bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of theoretical model of composite leaf springs by using the mechanics of composite materials
Authors: Shi Wenku , Qian Chen , Chen Zhiyong , Song Qianqian , Yang Shixiang
Published: May 2017

Lightweight design is an inevitable trend in automobiles because of its energy saving and emission reduction properties. Composite leaf springs possess light weight and high fatigue life and are both comfortable and safe to use. This type of spring could be an effective substitute to conventional steel leaf springs. Stiffness, a basic performance parameter of automobile leaf springs, directly affects the handling stability and riding comfort of vehicles. Stiffness matching of composite leaf springs is important. In this paper, the principle of leaf spring stiffness is studied in-depth from the point of view of the mechanics of composite materials. A theoretical model is established for precise calculation of composite leaf spring stiffness. This model resolves the slow speed of traditional methods for determining finite element stiffness; hence, the proposed model can be used to optimize the design of composite leaf springs. Numerical simulation results of the model are compared with the finite element simulation and experimental results to verify the accuracy of the model. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed on key design parameters that affect the stiffness of composite leaf springs to provide a guide for stiffness matching.
Gender’s Role in Exposure to Interparental Violence, Acceptance of Violence, Self-Efficacy, and Physical Teen Dating Violence Among Quebec Adolescents
Authors: Ruel Catherine , Lavoie Francine , Hébert Martine , Blais Martin
Published: May 2017

Despite efforts to prevent physical teen dating violence, it remains a major public health issue with multiple negative consequences. This study aims to investigate gender differences in the relationships between exposure to interparental violence (mother-to-father violence, father-to-mother violence), acceptance of dating violence (perpetrated by boys, perpetrated by girls), and self-efficacy to disclose teen dating violence. Data were drawn from Waves 1 and 2 of the Quebec Youth Romantic Relationships Project, conducted with a representative sample of Quebec high school students. Analyses were conducted on a subsample of 2,564 teenagers who had been in a dating relationship in the past 6 months (63.8% girls, mean age of 15.3 years). Path analyses were conducted to investigate the links among exposure to interparental violence, acceptance of violence, self-efficacy to disclose teen dating violence (measured at Wave 1), and physical teen dating violence (measured at Wave 2). General exposure to interparental violence was linked, through acceptance of girl-perpetrated violence, to victimization among both genders and to girls’ perpetration of physical teen dating violence. No significant difference was identified in the impact of the gender of the perpetrating parent when considering exposure to interparental violence. Self-efficacy to disclose personal experiences of violence was not linked to exposure to interparental violence or to experiences of physical teen dating violence. The findings support the intergenerational transmission of violence. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of targeting acceptance of violence, especially girl-perpetrated violence, in prevention programs and of intervening with children and adolescents who have witnessed interparental violence.
Analysis of laminated composite structures with embedded piezoelectric sheets by variable kinematic shell elements
Authors: Carrera Erasmo , Valvano Stefano
Published: May 2017

In this article, the static analysis of multilayered shell structure embedding piezoelectric layers is performed using some advanced theories, obtained by expanding the unknown variables along the thickness direction using equivalent single-layer models, layer-wise models, and variable kinematic models. The variable kinematic models permit to reduce the computational cost of the analyses by grouping some layers of the multilayered structure with equivalent single-layer models and keeping the layer-wise models in other zones of the multilayer. This model is here extended to the static analysis of electro-mechanical problems. The used refined models are grouped in the Carrera Unified Formulation, and they accurately describe the displacement field, the stress distributions, and the electric potential along the thickness of the multilayered shell. The shell element has nine nodes, and the mixed interpolation of tensorial components method is used to contrast the membrane and shear locking phenomenon. The governing equations are derived from the principle of virtual displacement, and the finite element method is employed to solve them. Cross-ply plates and shells, with piezoelectric skins and simply supported edges, subjected to bi-sinusoidal mechanical or electrical load are analyzed. Various aspect ratios and radius-to-thickness ratios are considered. The results, obtained with different theories within Carrera Unified Formulation context, are compared with the elasticity solutions given in the literature. From the results, it is possible to conclude that the shell element based on Carrera Unified Formulation is very efficient in the study of electro-mechanical problems of composite structures. The variable kinematic models combining the equivalent single-layer with the layer-wise models permit to have a reduction of the computational costs, with respect to the full layer-wise theories, preserving the accuracy of the results in localized layers.
Outlook on the dynamic behavior of an magnetorheological squeeze-mode damper prototype
Authors: Sapiński Bogdan , Rosół Maciej , Jastrzębski Łukasz , Gołdasz Janusz
Published: May 2017

