bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of extended crawling on the physiology and swim performance of loggerhead and green sea turtle hatchlings
Authors: Pankaew Karen , Milton Sarah L.
Published: January 2018

Following emergence from the nest, sea turtle hatchling dispersal can be disrupted by artificial lights or skyglow from urban areas. Mis- or disorientation may increase exposure to predation, thermal stress, and dehydration, and consume valuable energy, thus decreasing the likelihood of survival. In this study hatchlings were run on a treadmill for 200m or 500m to investigate the physiological impacts of disorientation crawling on loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle hatchlings. Oxygen consumption, lactate production, and blood glucose levels were determined and swim performance measured over 2h following crawls. Crawl distances were also determined for hatchlings which disoriented on the Boca Raton, Fl, beach, with plasma lactate and blood glucose sampled for both properly oriented and disoriented hatchlings. Green and loggerhead hatchlings rested for 8-12% and 22-25% of crawl time, respectively, both in the laboratory and when disoriented on the beach, which was significantly longer than the time spent resting in non-disoriented turtles. As a result of these rest periods, the extended crawl distances had little effect on oxygen consumption, blood glucose, or plasma lactate levels. Swim performance over 2h following the crawls also changed little compared to controls. Plasma lactate concentrations were significantly higher in hatchling sampled in the field, but did not correlate with crawl distance. The greatest immediate impact of extended crawling due to disorientation events, then, is likely to be the significantly greater period of time spent on the beach and thus exposure to predation.
Variations on a theme: bumblebee learning flights from the nest and from flowers
Authors: Robert Théo , Frasnelli Elisa , de Ibarra Natalie Hempel , Collett Thomas S.
Published: January 2018

On leaving a significant place to which they will come back, bees and wasps perform learning flights to acquire visual information to guide their returns. The flights occur in different contexts, like their nest or a flower, which are functionally and visually different. The permanent and inconspicuous nest hole of a bumblebee worker is locatable primarily through nearby visual features; whereas a more transient flower advertises itself by its colour and shape. We compared the learning flights of bumblebees leaving their nest or a flower in an experimental situation in which the nest hole, flower and their surroundings were visually similar. Consequently, differences in learning flights could be attributed to the bee's internal state when leaving the nest or flower rather than to the visual scene. Flights at the flower were a quarter as long as those at the nest and more focussed on the flower than its surroundings. Flights at the nest covered a larger area with the bees surveying a wider range of directions. For the initial third of the learning flight, bees kept within about 5 cm of the flower and nest hole and tended to face and fixate the nest, flower and nearby visual features. The pattern of these fixations varied between nest and flower and these differences were reflected in the bees' return flights to the nest and flower. Together these findings suggest that the bees' learning flights are tuned to their inherent expectations of the visual and functional properties of nests and flowers.
Bayesian penalised likelihood reconstruction (Q.Clear) of 18F-fluciclovine PET for imaging of recurrent prostate cancer: semi-quantitative and clinical evaluation
Authors: Teoh Eugene J , McGowan Daniel R , Schuster David M , Tsakok Maria T , Gleeson Fergus V , Bradley Kevin M
Published: January 2018

Objective:

18F-Fluciclovine (FACBC) is an amino acid PET radiotracer approved for recurrent prostate cancer imaging. We investigate the use of Bayesian penalised likelihood (BPL) reconstruction for 18F-fluciclovine PET.

Methods:

15 18F-fluciclovine scans were reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximisation (OSEM), OSEM + point spread function (PSF) modelling and BPL using β-values 100–600. Lesion maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax), organ SUVmean and standard deviation were measured.

Deidentified reconstructions (OSEM, PSF, BPL using β200–600) from 10 cases were visually analysed by two readers who indicated their most and least preferred reconstructions, and scored overall image quality, noise level, background marrow image quality and lesion conspicuity.

Results:

Comparing BPL to OSEM, there were significant increments in lesion SUVmax and signal-to-background up to β400, with highest gain in β100 reconstructions (mean ΔSUVmax 3.9, p < 0.0001). Organ noise levels increased on PSF, β100 and β200 reconstructions. Across BPL reconstructions, there was incremental reduction in organ noise with increasing β, statistically significant beyond β300–500 (organ-dependent). Comparing with OSEM and PSF, lesion signal-to-noise was significantly increased in BPL reconstructions where β ≥ 300 and  ≥ 200 respectively.

On visual analysis, β 300 had the first and second highest scores for image quality, β500 and β600 equal highest scores for marrow image quality and least noise, PSF and β 200 had first and second highest scores for lesion conspicuity. For overall preference, one reader preferred β 300 in 9/10 cases and the other preferred β 200 in all cases.

Conclusion:

BPL reconstruction of 18F-fluciclovine PET images improves signal-to-noise ratio, affirmed by overall reader preferences. On balance, β300 is suggested for 18F-fluciclovine whole body PET image reconstruction using BPL.

