bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUN-390 A Rare Case of Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia Discovered Incidentally
Authors: Penaherrera Carlos , Mimms Remy , Pandit Amruta , Mohammed Ahmed , Raja Shashi , Patel Ronak , Melfi Robert
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Asymptomatic adrenal masses are often discovered incidentally while testing for unrelated conditions. A very uncommon finding is thickening and increased nodularity of both adrenal glands, which can lead to the patient being diagnosed with subclinical Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome, or both. Case presentation: A 45-year-old African-American man presented to the hospital with a one-month history of increased abdominal girth, bilateral lower extremity edema and shortness of breath, with progressive epigastric abdominal pain which prompted admission. His medical history was relevant for obesity, coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. On examination he had a blood pressure of 152/99 mmHg, was diaphoretic, and complained of constant epigastric pain. Multiple purple and pale striae were visible along his abdomen, and he had pitting edema in both lower extremities. His initial laboratory studies showed a potassium of 2.6 mEq/L. A CT scan of the abdomen was relevant for bilaterally enlarged and tortuous adrenal glands, which the patient had no previous knowledge of. Diuresis greatly improved his edema and shortness of breath. Additional laboratory tests showed persistent hypokalemia, normal plasma renin activity and aldosterone, elevated fasting cortisol, normal metanephrines in 24-hour urine collection, and low ACTH level. A suppression test done by administering dexamethasone 0.5 mg every 6 hours for 2 days, was able to suppress the elevated cortisol levels. He was started on spironolactone, and underwent MRI of the abdomen, which confirmed bilateral multinodular adrenal hyperplasia with no imaging characteristics of pheochromocytoma. The patient was discharged home once his clinical status improved. Laboratory studies done at follow-up appointments showed persistently elevated cortisol, normal aldosterone to renin ratio, normal levels of plasma metanephrines and suppressed levels of ACTH. He was also referred to surgery for eventual bilateral adrenalectomy. Discussion: Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (BMAH) is a very rare cause of endogenous Cushing's syndrome, representing less than 2% of cases. It is characterized by enlarged adrenal glands containing pigmented nodules that secrete excess cortisol and/or aldosterone (1). BMAH is often an incidental finding in patients with subclinical hyper-cortisolism. A low level of plasma ACTH along with bilaterally enlarged adrenal glands on imaging suggest the diagnosis, and this is confirmed with a dexamethasone suppression test. Accurate detection is important for guiding management, which includes pharmacological therapy and bilateral adrenalectomy. Reference: 1. De Venanzi A, Alencar GA, Bourdeau I, Fragoso MCBV, Lacroix A. Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2014 Jun;21(3):177-84.
SUN-563 TSH Elevation after Seizure: An Underappreciated Cause of Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome
Authors: Patel Ronak , Laufgraben Marc
Published: May 2019

Introduction: TSH is commonly assessed at hospital admission to exclude thyroid dysfunction as the cause of a patient’s presentation. However, thyroid function tests (TFTs) are commonly altered as a result of the condition leading to the presentation, referred to as nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). Thus, it is often difficult to interpret the true meaning of abnormal TFTs in hospitalized patient. In fact, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis can be altered in up to 75% of hospitalized patient (1). Typically, the TSH in NTIS is normal or low, but can temporarily rise above normal as the patient recovers from NTIS (2). We present the case of a patient who had significant TSH elevation immediately after a prolonged seizure. Clinical Case: A 93-year-old female with past medical history of seizure disorder on Levetiracetam, presented with a prolonged seizure. Her blood count, metabolic profile, and Levetiracetam level were all unremarkable. There were no acute changes on a noncontrast head CT. Her only notable test result was TSH 26.30 MIU/L (normal range 0.27-4.20 MIU/L) with a Free T4 1.2 ng/dL (normal range 0.9-1.7 ng/dL). She had no prior history of thyroid disease or family history of thyroid conditions. Endocrinology was consulted for the interpretation of her TFTs. The differential diagnosis included subclinical hypothyroidism and NTIS. TSH and Free T4 were rechecked two days later and were then both within normal range. The patient was diagnosed as euthyroid with transient TSH elevation due to seizure. Conclusions: The case highlights, generally, that TFTs can be unreliable in an acute illness, and that seizures may cause an acute, transient rise in TSH. In our case, the patient’s TSH elevation, occurring after a seizure, normalized on repeat testing two days later. In studies on TSH levels following ECT-induced seizures in depressed patients, researchers demonstrated transient TSH elevations (3). Wada et al. reported a similar case of a patient with non-convulsive status epilepticus with TSH elevation that normalized spontaneously (4). We advise that the diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism not be made in a patient presenting with a recent seizure, as the seizure itself may be the cause of elevated TSH. As with most cases of NTIS, follow up over time may reveal that the patient is, in fact, euthyroid. References: (1) Ganesan K, Wadud K. (2018). Euthyroid Sick Syndrome. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL) (2) DeGroot LJ. (2001). The Non-Thyroidal Illness Syndrome. In: Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA) (3) Dykes, S., Scott, A., Gow, S., & Whalley, L. (1987). Effects of seizure duration on serum TSH concentration after ECT. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 12(6), 477-482. (4) Wada A, Suzuki Y, Midorikawa S, et al. (2011). Thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation misdiagnosed as subclinical hypothyroidism following non-convulsive status epilepticus: a case report. J Med Case Rep., 5:432.
Queering the Chicana/o Archive in Felicia Luna Lemus’s Like Son
Authors: Lederman Emily
Published: May 2019