Magnetorheological dampers have been useful tools in research and real-life projects in areas related to vibration damping and vibration isolation. At the same time, research data indicate that their transient performance is influenced by electromagnetic circuit characteristics, driving electronics, control approach, and fluid’s own dynamics. When compared to standard flow mode (valve mode), device squeeze-mode magnetorheological hardware featuring a control gap of varying height according to prescribed force or displacement is further complicated by both complex dynamics of the fluid flow and the electromagnetic circuit. As such, the primary purpose of this article is to provide an outlook on dynamic aspects of magnetorheological dampers operating in squeeze mode. In this study, the authors examined the transient behavior of a prototype damper subjected to mechanical and electrical stimuli. In particular, the work includes a comparison of the experimental results obtained for a damper subjected to voltage step inputs (open loop) and controlled inputs (closed loop), respectively. An attempt to extract magnetic flux data was performed, too. The results show that a proportional–integral–derivative controller allows for accelerating the current response time of the squeeze-mode actuator. However, observations of the flux preliminary data indicate that the transient performance of the device actuator is severely influenced by both piston position (control gap height) and current in the control coil. The results reveal that the electromagnetic circuit response is a major contributor to the actuator’s dynamics and a particular care needs to be undertaken in future projects to design an efficient magnetorheological squeeze-mode damper system.
A Review of Treatments for Young Black Males Experiencing Depression
Authors: Lindsey Michael A. , Banks Andrae , Cota Catherine F. , Lawrence Scott Marquisha , Joe Sean
Published: May 2017

The objective was to qualitatively examine the treatment effects of depression interventions on young, Black males (YBM) across treatment providers and settings via a review. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) seeking to ameliorate depressive symptomology in Black males ages 12–29 were eligible for inclusion. After review of 627 abstracts and 212 full-text articles, 12 studies were selected. These RCTs were organized into five categories based on the intervention method. We isolated only one study that targeted YBM exclusively. Additionally, only two treatment effect sizes for YBM were available from the data. While remaining RCTs did involve Black youth, disaggregated data based on race and gender were not reported. Overall, the lack of research specific to YBM prevented any strong conclusions about the treatment effects on depression for this population. Small sample size along with poor representation of YBM were trends in the selected studies that also posed an issue. Therefore, our review produced qualitative findings but failed to isolate any true effect size for YBM being treated for depression. Until more conclusive evidence exists, alternative strategies may need to be employed in order to find appropriate interventions for depressed YBM seeking mental health treatment.
Bezlotoxumab: Could This be the Answer for Clostridium difficile Recurrence?
Authors: Chapin Ryan W. , Lee Tiffany , McCoy Christopher , Alonso Carolyn D. , Mahoney Monica V.
Published: May 2017

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and place in therapy of bezlotoxumab (BEZ), a novel monoclonal antibody against Clostridium difficile toxin B. Data Sources: A PubMed search was conducted for data between 1946 and April 2017 using MeSH terms bezlotoxumab, MK-6072, or MDX-1388 alone and the terms Clostridium difficile combined with monoclonal antibody or antitoxin. Study Selection and Data Extraction: The literature search was limited to English-language studies that described clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics in humans and animals. Abstracts featuring prepublished data were also evaluated for inclusion. Data Synthesis: BEZ is indicated for adult patients receiving standard-of-care (SoC) antibiotics for C difficile infection (CDI) to prevent future recurrence. Two phase III trials—MODIFY I (n = 1452) and MODIFY II (n = 1203)—demonstrated a 40% relative reduction in recurrent CDI (rCDI) with BEZ compared with placebo (16.5% vs 26.6%, P < 0.0001). The most common adverse drug events associated with BEZ were mild to moderate infusion-related reactions (10.3%). Conclusions: In patients treated with SoC antibiotics, BEZ is effective in decreasing rCDI. BEZ has no apparent effect on treatment of an initial CDI episode. In light of increasing rates of CDI, BEZ is a promising option for preventing recurrent episodes. The greatest benefit has been demonstrated in high-risk patients, though the targeted patient population is yet to be defined.
A “Cognition and Practice” Approach to an Aspect of European Kinship
Authors: Heady Patrick
Published: May 2017

Despite the long history of kinship studies, we still lack agreed theories capable of explaining the connection between terminological systems and kinship practice. This article argues for a cognitive approach centering on two distinct but complementary aspects of identity. It is argued that patterns of shared identity are implied by terminology and combine with other factors to motivate practice—in a feedback loop which transmits influences between terminological systems and political and economic institutions. The argument is illustrated by statistical and historical analyses of an aspect of European kinship.
Hallux Valgus Correction Comparing Percutaneous Chevron/Akin (PECA) and Open Scarf/Akin Osteotomies
Authors: Lee Moses , Walsh James , Smith Margaret M. , Ling Jeff , Wines Andrew , Lam Peter
Published: May 2017

Background:

Minimally invasive surgery is being used increasingly, including for hallux valgus surgery. Despite the growing interest in minimally invasive procedures, there have been few publications on percutaneous chevron/akin (PECA) procedures, and no studies have been published comparing PECA to open scarf/akin osteotomies (SA).

Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized study of 50 patients undergoing operative correction of hallux valgus using one of 2 techniques (PECA vs open SA). Data were collected preoperatively and on 1 day, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. Outcome measures include the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Hallux-Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal (AOFAS-HMI) Score, visual analog pain score, hallux valgus angle (HVA), and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA). Twenty-five patients underwent PECA procedures and 25 patients received SA procedures.

Results:

Both groups showed significantly improved AOFAS-HMI scores after surgery (PECA group: 61.8 to 88.9, SA group: 57.3 to 84.1, P = .560) with comparable final scores. HVA and IMA also presented similar outcomes at final follow-up ( P = .520 and P = .270, respectively). However, the PECA group showed significantly lower pain level (VAS) in the early postoperative phase (postoperative day 1 to postoperative week 6, P < .001 and P = .004, respectively). No serious complications were observed in either group.