Advances in knowledge:

The optimum β is different to that previously published for 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, and has practical implications for a relatively new tracer in an environment with modern reconstruction technologies.
Clinical expertise or academic degrees?
Authors: Sidebotham Mary
Published: January 2018

As midwives today, we find ourselves in an exciting and challenging position. While striving for professional excellence through our efforts to gain academic recognition for our clinical profession, how can we ensure that we remain ‘with woman’?
Now is not the right time for a new Midwives Act
Authors: Hunt Sheila C
Published: January 2018

Why are so many midwives demanding a new Act? The position of midwives at the UKCC, the elected body, is strong and protected in legislation. This article outlines this position and suggests that midwives should seek remedies for their problems within the existing framework.
Violence against wives
Authors: O’Donoghue Deirdre
Published: January 2018

Subordination and patriarchy appear to be the root of violence against wives (Dobash and Dobash, 1979), but the judicial services often seem to view these women with suspicion and contempt. As many as one in 50 pregnant women may be battered, therefore midwives need to be able to detect the signs and symptoms in order to offer them support and advice.
Whither midwifery education in Scotland?
Authors: Grant Beatrice
Published: January 2018

Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale and can sometimes be predicted so that the areas most likely to be affected can be forewarned. A logarithmic progression from 1 to 10 is greater than an arithmetical one and, depending on the strength of the tremor, outcomes vary in intensity and effect. If ministerial statements are treated in the same way as earthquakes, then that produced by the Secretary of State for Scotland on the future provision of midwifery and nursing education in Scotland in May 1994 must rate quite highly (The Scottish Office Information Directorate, 1994). Its significance for the professions has yet to be fully assessed but, like earthquakes, the reverberations continue for some time after the event.
Improving maternity services for women from ethnic minorities
Authors: Jackson Kate
Published: January 2018

In June this year the Commission for Racial Equality launched its Race Relations Code of Practice in Maternity Services (1994). Herman Ouseley, the chairman, introducing the Code of Practice, commented: ‘These services need to be accessible to all, appropriate to their needs and sensitively delivered’. This view very much reflects the principles enshrined in Changing Childbirth (Department of Health, 1993), which emphasised the importance of ensuring that the needs and views of women from minority groups are properly reflected in the services provided.
Using research skills in midwifery practice
Authors: Kirkham Mavis J
Published: January 2018

The basic skills of research, i.e. listening and observation, are also the basic skills of midwifery. Midwives need to embrace research skills as well as research findings if their practice is to become research based.
Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint tuberculosis in the United Kingdom
Authors: Broderick C. , Hopkins S. , Mack D. J. F. , Aston W. , Pollock R. , Skinner J. A. , Warren S.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Tuberculosis (TB) infection of bones and joints accounts for 6.7% of TB cases in England, and is associated with significant morbidity and disability. Public Health England reports that patients with TB experience delays in diagnosis and treatment. Our aims were to determine the demographics, presentation and investigation of patients with a TB infection of bones and joints, to help doctors assessing potential cases and to identify avoidable delays.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of all adults with positive TB cultures on specimens taken at a tertiary orthopaedic centre between June 2012 and May 2014. A laboratory information system search identified the patients. The demographics, clinical presentation, radiology, histopathology and key clinical dates were obtained from medical records.

Results

A total of 31 adult patients were identified. Their median age was 37 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29 to 53); 21 (68%) were male; 89% were migrants. The main sites affected were joints (10, 32%), the spine (8, 26%) and long bones (6, 19%); 8 (26%) had multifocal disease. The most common presenting symptoms were pain (29/31, 94%) and swelling (26/28, 93%). ‘Typical’ symptoms of TB, such as fever, sweats and weight loss, were uncommon. Patients waited a median of seven months (IQR 3 to 13.5) between the onset of symptoms and referral to the tertiary centre and 2.3 months (IQR 1.6 to 3.4.)) between referral and starting treatment. Radiology suggested TB in 26 (84%), but in seven patients (23%) the initial biopsy specimens were not sent for mycobacterial culture, necessitating a second biopsy. Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction-based testing for TB using Xpert MTB/RIF was performed in five patients; 4 (80%) tested positive for TB. These patients had a reduced time between the diagnostic biopsy and starting treatment than those whose samples were not tested (median eight days versus 36 days, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Patients with bone and joint TB experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, some of which are avoidable. Maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and sending specimens for mycobacterial culture are crucial to avoid missing cases. Rapid diagnostic tests reduce delays and should be performed on patients with radiological features of TB. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:119–24.
In vivothree-dimensional kinematics of normal knees during different high-flexion activities
Authors: Kono K. , Tomita T. , Futai K. , Yamazaki T. , Tanaka S. , Yoshikawa H. , Sugamoto K.
Published: January 2018

Aims

In Asia and the Middle-East, people often flex their knees deeply in order to perform activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to investigate the 3D kinematics of normal knees during high-flexion activities. Our hypothesis was that the femorotibial rotation, varus-valgus angle, translations, and kinematic pathway of normal knees during high-flexion activities, varied according to activity.