This essay argues that a queer archive in Felicia Luna Lemus’s Like Son (2007) recovers the historical Mexican figure Nahui Olin and allows the trans protagonist to navigate less tangible inheritances, including a destructive romantic legacy and a complex Mexican American identity. This essay asks whether, and how, inheritances can be curated and posits that queer archival practices are useful for simultaneously drawing from and rejecting powerful familial and cultural legacies. At the end the essay situates Like Son as part of a group of contemporary Chicana/o texts that claim control over the access and representation of Chicana/o histories and imagine queer futures through queer archives and archival practices. The affective and political possibilities of these queer archives further discourse of the interdisciplinary archival turn. U.S. multiethnic literature is often lauded for helping to fill in the gaps of the dominant historical archive by providing access to silenced histories of the Americas, yet contemporary Chicana/o texts such as Like Son also challenge the epistemologies and power structures that undergird institutional archives.
Polemics of Love and the Family in A New Day in Old Sana’a
Authors: Mabura Lily , Husni Ronak
Published: May 2019

Bader Hirsi (1968–) is a renowned Yemeni British filmmaker whose works include the documentary The English Sheikh and the Yemeni Gentleman (2000) and the feature film A New Day in Old Sana’a (2005). This essay explores how photography and film creatively interact in A New Day in Old Sana’a to tease out the peculiarities of love and marriage against a backdrop of intersecting socioeconomic factors such as tradition, gender, race, and national class. The essay, affirmed by Hirsi himself, also makes use of interdisciplinarity to evaluate how Hirsi’s film embodies Yemen’s heritage, which includes the historical influence of the Horn of Africa and its relationship with the West.
Breaking Silences
Authors: Hopson Cheryl R.
Published: May 2019

The focus of this essay is a memoir of first-time biological motherhood, Baby Love, by Third Wave feminist writer and cultural critic Rebecca Walker (2007). This essay enlists a black and Third Wave feminist intersectional theoretic to argue that Walker, a famous second-generation black and Third Wave feminist daughter and mother, forwards a child-and-parent-centric model of motherhood that privileges biological bonds over chosen bonds (e.g., step, adoptive, othermothers) with one’s children. A self-identified bisexual woman, Walker centralizes in Baby Love a heterosexual nuclear family model that is informed by feminist ideology and takes shape in a twenty-first-century material reality transformed by feminism. Second to this, and in the context of her relationship with her famous African American mother, Walker characterizes the biological (black feminist) mother-daughter relationship as controlled by the mother and infantilizing most especially for childless daughters who therefore function as muted and acted-upon subjects in the (black feminist) mother-daughter dyad.
The Rise of theMadre Abnegada(Selfless Mother)
Authors: Gaytán Marie Sarita
Published: May 2019

Hailed by fans and critics as “Mexico’s Mother,” and later “Mexico’s Grandmother,” the actor Sara García exemplified the sentimental attributes associated with notions of womanhood. As Mexico’s mother par excellence, García created multigenerational portrayals that introduced audiences to a martyr-like maternal figure: the madre abnegada (selfless mother). This essay examines the origin, diffusion, and popularity of this uniquely Mexican subjectivity. Drawing on poetry, song lyrics, movie reviews, and an analysis of the film Mi madrecita (1940), the essay argues that, in combination with emerging priorities of writers and directors, García’s fashioning of the madre abnegada tapped into and vitalized the sentimental relationship between mother and child and between nation and citizen. In theorizing these relations, the essay introduces the term national maternal as a means of capturing the gendered, raced, classed, spiritual, and patriotic dynamics through which notions of motherhood in Mexico were structured. The national maternal rose to prominence as women and progressive leaders challenged exacting patriarchal family arrangements.
APETALA2 control of barley internode elongation
Authors: Patil V. , McDermott H. I. , McAllister T. , Cummins M. , Silva J. C. , Mollison E. , Meikle R. , Morris J. , Hedley P. E. , Waugh R. , Dockter C. , Hansson M. , McKim S. M.
Published: May 2019

Many plants dramatically elongate their stems during flowering, yet how this response is coordinated with the reproductive phase is unclear. We demonstrate that microRNA (miRNA) control of APETALA2 (AP2) is required for rapid, complete elongation of stem internodes in barley, especially of the final 'peduncle' internode directly underneath the inflorescence. Disrupted miR172-targeting of AP2 in the Zeo1.b barley mutant caused lower mitotic activity, delayed growth dynamics and premature lignification in the peduncle leading to fewer and shorter cells. Stage and tissue-specific comparative transcriptomics between Zeo1.b and its parent cultivar showed reduced expression of proliferation-associated genes, ectopic expression of maturation-related genes and persistent, elevated expression of genes associated with jasmonate and stress responses. We further show that applying methyl JA (MeJA) phenocopied the stem elongation of Zeo1.b, while Zeo1.b itself was hypersensitive to inhibition by MeJA but less responsive to promotion by gibberellin (GA). Taken together, we propose that miR172-restriction of AP2 may modulate the JA pathway to facilitate GA-promoted stem growth during flowering.
Shear stress-induced nuclear shrinkage through activation of Piezo1 channels in epithelial cells
Authors: Jetta Deekshitha , Gottlieb Philip A. , Verma Deepika , Sachs Frederick , Hua Susan Z.
Published: May 2019

