bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and kinetic rigidity of polymers as related to chain relaxations
Authors: Casanova Ramón de Jesús Palí , González Wadi Elim Sosa , Loría José del Carmen Zavala , García Asteria Narváez , Cervantes Marcial Alfredo Yam , Vega Manuel de Jesús Aguilar , López Luis Alonso Dzul
Published: May 2019

Kinetic rigidity of several polymers such as 2,6-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzonitrile/4,4′oxydiphthalic anhydride (β-CN)APB/ODPA, poly[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl acrylate)] (PACGA), and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DEGEBA) was studied. Rigidity parameter D, Vogel’s temperature T0, and the activation energy Uα ( Tg) for the glass transition were evaluated through Vogel’s model along with relaxation data using “nonlinear” regression of Arrhenius function. The existence of certain functional groups within the structure, such as the aromatic rings, gives high level of kinetic rigidity to the structure as is the case of (β-CN)APB/ODPA and DEGEBA, while the aliphatic groups confer flexibility, as in PACGA.
Nostalgic memories and human rights: Integrating subjective experiences with universal needs
Authors: Gkinopoulos Theofilos
Published: May 2019

In this comment, I focus on the integration of memories and human rights. The claim for the “self-evident” declares the claim for human rights not only of minorities, or oppressed and forgotten groups but, more broadly, of the self and different others. I consider human rights as they emerge from the content of intergenerational nostalgic memories and are reflected on the right to remember, the right to forget, the right to long for the past, and the right to life. I give a brief account of studies on intergenerational nostalgic memories and I argue for remembering processes as a fundamental human right. Finally, I discuss theoretical implications of integrating memory studies and human rights debates.
Conversation, Condoms, and Contraception: How Does Communication With Sexual Partners Affect Safer Sexual Behaviors Among American Indian Youth?
Authors: Saftner Melissa A. , Pruitt Kelsey S. , McRee Annie-Laurie
Published: May 2019

Communication with sexual partners about protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is associated with safer sexual behaviors among general populations of youth, but little is known about partner communication among American Indian youth. We assessed the prevalence of adolescents’ communication with sexual partners about STI prevention and used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between communication and safer sexual behaviors (condom use, reliable contraceptive use, and dual method use) among a statewide sample of in-school, American Indian youth in Minnesota in 2013 and 2016 ( n = 739). Half (49.5%) of sexually experienced American Indian youth reported talking about STI prevention at least once with every sexual partner. Communication was associated with all examined safer sexual behaviors among females and only with condom use among males. Study findings highlight the importance of school nurses, health educators, and other clinicians addressing partner communication when counseling adolescent patients.
Cost-effectiveness Evaluations Among the Direct Oral Anticoagulants for the Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism: Systematic Review
Authors: Al Mukdad Mohammad , Al-Badriyeh Daoud , Elewa Hazem Fathy
Published: May 2019

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with high recurrence, mortality, and cost burden. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are currently used for VTE treatment, and they offer more benefits over warfarin, despite being more expensive. There is no consensus on the most cost-effective DOAC agent, especially in VTE. This systematic review aims to summarize the comparative cost-effectiveness studies and their impact among DOACs in the treatment of VTE. Literature systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and EconLit was conducted in February 2018 to identify all cost-effectiveness studies of DOAC for the treatment and prevention of VTE. Two independent investigators systematically collected search results and assessed the quality of the studies. The search identified 7 articles, all of which had dabigatran and rivaroxaban as comparators, 6 of which also included apixaban, and 2 of which also had edoxaban. Results of 3 articles concluded that apixaban is a dominant strategy compared to other DOACs in terms of Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) in the treatment and prevention of recurrent VTE. One article compared rivaroxaban and dabigatran, with the latter dominating rivaroxaban in terms of ICER. Compared to other DOACs, 2 articles reported apixaban being associated with highest annual total medical cost avoidance of US$4244 and US$4440 per patient-year (ppy), respectively. One article reported that apixaban had the highest annual total medical cost differences of US$918 ppy compared to other DOACs. This systematic review demonstrates that apixaban is considered a cost-effective strategy for VTE treatment and prevention of recurrent VTE.
Active tuning and maximization of natural frequency in three-dimensional functionally graded shape memory alloy composite structures using meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method
Authors: Nazari Foad , Hosseini Seyed Mahmoud , Abolbashari Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2019