Materials and Methods

We investigated the in vivo kinematics of eight normal knees in four male volunteers (mean age 41.8 years; 37 to 53) using 2D and 3D registration technique, and modelled the knees with a computer aided design program. Each subject squatted, kneeled, and sat cross-legged. We evaluated the femoral rotation and varus-valgus angle relative to the tibia and anteroposterior translation of the medial and lateral side, using the transepicodylar axis as our femoral reference relative to the perpendicular projection on to the tibial plateau. This method evaluates the femur medially from what has elsewhere been described as the extension facet centre, and differs from the method classically applied.

Results

During squatting and kneeling, the knees displayed femoral external rotation. When sitting cross-legged, femurs displayed internal rotation from 10° to 100°. From 100°, femoral external rotation was observed. No significant difference in varus-valgus angle was seen between squatting and kneeling, whereas a varus position was observed from 140° when sitting cross-legged. The measure kinematic pathway using our methodology found during squatting a medial pivoting pattern from 0° to 40° and bicondylar rollback from 40° to 150°. During kneeling, a medial pivot pattern was evident. When sitting cross-legged, a lateral pivot pattern was seen from 0° to 100°, and a medial pivot pattern beyond 100°.

Conclusion

The kinematics of normal knees during high flexion are variable according to activity. Nevertheless, our study was limited to a small number of male patients using a different technique to report the kinematics than previous publications. Accordingly, caution should be observed in generalizing our findings. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:50–5.
Mid-term results of lateral unicondylar mobile bearing knee arthroplasty
Authors: Walker T. , Zahn N. , Bruckner T. , Streit M. R. , Mohr G. , Aldinger P. R. , Clarius M. , Gotterbarm T.
Published: January 2018

Aims

The aim of this independent multicentre study was to assess the mid-term results of mobile bearing unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) for isolated lateral osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 363 consecutive, lateral UKAs (346 patients) performed using the Oxford domed lateral prosthesis undertaken in three high-volume knee arthroplasty centres between 2006 and 2014. Mean age of the patients at surgery was 65 years (36 to 88) with a mean final follow-up of 37 months (12 to 93)

Results

A total of 36 (10.5%) patients underwent revision surgery, giving a survival rate of 90.1% at three years (95% confidence intervals (CI) 86.1 to 93.1; number at risk: 155) and 85.0% at five years (95% CI 77.9 to 89.9; number at risk: 43). Dislocation of the mobile bearing occurred in 18 patients (5.6%) at three years (95% CI 1.0 to 16.4; number at risk: 154) and in 20 patients (8.5%) at five years (95% CI 1.0 to 27.0; number at risk: 42). There were no significant differences in the dislocation rate between the participating centres or the surgeons. We were not able to identify an effect of each surgeon’s learning curve on the dislocation rate of the mobile bearing. The clinical outcome in patients without revision surgery at final follow-up was good to excellent, with a mean Oxford knee score of 40.3 (95% CI 39.4 to 41.2), a mean Tegner activity score of 3.2 (95% CI 3.1 to 3.3) and a mean University of California, Los Angeles score of 5.7 (95% CI 5.5 to 5.9).

Conclusion

Our data, which consists of a high number of patients treated with mobile bearing UKA in the lateral compartment, indicates a high revision rate of 15% at five years with dislocation of the mobile bearing being the main reason for implant failure. Despite the good functional and clinical results and the high patient satisfaction in our study group, we therefore discontinued using mobile-bearing lateral UKA in favour of a fixed-bearing component. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:42–9.
The effectiveness of anterior cervical decompression and fusion for the relief of dizziness in patients with cervical spondylosis
Authors: Peng B. , Yang L. , Yang C. , Pang X. , Chen X. , Wu Y.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Cervical spondylosis is often accompanied by dizziness. It has recently been shown that the ingrowth of Ruffini corpuscles into diseased cervical discs may be related to cervicogenic dizziness. In order to evaluate whether cervicogenic dizziness stems from the diseased cervical disc, we performed a prospective cohort study to assess the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion on the relief of dizziness.

Patients and Methods

Of 145 patients with cervical spondylosis and dizziness, 116 underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion and 29 underwent conservative treatment. All were followed up for one year. The primary outcomes were measures of the intensity and frequency of dizziness. Secondary outcomes were changes in the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and a visual analogue scale score for neck pain.

Results

There were significantly lower scores for the intensity and frequency of dizziness in the surgical group compared with the conservative group at different time points during the one-year follow-up period (p = 0.001). There was a significant improvement in mJOA scores in the surgical group.