The cell nucleus responds to mechanical cues with changes in size, morphology and motility. Previous work has shown that external forces couple to nuclei through the cytoskeleton network, but we show here that changes in nuclear shape can be driven solely by calcium levels. Fluid shear stress applied to MDCK cells caused the nuclei to shrink through a Ca2+-dependent signaling pathway. Inhibiting mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels through treatment with GsMTx4 prevented nuclear shrinkage. Piezo1 knockdown also significantly reduced the nuclear shrinkage. Activation of Piezo1 with the agonist Yoda1 caused similar nucleus shrinkage in cells not exposed to shear stress. These results demonstrate that the Piezo1 channel is a key element for transmitting shear force input to nuclei. To ascertain the relative contribution of Ca2+ to cytoskeleton perturbation, we examined F-actin reorganization under shear stress and static conditions, and showed that reorganization of the cytoskeleton is not necessary for nuclear shrinkage. These results emphasize the role of the mechanosensitive channels as primary transducers in force transmission to the nucleus.
Identification and characterization of the land-plant-specific microtubule nucleation factor MACET4
Authors: Schmidt Sharol , Smertenko Andrei
Published: May 2019

Here, we show that the embryophyte (land-plant)-specific protein MACERATOR4 (MACET4) binds microtubules in vitro and in vivo, promotes microtubule polymerization at sub-critical tubulin concentrations, decreases the lag phase in microtubule bulk polymerization assays, and colocalizes with microtubule nucleation sites. Furthermore, we find that MACET4 forms oligomers that induce aster formation in vitro in a manner that is similar to aster formation mediated by centrosomes and TPX2. MACET4 is expressed during cell division and accumulates at the microtubule nucleation regions of the plant-specific cytokinetic microtubule array, the phragmoplast. We found that MACET4 localizes to the preprophase band and the cortical division zone, but not the spindle. MACET4 appears as cytoplasmic foci in vivo and forms octamers in vitro. Transient expression in tobacco leaf pavement cells results in labeling of shrinking plus- and minus-ends. MACET4 facilitates microtubule depolymerization by increasing the frequency of catastrophes in vivo and by suppressing rescues in vitro. Microtubules formed in the presence of MACET4 in vitro are shorter, most likely due to the depletion of the free tubulin pool. Accordingly, MACET4 knockdown results in longer phragmoplasts. We conclude that the direct activity of MACET4 is in promoting microtubule nucleation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Software comparison to analyze bone radiomics from high resolution CBCT scans of mandibular condyles
Authors: Bianchi Jonas , Gonçalves João Roberto , Ruellas Antonio Carlos de Oliveira , Vimort Jean-Baptiste , Yatabe Marília , Paniagua Beatriz , Hernandez Pablo , Benavides Erika , Soki Fabiana Naomi , Cevidanes Lucia Helena Soares
Published: May 2019

Objectives:

Radiomics refers to the extraction and analysis of advanced quantitative imaging from medical images to diagnose and/or predict diseases. In the dentistry field, the bone data from mandibular condyles could be computationally analyzed using the voxel information provided by high-resolution CBCT scans to increase the diagnostic power of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions. However, such quantitative information demands innovative computational software, algorithm implementation, and validation. Our study's aim was to compare a newly developed BoneTexture application to two-consolidated software with previous applications in the medical field, Ibex and BoneJ, to extract bone morphometric and textural features from mandibular condyles.

Methods:

We used an imaging database of HR-CBCT TMJs scans with an isotropic voxel size of 0.08 mm3 . A single group with 66 distinct mandibular condyles composed the final sample. We calculated 18 variables for bone textural features and 5 for bone morphometric measurements using the Ibex, BoneJ and BoneTexture applications. Spearman correlation and Bland–Altman plot analyses were done to compare the agreement among software.

Results:

The results showed a high Spearman correlation among the software applications ( r = 0.7–1), with statistical significance for all variables, except Grey Level Non-Uniformity and Short Run Emphasis. The Bland–Altman vertical axis showed, in general, good agreement between the software applications and the horizontal axis showed a narrow average distribution for Correlation, Long Run Emphasis and Long Run High Grey Level Emphasis.