A mesh-less method based on the local Petrov–Galerkin approach is developed and numerically implemented for active tuning and three-dimensional (3D) analysis of free vibration response of functionally graded (FG) shape memory alloy (SMA) sandwich composites. The local symmetric weak formulation is derived based on the 3D equilibrium equations of elasticity and the field variables are interpolated using the moving-least squares approach. Two main goals are followed. Firstly, free vibration analysis of a sandwich plate made of a SMA fiber reinforced composite core and two FG face sheets are presented. A parametric study is performed to investigate the influences of design parameters on the fundamental natural frequency (FNF) of composite structure and also maximize that. Secondly, SMA wires are embedded to fiber reinforced (FR) composite structures to enable precisely active control of their dynamic characteristics and change that in a required manner. To increase the controllability level and tune the complex exhibits, functionally graded shape memory alloys are considered which have the advantage of combining the functionalities of the shape memory effect and those of FG structures. This paper uses multi-layer activation patterns and the polynomial graded orientation angle of SMA wire along the structure thickness to furnish the FR composite designer with a powerful free vibration control tool. Finally, two activation techniques of SMA wires, the active property tuning (APT) and the active strain energy tuning (ASET) techniques, are compared. It is concluded from all investigated cases that the obtained FNF of ASET technique is always larger than the APT technique.
Intravitreal aflibercept efficacy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration with suboptimal response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-A therapy
Authors: Monés Jordi , Biarnés Marc ,   The Macbeth Study Group
Published: May 2019

Importance:

To provide new insights into aflibercept effect in non-naive-treated patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose:

To assess the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration without optimal response to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A therapy.

Design:

Single-arm, multi-centre, prospective study.

Participants:

Patients ⩾50 years with active neovascular age-related macular degeneration, best-corrected visual acuity between 20/32 and 20/320 with suboptimal response to ranibizumab or bevacizumab.

Methods:

Aflibercept was administered monthly (3-first months), and bimonthly thereafter until month 8. Anatomical and functional outcomes were assessed.

Main outcome measure:

Percentage of eyes without intra or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography after 3-monthly loading doses of aflibercept.

Results:

A total of 46 patients were included. At week 12, 45.7% (95% confidence interval: 31.5%–60.1%) of eyes showed no fluid on optical coherence tomography. The mean (standard deviation) best-corrected visual acuity increased from 65.1 (8.3) to 69.6 (8.1) letters (+4.5 (5.8) p < 0.0001) and was stabilized at week 40 as compared to baseline. Mean central macular thickness decreased from 430 (119) µm to 323 (100) µm at week 12 (–107 (90) µm, p < 0.0001) and was reduced at week 40 (–46 (111) µm, p = 0.0056). At week 40, 21.7% (95% confidence interval: 9.8%–33.7%) had no fluid. There was a case of presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis that was successfully managed.

Conclusion:

Almost half of patients presented no fluid on optical coherence tomography at week 12, and there was a clinically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity. At week 40, one in five patients did not show intra or subretinal fluid, central macular thickness decreased and best-corrected visual acuity was stabilized compared to baseline.
Haloacid Dehalogenase Proteins: Novel Mediators of Metabolic Plasticity in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Frasse Philip M , Odom John Audrey R
Published: May 2019

Widespread antimalarial drug resistance has prompted the need for new therapeutics and greater understanding of malaria parasite biology. To this end, the isoprenoid biosynthesis inhibitor fosmidomycin has been used to probe the metabolic regulation in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Genetic changes in the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily member HAD2 conferred resistance to fosmidomycin, at the cost of decreased fitness. In the absence of fosmidomycin, parasites gained mutations to phosphofructokinase that restored growth and fosmidomycin sensitivity, thus revealing an intriguing example of plasticity in a core glycolytic process. Moreover, this study marks a second report of a HAD superfamily protein-modulating metabolic homeostasis in P falciparum parasites. Haloacid dehalogenase enzymes are distributed across all domains of life and have increasingly been found to influence central carbon metabolism and drug sensitivity in P falciparum. Investigating the mechanisms by which HAD superfamily members modulate metabolism may shed light on how metabolic networks are connected in apicomplexan parasites and other organisms and may guide future therapeutic endeavors.
Suicidal behaviors among American Indian/Alaska Native firefighters: Evidence for the role of painful and provocative events
Authors: Stanley Ian H , Hom Melanie A , Gallyer Austin J , Gray Jacqueline S , Joiner Thomas E
Published: May 2019