Conclusion

This study indicates that anterior cervical surgery can relieve dizziness in patients with cervical spondylosis and that dizziness is an accompanying manifestation of cervical spondylosis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:81–7.
Train station area gardens: the creation and evolution of Dr. José Esteves Square, in Lavras-MG
Authors: Luz Iracema Clara Alves , Paiva Patrícia Duarte de Oliveira , Alves Schirley Fátima Nogueira da Silva Cavalcante
Published: January 2018

Studying the origins and transformations of a public square throughout time is extremely important, since it motivates its preservation and the consecration of its history. Therefore, the objective of this study was to carry out historic-cultural and landscape analyses of Dr. José Esteves Square and its whereabouts, built near a train station located in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This research focused on the period between 1721 (settlement) and 2014. Dr. José Esteves Square was created to ornate and supports the arrival of passengers at the train station of Lavras. The way this public square was built is somewhat different from most public squares in Brazil, which are normally constructed around a church. Lack of maintenance, due to privatization, and the abandonment of train station facilities, made the gardens and areas around Dr. José Esteves Square lose their importance and the aesthetic characteristics they once had.
In Search of the Historical Madam Suakoko: Liberia’s Renowned Female Kpelle Chief
Authors: Nevin Timothy D. L.
Published: January 2018

Madam Suakoko (Nye Suah Koko) was a female chief of the Kpelle people during the period of annexation by the Liberian state (1900–1920). She faced a difficult choice between collaborating with the central government based in the capital city of Monrovia, which would lead to the effective loss of Kpelle independence, or risking annihilation at the hands of rival Kpelle warriors. This article attempts to reconstruct an overview of her life, times, and accomplishments using newly gathered oral history data from her home region in Liberia combined with fragments from the disparate sources within the written record.
An investigation of the digital game addiction between high school students
Authors: Ekinci Nurullah Emir , Yalçın İlimdar , Özer Ömer , Kara Tayfun
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the digital game addiction levels of the high school students, according to some variables such as sports participation, gender, place of accommodation and level of income.The sample group comprises 931 high school students (508, %54,6 female and 423, %45,4 male) from several villages, districts and Kutahya city center (a town in the west part of Turkey with the population of 325.000). They participated to the study voluntarily. In addition to personal information from prepared by the researcher, the game addiction scale developed by Lemmens et al. (2009) and adapted to Turkish by Irmak and Erdogan (2015) was used as a data gathering tool. It is a five point Likert type scale and has one factor and seven items. In order to evaluate the results the descriptive statistical methods (percentage (%), frequency (f) and t-test, one-way ANOVA) were used.As a result, the significant difference was determined regarding digital game addiction [t (931)=-3,76; p=0,00]  between the students who participate to the sports activities and who do not. So, the non-participant students found more game addicted. According to the gender, male students were determined more addicted than females [t (931)=9,45; p=0,00]. No significant difference was determined in terms of the place where the students lived (p=0,56, p>0,05). Finally, the significant difference was determined in terms of the income levels, [f (931)=3,07; p=0,01] on behalf of  the students who had good income level. They found more addicted.
Brytyjscy Polacy – polscy Brytyjczycy: osiągnięcia młodego pokolenia emigracyjnego w zakresie języka ojczystego na podstawie analizy egzaminu General Certificate of Secondary Education (Polish)
Authors: Łączek Marcin
Published: January 2018

The article concentrates on achievements of the younger generation of emigrants in the mother tongue based on an analysis of General Certificate of Secondary Education (Polish). At its beginning, the author lays out some of the issues concerned with bilingual glottodidactics and Polish education abroad (the latter is presented in an exolingual context; here: based on England). In the further course, a reference is made to English educational system with a particular stress put on Key Stage 4 examinations, that is General Certificate of Secondary Education (here: in Polish). The data gathered come from one of the AQA centres in which the author of the present text worked.
APPLICATION OF ATTACHEMENT THEORY TO EQUINE-FACILITATED THERAPY
Authors: Vincent Aviva , Farkas Kathleen J.
Published: January 2018

Over the past two decades there has been a growing body of evidence, clinical and anecdotal, that equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) is a powerful tool for social workers and mental health clinicians. Recent research studies have begun to identify, name, and explain the mechanisms of EFT as a treatment tool for individual clients. However, EFT lacks a unified theoretical foundation; many studies lack an explicit theory altogether. Strong empirical support begins with a strong theoretical foundation, the research field lacks a unified voice for the scientific value of EFT. Attachment theory can guide the understanding of how EFT operates and can support more rigorous inquiry to evaluate its effect in mental health treatment. This article reviews the human-horse relationship in the context of attachment theory and concludes with a recommendation for research to strengthen the empirical base of EFT in social work practice.
EDUCATION FOR INTEGRAL PEACE – MEMORY, INTERCULTURALITY AND DECOLONIALITY
Authors: Figueroa Jose Javier Capera
Published: January 2018