Conclusion:

Both groups showed comparable good to excellent clinical and radiologic outcomes at final follow-up. However, the PECA group had significantly less pain in the first 6 weeks following surgery.

Level of Evidence

Level II, prospective comparative study.
CT Pulmonary Angiography in Young Women
Authors: Stein Paul D. , Matta Fadi , Hughes Kate E. , Hughes Mary J.
Published: May 2017

The purpose was to determine whether young women in the emergency department who received computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiograms were evaluated to receive lower dose imaging or no imaging, recognizing that the risks of radiation are particularly high in young women. This was a retrospective cohort investigation of women aged 18 to 29 years seen for suspected acute pulmonary embolism in emergency departments of 5 regional hospitals from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016. Computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiograms were obtained in 379 young women. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed by CT angiography in 2.1%. A Wells probability score could be calculated in 11.9%. D-dimer was obtained in 46.2% and a chest radiograph was obtained in 41.7%. Among patients with a normal chest radiograph, 3.9% had a lung scan. Venous ultrasound of the lower extremities was obtained in 1.8%. Each had an elevated D-dimer. Among the young women who received CT angiograms, 53 were pregnant. In 17.0% of pregnant women, a Wells clinical probability score could be calculated from the medical record. D-dimer in pregnant women was obtained in 30.2%, chest radiograph in 22.6%, lung scan in 11.3%, and venous ultrasound of the lower extremities in none. In conclusion, young women and pregnant women often received CT pulmonary angiograms for suspected acute pulmonary embolism without an objective clinical assessment, measurement of D-dimer, lung scintiscan, or venous ultrasound, which may have eliminated the need for CT pulmonary angiography in many instances.
A comparative study of intake and exhaust port modeling strategies for scale-resolving engine simulations
Authors: Buhl Stefan , Hain Dominik , Hartmann Frank , Hasse Christian
Published: May 2017

Due to their capability to capture cycle-to-cycle variations and sporadically occurring phenomena such as misfire and knock, scale-resolving simulations are becoming more and more important for internal combustion engine simulations. Compared to the frequently used unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes approaches, scale-resolving simulations require significantly greater computational costs due to their high spatial and temporal resolution as well as the need to compute several cycles to obtain sufficient statistics. It is well established that the appropriate treatment of boundary conditions is crucial in scale-resolving simulations and both temporally and spatially resolved fluctuations must be prescribed. However, different port modeling strategies can be found in the literature, especially with respect to the extent of the computational domain (boundary close to the flange vs. the entire system up to the plenum) and the numerical treatment of the intake/exhaust when the valves are closed (enabled vs. disabled). This study compares three different port modeling strategies, namely a long ports version, a short ports version and a version with short and temporarily disabled ports based on the well-established Darmstadt benchmark engine. The aim is to identify the requirements for scale-resolving simulations in terms of the treatment of the intake and the exhaust ports to obtain accurate statistics (mean and variance) and cycle-to-cycle variations of the in-cylinder flow field.
Interfacial debonding detection in fiber-reinforced polymer rebar–reinforced concrete using electro-mechanical impedance technique
Authors: Li Weijie , Fan Shuli , Ho Siu Chun Michael , Wu Jianchao , Song Gangbing
Published: May 2017

For reinforced concrete structures, the use of fiber-reinforced polymer rebars to replace the steel reinforcement is a topic that is receiving increasing attention, especially where corrosion is a serious issue. However, fiber-reinforced polymer rebar–reinforced concrete always carries the risk of structural failure initiated from the debonding damage that might occur at the reinforcement–concrete interface. This study employed an electro-mechanical impedance–based structural health monitoring technique by applying lead–zirconate–titanate ceramic patches to detect the debonding damage of a carbon fiber–reinforced polymer rebar reinforced concrete. In the experimental study, a carbon fiber–reinforced polymer rebar reinforced concrete specimen was fabricated and it was subjected to a pullout test to initiate the debonding damage at the reinforcement–concrete interface. The impedance and admittance signatures were measured from an impedance analyzer according to the different debonding conditions between the reinforcement and the concrete. Statistical damage metrics, root-mean-square deviation and mean absolute percentage deviation, were used to quantify the changes in impedance signatures measured at the lead–zirconate–titanate patches due to debonding conditions. The results illustrated the capability of the electro-mechanical impedance–based structural health monitoring technique for detecting the debonding damage of fiber-reinforced polymer rebar–reinforced concrete structures.
A Scoping Review of Positive Lifestyle and Wellness Interventions to Inform the Development of a Comprehensive Health Promotion Program: “HealthPro”
Authors: Schuette Stephanie A. P. , Cordero Evelyn , Slosburg Katherine , Addington Elizabeth L. , Victorson David
Published: May 2017

