bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Killer–Derived Exosomal miR-186 Inhibits Neuroblastoma Growth and Immune Escape Mechanisms
Authors: Neviani Paolo , Wise Petra M. , Murtadha Mariam , Liu Cathy W. , Wu Chun-Hua , Jong Ambrose Y. , Seeger Robert C. , Fabbri Muller
Published: December 2018

In neuroblastoma, the interplay between immune cells of the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells contributes to immune escape mechanisms and drug resistance. In this study, we show that natural killer (NK) cell–derived exosomes carrying the tumor suppressor microRNA (miR)-186 exhibit cytotoxicity against MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. The cytotoxic potential of these exosomes was partly dependent upon expression of miR-186. miR-186 was downregulated in high-risk neuroblastoma patients, and its low expression represented a poor prognostic factor that directly correlated with NK activation markers (i.e., NKG2D and DNAM-1). Expression of MYCN, AURKA, TGFBR1, and TGFBR2 was directly inhibited by miR-186. Targeted delivery of miR-186 to MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma or NK cells resulted in inhibition of neuroblastoma tumorigenic potential and prevented the TGFβ1-dependent inhibition of NK cells. Altogether, these data support the investigation of a miR-186–containing nanoparticle formulation to prevent tumor growth and TGFβ1-dependent immune escape in high-risk neuroblastoma patients as well as the inclusion of ex vivo–derived NK exosomes as a potential therapeutic option alongside NK cell–based immunotherapy.

Significance: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of NK cell–derived exosomes containing the tumor suppressor miR-186 that inhibits growth, spreading, and TGFβ-dependent immune escape mechanisms in neuroblastoma.
Effects of Enteral Immunonutrition in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Guan Haonan , Chen Sanwei , Huang Qiang
Published: December 2018

Background: The effect of enteral immunonutrition (EIN) in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still doubtful. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of EIN on postoperative clinical outcomes for patients undergoing PD. Methods: A literature search was carried out to identify all of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the use of EIN for PD. Data collection ended on April 1, 2018. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and the mean difference (MD) with a 95% CI were calculated using fixed effects or random effects models. The analyses were performed with RevMan 5.3.5. Results: Four RCTs with a total of 299 patients were included. Immunonutrition reduced the incidence of postoperative infectious complications (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37–0.92; p = 0.02) and shortened the length of hospital stay (MD –1.79, 95% CI –3.40 to 0.18; p = 0.03). Conversely, there were no significant differences in the incidence of overall postoperative complications (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.62–1.05; p = 0.11), non-infectious complications (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69–1.28; p = 0.70) and postoperative mortality (RR 2.43, 95% CI 0.37–16.10; p = 0.36). Conclusions: EIN reduced postoperative infectious complications and shortened the length of the hospital stay; immunonutrition should be encouraged in patients undergoing PD.
No meio da travessia
Authors: Marks Maria Cecília
Published: December 2018

Neste artigo, são analisados comparativamente o romance de formação paradigmático Os anos de aprendizado de Wilhelm Meister, de Goethe, e Grande sertão: veredas, de João Guimarães Rosa, sob a perspectiva teórica de Mikhail Bakhtin.
A formação do indivíduo em tempos do darwinismo. O romance O pescoço da girafa, de Judith Schalansky.
Authors: Pereira Valéria Sabrina , Galle Helmut
Published: December 2018

O artigo pretende mostrar como o entrelaçamento das questões da formação escolar, formação do sujeito autônomo e formação das espécies apresentado no romance O pescoço da girafa (2011), de Judith Schalansky, reflete o gênero do romance de formação, ao mesmo tempo que ilumina o mapa social da Alemanha Oriental e o discurso contemporâneo sobre educação e progresso.
Editorial
Authors: Mazzari Marcus Vinicius
Published: December 2018

Editorial da Revista Literatura e Sociedade.
Prevalence of Hypertension in Children
Authors: Bell Cynthia S. , Samuel Joyce P. , Samuels Joshua A.
Published: December 2018

In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new clinical practice guideline for defining hypertension in children as an update to the previous Fourth Report guidelines issued in 2004. Prevalence of confirmed pediatric hypertension in children has ranged from 2% to 4% based on previous guidelines yet it is unknown what the prevalence is under the new guideline. We estimated the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension by the new American Academy of Pediatrics guideline in our school-based blood pressure screening program. New prevalence estimates were compared with Fourth Report prevalence estimates in the same population by sex, age, and height factors. In 22 224 students aged 10 to 17 years screened in school as part of the Houston Pediatric and Hypertension Program at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (previously called prehypertension) increased from 14.8% by Fourth Report to 16.3% by the new American Academy of Pediatrics guideline. This increase in elevated blood pressure resulted from differential classification changes in younger and older children. Prevalence of confirmed hypertension remains at 2% to 4% in this population, however shorter children <13 years old and taller, older children 13+ years old are systematically more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension by new guidelines.
Maternal Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for High Blood Pressure in Late Childhood
Authors: Miranda Joana Oliveira , Cerqueira Rui João , Barros Henrique , Areias José Carlos
Published: December 2018