Conclusions:

Our data showed consistency among the three applications to analyze bone radiomics in high-resolution CBCT. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the applicability of those variables as new bone imaging biomarkers to diagnose bone diseases affecting TMJs.
Regulation of cyclic oligoadenylate synthesis by the Staphylococcus epidermidis Cas10-Csm complex
Authors: Nasef Mohamed , Muffly Mary C. , Beckman Andrew B. , Rowe Sebastian J. , Walker Forrest C. , Hatoum-Aslan Asma , Dunkle Jack A.
Published: May 2019

CRISPR-Cas systems are a class of adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes that use small CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) in conjunction with CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases to recognize and degrade foreign nucleic acids. Recent studies have revealed that Type III CRISPR-Cas systems synthesize second messenger molecules previously unknown to exist in prokaryotes, cyclic oligoadenylates (cOA). These molecules activate the Csm6 nuclease to promote RNA degradation and may also coordinate additional cellular responses to foreign nucleic acids. Although cOA production has been reconstituted and characterized for a few bacterial and archaeal Type III systems, cOA generation and its regulation have not been explored for the Staphylococcus epidermidis Type III-A CRISPR-Cas system, a longstanding model for CRISPR-Cas function. Here, we demonstrate that this system performs Mg2+-dependent synthesis of 3–6 nt cOA. We show that activation of cOA synthesis is perturbed by single nucleotide mismatches between the crRNA and target RNA at discrete positions, and that synthesis is antagonized by Csm3-mediated target RNA cleavage. Altogether, our results establish the requirements for cOA production in a model Type III CRISPR-Cas system and suggest a natural mechanism to dampen immunity once the foreign RNA is destroyed.
Timing between age at first sexual intercourse and age at first use of contraception among adolescents and young adults in Niger: What role do education and place of residence play?
Authors: Olakunle Abibatou Agbéké , Banougnin Boladé Hamed
Published: May 2019

Background: Low contraceptive use among women in Niger is one of main causes of early childbearing and unwanted pregnancies, which affect maternal and child health. Education and place of residence have been cited as factors affecting modern contraceptive use.

Methods: We investigated the separate and joint effects of the place of residence and education on the time to modern contraceptive uptake among women aged 15-24 in Niger. The study used data from the second round of the 2016 Niger Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 (PMA2020) project. Survival analysis was applied for 830 women.

Results: Nelson-Aalen curves show that urban women had higher hazards of (and shorter delays in) modern contraceptive uptake as compared to their rural counterparts. Also, the higher the level of education, the higher the hazards of (and the shorter the delays in) modern contraceptive uptake. Findings from the multivariate (survival) analysis confirms these figures and provides the net effect of the place of residence on modern contraceptive uptake. Whether living in urban or rural areas of Niger, what matters more is the level of education.

Conclusions: Family planning programmes concerning adolescent and young women should focus more on women with no education and those that are illiterate.
Permutations in the Factorization of Simplex Bases
Authors: Fukasawa Ricardo , Poirrier Laurent
Published: May 2019

The basis matrices corresponding to consecutive iterations of the simplex method only differ in a single column. This fact is commonly exploited in current linear programming solvers to avoid having to compute a new factorization of the basis at every iteration. Instead, a previous factorization is updated to reflect the modified column. Several methods are known for performing the update, most prominently the Forrest–Tomlin method. We present an alternative algorithm for the special case where the update can be performed purely by permuting rows and columns of the factors. In our experiments, this occurred for about half of the basis updates, and the new algorithm provides a modest reduction in computation time for the dual simplex method.
Falls: nine things to consider before dialling 999
Authors: Hayes Catherine , Scott-Thomas Jeanette , Mains Jacqueline , Barrigan Marie , Graham Yitka
Published: May 2019

Policies of how to deal with falls vary greatly between care homes and staff are not always aware of when it is appropriate to call an ambulance. Catherine Hayes and colleagues report the results of a study on falls policies they carried out in North East England.
Delivering required notifications to the Care Quality Commission
Authors: Frankova Helena
Published: May 2019

When it comes to notifying the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of incidents, it is easy to end up on the wrong side of the law, especially since the CQC has the power to prosecute without a warning notice. Helena Frankova sets out the events that warrant notification.
The Care Quality Commission's powers of prosecution
Authors: Hannah Laura
Published: May 2019

The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) enforcement policy states it will protect service users from harm and will hold providers to account for failures. The CQC has significant powers to fine for breach of its regulations; Laura Hannah describes how this can be avoided.
Assessing company accounts and evaluating credit information
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: May 2019

It is vital for any business to receive payments on time; therefore, it is good practice to assess the credit score of any company it does business with. Adam Bernstein talks about the risk factors and key performance indicators to look out for.
Dos banhos de mar aos esportes nas zonas de praia e no mar
Authors: Pereira Alexandre Queiroz , Dantas Eustógio Wanderley
Published: May 2019

Dos banhos de mar aos esportes nas zonas de praia e no mar intenta apreender a saga de valorização dos espaços litorâneos nos trópicos, pautados inicialmente em práticas marítimas modernas mais convencionais como os Banhos de mar e os Banhos de Sol, respectivamente de caráter terapêutico e recreativo, e a convergir, na contemporaneidade, às práticas de caráter esportivo, aquáticas e náuticas, com ênfase maior dada ao kitesurf, posto representar, de um lado, a mais nova variável de incorporação e modernização da praia nos trópicos e, de outro lado, consistir em fenômeno mundial materializado em diversos contextos, como o do Nordeste brasileiro e mais especificamente do litoral cearense. Utiliza-se para tanto de banco de dados e trabalhos de campo realizados pelo Grupo de Pesquisa da Urbanização Litorânea e Lazer, do Laboratório de Planejamento Urbano e Regional da Universidade Federal do Ceará.
Revisiting cognitive tools from a social and motivational perspective
Authors: Ge Xun , Turk Murat , Hung Woei
Published: May 2019