Background. Lifestyle medicine has emerged as a transformational force in mainstream health care. Numerous health promotion and wellness programs have been created to facilitate the adoption of increased positive, modifiable health behaviors to prevent and lessen the effects of chronic disease. This article provides a scoping review of available health promotion interventions that focus on healthy adult populations in the past 10 years. Methods. We conducted a scoping review of the literature searching for health promotion interventions in the past 10 years. Interventions were limited to those conducted among healthy adults that offered a face-to-face, group-based format, with positive results on one or more health outcomes. We then developed a new health promotion intervention that draws on multiple components of included interventions. Results. Fifty-eight articles met our inclusion criteria. Physical activity was the primary focus of a majority (N = 47) of articles, followed by diet/nutrition (N = 40) and coping/social support (N = 40). Conclusions. Efficacious health promotion interventions are critical to address the prevention of chronic disease by addressing modifiable risk factors such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and coping. A new intervention, discussed is this article, provides a comprehensive approaches to health behavior change and may be adapted for future research.
Local upregulation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ion channels in rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis
Authors: Bohonyi Noémi , Pohóczky Krisztina , Szalontai Bálint , Perkecz Anikó , Kovács Krisztina , Kajtár Béla , Orbán Lajos , Varga Tamás , Szegedi Sarolta , Bódis József , Helyes Zsuzsanna , Koppán Miklós
Published: May 2017

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) expressed mainly by primary sensory neurons function as major nociceptive integrators. They are also present on the rat endometrium in an oestrogen-regulated manner. TRPV1 is upregulated in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis patients, but there is no information about TRPA1 and their pathophysiological significances. In this study, patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were investigated: severe dysmenorrhoea due to rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis ( n = 15), uterine fibroid-induced moderate dysmenorrhoea ( n = 7) and tubal infertility with no pain ( n = 6). TRPA1 and TRPV1 mRNA and protein expressions were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry from the endometrium samples taken by curettage. Results were correlated with the clinical characteristics including pain intensity. TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptors were expressed in the healthy human endometrium at mRNA and protein levels. Sparse, scattered cytoplasmic TRPA1 and TRPV1 immunopositivities were found in the stroma and epithelial layers. We detected upregulated mRNA levels in deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions, and TRPV1 gene expression was also elevated in autocontrol endometrium of deep infiltrating endometriosis patients. Histological scoring revealed significant TRPA1 and TRPV1 difference between deep infiltrating endometriosis stroma and epithelium, and in deep infiltrating endometriosis epithelium compared to control samples. Besides, we measured elevated stromal TRPV1 immunopositivity in deep infiltrating endometriosis. Stromal TRPA1 and TRPV1 immunoreactivities strongly correlated with dysmenorrhoea severity, as well TRPV1 expression on ectopic epithelial cells and macrophages with dyspareunia. Epithelial TRPA1 and stromal TRPV1 immunopositivity also positively correlated with dyschezia severity. We provide the first evidence for the presence of non-neuronal TRPA1 receptor in the healthy human endometrium and confirm the expression of TRPV1 channels. Their upregulations in rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions and correlations with pain intensity suggest potential roles in pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease.
Co-delivery of doxorubicin and small interfering RNA with genipin-cross-linked iron (III) oxide-polyetherimide nanoparticles for combined cancer therapy
Authors: Long Ruimin , Liu Yuangang , Wu Shenjian , Wang Shibin , Wang Pei
Published: May 2017

To solve the problem of tumor multidrug resistance in cancer therapy, a new drug delivery system of genipin-cross-linked iron (III) oxide/polyetherimide nanoparticles was used to load doxorubicin and small interfering RNA for combined cancer therapy. The results showed that the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin could reach 45.39% and 52.18%, respectively. Doxorubicin released from iron (III) oxide-polyetherimide-doxorubicin is about 40% in the first day and 95% in 14 days. When loading doxorubicin and small interfering RNA, small interfering RNA could be absorbed completely. Besides, small interfering RNA could strengthen the anticancer effect when iron (III) oxide-polyetherimide-doxorubicin/small interfering RNA was used for in vitro HeLa cell combined treatment, and the effect of combination group was better than that of the group with doxorubicin alone. In addition, the toxicity of iron (III) oxide-polyetherimide was low when examined by the Alamar Blue assay. Therefore, our results reveal that this new system has potential applications in the future drug combination therapy, especially in the combined targeting drug delivery field.
Contemporary Vision of Poverty and Islamic Strategy for Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Salleh Muhammad Syukri
Published: May 2017

Currently, irrespective of one’s religious, ideological, and political inclination, poverty is seen as a destructive force in all aspects. Subsequently, various strategies have been formulated to alleviate poverty. But what are actually the components of the destructive force of poverty in the vision of contemporary Muslim scholars? What kind of Islamic strategies have they formulated out of this vision? This article seeks to answer these two main questions by first investigating into the contemporary vision of poverty that has been adopted by Muslim scholars, followed second by an investigation into the strategies for poverty alleviation they proposed, and third, by critically analyzing their vision of poverty and strategies from an Islamic perspective. Based on a textual analysis of references, this article displays an inadequacy of the vision and strategies of the contemporary Muslim scholars for ignoring material-spiritual definition of poverty, as well as for formulating strategies for poverty alleviation using an exogenous, top-down approach. In a nutshell, this article attempts to provide a justification for rescrutinization of the vision of poverty from an Islamic perspective, and for a reconstruction of the poverty alleviation strategies based on the faith of the Muslim communities themselves.
Validation of the Dutch Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory in Patients With Medical Illness
Authors: Bruggeman-Everts Fieke Z. , Van der Lee Marije. L. , Van ‘t Hooft Elisabeth F. M. , Nyklíček Ivan
Published: May 2017