Intrauterine fetal conditions can have lifelong cardiovascular effects. The impact of maternal diabetes mellitus on children’s cardiovascular profile is not well established. The goal of this study was to explore the association between maternal diabetes mellitus and offspring’s blood pressure (BP) ≤10 years of age. Generation XXI is a prospective birth cohort, which enrolled 8301 mother-offspring pairs, including 586 (7.1%) children of diabetic mothers. The associations between maternal diabetes mellitus and BP at 4, 7, and 10 years of age was modeled using linear regression. A mixed-effects model was built to assess differences in BP variation over time. Path analysis was used to quantify effects of potential mediators. Maternal diabetes mellitus was associated with higher BP in offspring at the age of 10 (systolic: β, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.36–2.59; and diastolic: β, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.05–1.71). This association was independent of maternal perinatal characteristics, and it was mediated by child’s body mass index and, to a lesser extent, by gestational age, type of birth, and birth weight (indirect effect proportion, 73%). No significant differences in BP were found at 4 and 7 years of age. Longitudinal analysis showed an accelerated systolic BP increase on maternal diabetes mellitus group (β, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.03–2.28). These finding were especially relevant in males, suggesting sex differences in the mechanisms of BP prenatal programing. Our results provide further evidence that maternal diabetes mellitus is associated with high BP late in childhood, demonstrating a significant role of child’s body mass in the pathway of this association.
Macrophage Mineralocorticoid Receptor Is a Pleiotropic Modulator of Myocardial Infarct Healing
Authors: Fraccarollo Daniela , Thomas Svenja , Scholz Claus-Jürgen , Hilfiker-Kleiner Denise , Galuppo Paolo , Bauersachs Johann
Published: December 2018

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death worldwide. Here, we identify the macrophage MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) as a crucial pathogenic player in cardiac wound repair after MI. Seven days after left coronary artery ligation, mice with myeloid cell–restricted MR deficiency compared with WT (wild type) controls displayed improved cardiac function and remodeling associated with enhanced infarct neovascularization and scar maturation. Gene expression profiling of heart-resident and infarct macrophages revealed that MR deletion drives macrophage differentiation in the ischemic microenvironment toward a phenotype outside the M1/M2 paradigm, with regulation of multiple interrelated factors controlling wound healing and tissue repair. Mechanistic and functional data suggest that inactivation of the macrophage MR promotes myocardial infarct healing through enhanced efferocytosis of neutrophils, the suppression of free radical formation, and the modulation of fibroblast activation state. Crucially, targeted delivery of MR antagonists to macrophages, with a single administration of RU28318 or eplerenone-containing liposomes at the onset of MI, improved the healing response and protected against cardiac remodeling and functional deterioration, offering an effective and unique therapeutic strategy for cardiac repair.
Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Sorbus foliolosa and related taxa (Rosaceae)
Authors: CHEN XIN
Published: December 2018

Taxonomic status of Sorbus foliolosa, Pyrus foliolosa var. ambigua, S. wallichii, S. ursina and S. ursina var. wenzigiana were discussed. Lectotypes designated for S. foliolosa and S. wallichii by Long and for S. ursina by Gabrielian are confirmed. Second-step lectotype of S. ursina var. wenzigiana and lectotype of P. foliolosa var. ambigua are designated here. Sorbus foliolosa, S. wallichii, and S. ursina are recognized. Sorbus ursina var. wenzigiana is reduced to a synonymy of S. foliolosa. A new combination, S. foliolosa var. ambigua is proposed.
New species of Anillinus Casey (Carabidae: Trechinae: Bembidiini) from the Southern Appalachians and phylogeography of the A. loweae species group
Authors: SOKOLOV IGOR M. , CARLTON CHRISTOPHER E.
Published: December 2018

The Anillinus loweae–species group comprises five species occurring in the southern Appalachian Mountains and adjacent upland terrains in southeastern United States. Three new species are described herein. Two are members of the loweae-group, Anillinus merritti sp. nov. from Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) (southeastern Tennessee and western North Carolina) and A. juliae sp. nov., from McMinn County, Tennessee. The third, A gimmeli sp. nov. from GSMNP, is closely allied to them morphologically. Loweae-group species may be distinguished from those of other species groups by the presence of paramedian areas without microsculpture on the head. They occur in forest litter habitats and the group’s distribution extends from Mississippi and Alabama in the south to the French Broad River of North Carolina and Tennessee in the north. Species within the group are distinguished mainly using characters of the male genitalia and to a lesser extent, differences in shapes of female spermathecae, body size, and relative proportions of body parts. A phylogeny of loweae-group species based on analyses of COI gene sequences, in combination with geographic distributions and correlations to likely physiographic isolating mechanisms, allow a hypothetical reconstruction of the biogeographic history of the group. The following major factors affected speciation within the loweae-group: (1) division of former ancestral ranges, due to changes in major drainage systems beginning prior to the onset of Pleistocene glaciation; (2) Pliocene-Pleistocene climate cooling and subsequent dispersal constrained by physical barriers; (3) Early Pleistocene glacial cycles influencing altitudinal stratification among species.
Distribution and morphological variation of Synalpheus superus Abele and Kim, 1989 and notes on the distribution of S. fritzmuelleri Coutière, 1909 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae)
Authors: HERMOSO-SALAZAR MARGARITA , SOLÍS-WEISS VIVIANNE
Published: December 2018