Firefighters represent a group at elevated suicide risk. Identifying segments of the fire service at increased risk may facilitate the targeted provision of suicide prevention initiatives. Among the general population, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals report higher rates of suicide attempts. This study sought to examine suicide attempt rates among AI/AN firefighters and to determine if greater exposure to painful and provocative events and/or fearlessness about death explains the relationship between AI/AN identity and suicidal behaviors. A total of 917 US firefighters completed a web-based mental health survey (6.2% AI/AN). Participants completed a modified version of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Short Form, the Painful and Provocative Events Scale, and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death scale. Bootstrap mediation analyses were conducted, controlling for years of service as a firefighter. Although AI/AN firefighters accounted for only 6.2% of the sample, they accounted for 34.4% of the career suicide attempts. AI/AN firefighters were 16.31 (95% CI = 7.96, 33.42) times more likely to report a career suicide attempt history than non-AI/AN firefighters, adjusting for years of service as a firefighter. Painful and provocative events, but not fearlessness about death, was a statistically significant mediator of the relationship between AI/AN identity and suicide attempts. Firefighters identifying as AI/AN represent a subgroup within the fire service at increased risk for suicide. Findings suggest that greater exposure to painful and provocative events among AI/AN firefighters may explain the elevated suicide risk among this population.
“A matter of trust”: Perception of morality increases willingness to help through positive emotions
Authors: Cuadrado Isabel , López-Rodríguez Lucía , Constantin Andreea A.
Published: May 2019

Moroccans are still the lowest rated immigrants in Spain. This research analyses the relationships between different dimensions of stereotypes (i.e., morality, sociability, and competence), positive emotions, and facilitation behavioural tendencies between Spaniards and Moroccans. Specifically, this work aims to explore whether the three stereotype dimensions play distinct roles in predicting helping behavioural tendencies through emotions, with a focus on the distinctive role of morality. Three studies are presented. In Study 1, Spanish adolescents assessed Moroccan immigrants. Study 2 considered the minority perspective by analysing Moroccans’ stereotypes, emotions, and behavioural tendencies toward Spaniards. Study 3 experimentally tested the effect of the stereotype dimensions on positive emotions and facilitation behavioural tendencies in a sample of Spaniards. The results showed a consistent pattern: perceived morality always indirectly predicted facilitation behavioural tendencies through positive emotions, regardless of the perspective analysed (i.e., majority/minority), age of participants (i.e., adults/adolescents), or design (i.e., correlational/experimental).
Are you trying to be funny? Communicating humour in deafblind conversations
Authors: Willoughby Louisa , Manns Howard , Iwasaki Shimako , Bartlett Meredith
Published: May 2019

Humour is a prevalent feature in any form of human interaction, regardless of language modality. This article explores in detail how humour is negotiated in conversations among deafblind Australians who are fluent users of tactile Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Without access to the visual or auditory cues that are normally associated with humour (e.g. smiles, laughter, eye crinkles and ‘smile voice’), there is a risk that deafblind interactants will misconstrue humorous utterances as serious, or be unsure whether their conversation partner has got the joke. In this article, we explore how humorous utterances unfold in tactile signed interactions. Drawing on Conversation Analytic principles, we outline the ad hoc and more conventionalised signals deafblind signers use to signal amusement. Looking at humour in these conversations contributes to a greater understanding of how humour is conveyed across language modalities and further support for humour’s centrality to interactional solidarity.
The evolution of European Union law: A new data set on the Acquis Communautaire
Authors: Fjelstul Joshua C
Published: May 2019

The European Union legal system is one of the most complex and sophisticated in the world. This article models the Acquis Communautaire (i.e. the corpus of European Union law) as a network and introduces the Evolution of European Union Law data set, which tracks connections between European Union primary law, European Union secondary law, European Union case law, national case law that applies European Union law, and national law that implements European Union law. It is the largest, most comprehensive data set on European Union law to date. It covers the entire history of the European Union (1951–2015), contains over 365,000 documents, and records over 900,000 connections between them. Legislative and judicial scholars can use this data set to study legislative override of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the implementation of European Union law, and other important topics. As an illustration, I use the data set to provide empirical evidence consistent with legislative override.
Atmospheric reactions of glyoxal with NO2 and NH2 radicals: Hydrogen abstraction mechanism and natural bond orbital analysis
Authors: Saghafi Homeira , Vahedpour Morteza
Published: May 2019