Most validation studies of the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) involved healthy subjects. Validation in patients who suffer from a life-threatening medical illness is needed, to investigate the FMI’s validity in medical psychology research and practice. Psychometric properties of the Dutch FMI were examined in two patient groups of two different studies: (Sample 1) cardiac patients ( n = 114, M age = 56 ± 7 years, 18% women) and (Sample 2) severely fatigued cancer survivors ( n = 158, M age = 50 ± 10 years, 77% women). Confirmatory factor analysis (studied only in Sample 2) provided good fit for the two-factor solution (Acceptance and Presence), while the one-factor solution provided suboptimal fit indices. Internal consistency was good for the whole scale in both samples (Sample 1 α = .827 and Sample 2 α = .851). The two-factor model showed acceptable to good internal consistency in Sample 2 (Presence: α = .823; Acceptance α = .744), but poor to acceptable in Sample 1 (Presence subscale: α = .577, Acceptance subscale: α = .791). Clinical sensitivity was supported in both samples, and construct validity (studied only in Sample 1) was acceptable. The Dutch FMI is an acceptable instrument to measure mindfulness in patients who experienced a life-threatening illness in a Dutch-speaking population.
Effectiveness of Currency Futures Market in India: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Kumar T. K. Dhaneesh , Poornima B. G. , Sudarsan P. K.
Published: May 2017

This article investigates the role of currency futures market in India in the context of high volatility of Indian rupee (INR) in recent years. It examines whether the spot volatility before and after the introduction of currency futures were significantly different. It also examines the volatility causation between currency spot and futures market in India. The study considers three international currencies, namely US dollar (USD), British pound (GBP) and Euro in relation to INR for the period of 2006–2013. It made use of GARCH model framework and Granger causality test. The GARCH model results indicate that after the introduction of futures, there is less volatility for GBP and Euro but not in the case of USD. The Granger causality test reveals that USD and Euro has unidirectional causality, which means that spot causes future fluctuations, while in the case of GBP, there is bidirectional causality. The study concludes that the introduction of futures is not effective in reducing spot volatility for INR–USD but there is a marginal effect for INR–GBP and INR–Euro.
Clinically significant depressive symptoms and sexual behaviour among men who have sex with men
Authors: Miltz Ada R. , Rodger Alison J. , Sewell Janey , Speakman Andrew , Phillips Andrew N. , Sherr Lorraine , Gilson Richard J. , Asboe David , Nwokolo Nneka C. , Clarke Amanda , Gompels Mark M. , Allan Sris , Collins Simon , Lampe Fiona C. ,   for the AURAH Study Group
Published: May 2017

Background

The relationship between depression and sexual behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM) is poorly understood.

Aims

To investigate prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10) and the relationship between depressive symptoms and sexual behaviour among MSM reporting recent sex.

Method

The Attitudes to and Understanding of Risk of Acquisition of HIV (AURAH) is a cross-sectional study of UK genitourinary medicine clinic attendees without diagnosed HIV (2013–2014).

Results

Among 1340 MSM, depressive symptoms (12.4%) were strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and lower supportive network. Adjusted for key sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms were associated with measures of condomless sex partners in the past 3 months (≥2 (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.17–1.74; P=0.001), unknown or HIV-positive status (PR 1.43, 95% CI 1.20–1.71; P<0.001)), sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis (PR 1.46, 95% CI 1.19–1.79; P<0.001) and post-exposure prophylaxis use in the past year (PR 1.83, 95% CI 1.33–2.50; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Management of mental health may play a role in HIV and STI prevention.
The Hands and Eyes of the Allegorist: The Crisis of Perception in Walter Benjamin
Authors: Burt E. S.
Published: May 2017

Around the time he was conceiving his thesis on allegory in the Baroque mourning-play, Walter Benjamin equated perception with reading. To align phenomenal experience with reading texts is unusual, and gives rise to questions. Benjamin's teacher, Georg Simmel, had identified a crisis in perception brought on by the development of the metropolis. What is the effect of the crisis in terms of reading and writing for Benjamin? What happens to the responsibility of art? More specifically, which genres and modes are apt 1) to help the city-dweller adapt to perceptual changes and 2) to clear the way for further invention? The usual answer to the last question has been cinema and the allegorical image. This essay proposes that, while for Benjamin cinema and images aid in adapting to existing circumstances, the disappearing poetic art and the allegorical writing modeled on it provide more chances for invention.
Aesthetics, Politics, and the Return of Negritude
Authors: Bongie Chris
Published: May 2017

Not so long ago, Negritude was an object of scepticism in many postcolonial quarters for its supposed implication in a variety of no-longer respectable patterns of thought: its purportedly essentialist approach to cultural identity seemed dated in relation to the more open-ended poetics of creolization, and its politics was seen as either too committed to Manichean patterns of anti-colonial thinking or too accommodating in its willingness to envision federalist as opposed to nationalist solutions to the problem of decolonization. Over the past decade that situation has changed dramatically, both in relation to Negritude politics (see the ground-breaking work of Gary Wilder) and in relation to its poetics. This review essay examines the recent (re)turn to Negritude by looking at Carrie Noland's 2015 Voices of Negritude in Modernist Print: Aesthetic Subjectivity, Diaspora, and the Lyric Regime, engaging with its revisionist, Adorno-based take on “the Negritude poem” (specifically the poetry of Aimé Césaire and Léon-Gontran Damas) and contextualizing her approach in relation to the recent “aesthetic turn” in post colonial studies.
Chromatin organization at the nuclear periphery as revealed by image analysis of structured illumination microscopy data
Authors: Fišerová Jindřiška , Efenberková Michaela , Sieger Tomáš , Maninová Miloslava , Uhlířová Jana , Hozák Pavel
Published: May 2017