A significant intraspecific morphological variation was observed in the eastern Pacific snapping shrimp Synalpheus superus Kim & Abele, 1989, especially in the proportions of some cephalotoracic appendages. The northern limit of the distribution of S. superus is expanded from Panama to Guerrero, Mexico. We also consider that Synalpheus fritzmuelleriCoutière, 1909 is most probably not an amphi-American species. Its former status as such was due to taxonomic misinterpretations by Hernández Aguilera et al. (1986) and probably by Coutière (1909) himself, although his questionable record of a single specimen of S. fritzmuelleri from the Gulf of California could not be verified, because the specimen could not be located and may be lost.
First record of deep-sea caridean shrimp Acanthephyra fimbriata Alcock & Anderson, 1894 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Acanthephyridae) from southwest coast of India
Authors: KUBERAN G. , CHAKRABORTY REKHA DEVI , PURUSHOTHAMAN P. , MAHESWARUDU G.
Published: December 2018

The present work reports the new occurrence of deep-sea shrimp Acanthephyra fimbriata Alcock & Anderson, 1894 from southwestern Indian waters. The samples were caught in bottom trawls conducted between the depths of 200 and 350 m from two fish landing centers off Kerala along Arabian Sea from the southwest coast of India during 2015. Additionally, a phylogenetic analysis was used to explore the relationships of the genus Acanthephyra based on two genes: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 16S DNA (16S) with the present specimen and sequences retrieved from NCBI GenBank. The results revealed intraspecies (COI: 0–3 % & 16S: 0–0.3 %) and interspecies divergence (COI: 17.5–20.9 % & 16S: 5.2–9.5 %) among A. fimbriata.
Revision of the genus Hylopachyiulus Attems, 1904, with a description of
a new species from Croatia (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae)
Authors: ANTIĆ DRAGAN Ž. , RAĐA TONĆI , AKKARI NESRINE
Published: December 2018

A revision of the julid genus Hylopachyiulus Attems, 1904 is given, and lectotypes and paralectotypes are respectively designated for the species H. corylorum (Verhoeff, 1907) and H. pygmaeus (Attems, 1904). We confirm the validity of H. pygmaeus and synonymize H. likanus Attems, 1926 syn. nov. under H. corylorum which is resurrected. Additonally, a third species is described from Croatia—H. ocellatus sp. nov.. Considerations on the taxonomic relationships in the tribe Pachyiulini and within the genus Hylopachyiulus are presented, and the distribution of its species is illustrated and discussed.
Revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Trichodes HERBST, 1792 (Coleoptera, Cleridae)
Authors: GERSTMEIER ROLAND , HUESMANN ANDREA
Published: December 2018

The Afrotropical species of the genus Trichodes Herbst, 1792, are revised. Descriptions and a key to the eight valid species are provided. T. pretiosus Gorham, 1883, is placed in synonym with T. lepidus (Walker, 1871); T. unimaculatus Pic, 1938, is synonymized with T. penicillatus Schenkling, 1909. Lectotypes are designated for T. aulicus Klug, 1842, and T. lepidus (Walker, 1871).
Rivulus uatuman sp. n. (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae): a new miniature killifish from the central Brazilian Amazon
Authors: COSTA WILSON J.E.M.
Published: December 2018

Rivulus uatuman, new species, from the Rio Uatum drainage, central Amazonian basin, Brazil, is described. It is a member of an assemblage including R. amanapira, R. atratus, R. ornatus, R. kirovskyi, R. rectocaudatus, R. romeri, R. tecminae, and R. uakti, diagnosed by a unique pattern of frontal squamation and a derived color pattern of the infraorbital region. It shares three unique derived conditions with R. kirovskyi and R. romeri: small maximum adult size, third anterior supraorbital neuromast posteriorly positioned and absence of vomerine teeth. The new species differs from R. kirovskyi and R. romeri by having the dorsal fin posteriorly positioned, fewer pectoralfin rays, more vertebrae, and a white bar on the distal margin of the caudal fin in males.
A new species of Passadenoides Neunzig from Wyoming and New Mexico (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae)
Authors: FERRIS CLIFFORD D.
Published: December 2018

A new phycitine species, Passadenoides montanus, is described from specimens collected in Albany Co., Wyoming and Grant Co., New Mexico. The adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated.
Description of two new species of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from Argentina
Authors: OLMI M. , VIRLA E.
Published: December 2018