Glyoxal can be important in atmospheric chemistry in terms of its ability to convert to secondary organic aerosols. In this study, the glyoxal-breaking reaction by two atmospheric active radicals, NO2 and NH2, has been investigated at the B3LYP and M06-2X levels in connection with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The formation of the most stable adducts from glyoxal with NO2/NH2 radical requires two hydrogen atom transfers. The accuracy of the predicted mechanisms in describing the hydrogen transfers was confirmed by atoms-in-molecules calculations and natural bond orbital analysis. The calculated results predict that hydrogen transfer process in both reactions at the M06-2X level is favourable from the kinetic and thermodynamic points of view. In the natural bond orbital analysis, the stabilization energy, E(2), delocalization corrections, at the B3LYP level is much higher than the same results at the M06-2X level (nearly twice). The activation thermodynamic parameters show that the first steps of the two reactions have lower barrier energy than the second steps. The Gibbs free energy values estimate that adducts of both the reactions at the mentioned method are spontaneous. The whole reaction of glyoxal + NH2 is more favourable than the whole reaction of glyoxal + NO2. The rate constants were calculated for the mentioned pathways using transition state theory for bimolecular steps and the fitted equations are reported.
A policy conflict detection mechanism for multi-controller software-defined networks
Authors: Lu You , Fu Qiming , Xi Xuefeng , Chen Zhenping , Zou Encen , Fu Baochuan
Published: May 2019

As the network environment expands and becomes more complex, the deficiencies of decision-making capabilities in the single-controller software-defined network architecture are increasingly exposed. Currently, software-defined networks have gradually adopted a multi-controller-based architecture. However, in this architecture, multiple controllers may cause conflicts in the flow policies, which may cause failures such as security and route conflicts. Most of the existing detection methods are only aimed at specific types of conflicts. Aiming at the above insufficiency, this article proposes a policy conflict detection mechanism for multi-controller software-defined network. First, it quantifies and classifies the software-defined policy conflict itself to provide the basis for detection mechanism; then, it proposes a conflict detection model and its deployment scheme for multi-controller software-defined networks; finally, based on the software-defined flow policy’s structure, a multi-branch tree-based policy conflict detection algorithm is proposed to accurately detect the universal types of conflicts. The experimental results under the campus network environment prove that our method can effectively detect the conflict of flow policies existing in the multi-controller software-defined network and has advantages over the existing methods in the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of the detection.
The Lifestyle Medicine Physician’s Case to Self-Insured Employers: A Business Model for Physicians, a Bargain for Companies
Authors: Gulati Mahima , Delaney Mary
Published: May 2019

A majority of Americans have health care insurance through their employers, the cost for which is rising at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, higher expenditure on insurance has not translated into healthier employees. In this article, we present a value-based design plan for self-funded employers, administered by lifestyle medicine board-certified providers, which is purported to save money for employers and yet may demonstrate better health outcomes for employees by engaging them in evidence-based lifestyle interventions such as plant-based nutrition, regular physical activity and minimizing sedentary behaviors, sleeping well, tobacco cessation, and so on.
‘We are at war’: Continuity and rupture in French anti-terrorist discourse
Authors: Fragnon Julien
Published: May 2019

This article analyses the circulation of the word ‘war’ in French anti-terrorist discourse since the 1980s. Although its use was apparent well before the attacks carried out in 2015, it experienced such a rise in frequency that it formed a discursive rupture. Its usage seeks to intensify the intentions traditionally evoked by anti-terrorist discourse by calling attention to amplification in the situation, while also seeking to justify a strategy based on exceptional circumstances.
Biologic Characteristics of Shoulder Articular Cartilage in Comparison to Knee and Ankle Articular Cartilage From Individual Donors
Authors: Chubinskaya Susanna , Cotter Eric J. , Frank Rachel M. , Hakimiyan Arnavaz A. , Yanke Adam B. , Cole Brian J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To describe histological and metabolic characteristics of glenohumeral joint (GHJ) articular cartilage and compare to knee and ankle joints.

Design

Macroscopically healthy human humeral head, glenoid, knee, and ankle articular cartilage were obtained from tissue donors ( N = 16, 9 males, 7 females; age 45-78 years), within 24 hours of death. Gross morphology of each joint was assessed using Collins grading. Cartilage explants were removed from the entire surface of each joint, cultured for 48 hours with or without interleukin-1β and processed for histology with Safranin O, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis/content, and polymerase chain reaction for collagen II, aggrecan, and SOX9. Results were compared between uncultured and cultured controls and across all 3 joints.