The nuclear periphery (NP) plays a substantial role in chromatin organization. Heterochromatin at the NP is interspersed with active chromatin surrounding nuclear pore complexes (NPCs); however, details of the peripheral chromatin organization are missing. To discern the distribution of epigenetic marks at the NP of HeLa nuclei, we used structured illumination microscopy combined with a new MATLAB software tool for automatic NP and NPC detection, measurements of fluorescent intensity and statistical analysis of measured data. Our results show that marks for both active and non-active chromatin associate differentially with NPCs. The incidence of heterochromatin marks, such as H3K27me2 and H3K9me2, was significantly lower around NPCs. In contrast, the presence of marks of active chromatin such as H3K4me2 was only decreased very slightly around the NPCs or not at all (H3K9Ac). Interestingly, the histone demethylases LSD1 (also known as KDM1A) and KDM2A were enriched within the NPCs, suggesting that there was a chromatin-modifying mechanism at the NPCs. Inhibition of transcription resulted in a larger drop in the distribution of H1, H3K9me2 and H3K23me2, which implies that transcription has a role in the organization of heterochromatin at the NP.
Rates of hypoxia induction alter mechanisms of O2 uptake and the critical O2 tension of goldfish
Authors: Regan Matthew D. , Richards Jeffrey G.
Published: May 2017

The rate of hypoxia induction (RHI) is an important but overlooked dimension of environmental hypoxia that may affect an organism’s survival. We hypothesized that, compared with rapid RHI, gradual RHI will afford an organism more time to alter plastic phenotypes associated with O2 uptake and subsequently reduce the critical O2 tension (Pcrit) of O2 uptake rate (ṀO2). We investigated this by determining Pcrit values for goldfish exposed to short (∼24 min), typical (∼84 min) and long (∼480 min) duration Pcrit trials to represent different RHIs. Consistent with our predictions, long duration Pcrit trials yielded significantly lower Pcrit values (1.0-1.4 kPa) than short and typical duration trials, which did not differ (2.6±0.3 and 2.5±0.2 kPa, respectively). Parallel experiments revealed these time-related shifts in Pcrit were associated with changes in aspects of the O2 transport cascade: gill surface areas and haemoglobin-O2 binding affinities were significantly higher in fish exposed to gradual RHIs over 480 min than fish exposed to rapid RHIs over 60 min. Our results also revealed that the choice of respirometric technique (i.e., closed versus intermittent) does not affect Pcrit or routine ṀO2, despite the significantly reduced water pH and elevated CO2 and ammonia levels measured following closed-circuit Pcrit trials of ∼90 min. Together, our results demonstrate that gradual RHIs result in alterations to physiological parameters that enhance O2 uptake in hypoxic environments. An organism’s innate Pcrit is therefore most accurately determined using rapid RHIs (<90 min) so as to avoid the confounding effects of hypoxic acclimation.
Reductive Approach to Nitrones from N-Siloxyamides and N-Hydroxyamides
Authors: Katahara Seiya , Kobayashi Shoichiro , Fujita Kanami , Matsumoto Tsutomu , Sato Takaaki , Chida Noritaka
Published: May 2017

This article describes the full details of our reductive approach to nitrones from amides. Reduction of N-siloxyamides with the Schwartz reagent [Cp2ZrHCl], followed by addition of an acid provided functionalized nitrones. The developed conditions were then extended to a catalytic version with the Vaska complex [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] and (Me2HSi)2O starting from N-hydroxyamides. 1H NMR studies of the Ir-catalyzed reaction revealed that the developed conditions promoted two different types of catalytic reactions including dehydrosilylation of an N-hydroxyl group and subsequent hydrosilylation of an amide carbonyl. A salient feature of our methods is their high chemoselectivity in the presence of a variety of functional groups. In addition, our reductive methods enabled concise synthesis of cyclic and macrocyclic nitrones, which are known to be challenging compounds to access by conventional methods.
Conservative management strategies and stress level in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Zimoń Michalina , Matusik Edyta , Kapustka Bartosz , Durmała Jacek , Doroniewicz Iwona , Wnuk Bartosz
Published: May 2017

Cel pracy

Celem pracy była ocena poziomu stresu u dzieci i młodzieży ze skoliozą idiopatyczną (SI), leczonych zachowawczo metodą Dobosiewicz (DoboMed), w korelacji do parametrów klinicznych i konieczności stosowania terapii za pomocą gorsetu.