The following new species of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from Argentina are described: Anteon nicolasi and Gonatopus julianae. Changes in the key to the Neotropical Anteon and Gonatopus are proposed.
When Does Corporate Social Performance Pay for International Firms?
Authors: Muller Alan
Published: December 2018

How does corporate social performance (CSP) affect financial performance as the firm expands internationally? To address this question, I integrate arguments from the International Business (IB) literature and the literature on CSP to propose that the costs and benefits associated with CSP are unevenly distributed across the range of internationalization. Specifically, I argue that the costs of CSP outweigh the benefits at low levels of internationalization, while the benefits outweigh the costs at high levels of internationalization, leading to a moderated, U-shaped relationship. In addition, I disentangle CSP’s effects further by distinguishing between “do-good” CSP and “do-no-harm” CSP, which have been theorized to evoke different stakeholder perceptions and attributions and can thus be expected to harbor different performance effects across the range of internationalization. Analysis of a panel of 1,056 U.S.-based international firms over the period 1995-2012 lends support to these arguments.
Illiberal deliberation: Communist regime travel controls as state capacity in everyday world politics
Authors: Hedin Astrid
Published: December 2018

Much social theory takes for granted that transnational people-to-people dialogue is inherently liberal in process and content – a haven of everyday authenticity that shelters ideas of human rights and democratic reform. In contrast, this contribution shows how communist regimes built and institutionalised an encompassing administrative state capacity to control and shape micro-level professional contacts with the West. This extensive but secret system of coercion, which was brought to light only with the opening of former communist regime archives, set a markedly illiberal framework for everyday East–West deliberations during the Cold War. Effectively, the travel cadre system may not only have delayed the demise of Soviet bloc communism, by isolating the population from Western influences. It was also intended to serve as a vehicle for the discursive influence of Soviet type regimes on the West. The article provides one of the first and most detailed English language maps of the administrative routines of a communist regime travel cadre system, based on the East German example. Furthermore, drawing on social mechanisms methodology, the article sets up a micro-level ‘how it could work’ scheme over how travel cadre systems can be understood as a state capacity, unique to totalitarian regimes, to help sway political discourse in open societies.
An Examination of the Age of Substance Use Onset and Adult Severity of Use Among Offenders Entering Treatment
Authors: Tillson Martha , Staton Michele , Strickland Justin C. , Pangburn Kevin
Published: December 2018

Early onset of substance use has demonstrated a robust relationship with later severity of use, yet this relationship has been less examined in criminal justice contexts or examined differentially by gender. The present study utilized secondary data from a sample of offenders in one small Midwestern state entering corrections-based substance abuse treatment in prison, jail, or community settings to address these gaps in the literature. Findings indicated that age of regular cigarette use did not uniquely affect severity of illicit drug use in adulthood, defined as the frequency of use or endorsement of substance use disorder criteria. In comparison, ages of onset for alcohol and illicit drug use were significantly associated with multiple severity variables examined. Gender was not found to moderate these relationships. These findings emphasize that age of use onset for alcohol and illicit drugs can be valuable in identifying offenders at risk of severe substance use in adulthood.
Designing for Interactivity, While Scaffolding Student Entry, Within Immersive Virtual Reality Environments
Authors: O’Connor Eileen A. , Worman Terri
Published: December 2018

Since the advent of Second Life in 2004, immersive virtual-reality (VR) environments have been readily available to educators; more recent open-source environments have reduced costs significantly. This study reports on data gathered from an avatar-based immersive experience where teacher-education students gathered in VR spaces for synchronous meetings, learning how to maneuver within the environment, modify their avatars’ appearances, and develop preliminary three-dimensional building perspectives. Student reports and instructor observations throughout the course and a final student self-evaluation provided insights into both the challenges experienced and effective practices within this immersive VR environment. Overall, students developed significant trust and camaraderie with their colleagues as they went through problem-solving experiences, finding that initial challenges often subsided with the help of course colleagues. Students enjoyed the experience and considered VR applications for their classrooms. The report concludes with general recommendations for the design of productive VR learning environments within many different settings.
College Students’ Perceptions of Gender-Inclusive Language Use Predict Attitudes Toward Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals
Authors: Patev Alison J. , Dunn Chelsie E. , Hood Kristina B. , Barber Jessica M.
Published: December 2018

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals face negative consequences linked to prejudice, including homelessness and violence. One medium that perpetuates prejudice toward TGNC individuals is our choice in language. Biased language is related to prejudiced attitudes. Use of gender-inclusive language, however, promotes gender equality. Previous research has examined gender-inclusive language use regarding cisgender men and women, but little work has focused on gender-inclusive language use regarding TGNC individuals. Two studies explored the connections between attitudes toward transgender individuals and perceptions of TGNC-inclusive language. Three hierarchical linear regressions and a mini meta-analysis were conducted. Results suggest that people with negative attitudes toward transgender individuals perceive greater difficulty in using gender-inclusive language. These findings suggest that inclusive language use may be indicative of more positive attitudes.
The immediate influence of implicit motor learning strategies on spatiotemporal gait parameters in stroke patients: a randomized within-subjects design
Authors: Kleynen Melanie , Jie Li-Juan , Theunissen Kyra , Rasquin Sascha MC , Masters Rich SW , Meijer Kenneth , Beurskens Anna J , Braun Susy M
Published: December 2018

Objectives:

To investigate immediate changes in walking performance associated with three implicit motor learning strategies and to explore patient experiences of each strategy.