Results

Structural differences were seen on histology between GHJ cartilage and knee and ankle cartilage of the same Collins grade, specifically, depletion of Safranin O staining in the extracellular matrix. Treatment of glenoid and humerus specimens with IL-1β demonstrated a trend toward decreased PG synthesis in each explant but this decrease did not reach significance. There was no significant difference in PG synthesis between humerus, glenoid, knee, and ankle samples at baseline, day-0 control, 48-hour control, and 48 hours after treatment with 0.1 ng or 10 ng of IL-1β. There were no significant increases in collagen II, SOX9, and aggrecan expression in glenoid and humeral head cartilage samples treated with IL-1β compared to baseline controls.

Conclusions

GHJ articular cartilage did not significantly differ from ankle or knee cartilage with regard to PG synthesis and gene expression. However, it did differ in its histological appearance in normal state.
Performance measures for small‐bowel endoscopy: A European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Spada Cristiano , McNamara Deirdre , Despott Edward J , Adler Samuel , Cash Brooks D , Fernández-Urién Ignacio , Ivekovic Hrvoje , Keuchel Martin , McAlindon Mark , Saurin Jean-Christophe , Panter Simon , Bellisario Cristina , Minozzi Silvia , Senore Carlo , Bennett Cathy , Bretthauer Michael , Dinis-Ribeiro Mario , Domagk Dirk , Hassan Cesare , Kaminski Michal F , Rees Colin J , Valori Roland , Bisschops Raf , Rutter Matthew D
Published: May 2019

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) together with the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) recently developed a short list of performance measures for small‐bowel endoscopy (i.e. small‐bowel capsule endoscopy and device‐assisted enteroscopy) with the final goal of providing endoscopy services across Europe with a tool for quality improvement. Six key performance measures both for small‐bowel capsule endoscopy and for device‐assisted enteroscopy were selected for inclusion, with the intention being that practice at both a service and endoscopist level should be evaluated against them. Other performance measures were considered to be less relevant, based on an assessment of their overall importance, scientific acceptability, and feasibility. Unlike lower and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, for which performance measures had already been identified, this is the first time small‐bowel endoscopy quality measures have been proposed.
Is “Beautiful Female Something” Symbolic Capital or Symbolic Violence? That Is a Question
Authors: Xu Xing
Published: May 2019

The rationale for this article derives from a personal anecdote embedded within the challenging discourse of endeavoring to identify and attach meaning to the concept of a “beautiful female something.” The focused analysis provided here about this stereotypical label reveals a dimension of patriarchal chauvinism that directs the way in which the interpretation of a “beautiful female something” can become socioculturally and universally entrenched. This article expands this concept by stating that the proliferation of this label can be traced in large part to the power pathology of a burgeoning social media that exploits the concept of beauty to the advantage of global consumerism. Developing the analytic articulation found within Bourdieu’s capitals theory, this study contends that the label of a “beautiful female something” functions as both a modality of symbolic capital and symbolic violence. The article ends with a discussion of this paradox and proposes to analyze the covert social mechanisms and conflicting forces that underpin the exploitation of consumerist approaches to female beauty across the globe.
Ramp Lesions of the Medial Meniscus in Patients Undergoing Primary and Revision ACL Reconstruction: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Balazs George C. , Greditzer Harry G. , Wang Dean , Marom Niv , Potter Hollis G. , Marx Robert G. , Rodeo Scott A. , Williams Riley J.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Ramp lesions are peripheral tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus that involve the meniscocapsular attachments or red-red zone and typically occur in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures.

Purpose:

To identify the prevalence of, and risk factors for, ramp lesions in a large cohort of patients undergoing primary and revision ACL reconstruction.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We queried our institutional registry of patients who underwent primary or revision surgical treatment for an ACL injury. Those who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our facility were included in the study. Clinical details were extracted and verified using electronic records. All preoperative MRI scans were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist for the presence of a ramp lesion. Stable ramp lesions were defined as a peripheral posterior horn medial meniscal tear identified on MRI but either not identifiable with viewing and probing from the anterior portals or, if identified, not displaceable with anteriorly directed probing. Unstable ramp lesions were defined as peripheral posterior horn medial meniscal tears at the meniscocapsular junction that were identifiable at the time of surgery and displaced into the medial compartment with probing. The prevalence of stable and unstable ramp lesions was calculated. Demographic, injury, and imaging parameters were determined using univariate statistics.