Metoda

Grupę badaną (GB) stanowiło 63 pacjentów (54 dziewczęta) o średniej wieku 14,7 lat. Wszyscy objęci badaniem byli leczeni metodą DoboMed, a 31 pacjentów stosowało także gorset (ortozę). W analizie wzięto pod uwagę stan odżywienia (BMI Z-score) pacjentów, wiek diagnozy, lokalizację skrzywienia oraz czas noszenia gorsetu. Poziom stresu analizowano dwukrotnie (kwestionariusze Bad Sobernheim Questionnaire Deformity (BSSQ-Deformity) oraz Bad Sobernheim Questionnaire Brace (BSSQ-Brace)) na początku i na końcu hospitalizacji.

Wyniki

Większość dzieci i młodzież z SI leczonych metodą DoboMed odczuwa niski lub średni poziom stresu związany z deformacją kręgosłupa (odpowiednio 58,7% i 36,5%). Znamiennie wyższy poziom stresu (BSSQ-Deformity) stwierdzono w grupie leczonej gorsetem w odniesieniu do grupy leczonej tylko za pomocą kinezyterapii (p<0,05). Pacjenci leczeni gorsetowo prezentowali znamiennie wyższy poziom stresu związany z noszeniem ortozy, niż z samą deformacją kręgosłupa (p<0,0001). Poziom stresu (BSSQ-Deformity) korelował znamiennie z wiekiem chorych, BMI Z-score i liczbą przebytych hospitalizacji (p<0,05). Poziom stresu związany z deformacją był znamiennie zależny od wielkości kąta skrzywienia (kąt Cobb’a) w obu analizowanych podgrupach.

Wnioski

Poziom stresu pacjentów z SI jest związany ze stopniem nasilenia schorzenia, niezależnie od metody leczenia. Terapia gorsetowa jest czynnikiem indukującym i nasilającym stres. Poziom stresu związanego z gorsetowaniem, przewyższa stres związany z deformacją kręgosłupa. Inne czynniki wpływające na poziom stresu to wiek, stan odżywienia i liczba hospitalizacji. Kompleksowe leczenie powinno obejmować także opiekę psychologiczną młodych pacjentów z SI.
The Polish adaptation of the Life Events Checklist (LEC-5) for PTSD criteria from DSM-5
Authors: Rzeszutek Marcin , Lis-Turlejska Maja , Palich Hanna , Szumiał Szymon
Published: May 2017

Cel pracy

Celem niniejszej pracy była prezentacja wyników badań empirycznych nad polską adaptacją kwestionariusza Life Events Checklist do DSM-5 (LEC-5) służącego do pomiaru ekspozycji na traumatyczne zdarzenia według definicji zaburzenia po stresie traumatycznym (ang. posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD) w DSM-5.

Metoda

W badaniu uczestniczyło 172 studentów Wyższej Szkoły Finansów i Zarządzania w Warszawie (WSFiZ), w tym 68 kobiet i 104 mężczyzn w wieku 17–49 lat (M=22,74; SD=6,80). Rzetelność kwestionariusza LEC-5 mierzono metodą stabilności bezwzględnej. Powtórny pomiar zrealizowano po upływie dwóch tygodni w próbie 40 studentów WSFiZ. Trafność pomiaru weryfikowano poprzez analizę korelacji pomiędzy skalami kwestionariusza LEC-5 i skalami kwestionariusza Skali Samooceny PTSD według kryteriów DSM-5 (ang. PTSD Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5; PDS-5) i Skali Wpływu Zdarzeń (ang. Impact of Events Scale; IES) w całej próbie 172 studentów WSFiZ.

Wyniki

Wartości współczynników korelacji wewnątrzklasowej otrzymane dla wszystkich skal LEC-5 oraz wartości miar zgodności kappa Cohena oznaczały bardzo wysoką stabilność pomiaru. Uzyskano również istotne korelacje pomiędzy skalami kwestionariusza LEC-5, skalami kwestionariusza PDS-5 i IES wskazujące na trafność zaadaptowanego przez autorów narzędzia.

Wnioski

Uzyskane przez autorów rezultaty potwierdzają zadowalające własności psychometryczne zaadaptowanego narzędzia LEC-5.
Conflict between humans and leopards (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in Western Java, Indonesia
Authors: GUNAWAN HENDRA , ISKANDAR SOFIAN , SIHOMBING, VIVIN S. , WIENANTO ROBBY
Published: May 2017

Gunawan H, Iskandar S, Sihombing VS, Wienanto R. 2017. Conflict between humans and leopards (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) in Western Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 652-658. Conflict between the Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) and humans occupying the same region have tended to increase in the last decade in proportion to increase in deforestation followed by fragmentation and habitat loss. The objectives of this research were to study the leopard-human conflict and to analyze the causes in order to formulate recommendations for mitigation. Literature study, structured interviews, and field surveys were carried out to collect data on leopard-human conflict. Spatial modeling using weighted overlays generated a map of conflict potential in Western Java. The results showed that in the last 15 years 71 cases of leopard-human conflict had been recorded, with a tendency to increase over time. There have been 75 records of occurrence of the Javan leopard population in Western Java, of which 30% are assessed to have had a high potential for conflict; 25% had moderate potential, and 46% had low potential. There are indications that leopard-human conflict has occurred in villages around degraded forest areas due to human encroachment and cultivation. Consequently, a special forest management strategy must be implemented on a landscape scale, crossing the boundaries of conservation forest, productive forest, protected forest and other land uses.
Growth and mortality rate of the Napan-Yaur Coral Trout, Plectropomus leopardus (Pisces: Serranidae), Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Indonesia
Authors: BAWOLE RONI , RAHAYU MUDJI , REMBET UNSTAIN N.W.J. , ANANTA ARNOLDUS S. , RUNTUBOI FERAWATI , SALA RIDWAN
Published: May 2017