Review of the book written by Eduardo Andrés Sandoval Forero (2016). Education for Integral Peace – Memory, Interculturality and Decoloniality. Bogota: ARFO Editores e Impresores LTDA. 327 pp.
AN INTROSPECTIVE APPROACH TO WOMEN’S INTERCULTURAL FIELDWORK. FEMALE RESEARCHER’S NARRATIONS BASED ON THEIR INTERCULTURAL EXPERIENCES FROM THE FIELD
Authors: Kurcińska Lidia
Published: January 2018

Recenzja książki autorstwa Urszuli Markowskiej-Manisty i Justyny Pilarskiej An Introspective Approach to Women`s Intercultural Fieldwork. Female researcher`s narrations based on their intercultural experiences from the field. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Akademii Pedagogiki Specjalnej, ss. 188.
On the Openness of Unique Pure-Strategy Nash Equilibrium
Authors: Klis Anna A.
Published: January 2018

This paper investigates whether small perturbations to a game with continuous strategy spaces and unique Nash equilibrium also yields a game with unique equilibrium. The answer is affirmative for games with smooth payoffs, differentiable strict concavity in own actions, and transversal intersection of best response curves. Though intuitive for games with unique interior equilibrium, this result holds even for equilibria at the boundaries of strategy sets.
Efficient Combinatorial Allocations: Individual Rationality versus Stability
Authors: Matsushima Hitoshi
Published: January 2018

We investigate combinatorial allocations with opt-out types and clarify the possibility of achieving efficiency under incomplete information. We introduce two distinct collective decision procedures. The first procedure assumes that the central planner designs a mechanism and players have the option to exit. The mechanism requires interim individual rationality. The second procedure assumes that players design a mechanism by committing themselves to participate. The mechanism requires marginal stability against blocking behavior by the largest proper coalitions. We show that the central planner can earn non-negative revenue in the first procedure, if and only if he cannot do so in the second.
Water Inrush Analysis of the Longmen Mountain Tunnel Based on a 3D Simulation of the Discrete Fracture Network
Authors: Xiong Ziming , Wang Mingyang , Shi ShaoShuai , Xia YuanPu , Lu Hao , Bu Lin
Published: January 2018

The construction of tunnels and underground engineering in China has developed rapidly in recent years in both the number and the length of tunnels. However, with the development of tunnel construction technology, risk assessment of the tunnels has become increasingly important. Water inrush is one of the most important causes of engineering accidents worldwide, resulting in considerable economic and environmental losses. Accordingly, water inrush prediction is important for ensuring the safety of tunnel construction. Therefore, in this study, we constructed a three-dimensional discrete network fracture model using the Monte Carlo method first with the basic data from the engineering geological map of the Longmen Mountain area, the location of the Longmen Mountain tunnel. Subsequently, we transformed the discrete fracture networks into a pipe network model. Next, the DEM of the study area was analysed and a submerged analysis was conducted to determine the water storage area. Finally, we attempted to predict the water inrush along the Longmen Mountain tunnel based on the Darcy flow equation. Based on the contrast of water inrush between the proposed approach, groundwater dynamics and precipitation infiltration method, we conclude the following: the water inflow determined using the groundwater dynamics simulation results are basically consistent with those in the D2K91+020 to D2K110+150 mileage. Specifically, in the D2K91+020 to D2K94+060, D2K96+440 to D2K98+100 and other sections of the tunnel, the simulated and measured results are in close agreement and show that this method is effective. In general, we can predict the water inflow in the area of the Longmen Mountain tunnel based on the existing fracture joint parameters and the hydrogeological data of the Longmen Mountain area, providing a water inrush simulation and guiding the tunnel excavation and construction stages.
Performance and Water-Use Efficiency of Wild Cytoplasmic Sources in Sunflower
Authors: Tyagi Vikrant , Dhillon S. K.
Published: January 2018

Wild Helianthus species should have be a main interest sunflower breeding for the introgressing elite genes for biotic and abiotic stress. The future use of wild sunflower in development of drought resistance cytoplasmic sources should be expanded to the wide range of wild species as compared to conventional sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate different parental lines for their water-use efficiency and seed yield performance under two environments for two years. ARG-2A received from H. argophyllus, 234A and 38A from H. petiolaris were found to be the most susceptible genotypes, whereas, 42A, 42B from H. petiolaris and ARG-6A (H. argophyllus) were found to be tolerant to drought stress. CMS-XA, RCR-8297, E002-91A, NC-41B and P124R were observed to be well adapted to stress environments. ARG-3A from H. argophyllus had a stable performance over the environments, which may be useful to develop water use efficient hybrids having diversified cytoplasmic backgrounds in sunflower breeding.
Successful treatment of macrophage activation syndrome complicating adult-onset Still’s disease with tocilizumab: a case report
Authors: So Ho , Wong Tak-Lung , Pang Hin Ting , Lao Weng Nga , Yip Man-Lung
Published: January 2018