Results:

A total of 372 patients were included. The overall prevalence of ramp lesions was 42% (155/372). Unstable ramp lesions were present in 73 (20%) patients, and stable ramp lesions were present in 82 (22%) patients. The presence of any ramp lesion (stable or unstable) was associated with bone marrow edema of the posteromedial tibia on MRI (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; P < .0001), a contact injury mechanism (OR, 1.8; P = .02), and a concurrent lateral meniscal tear (OR, 1.7; P = .02). No demographic, injury, surgical, or radiological variable was associated with a stable versus unstable ramp lesion.

Conclusion:

The overall prevalence of a ramp lesion in patients treated for ACL ruptures at our institution was 42%. The presence of bone marrow edema of the posteromedial tibia, a contact injury mechanism, or a lateral meniscal tear should alert surgeons to the potential presence of a medial meniscal ramp lesion.
Sound Localization in Real-Time Vocoded Cochlear-Implant Simulations With Normal-Hearing Listeners
Authors: Ausili Sebastian A. , Backus Bradford , Agterberg Martijn J. H. , van Opstal A. John , van Wanrooij Marc M.
Published: May 2019

Bilateral cochlear-implant (CI) users and single-sided deaf listeners with a CI are less effective at localizing sounds than normal-hearing (NH) listeners. This performance gap is due to the degradation of binaural and monaural sound localization cues, caused by a combination of device-related and patient-related issues. In this study, we targeted the device-related issues by measuring sound localization performance of 11 NH listeners, listening to free-field stimuli processed by a real-time CI vocoder. The use of a real-time vocoder is a new approach, which enables testing in a free-field environment. For the NH listening condition, all listeners accurately and precisely localized sounds according to a linear stimulus–response relationship with an optimal gain and a minimal bias both in the azimuth and in the elevation directions. In contrast, when listening with bilateral real-time vocoders, listeners tended to orient either to the left or to the right in azimuth and were unable to determine sound source elevation. When listening with an NH ear and a unilateral vocoder, localization was impoverished on the vocoder side but improved toward the NH side. Localization performance was also reflected by systematic variations in reaction times across listening conditions. We conclude that perturbation of interaural temporal cues, reduction of interaural level cues, and removal of spectral pinna cues by the vocoder impairs sound localization. Listeners seem to ignore cues that were made unreliable by the vocoder, leading to acute reweighting of available localization cues. We discuss how current CI processors prevent CI users from localizing sounds in everyday environments.
A Case of Postpartum Thrombophlebitis of a Retroperitoneal Varix Mimicking Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Glackin Paula , Crabo Lars G.
Published: May 2019

A case of thrombophlebitis of a retroperitoneal varix in a postpartum patient with right lower quadrant pain is presented. The sonographic examination was falsely positive for appendicitis, but the correct diagnosis was made with a subsequent computed tomogram. The thrombosed varix was likely a collateral of the right ovarian vein, analogous to postpartum ovarian vein thrombophlebitis (POVT), an uncommon potentially fatal disorder. POVT is reviewed, emphasizing features useful for distinguishing it from appendicitis at sonography. Sonographers should be aware of the possibility of thrombophlebitis when examining postpartum patients with right lower quadrant pain.
The neuroscience of attachment: implications for psychological therapies
Authors: Holmes Jeremy , Slade Arietta
Published: May 2019

Recent advances in attachment-informed relational neuroscience point to possible mechanisms of action of psychological therapies, with implications for effective practice.

Declaration of interest

None.
Development and Validation of a Cytogenetic Prognostic Index Predicting Survival in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Perrot Aurore , Lauwers-Cances Valérie , Tournay Elodie , Hulin Cyrille , Chretien Marie-Lorraine , Royer Bruno , Dib Mamoun , Decaux Olivier , Jaccard Arnaud , Belhadj Karim , Brechignac Sabine , Fontan Jean , Voillat Laurent , Demarquette Hélène , Collet Philippe , Rodon Philippe , Sohn Claudine , Lifermann François , Orsini-Piocelle Frédérique , Richez Valentine , Mohty Mohamad , Macro Margaret , Minvielle Stéphane , Moreau Philippe , Leleu Xavier , Facon Thierry , Attal Michel , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Corre Jill
Published: May 2019

PURPOSE

The wide heterogeneity in multiple myeloma (MM) outcome is driven mainly by cytogenetic abnormalities. The current definition of high-risk profile is restrictive and oversimplified. To adapt MM treatment to risk, we need to better define a cytogenetic risk classification. To address this issue, we simultaneously examined the prognostic impact of del(17p); t(4;14); del(1p32); 1q21 gain; and trisomies 3, 5, and 21 in a cohort of newly diagnosed patients with MM.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 1,635 patients enrolled in four trials implemented by the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome. The oldest collection of data were used for model development and internal validation. For external validation, one of the two independent data sets was used to assess the performance of the model in patients treated with more current regimens. Six cytogenetic abnormalities were identified as clinically relevant, and a prognostic index (PI) that was based on the parameter estimates of the multivariable Cox model was computed for all patients.