Bawole R, Rahayu M, Rembet UNWJ, Ananta AS, Runtuboi F, Sala R. 2017. Growth and mortality rate of the Napan-Yaur Coral Trout, Plectropomus leopardus (Pisces: Serranidae), Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 758-764. Coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus, is one of the important fishery resources in Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Papua, Indonesia. The catch production of this species has declined since 2015. This study aims to assess growth, mortality, and exploitation rate parameters of P. leopardus taken from Napan Yaur water, Cenderawasih Bay National Park (CBNP), Indonesia. The data were collected during periods of February to March 2016. Growth and mortality parameters were analyzed using von Bertalanffy method. Some fish samples used in this study was 123 individuals, with the average length of 32.34 Â± 5.13 cm, the maximum length of 48.00 cm and minimum length of 24.5 cm. The von Bertalanffy analysis showed that the growth coefficient (K) was 0.34 year-1, Lâˆž was 47.78 cm and t0 was-0.09 year-1. The estimation of total mortality (Z) was 1.61 year-1, natural mortality (M) was 0,75year-1 for fishing mortality (F) was 0.86 year-1, and exploitation rate (E) was 0.53 year-1. The results indicated that most P. leopardus caught were at the pre-maturity size (age) and have been exploited at slightly above its optimum exploitation level. Nevertheless, P. leopardus is categorized as fast growing and long-lived fish species. These findings are important to fisheries management and conservation authorities to fish exploitation in the future.
Short Communication: A new distribution record of the mud-spiny lobster, Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793) (Crustacea, Achelata, Palinuridae) in Mayalibit Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
Authors: WAHYUDIN RUDI A. , WARDIATNO YUSLI , BOER MENNOFATRIA , FARAJALLAH ACHMAD , HAKIM AGUS A.
Published: May 2017

Wahyudin RA, Wardiatno Y, Boer M, Farajallah A, Hakim AA. 2017. Short Communication: A new distribution record of the mud-spiny lobster, Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793) (Crustacea, Achelata, Palinuridae) in Mayalibit Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 780-783. Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst 1793) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Achelata, Palinuridae) from Waigeo Island is illustrated and described in detail of morphological characters. This species is reported as new distribution record from Mayalibit Bay, Raja Ampat District, Province West Papua, Indonesia. One specimen was collected by local fisherman from muddy substrate waters at a depth of 10-40 m. The collection was made in June 2016. The present study adds more distribution of species in the world and enhances the marine diversity of Indonesian crustacean lists. Some brief biological information on the species is presented.
Short Communication: Altitudinal distribution of Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) in Mount Aragats, Armenia
Authors: ZARIKIAN NOUSHIG
Published: May 2017

Zarikian N. 2017. Altitudinal distribution of Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) in Mount Aragats, Armenia. Biodiversitas 18: 818- 825. In this study, the altitudinal distribution of butterflies on the highest mountain in Armenia was investigated. Butterflies were collected from March to October in 2015 and 2016. This revealed that the relationship between the total numbers of butterfly species and individuals and altitude shaped as bump. A significant relationship was also recorded between the altitude and the abundance and richness. However, the diversity and evenness index yielded a consistent decrease with increase in altitude because of the dominance of few species at high altitudes
Naga people's (Tasikmalaya District, West Java, Indonesia) local knowledge of the variations and traditional management farm of village chickens
Authors: PARTASASMITA RUHYAT , ISKANDAR JOHAN , RUKMANA PUDJI MEILINDA
Published: May 2017

Partasasmita R, Iskandar J, Rukmana. 2017. Naga people's (Tasikmalaya District West Java, Indonesia) local knowledge of the variations and traditional management farm of village chickens. Biodiversitas 18: 834-843. There is a strong maintain on the traditional Sundanese traditions among the village people West Java in the modern agricultural and the livestock farming. For example, they have not adopted modern of race chickens with high external inputs, including chicken breeders, chicken foods, vitamins, antibiotics, and various modern medicines. Ordinarily, the consequence of this in a situation the village people have traditionally farmed the various village chickens based on local knowledge and strongly embed by culture. Recently, however, the traditional farming of the village chickens in many villages of West Java, has dramatically affected by rapid development of the introduction of commercial the modern race-chickens farming. As a result, the diversity of village chickens has dramatically decreased. In addition, the production system of the village chicken farm has extremely depended on external inputs. This paper discusses on local knowledge of Naga people of Tasikmalaya, West Java on variations and cultural practice among the Naga people in the managing of the village chicken farm. The method used in this study was mixed of qualitative and quantitative with the ethnozoological and ethnobiological approach. The result of the study shows that Naga people of Tasikmalaya, West Java has well-recognized variations of the village chickens which is based on the folk classification at the level specific and varietal. Until recently, the Naga people have traditionally managed the village chickens in the sustainable system due to economically viable, ecologically appropriate, and adaptable to socio-cultural traditions.