The concept of computers as cognitive tools has been revisited to provide insight into the motivational and social dimension in light of the emerging technologies. Central to this concept are the two opposing philosophical views: learning from technology (amplification view of technology) versus learning with technology (constructivist view of technology). A literature review is provided on the paradigm shift in educational technologies from the “learning from paradigm” to the “learning with” paradigm. While the literature review shows powerful affordances of emerging technologies in engaging community of learners in knowledge construction and building, a critical analysis also indicates a significant gap in the traditional conception of cognitive tools, that is, a lack of research in the motivational and social dimension.  Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational and social dimensions of cognitive tools in the context of emerging technologies, with the substantiation of empirical evidence from the literature.
Re-examining cognitive tools: New developments, new perspectives, and new opportunities for educational technology research
Authors: Drew Christopher
Published: May 2019

The concept of educational technologies as cognitive tools or mindtools emphasises the importance of learning with not from technology. When cognitive tools are designed with student-led learning in mind, they ideally help to extend and scaffold learners’ higher-order cognition both when the technology is in use and long after the cognitive partnership has ended. With new wearable, immersive and increasingly personalised educational technologies emerging, this collection of papers reflects upon the value and applicability of the cognitive tools concept in 2019. It works to progress unsettled debates on the definition, design and use of the cognitive tools in light of technological change and highlights the continued relevance of the concept moving forward.
Využití paralelního korpusu v translatologii (na základě česko-polského InterCorpu)
Authors: Charciarek Andrzej
Published: May 2019

Tento článek je věnován využití paralelního korpusu InterCorp v teorii překladu.   Ve výzkumu byly použity vybrané fráze, které ukazují možnosti využití paralel- ního korpusu InterCorp. Zvláštní pozornost byla věnována rovnocennosti překladů a jeho kritériem s ohledem na materiál z paralelního korpusu. Také byla popsána specificita česko-polského a polsko-českého překladu, který poskytoval kontext pro konkrétní zdroje InterCorp.   Analýza ukázala užitečnost materiálu korpusu při hledání vhodných překladatelských řešení. Článek přispívá k teoretickému badání, které ukazuje úlohu paralelních korpusů v práci překladatele.
Applying the theory of planned behavior to determine factors associated with physical activity by women with hypertension in rural areas of Iran
Authors: Hatefnia Effat , Alizadeh Kobra , Ghorbani Mostafa
Published: May 2019

Background

Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of premature deaths worldwide. Physical activity reduces the levels of blood lipids and blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension.

Objectives

To apply the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to determine factors associated with physical activity by women with hypertension who were referred to health care centers in Kiashahr in 2016.

Methods

The present observational study was conducted in a cross-section of 215 women diagnosed with hypertension who had records in health care centers in Kiashahr and who were recruited through census from August to September 2016. The data collection tool was a custom-designed questionnaire based on the TPB, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.

Results

The mean scores of knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to undertake physical activity were significantly (P < 0.01) higher among women who performed regular physical activity than in those without regular physical activity. Constructs including behavioral intention (P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 1.61) and attitude (P = 0.004, OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08, 1.50) were significant predictors for undertaking physical activities.

Conclusions

Attitude and behavioral intention were predictors for undertaking physical activities. We recommended the design of interventional programs based on these 2 factors for women with hypertension living in rural areas of Iran.
Recognition of tramadol abuse, dispensing practices, and opinions about its control policy among community pharmacists in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Potaros Tulaya , Yeephu Suwimon
Published: May 2019

Background

Tramadol is classified as a pharmacist-only (restricted) medicine by the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand (Thai FDA). Because of concern about its abuse, in September 2013 the Thai FDA announced a policy to control the distribution of tramadol in community pharmacies.

Objectives

To identify tramadol dispensing practices by community pharmacists in Bangkok, their recognition of tramadol abuse and the Thai FDA control policy announcement; and opinions about the tramadol control policy.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in community pharmacies located in Bangkok. Pharmacists on duty were interviewed from September 2015 to April 2016.

Results

Data from 305 pharmacists working in 305 pharmacies revealed that tramadol, both single (tramadol alone) and combination (tramadol plus acetaminophen) formulations, was available in 185 pharmacies (60.7%). Most pharmacists dispensed tramadol to supply regular medicine along with previous prescriptions (74%). Among 305 pharmacists, 304 (99.7%) recognized tramadol abuse in combination with cold–cough remedies and carbonated beverages can create euphoria. Most (97.7%) knew about the announcement of the tramadol control policy, and most (82.6%) thought that the policy was practical. Approximately 43% of pharmacists agreed that the policy was effective in reducing the tramadol abuse problem, whereas 36.7% disagreed. Moreover, 60.3% disagreed with rescheduling tramadol as a prescription-only medicine. In their opinion, tramadol should still be available in pharmacies, to be dispensed by community pharmacists to patients with medical necessity.