RESULTS

In all data sets, a higher PI was consistently associated with a poor survival outcome. Dependent on the validation cohorts used, hazard ratios for patients in the high-risk category for death were between six and 15 times higher than those of patients in the low-risk category. Among patients with t(4;14) or del(17p), we observed a worse survival in those classified in the high-risk category than in those in the intermediate-risk category. The PI showed good performance for discriminating between patients who died and those who survived (Harrell’s concordance index greater than 70%).

CONCLUSION

The cytogenetic PI improves the classification of newly diagnosed patients with MM in the high-risk group compared with current classifications. These findings may facilitate the development of risk-adapted treatment strategies.
Anymore, It’s on Twitter
Authors: Strelluf Christopher
Published: May 2019

Positive anymore is recognized as a feature of some dialects of English. However, because positive anymore occurs infrequently in conversational speech, studies have generally relied on grammaticality judgments. This article takes advantage of the massive corpus of speech-like text available on the social media platform Twitter to study productions of positive anymore in American English. More than 80,000 tweets containing anymore were collected over one month from areas around five Midland cities and three non-Midland cities. Tweets were coded for 20 types of negative polarity item (NPI) triggers and for the position of anymore within clauses. Results confirm that, in the context of American regional Englishes, positive anymore is a distinctive feature of the Midland. However, results also show intraregional differences within the Midland, with anymore being produced more frequently in Pittsburgh and less frequently in the western Midland cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. Midland cities also show increased incidence of anymore with several NPI triggers that should license NPIs in all dialects, suggesting that these ostensibly ordinary NPI triggers may affect or be affected by the use of anymore in positive polarity contexts. More generally, this research models ways that productions of positive anymore and other low-frequency linguistic variables might be studied through media like Twitter.
Humor and the Law of Rights: Voltaire’s Cosmopolitan Optimism and Emile Habiby’s Dissensual Pessoptimism
Authors: Mor Liron
Published: May 2019

This article explores the operation of humor in Palestinian author Emile Habiby’s novel The Pessoptimist (1974) and compares it to Voltaire’s humor in Candide, which it explicitly cites. The differences between the two authors’ modes of humor are read as an index of their different relations to the law, and specifically, to international law as the guarantor of human rights. Voltaire’s humorous critique is limited to the current content of the law, reflecting his confidence in universalist ideals and rights attainable by legal reform. Habiby’s humor, however, protests the law as such, exposing universalist ideals as not merely unhelpful for the Palestinians’ struggle but also as complicit in the oppression and fragmentation of Palestinian society. Habiby therefore redirects the emphasis toward interpersonal manners and intimacies that are external to the realm of the law yet underwrite it. Against Voltaire’s cosmopolitanism and Enlightenment-era ideals, Habiby’s humor thus offers a differential and conflictual community that prioritizes a practice of decolonization over ideal solutions and their dichotomous logic.
Functional analysis of Niemann-Pick disease type C family protein, NPC1a, in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bialistoky Tzofia , Manry Diane , Smith Peyton , Ng Christopher , Kim Yunah , Zamir Sol , Moyal Victoria , Kalifa Rachel , Schedl Paul , Gerlitz Offer , Deshpande Girish
Published: May 2019

During embryonic gonad coalescence, primordial germ cells (PGCs) follow a carefully choreographed migratory route circumscribed by guidance signals towards somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs). In Drosophila melanogaster, SGP-derived Hedgehog (Hh), which serves as a guidance cue for the PGCs, is potentiated by mesodermally restricted HMGCoA-reductase (Hmgcr) and the ABC transporter Multi-drug-resistant-49 (Mdr49). Given the importance of cholesterol modification in the processing and long-distance transmission of the Hh ligand, we have analyzed the involvement of the Niemann-Pick disease type C-1a (NPC1a) protein, a cholesterol transporter, in germ cell migration and Hedgehog signaling. We show that mesoderm-specific inactivation of Npc1a results in germ cell migration defects. Similar to Mdr49, PGC migration defects in the Npc1a embryos are ameliorated by a cholesterol-rich diet. Consistently, reduction in Npc1a weakens the ability of ectopic HMG Coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr) to induce germ cell migration defects. Moreover, compromising Npc1a levels influences Hh signaling adversely during wing development, a process that relies upon long-range Hh signaling. Last, doubly heterozygous embryos (Mdr49/Npc1a) display enhanced germ cell migration defects when compared with single mutants (Npc1a/+ or Mdr49/+), supporting cooperative interaction between the two.
‘Do women know how to drive?’ A research on how theatre pedagogy contributes to dealing with gender stereotypes
Authors: Lenakakis Antonis , Kousi Dimitra , Panges Ioannis
Published: May 2019