We report a case of 50-year-old female patient with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) complicated by macrophage-activation syndrome (MAS). After initial control of the disease with high-dose parenteral corticosteroids, tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy aided in maintaining the remission with rapid tapering of steroid dose. TCZ may be useful for MAS complicating AOSD.
“The Merchants of Tarshish, with all the Young Lions Thereof.” The British Empire, Scripture Prophecy, and the War of Armageddon, 1914–1918
Authors: Reisenauer Eric Michael
Published: January 2018

The First World War spurred interest among the British people in the eschatological and apocalyptic portions of the Bible. The general scope of the war, as well as its particular course, provided much material to those who interpreted war-time events as heralds of the coming end of the age. Of particular interest was the subject of the British Empire’s place in the unfolding upheaval. The belief in Britain’s identity as God’s instrument of righteousness, whether as the King of the North, the Tarshish power, or the Israel of prophecy, assured many in Britain that their nation would play a paramount role in winning the war and establishing God’s rule on Earth.
The Bible and the British and American Armed Forces in Two World Wars
Authors: Snape Michael
Published: January 2018

The role of the Bible in Great Britain and the United States in the era of the two World Wars offers new insights into the nature and trajectory of religious change in contemporary British and American society, and not least the much-vaunted religious impact of the First World War. By focusing on the use and the significance of the Bible during these conflicts, and especially its role in and for the British and American armed forces, this article illustrates the uneven quality of inter-war secularization on both sides of the Atlantic. Although rarely considered as a measure of religious change in this period, it underlines the enduring cultural significance of the Bible for Britons and Americans alike, demonstrates the Bible’s burgeoning importance during the years of the Second World War, and indicates that this development helped prepare the ground for the religious revival of the post-war era, and most notably the transatlantic success of Billy Graham.
Making the Bible Safe for Democracy: American Methodists and the First World War
Authors: Wesley Cindy
Published: January 2018

The article examines the depiction of the First World War in literature published by the Methodist Episcopal Church for Sunday Schools, mission societies, young people’s organizations and a general church readership. Methodist Episcopal Church authors highlighted the biblical themes of righteousness, Christ-like self-sacrifice, and the Kingdom of God as they justified American involvement in the Great War.
Veganism as a cause of iodine deficient hypothyroidism
Authors: Yeliosof Olga , Silverman Lawrence A.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism worldwide. Although uncommon in the Western world, the incidence of iodine deficiency may be rising due to the increased use of restrictive diets.

Case presentation:

We present a 23-month-old boy diagnosed with iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, induced by a vegan diet.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the risk for iodine deficiency in children on a vegan diet after discontinuation of breast/formula feeding that could lead to acquired hypothyroidism.
Identifying depressive symptoms among diabetes type and the impact on hemoglobin A1c
Authors: Glick Bethany A. , Hong K. Ming Chan , Obrynba Kathryn , Kamboj Manmohan K. , Hoffman Robert P.
Published: January 2018

Background:

This study was designed to determine the effects of diabetes type and gender on depression risk determined by a highly sensitive screening questionnaire in adolescents. Glycemic control and counseling affect were also studied.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of patients seen between 2013 and 2015 was performed. Five hundred and thirty adolescents with type 1 (T1DM) or 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to identify depressive symptoms. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured when the PHQ-9 was given, and at 1 year. Patients with increased depression risk were referred for counseling and comparisons were made between those who did and did not attend.

Results:

Females with T2DM, but not males, had increased depression compared to T1DM. Females had increased depression compared to males in T1DM (p = 0.046) and a near significant increase in T2DM (p = 0.069). In T1DM, but not T2DM, HbA1c levels were increased in high and moderate, compared to low, risk depression risk groups (p = 0.007). Follow-up HbA1c was unchanged 1 year later and there were no differences between those involved in counseling and those who refused to attend. Sex and type of diabetes had no effect on response to counseling.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate increased depression in adolescents with T2DM compared to T1DM and in females compared to controls. Glycemic control did not change in adolescents who reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression and received counseling intervention compared to adolescents who declined counseling.
Association of sodium intake with insulin resistance in Korean children and adolescents: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010
Authors: Kim Yong Min , Kim So Hyun , Shim Young Suk
Published: January 2018

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sodium intake and insulin resistance indices.

Methods:

A total of 718 Korean children and adolescents (411 boys) aged 10–18 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were included in the study. The urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio was used as a surrogate for sodium intake. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were used as indices of insulin resistance.