Conclusions

Further studies nationwide in Thailand are likely to be useful to represent and compare information in different parts of the country.
Effects of task and corpus-derived association scores on the online processing of collocations
Authors: McConnell Kyla , Blumenthal-Dramé Alice
Published: May 2019

In the following self-paced reading study, we assess the cognitive realism of six widely used corpus-derived measures of association strength between words (collocated modifier–noun combinations likevast majority): MI, MI3, Dice coefficient,T-score,Z-score, and log-likelihood. The ability of these collocation metrics to predict reading times is tested against predictors of lexical processing cost that are widely established in the psycholinguistic and usage-based literature, respectively: forward/backward transition probability and bigram frequency. In addition, the experiment includes the treatment variable oftask: it is split into two blocks which only differ in the format of interleaved comprehension questions (multiple choice vs. typed free response). Results show that the traditional corpus-linguistic metrics are outperformed by both backward transition probability and bigram frequency. Moreover, the multiple-choice condition elicits faster overall reading times than the typed condition, and the two winning metrics show stronger facilitation on the critical word (i.e. the noun in the bigrams) in the multiple-choice condition. In the typed condition, we find an effect that is weaker and, in the case of bigram frequency, longer lasting, continuing into the first spillover word. We argue that insufficient attention to task effects might have obscured the cognitive correlates of association scores in earlier research.
The Commission’s 2018 Proposal on Cross-Border Mobility – An Assessment
Authors: Davies Paul , Emmenegger Susan , Ferran Eilís , Ferrarini Guido , Hopt Klaus J. , Moloney Niamh , Opalski Adam , Pietrancosta Alain , Roth Markus , Skog Rolf , Winner Martin , Winter Jaap , Wymeersch Eddy
Published: May 2019

Currently, the Council of the European Union is negotiating the European Commission’s recent proposal on cross-border mobility. This paper provides an overall assessment based on the proposal’s central pillars: freedom of establishment and protection of the interests of creditors, shareholders, and employees. The proposed directive meets a real necessity for regulation on a European level and pursues an ambitious agenda. While the general approach is excellent, there is room for improvement on some issues of importance.
Cross-Border Conversions in the EU: The EU Commission Proposal
Authors: Garcimartín Francisco , Gandía Enrique
Published: May 2019

In April 2018, the EU Commission presented a Proposal of Directive -amending Directive 2017/1132- on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions (“The Proposal”). The Proposal lays down common rules and procedures at the EU level on how a company can move from a Member State to another Member State, merge or divide into two or more new companies across borders. This paper addresses this Proposal focusing mainly on the rules on cross-border conversions. After a brief introduction, Section 2 describes the background of the Proposal and analyses some general questions. Sections 3 through 6 examine the different phases in which a cross-border conversion is structured, with particular attention to the safeguards laid down by the Proposal aimed at the protection of minority shareholders, creditors and employees. Finally, Sections 7 and 8 provide a general assessment of the text and a series of conclusions.
Cross-border Mergers, Divisions and Conversions: Accomplishments and Deficits of the Company Law Package
Authors: Schmidt Jessica
Published: May 2019

On 25 April 2015, the European Commission, as a part of its Company Law Package, presented a proposal for amending the Company Law Directive (CLD) as regards cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions (Mobility Directive Draft – MobilD-D). This article critically analyses the accomplishments and deficits of this proposal.
Preparation of polymer–rare earth complexes based on Schiff-base-containing salicylic aldehyde groups attached to the polymer and their fluorescence emission properties
Authors: Zhang Dingjun , Zhao Wenjin , Feng Zhaoxuan , Wu Youzhi , Huo Caixia , He Ling , Lu Wenjiang
Published: May 2019

In this study, the salicylaldehyde hydrazone was bonded onto the side chains of poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate), firstly obtaining a series of novel Schiff base-functionalized polymers. and using the base-containing polymers as macromolecular ligands through further reaction with EuCl3/YbCl3·6H2O, a series of polymer-rare earth complexes based on Eu(III)/Yb(III) ion were successfully prepared. The structures of the schiff base-containing polymers and their corresponding complexes were characterized by means of infrared spectra and UV spectra. The thermal properties of the functionalized polymers and complexes were investigated by TGA, and the fluorescence properties of the complexes were also researched by fluorescence spectrum. The experimental results show that the complexes have fine thermal stability likely because of the bidentate chelate effect of base-containing polymer and the conjugative effect of salicylaldehyde hydrazone group on the side chain of poly (styrene-co-butyl acrylate). More important, the salicylaldehyde hydrazone group on the side chains of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) can efficaciously sensitize the fluorescence emission of the center ion due to effective intramolecular energy transfer. All the Eu(III)/Yb(III) complexes exhibit characteristic photoluminescence peaks in the visible region. The fluorescence excitation spectra of the complexes were obtained by monitoring the emission of Eu3+/Yb3+ ion at 497 nm, and the peak at 433 nm was found to be the optimal excitation peak. The concentration of salicylaldehyde hydrazone group was changed gradually with the variation of the molar ratio between the butyl acrylate and styrene (1:0.5; 1:1; 1:1.5; 1:2; 1:2.5), and the differences in their fluorescent intensity were followed, and the fluorescence intensity was very weak when the molar ratio of the butyl acrylate to styrene is equal to 1:2.5, while the fluorescence intensity reached a maximum value in the molar ratio of 1:1.
Effect of different nucleating agent on crystallization kinetics and morphology of polypropylene
Authors: An Yanjie , Wang Sihan , Li Rui , Shi Dezhu , Gao Yuxin , Song Lei
Published: May 2019