Design:

Participants were randomly allocated to one of three implicit motor learning strategies. Within-group comparisons of spatiotemporal parameters at baseline and post strategy were performed.

Setting:

Laboratory setting.

Subjects:

A total of 56 community-dwelling post-stroke individuals.

Interventions:

Implicit learning strategies were analogy instructions, environmental constraints and action observation. Different analogy instructions and environmental constraints were used to facilitate specific gait parameters. Within action observation, only videotaped gait was shown.

Main measures:

Spatiotemporal measures (speed, step length, step width, step height) were recorded using Vicon 3D motion analysis. Patient experiences were assessed by questionnaire.

Results:

At a group level, three of the four analogy instructions ( n = 19) led to small but significant changes in speed ( d = 0.088 m/s), step height (affected side d = 0.006 m) and step width ( d = –0.019 m), and one environmental constraint ( n = 17) led to significant changes in step width ( d = –0.040 m). At an individual level, results showed wide variation in the magnitude of changes. Within action observation ( n = 20), no significant changes were found. Overall, participants found it easy to use the different strategies and experienced some changes in their walking performance.

Conclusion:

Analogy instructions and environmental constraints can lead to specific, immediate changes in the walking performance and were in general experienced as feasible by the participants. However, the response of an individual patient may vary quite considerably.
Specialized pediatric palliative care services for children dying from cancer: A repeated cohort study on the developments of symptom management and quality of care over a 10-year period
Authors: Zernikow Boris , Szybalski Katharina , Hübner-Möhler Bettina , Wager Julia , Paulussen Michael , Lassay Lisa , Jorch Norbert , Weber Carola , Schneider Dominik T , Janßen Gisela , Oommen Prasad T , Kuhlen Michaela , Brune Thomas , Wieland Regina , Schündeln Michael , Kremens Bernhard , Längler Alfred , Prokop Aram , Kiener Rita , Niehues Tim , Rose Martina , Baumann-Köhler Margit , Pöppelmann Monika , Thorer Heike , Irnich Martin , Sinha Kumar , Wolfe Joanne , Schmidt Pia
Published: December 2018

Background:

About one quarter of children affected with cancer die. For children and their families, the end-of-life period is highly distressing.

Aim:

This study focused on how end-of-life care in pediatric cancer patients changed over a period of 10 years and if changes in pediatric palliative care structures were associated with quality of care.

Design:

Over a 10-year period, all pediatric oncology departments in one German federal state were invited to participate in a repeated cross-sectional cohort study at three time-points (2005, 2010, 2015). Departments invited parents whose children died due to cancer 5 years earlier to participate. Identical semi-structured interviews were conducted with each cohort by the Survey of Caring for Children with Cancer. In addition, departments provided information on their pediatric palliative care infrastructure.

Participants:

In total, 124 families participated; 73% of interviews were conducted with mothers, 18% with fathers, and 9% with both parents.

Results:

Parents’ perception of symptom occurrence, symptom burden, and effectiveness of symptom-related treatment remained stable over the 10-year period. Over time, the availability of pediatric palliative care ( p < 0.001) as well as quality and satisfaction ratings of care ( p < 0.001) increased significantly. A growing number of children received specialized pediatric palliative care at home during the end-of-life period ( p = 0.009). Along with this development, more families had the chance to plan the location of death ( p = 0.003), and more children died at the preferred location ( p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Advances in the availability of pediatric palliative care were associated with improvement in some aspects of quality of care (e.g. location of death) while other aspects, such as effectiveness of symptom management, remained unchanged. Further research is required to determine whether additional improvement in structural quality may increase the effectiveness of symptom management.
Intramedullary spinal tumor-like lesions
Authors: Maj Edyta , Wójtowicz Katarzyna , Aleksandra  , Podlecka-Piȩtowska  , Prokopienko Marek , Marchel Andrzej , Rowiński Olgierd , Bekiesińska-Figatowska Monika
Published: December 2018

The development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has led to an increasingly frequent detection of changes in the spinal cord. The most common intramedullary lesions are: demyelinating; vascular; inflammatory; infectious; and congenital, largely called tumor-like lesions. Spinal cord tumors are relatively rare, as compared with brain tumors. The hardest task is to conclude whether the spinal cord lesion is a tumor or a tumor-like lesion. This review is intended to help evaluate the spinal cord and gives an overview of the tumor-like lesions occurring in the spinal cord along with their characteristic.
Blast furnace flue dust co-processing in cement kiln – A pilot study
Authors: Baidya Rahul , Kumar Ghosh Sadhan , Parlikar Ulhas V.
Published: December 2018