Results:

The mean urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio was 11.34 in males and 10.17 in females. The urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio was significantly positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.165, p<0.001) and inversely correlated with QUICKI (r=−0.181, p<0.001) in Pearson’s correlation analyses. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, the urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio was independently and significantly positively associated with HOMA-IR (β=0.073, p=0.018) and significantly inversely associated with QUICKI (β=−0.080, p=0.007) after adjustment for possible confounders. HOMA-IR was independently and significantly positively associated with the urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio (β=0.087, p=0.018), whereas QUICKI was independently and significantly negatively associated with the urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio (β=−0.097, p=0.009) after controlling for confounders.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that sodium intake, as estimated by the urinary sodium to urinary creatinine ratio, may be independently associated with insulin resistance in children and adolescents.
Associations of leptin, insulin and lipids with retinal microvasculature in children and adolescents
Authors: van Aart Carola J.C. , Michels Nathalie , Sioen Isabelle , De Decker Annelies , Nawrot Tim S. , De Henauw Stefaan
Published: January 2018

Background:

We investigated whether cardiometabolic risk factors measured in serum (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], triglyceride, leptin, insulin, glucose and insulin resistance) are associated with the retinal microvasculature, a marker of cardiovascular aging, in healthy children and adolescents. Moreover, we tested whether these associations are due to direct biological effects or more indirectly due to adiposity-related side effects.

Methods:

We recruited 168 healthy Flemish children (7–16 years old, 54.8% boys). Blood samples and retinal photographs were taken during clinical examinations. Arteriolar and venular vessel calibers were calculated using a semi-automated computer program. Multivariable regression models were used and adjusted for age, sex, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and alternate retinal caliber. In a second step, we adjusted for body mass index z-score (zBMI).

Results:

Only continuous serum leptin was associated with retinal parameters, i.e. wider arterioles; however, this disappeared after adjustment for zBMI. Children with high cardiometabolic risk factors (>90th percentile for serum leptin, insulin and insulin resistance) had wider arterioles compared to children with lower concentrations, even after additional adjustment for zBMI. No significant associations were found with lipids.

Conclusions:

In this healthy population of children and adolescents, the hormones insulin and leptin and insulin resistance were associated with retinal microvasculature alterations, mainly in children with high cardiometabolic factors (>90th percentile), while lipids were not. These associations were independent of zBMI.
A new compact finite difference quasilinearization method for nonlinear evolution partial differential equations
Authors: Dlamini P.G. , Khumalo M.
Published: January 2018

This article presents a new method of solving partial differential equations. The method is an improvement of the previously reported compact finite difference quasilinearization method (CFDQLM) which is a combination of compact finite difference schemes and quasilinearization techniques. Previous applications of compact finite difference (FD) schemes when solving parabolic partial differential equations has been solely on discretizing the spatial variables and another numerical technique used to discretize temporal variables. In this work we attempt, for the first time, to use the compact FD schemes in both space and time. This ensures that the rich benefits of the compact FD schemes are carried over to the time variable as well, which improves the overall accuracy of the method. The proposed method is tested on four nonlinear evolution equations. The method produced highly accurate results which are portrayed in tables and graphs.
The dynamic of a Lie group endomorphism
Authors: Ayala Víctor , Román-Flores Heriberto , Da Silva Adriano
Published: January 2018

For a given endomorphism φ on a connected Lie group G this paper studies several subgroups of G that are intrinsically connected with the dynamic behavior of φ.
Medicinal plants with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity
Authors: Patel Sita Sharan , Raghuwanshi Ramsaneh , Masood Misha , Acharya Ashish , Jain Surendra Kumar
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is characterised by hypofunction of acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter in the distinct region of brain. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme that metabolises the ACh at synaptic cleft resulting in Alzheimer’s disease. Medicinal plants have been used to treat numerous ailments and improve human health from ancient time. A traditional system of medicine is long recognised for its effective management of neurological disorders. The present review confers the scope of some common medicinal plants with a special focus on AChE-mediated central nervous system complications especially Alzheimer’s disease. Literature suggests that medicinal plants reduce neuronal dysfunctions by reducing AChE activity in different brain regions. In some instances, activation of AChE activity by medicinal plants also showed therapeutic potential. In conclusion, medicinal plants have a wide scope and possess therapeutic potential to efficiently manage neurological disorders associated with AChE dysregulation.
Mechanisms of disordered neurodegenerative function: concepts and facts about the different roles of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)
Authors: Taalab Yasmeen M. , Ibrahim Nour , Maher Ahmed , Hassan Mubashir , Mohamed Wael , Moustafa Ahmed A. , Salama Mohamed , Johar Dina , Bernstein Larry
Published: January 2018

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, prion disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are a dissimilar group of disorders that share a hallmark feature of accumulation of abnormal intraneuronal or extraneuronal misfolded/unfolded protein and are classified as protein misfolding disorders. Cellular and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates multiple signaling cascades of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Consequently, translational and transcriptional alterations in target gene expression occur in response directed toward restoring the ER capacity of proteostasis and reestablishing the cellular homeostasis. Evidences from in vitro and in vivo disease models indicate that disruption of ER homeostasis causes abnormal protein aggregation that leads to synaptic and neuronal dysfunction. However, the exact mechanism by which it contributes to disease progression and pathophysiological changes remains vague. Downstream signaling pathways of UPR are fully integrated, yet with diverse unexpected outcomes in different disease models. Three well-identified ER stress sensors have been implicated in UPR, namely, inositol requiring enzyme 1, protein kinase RNA-activated-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6. Although it cannot be denied that each of the involved stress sensor initiates a distinct downstream signaling pathway, it becomes increasingly clear that shared pathways are crucial in determining whether or not the UPR will guide the cells toward adaptive prosurvival or proapoptotic responses. We review a body of work on the mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases based on oxidative stress and cell death pathways with emphasis on the role of PERK.
Nonselective Wiring Accounts for Red-Green Opponency in Midget Ganglion Cells of the Primate Retina
Authors: Wool Lauren E. , Crook Joanna D. , Troy John B. , Packer Orin S. , Zaidi Qasim , Dacey Dennis M.
Published: January 2018