The effects of phosphate nucleating agent (NA), carboxylate nucleating agent (MD), rosin type nucleating agent (WA) and sorbitol nucleating agent (NX) on crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The results showed that different structure nucleating agents significantly affected the crystallization kinetics, rate and temperature of polypropylene. Among them, half crystallization time of NX nucleating agent was the shortest, which was 53.4 seconds, and the crystallization temperature was the highest, reaching 129.8°C.
Thermal degradation kinetics investigation on Nano-ZnO/IFR synergetic flame retarded polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer composites processed via different fields
Authors: Wu Zheng-Huan , Zhou Bin , Fan Qi-Xiang , Cai Yu-Jun
Published: May 2019

In the field of polymer processing, disperse phase exhibited better dispersion and distribution performance in elongational field rather than shearing field. This property commonly brought a better functional feature for polymer composites. It could also be applied to Nano-ZnO/IFR synergetic flame retarded polypropylene/ ethylene-propylene-diene monomer composites. An experiment was designed to study the mechanism of improving flame retardant properties. In the experiment, the same formulas of composites were extruded by vane extruder (represents elongational field) and three-screw extruder (represents shearing field). Then Kissinger method and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method were used to mutually proved that Nano-ZnO with better dispersion condition catalysed a more intense esterification of IFR in the whole thermal degradation process.
Polyarylene ether nitrile and boron nitride composites: coating with sulfonated polyarylene ether nitrile
Authors: Wei Renbo , Xiao Qian , Zhan Chenhao , You Yong , Zhou Xuefei , Liu Xiaobo
Published: May 2019

Boron nitride (BN) coated with sulfonated poly-arylene ether nitrile (SPEN) (BN@SPEN) was used as additive to enhance the thermal conductivity of polyarylene ether nitrile. BN@SPEN was prepared by coating BN micro-platelets with SPEN through ultrasonic technology combined with the post-treatment bonding process. The prepared BN@SPEN was characterized by FTIR, TGA, SEM and TEM, which confirmed the successful coating of BN micro-platelets. The obtained BN@SPEN was introduced into the PEN matrix to prepare composite films by a solution casting method. The compatibility between BN and PEN matrix was studied by using SEM observation and rheology measurement. Furthermore, thermal conductivity of BN@SPEN/PEN films were carefully characterized. Thermal conductivity of BN@SPEN/PEN films was increased to 0.69 W/(m⋅K) at 20 wt% content of BN@SPEN, having 138% increment comparing with pure PEN.
Design of a Miniaturized UWB-MIMO Antenna with Four Notched-Band Characteristics
Authors: Wu Ling , Lyu Hao , Yu Huaqing , Xu Jing
Published: May 2019

With four rejected bands, a miniaturized ultrawideband multiple-input-multiple-output (UWB-MIMO) antenna is presented. Four notched bands are realized by applying three pairs of L-shape slots and two symmetrical C-like metal stubs. Thus the system can relief latent interference from 3.5 GHz WiMAX/5.3 GHz lower WLAN/5.8 GHz upper WLAN/8.1 GHz X-band. To minimize port coupling and covering 3.1–10.6 GHz UWB band, a T-like metal stub is designed in the ground plan. The results proves that the antenna has four rejected bands across the working band of 3.1 ~ 11 GHz. Moreover, the antenna has compact volume of 21 × 27 × 0.8 mm3, better than −18 dB port isolation, preferable radiation pattern and gentle gain.
Methods of comparison of families of real functions in porosity terms
Authors: Kowalczyk Stanisław , Turowska Małgorzata
Published: May 2019

We consider some families of real functions endowed with the metric of uniform convergence.
In the main results of our work we present two methods of comparison of families of real functions in porosity terms.
The first method is very general and may be applied to any family of real functions. The second one is more convenient but can be used only in the case of path continuous functions.
We apply the obtained results to compare in terms of porosity the following families of functions:
continuous, absolutely continuous, Baire one, Darboux, also functions of bounded variation and porouscontinuous, ρ-upper continuous, ρ-lower continuous functions.
Proximidades: Compositores Portugueses e o Terceiro Reich (1940–1943)
Authors: Almeida Inês Thomas
Published: May 2019

O Instituto Ibero-Americano de Berlim emitiu durante a 2ª Guerra Mundial um programa de rádio sobre compositores portugueses, visando angariar simpatias, em Portugal, para a Alemanha de Hitler. Neste artigo é analisada pela primeira vez a correspondência enviada pelo Instituto aos músicos, revelando ligações estreitas entre a máquina de propaganda nacional-socialista e figuras como Luiz e Pedro de Freitas Branco, Cláudio Carneiro, Ivo Cruz, Santiago Kastner e muitos outros, e por oposição a reacção singular de Fernando Lopes Graça – único que recusou negociar com a instituição nazi.
The Development of Standard Agitator Conditions for Effective Performance of a Batch Crutcher in the Frame of Semi-Boiled Process
Authors: Esonye Chizoo
Published: May 2019