An integrated steel plant generates a large amount of blast furnace flue dust – about 18–22 kg/t of hot metal – as a by-product of the production process. The major component of this flue dust is iron oxides and coke fines. The recovery and reuse of this iron and coke is very important with increasing price of conventional resources. Cement plants on the other hand are looking for alternative fuel and raw materials as a substitution to the traditional fuel and raw materials, thus co-processing of the flue dust is a solution for both the industries. The study gauges the potential of flue dust utilization in a cement plant in India, using an experimental trial of one month and also analyses the techno-economic feasibility of the co-processing route. Since flue dust contains iron which is a limiting constituent in the limestone deposit of this plant, feasibility of reducing the iron content in the flue dust was evaluated through the magnetic separation route. The objective was to utilize maximum quantum of flue dust with acceptable iron content and high energy content. It was observed that the magnetic separation does not effectively segregate the iron present in the flue dust and neither increases the energy content. The cost analysis of the usage of flue dust also revealed that flue dust can be used effectively by the cement industry if its cost ranges in an acceptable range of USD 35–39 (approximately).
The Important Role of Government in Comprehensive Community Initiatives: A Case Study Analysis of the Building Healthy Communities Initiative
Authors: Rosen Jovanna , O’Neill Moira , Hutson Malo
Published: December 2018

Comprehensive community initiatives (CCI) are multi-issue, large-scale, often philanthropic investments in disadvantaged communities to comprehensively address community problems. We studied two sites of The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities Initiative, Richmond and East Oakland, to examine CCI implementation. Prior research offers best practices focused on cultivating existing community organizational and organizing infrastructure. We find that CCI success also requires an enabling local government context. Where political will aligns with the initiative’s goals, CCIs should support work to inform and improve local public policy and systems. Inadequate government resources necessitate CCI investment, but government has an important role in CCI success.
Sexualization of Sexual Harassment Victims Reduces Bystanders’ Help: The Mediating Role of Attribution of Immorality and Blame
Authors: Gramazio Sarah , Cadinu Mara , Pagliaro Stefano , Pacilli Maria Giuseppina
Published: December 2018

Women’s representation in social media is becoming increasingly sexualized, even when they are victims of sexual harassment (SH). In the present research, we adopted a bystander approach to investigate the role of victims’ sexualization on bystanders’ reactions to an episode of SH. In Study 1, female participants read a fictitious newspaper article that described a workplace SH episode: According to condition, the article included a picture of the victim who was wearing either sexualized or nonsexualized clothing. In Study 2, which also included male participants, we used a similar procedure and measured a series of traditional beliefs against women equality. As predicted, participants showed lower willingness to help the sexualized than nonsexualized victim: This effect occurred because they attributed lower morality to the victim and blamed her more for the SH event. Study 2 very well replicated Study 1 results and also showed that higher levels of endorsement of traditional masculine norms further enhanced biased perception of the sexualized (vs. nonsexualized) victim. Together, findings suggest that biased evaluations of workplace SH episodes associated with sexualized victims’ appearance, consistent with traditional masculine norms, may have detrimental consequences by increasing legitimization and tolerance toward SH.
Kinematics analysis and testing of novel 6-

P

-RR-R-RR parallel platform with offset RR-joints
Authors: Han Ha-si-ao-qi-er , Han Chun-Yang , Xu Zhen-Bang , Zhu Ming-Chao , Yu Yang , Wu Qing-Wen
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a novel six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) parallel platform that is used as the third mirror adjustment system of a large space telescope. In order to meet the design requirements of high precision, a large load–size ratio, and high stiffness in both the transverse and the vertical directions, the parallel platform is designed to be a 6-P-RR-R-RR structure via use of offset RR-joints. The inverse kinematics problem of the designed platform with offset RR-joints is much more complicated than that of a parallel platform with common universal joints owing to the presence of joint-dependent variables in the former problem. In this study, inverse kinematics of the designed parallel platform is mathematically modeled and the Newton–Raphson numerical iterative computation is performed. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed mathematical approach are verified by numerical co-simulations using MATLAB and ADAMS. The initial position of the platform is determined by a precision measuring arm. A test system is constructed, and then inverse kinematics solution, resolutions and adjusting steps accuracies of the platform are tested using grating length gauges. Motion strokes of the parallel mechanism are measured using laser tracker.
Investigation of track settlement and ballast degradation in the high-speed railway using a full-scale laboratory test
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhao Chunfa , Zhai Wanming , Shi Can , Feng Yang
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a full-scale laboratory test for investigating the track settlement and ballast degradation of the ballasted track–subgrade system on the high-speed railways. The test was carried out on a full-scale test platform with a ballasted track–subgrade system constructed exactly according to the construction standards of high-speed railways in China. In this test, four million cycles of cyclic loads simulating repeated high-speed train loads with an axle load of 140 kN were applied to the ballasted track–subgrade system through a specialized loading system. The vertical displacement and settlement of the rail, the sleepers and the subgrade at various sections and depths were recorded during the test. The test results show that the settlement of the high-speed railway ballasted track is very less. A logarithmic model was proposed for predicting the settlement of the high-speed railway ballasted track by fitting the measured data. Moreover, some painted ballast samples were embedded into the tested track to investigate the ballast degradation. After the test, it was found that more than 80% of the painted ballast grains remained intact and less than 20% were degraded. Four different ballast degradation phenomena were observed: corner or edge breakage, surface scratch, surface crack and the production of fine particles. The test results indicate that the high-speed railway ballasted tracks in China are very stable and the settlement is less under long-term cyclic loads, which could significantly benefit the track geometry and the railway maintenance work.
Women’s Experiences and Perceptions of Depression in India: A Metaethnography
Authors: Bhattacharya Anindita , Camacho David , Kimberly Laura L. , Lukens Ellen P.
Published: December 2018

