macrophage polarization and direct the innate immune homeostasis towards parasite survival inside host.
On the sequential benchmarking of subannual series to annual totals
Authors: Daalmans Jacco
Published: September 2018

Temporal benchmarking according to the least squares methods of Denton is widely used for official statistics. The purpose of Denton methods is to achieve consistency between high‐ and low‐frequency data, for example, quarterly and annual data. The high‐frequency data are adjusted to align with low‐frequency data, while preserving as much as possible the short‐term movements of the preliminary high‐frequency data. Theoretically, it is best to benchmark all available data for all periods at once. Practically, such a simultaneous approach is often not feasible, due to the impossibility of changing results that have already been published. Therefore, benchmarking is often applied according to a sequential approach. This paper demonstrates that a popular Denton method is not always appropriate for sequential benchmarking. Undesirable abrupt changes of benchmarking corrections can occur. This paper proposes solutions that better preserve the short‐term movements between sequentially benchmarked series.
A dynamic human activity‐driven model for mixed land use evaluation using social media data
Authors: Xing Hanfa , Meng Yuan , Shi Yan
Published: September 2018

Massive amounts of social media data have enabled the evaluation of mixed land use from the human activities perspective. While most studies have focused on approaches to better measure mixed land use, the dynamic activity patterns used to distinguish land use types have seldom been discussed. In light of this, in this study, a mixed land use evaluation model is constructed, which is driven by dynamic human activities hidden in social media data. Specifically, temporal topics related to human activities are first extracted from Twitter messages. On this basis, these topics are clustered with successive measurements of both temporal and semantic similarities, and then, they are further transformed into dynamic features. In addition, the dynamic feature‐based Shannon entropy is employed for mixed land use evaluation. For verification, the building classes from OpenStreetMap are referenced to investigate their correlations with dynamic features in mixed land uses. Finally, a strong correlation demonstrates the effectiveness and power of the proposed method in the evaluation of mixed land uses.
US trade wars in the twenty‐first century with emerging countries: Make America and its partners lose again
Authors: Bouët Antoine , Laborde David
Published: September 2018

In a context of rising protectionist rhetoric, this paper looks at the potential impact of trade wars initiated by a change in US trade policies. We use a static multicountry, multisector general equilibrium model to evaluate six modalities of three potential trade wars—for a total of 18 scenarios—between the USA and China, between the USA and Mexico, and a combination of the two previous conflicts. In each case, we evaluate various forms of trade retaliation by the US partner(s): the same level of import duty as the one imposed by the USA, an import duty that minimises welfare loss, a duty that minimises terms‐of‐trade deterioration, a duty that generates the same amount of collected revenue, and finally a Nash equilibrium. We conclude that there is no scenario in which the US government augments its domestic welfare or GDP. There may be sectoral gains in value added in the USA, but they are small and to the detriment of other sectors. While losses for China are relatively small, potential losses for the Mexican economy are significant. There are also free riders of these trade wars. Finally, the way in which trade retaliations are designed matters greatly.
Anticancer effects of high‐dose ascorbate on canine melanoma cell lines
Authors: Shin Hyeri , Nam Aryung , Song Kun‐Ho , Lee Kupil , Rebhun Robert B. , Seo Kyoung‐Won
Published: September 2018

The use of the well‐known powerful antioxidant ascorbate has recently become more widespread in human medicine. Intravenous administration of high‐dose ascorbate has been demonstrated to exert anticancer effects. It has resulted in effective cell death in vitro and inhibition of tumour growth in vivo. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of high‐dose ascorbate on canine melanoma in vitro. Four canine melanoma cell lines, UCDK9M1, UCDK9M3, UCDK9M4 and UCDK9M5 were treated with ascorbate for 2 hours at a range of millimolar concentrations (0‐20 mM) to investigate the resulting effects on cell viability. All four canine melanoma cell lines exhibited reduced viability in a dose‐dependent manner. Further investigation demonstrated that high‐dose ascorbate induced apoptosis via the activation of Bax. These findings suggest that high‐dose ascorbate has an anticancer effect on canine melanoma cell lines in vitro. With regard to clinical application, further in vivo investigation should be conducted.