In primate retina, “red-green” color coding is initiated when signals originating in long (L) and middle (M) wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptors interact antagonistically. The center-surround receptive field of “midget” ganglion cells provides the neural substrate for L versus M cone-opponent interaction, but the underlying circuitry remains unsettled, centering around the longstanding question of whether specialized cone wiring is present. To address this question, we measured the strength, sign, and spatial tuning of L- and M-cone input to midget receptive fields in the peripheral retina of macaque primates of either sex. Consistent with previous work, cone opponency arose when one of the cone types showed a stronger connection to the receptive field center than to the surround. We implemented a difference-of-Gaussians spatial receptive field model, incorporating known biology of the midget circuit, to test whether physiological responses we observed in real cells could be captured entirely by anatomical nonselectivity. When this model sampled nonselectively from a realistic cone mosaic, it accurately reproduced key features of a cone-opponent receptive field structure, and predicted both the variability and strength of cone opponency across the retina. The model introduced here is consistent with abundant anatomical evidence for nonselective wiring, explains both local and global properties of the midget population, and supports a role in their multiplexing of spatial and color information. It provides a neural basis for human chromatic sensitivity across the visual field, as well as the maintenance of normal color vision despite significant variability in the relative number of L and M cones across individuals.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRed-green color vision is a hallmark of the human and nonhuman primate that starts in the retina with the presence of long (L)- and middle (M)-wavelength sensitive cone photoreceptor types. Understanding the underlying retinal mechanism for color opponency has focused on the broad question of whether this characteristic can emerge from nonselective wiring, or whether complex cone-type-specific wiring must be invoked. We provide experimental and modeling support for the hypothesis that nonselective connectivity is sufficient to produce the range of red-green color opponency observed in midget ganglion cells across the retina. Our nonselective model reproduces the diversity of physiological responses of midget cells while also accounting for systematic changes in color sensitivity across the visual field.
Perceptual Surprise Improves Action Stopping by Nonselectively Suppressing Motor Activity via a Neural Mechanism for Motor Inhibition
Authors: Dutra Isabella C. , Waller Darcy A. , Wessel Jan R.
Published: January 2018

Motor inhibition is a cognitive control ability that allows humans to stop actions rapidly even after initiation. Understanding and improving motor inhibition could benefit adaptive behavior in both health and disease. We recently found that presenting surprising, task-unrelated sounds when stopping is necessary improves the likelihood of successful stopping. In the current study, we investigated the neural underpinnings of this effect. Specifically, we tested whether surprise-related stopping improvements are due to a genuine increase in motor inhibition. In Experiment 1, we measured motor inhibition in primary motor cortex of male and female humans by quantifying corticospinal excitability (CSE) via transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography during a hybrid surprise–Go/NoGo task. Consistent with prior studies of motor inhibition, successful stopping was accompanied by nonselective suppression of CSE; that is, CSE was suppressed even in task-unrelated motor effectors. Importantly, unexpected sounds significantly increased this motor-system inhibition to a degree that was directly related to behavioral improvements in stopping. In Experiment 2, we then used scalp encephalography to investigate whether unexpected sounds increase motor-inhibition-related activity in the CNS. We used an independent stop-signal localizer task to identify a well characterized frontocentral low-frequency EEG component that indexes motor inhibition. We then investigated the activity of this component in the surprise–Go/NoGo task. Consistent with Experiment 1, this signature of motor inhibition was indeed increased when NoGo signals were followed by unexpected sounds. Together, these experiments provide converging evidence suggesting that unexpected events improve motor inhibition by automatically triggering inhibitory control.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe ability to stop ongoing actions rapidly allows humans to adapt their behavior flexibly and rapidly. Action stopping is important in daily life (e.g., stopping to cross the street when a car approaches) and is severely impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, finding ways to improve action stopping could aid adaptive behaviors in health and disease. Our current study shows that presenting unexpected sounds in stopping situations facilitates successful stopping. This improvement is specifically due to a surprise-related increase in a neural mechanism for motor inhibition, which rapidly suppresses the excitability of the motor system after unexpected events. These findings suggest a tight interaction between the neural systems for surprise processing and motor inhibition and yield a promising avenue for future research.