The saponification reactor, otherwise called the crutcher is a dual purpose unit operational vessel that serves for reactor and mixer in the production of soapy detergent. Little or no efforts have been made by available literatures to work on the crutcher agitation concepts and geometry which determines the rate of reaction and degree of homogeneity of reactor mixture in the crutcher as used in the currently most widely applied semi-boiled process. This paper presents for the first time the standard optimum agitation conditions for effective performance of a crutcher for semi-boiled laundry soap production. A standard reactor volume to diameter of 0.17 m3/m and height to diameter ratio of 1.2 ratios on 7 % over design, agitator speeds of 0.75 rps (paddle), motor power of 10.5 W and torque of 2.24 Nm with impeller to reactor diameter of 1/3 and teflon shaft centralizer have been developed. The introduction of “bottom scrapper” component to the agitation unit in a cone bottomed cylindrical batch reactor would enhance mixing and heat transfer, eliminate recycling unit and the application of under steam bubbling for effective cone content mixing. Also, the introduction of 4 baffles on 0.5 × 10–2 m clearance from impeller blades would promote efficient mixing and heat transfer. The overall conditions developed ensured effective mixing, heat transfer and high rate of reaction.
Surgical leadership: the British concept
Authors: Primrose John N.
Published: May 2019

In the UK all surgeons need to have leadership skills as, despite the increasing importance of team management, the consultant surgeon still has overall responsibility for the patient under their care. Poor care is evident when clinical leadership fails. The UK hospital system is non-hierarchical within the consultant body. The clinical surgical manager in a hospital may not be the most senior clinician and the role will often rotate. The manager may or may not have the characteristics of a leader, and very often surgical leaders in a hospital may have no formal role. They are, however, essential to the functioning of the service. Nationally the roles in which professional leadership may reside are numerous. The country has multiple Surgical Royal Colleges and innumerable specialty associations and sub specialty associations all of which have councils and presidents and the multiple specialty and sub-specialty associations normally will have an annual meeting. In the long term this is probably unsustainable and although consolidation is desirable it is hard to achieve. In summary, good surgical leadership is found in many settings in the UK, some in formal roles within hospitals, some in the colleges and specialty associations and sometimes in individuals with no formal role but the capacity to make things happen.
Implementation of Polarization-Encoded Quantum Fredkin Gate Using Kerr Effect
Authors: Samanta Debajyoti
Published: May 2019

Optics has strong potentiality in data processing. Here, quantum Fredkin gate is implemented with the help of switching property of optical nonlinear material and polarization-based encoding and decoding technique of optical signal. The gate is very much useful for quantum computing and communications.
Production and study of chemical properties of superheavy elements
Authors: Düllmann Christoph E.
Published: May 2019

Some highlight examples on the study of production and chemical properties of heaviest elements carried out mostly at GSI Darmstadt are presented. They focus on the production of some of the heaviest known elements (114Fl, 115Mc, and 117Mc), studies of non-fusion reactions, and on chemical studies of 114Fl. This is the heaviest element, for which chemical studies have been performed to date.
Cutaneous nociceptive sensitization affects the directional discrimination – but not the 2-point discrimination
Authors: Frahm Ken Steffen , Mørch Carsten Dahl , Andersen Ole Kæseler
Published: May 2019

Background and aims

Several pain conditions have been shown to reduce the discriminative abilities of external stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate how cutaneous sensitization affects the tempo-spatial discrimination for both painful laser stimulation and mechanical stimulation.

Methods

Fifteen healthy subjects were presented with two different stimulation paradigms, a continuous line stimulation and a 2-point stimulation. Line stimulations were delivered in two different directions in lengths of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mm. Two-point distances from 0 to 100 mm were tested. The subjects reported the perceived intensity, and either direction (line stimulations) or number of perceived points (2-point stimulations). All stimuli were tested both before and after topical capsaicin (8% concentration) sensitization (30 min).

Results

All mechanical line stimulations were reported correctly before capsaicin and 3 stimulations (out of 240) were reported incorrectly after capsaicin. For the laser line stimulation, the directional discrimination threshold (DDT) was 69.5 mm before capsaicin and 76.3 mm after capsaicin. The 2-point discrimination threshold for laser stimulation was 70.3 mm before capsaicin and 68.0 mm after, for the mechanical stimuli it was 31.5 mm before capsaicin and 31.0 mm after capsaicin. The perceived intensities were increased for the laser line stimulations after capsaicin (linear mixed model (LMM), p < 0.001) and increased with stimulation length (LMM, p < 0.001). For mechanical stimuli, NRS was increased following capsaicin (LMM, p < 0.001). The intensities for both mechanical and laser 2-point stimuli increased after capsaicin and increased with distance between points (LMM, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The findings show how cutaneous sensitization appears to affect directional discrimination to a larger extent than the 2-point discrimination.

Implications

This study is the first to investigate how directional discrimination is altered during sensitization. If such measures can be optimized they may provide a new method to probe the neural mechanisms in pain patients.