In India, social determinants of health, including poverty, domestic violence, and inadequate social support disproportionately affect women, leaving them more vulnerable to depression than men. We conducted a metaethnography to synthesize qualitative data from 13 studies (1987–2017) that explored women’s experiences and perceptions of depression in India. We used a feminist standpoint to critically examine how gender shapes these experiences and perceptions. Indian women’s experiences of depression were embedded in their social worlds. Women perceived interpersonal conflict, caregiving burden, domestic violence, financial insecurity, adverse reproductive events and widowhood as causes of depression. Women used cultural expressions to describe physical, emotional, and cognitive distress. The detrimental impact of discriminatory social conditions, gender inequalities, and traditional gender roles on Indian women’s mental health highlights the need for gender-sensitive mental health research and practice that can attend to women’s sociocultural context and promote values of gender equality and social justice.
On the Evolving World of What Constitutes Qualitative Synthesis
Authors: Thorne Sally
Published: December 2018

As the body of available qualitatively derived knowledge expands, there is increasing temptation to capitalize on it to generate knowledge synthesis products. Concurrently, in the wake of an ever-expanding enthusiasm for evidence-based practice knowledge in health care, scholars are facing pressure to forgo the more narrative or interpretive form of literature review in favor of reviews that are positioned as explicitly systematic. This has created a context in which both new and seasoned scholars are, in increasing numbers, working with extant bodies of qualitative literature in ways that counter the very motivations that drove health researchers into qualitative methods in the first place. In this commentary, I trace the evolution of this trend, illustrating how a reasonable original intent has taken a misguided turn in the context of competing understandings and priorities in health care knowledge development. On this basis, I propose a strategic direction for this journal as a leader in what constitutes the meaningful application of qualitative research methodological approaches, including that which purports to represent synthesis of available knowledge, for the purposes of addressing the inherently complex challenges of the health field.
Measurement Invariance of the Career Futures Inventory–Revised Across General and Client Samples
Authors: Park Chan Jeong , Rottinghaus Patrick J. , Wang Ze , Zhang Ti , Falk Nikki A. , Ko Shao-Jung
Published: December 2018

Establishing measurement invariance has been emphasized as an important scale validation procedure for group comparisons. The 28-item Career Futures Inventory–Revised (CFI-R) is a widely used measure of career adaptability that has demonstrated initial validity with various samples. The purpose of the present study is to further examine the validity of the CFI-R by testing measurement invariance between a general university student sample and a client sample. First, a five-factor confirmatory factor analysis model was tested with each group. Then, measurement invariance tests were conducted through subsequently examining configural invariance, metric invariance, and scalar invariance. Test of invariance was achieved until partial scalar invariance, suggesting that the CFI-R is similarly applicable to both clinical and nonclinical samples. In addition, the comparisons of latent means between two groups revealed that clients showed significantly lower latent means than general students for four factors: Career Agency, Occupational Awareness, Support, and Work–Life Balance.
The Future of Radiation Oncology in Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Naghavi Arash O. , Yang George Q. , Latifi Kujtim , Gillies Robert , McLeod Howard , Harrison Louis B.
Published: December 2018

Radiotherapy (RT) is an important component of the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and has been traditionally incorporated with a homogenous approach despite the reality that STS displays a known heterogeneity in clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes. In this article, we explore the principle components of personalized medicine, including genomics, radiomics, and treatment response, along with their impact on the future of radiation therapy for STS. We propose a shift in the treatment paradigm for STS from a one-size-fits-all technique to one that implements the tenets of personalized medicine and includes the framework for a potential clinical trial technique in this heterogeneous disease.
Additive Contributions of Social Information Processing and Economic Stress to Maltreatment Risk in Disadvantaged Rural Fathers
Authors: Miller Elizabeth A. , Azar Sandra T.
Published: December 2018

Child maltreatment is a critical concern in rural communities. Fathers perpetrate a substantial proportion of maltreatment cases and are overrepresented as perpetrators of severe physical abuse and fatalities. Despite this heightened risk, little research has examined risk of abuse and neglect among fathers in rural areas. The current study examined the contributions of social information processing (SIP) factors and economic stress to multiple indicators of maltreatment risk in a sample of 61 disadvantaged rural fathers of 2- to 6-year-old children. Results for the SIP model of maltreatment risk provide some support for its extension to fathers. Considered all together, SIP factors were associated with more inconsistent parenting and maladaptive injury prevention beliefs. Specific SIP factors of unrealistic expectations for children and poorer executive functioning were associated with more maladaptive injury prevention beliefs. With regard to economic stress, fewer economic resources were associated with greater child abuse potential, more inconsistent parenting, and poorer quality home environments, while less economic security was associated with greater child abuse potential. Analyses found evidence for independent additive effects of SIP and economic stress. Findings highlight the importance of fathers’ cognition and economic stress in children’s risk of physical abuse, neglect, and unintentional injuries.
Clinical considerations of hyaluronidase as an adjunct to subcutaneous rituximab injection
Authors: de Lemos Mário L , Dar Santos Anne
Published: December 2018

Subcutaneous rituximab injectables are formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase as an adjunct to facilitate the absorption of the large volume of rituximab. We review the clinical considerations regarding the potential for systemic hyaluronidase toxicity and increased systemic absorption of subcutaneous or topical drugs administered subsequent to rituximab.
Need for Speed and Precision: Structural and Functional Specialization in the Cochlear Nucleus of the Avian Auditory System
Authors: Hong Hui , Sanchez Jason Tait
Published: December 2018

Birds such as the barn owl and zebra finch are known for their remarkable hearing abilities that are critical for survival, communication, and vocal learning functions. A key to achieving these hearing abilities is the speed and precision required for the temporal coding of sound—a process heavily dependent on the structural, synaptic, and intrinsic specializations in the avian auditory brainstem. Here, we review recent work from us and others focusing on the specialization of neurons in the chicken cochlear nucleus magnocellularis (NM)—a first-order auditory brainstem structure analogous to bushy cells in the mammalian anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Similar to their mammalian counterpart, NM neurons are mostly adendritic and receive auditory nerve input through large axosomatic endbulb of Held synapses. Axonal projections from NM neurons to their downstream auditory targets are sophisticatedly programmed regarding their length, caliber, myelination, and conduction velocity. Specialized voltage-dependent potassium and sodium channel properties also play important and unique roles in shaping the functional phenotype of NM neurons. Working synergistically with potassium channels, an atypical current known as resurgent sodium current promotes rapid and precise action potential firing for NM neurons. Interestingly, these structural and functional specializations vary dramatically along the tonotopic axis and suggest a plethora of encoding strategies for sounds of different acoustic frequencies, mechanisms likely shared across species.
Aerobic exercise training improves insulin-induced vasorelaxation in a vessel-specific manner in rats with insulin-treated experimental diabetes
Authors: McDonald Matthew W , Olver T Dylan , Dotzert Michelle S , Jurrissen Thomas J , Noble Earl G , Padilla Jaume , Melling CW James
Published: December 2018

Vascular insulin resistance often precedes endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Strategies to limit vascular dysfunction include intensive insulin therapy (4–9 mM) and aerobic training. To avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia, individuals often prescribed conventional insulin therapy (9–15 mM) and participate in resistance training. In a model of type 1 diabetes mellitus, this study examined insulin-induced vasomotor function in the aorta and femoral artery to determine (1) whether resistance training with conventional insulin therapy provides the same benefits as aerobic training with conventional insulin therapy, (2) whether aerobic training or resistance training, when paired with conventional insulin therapy, results in superior vasomotor function compared to intensive insulin therapy alone and (3) whether vessel-specific adaptations exist. Groups consisted of conventional insulin therapy, intensive insulin therapy, aerobic training with conventional insulin therapy and resistance training with conventional insulin therapy. Following multiple low doses of streptozotocin, male Sprague-Dawley rats were supplemented with insulin to maintain blood glucose concentrations (9–15 mM: conventional insulin therapy, aerobic training and resistance training; 4–9 mM: intensive insulin therapy) for 12 weeks. Aerobic training performed treadmill exercise and resistance training consisted of weighted climbing. Coinciding with increased Akt signalling, aerobic training resulted in enhanced insulin-induced vasorelaxation in the femoral artery. Intensive insulin therapy displayed increased mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling and no improvement in insulin-stimulated vasorelaxation compared to all other groups. These data suggest that aerobic training may be more beneficial for limiting the pathogenesis of vascular disease in type 1 diabetes mellitus than merely intensive insulin therapy.