This research aims at investigating the effects of a drama/theater-in-education program on dealing with gender stereotypes; it also aims at creating or improving a culture of cooperation and communication among 6th grade pupils of a Greek primary school. On the premise that drama/theater promotes play, free and creative expression, we attempted to bring out the pupils’ perceptions, subconscious thoughts, prejudices, emotions and fears regarding gender, through both qualitative and quantitative tools. The sociometric test analysis, the subject analysis of the data gathered by the student group interviews, the critical friend’s comments and the researchers’ reflective journals indicate a shift in the pupils’ stereotypical perceptions on gender as well as a broadening of the social networks between boys and girls. The educational drama/theater practices of our program provided the students with a safe, free and creative environment that enabled them to talk about, negotiate and express with all senses their personal representations, values, views and gender stereotypes.
Quantum of fluids in hospitalised patients with dengue fever and the presence of warning signs: a pilot cross-sectional study
Authors: Ramanathan Ramayee , Jain Dheeraj , Viswanathan Stalin
Published: May 2019

Background: The World Health Organization in 2009 revised categories of dengue fever severity into classes A, B, and C based on the presence or absence of warning signs. The quantum of oral and intravenous fluids (IVF) in hospitalised patients with Group B (warning signs) has, to our knowledge, not been studied. Oral fluids in hospitalised patients and monitoring administration with the help of patients’ relatives have not been assessed.

Methods: Consecutive patients with dengue fever and warning signs were studied for 48 hours after hospitalisation. Patients were asked to consume 4-5 l of fluids. Maintenance and bolus IVF were administered depending upon the presence of compensated or hypotensive shock. Intake and urinary output were monitored by the patient’s attendant. Total fluids (oral and intravenous) were divided by a number of anthropometric measurements. The significance of warning signs, compensated and hypotensive shock, thrombocytopenia, bleeding episodes and the need for transfusions, and organ impairment were considered in relation to the total amount of fluids received daily.

Results: In total, 43 patients were studied. Patients with obesity and hypotensive shock received significantly more fluids on Day 1; taller patients and those with tachycardia, higher haematocrit and elevated creatine kinase correspondingly received more on Day 2. Hypotensive shock was significantly correlated with fluids/BSA, fluids/weight and fluids/BMI, while laboratory parameters correlated most strongly with fluids/BMI.

Conclusions: Most adults with dengue and warning signs seem to require >100 ml/kg/day of fluids during their stay. Advising a similar amount of fluids at home during epidemics may further reduce the need for admissions. Participation of patients and their relatives in the bedside management of fluid administration may go a long way in preventing morbidity and mortality. Adults probably need a better anthropometric measurement to decide on the quantum of fluids to be given.
INDICATORS OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL STATUS OF NEWBORN CALVES DEPENDING ON COW-MOTHERS AGE
Authors: Баймишев Хамидулла , Baymishev Khamidulla , Ускова Инна , Uskova Inna , Баймишев Мурат , Baimishev Murat
Published: May 2019

The research aims to increase the morphofunctional status of newborn calves. The work was carried out in JSC «Niva» Stavropol region of the Samara region. From the number of Holstein heifers black-and-white breed was formed a group of animals in the amount of 40 heads. In newborn calves by animals of this group after the first, sec-ond and third calving, morphological and functional parameters were determined according to the following criteria: the state of skin; the time of standing posture; number of incisive teeth; sucking reflex and number of leukocytes and erythrocytes; distance from the tip of the tail to the Tuber calcanei; the length of the last rib to the frontal line of the shoulder joint. It was established that the age of cows-mothers (calving) affects the viability of calves. Calves born by cows after the second calving were inferior to calves of cows after the first and third calving in terms of skin cover, sucking reflex, standing posture, live weight and blood. The number of incisive teeth of calves born by cows after the third calving is 0.55 and 1.20 more than calves possess from heifers and cows after the second calving. The distance between the last rib and the frontal line of the shoulder joint shown by calves after the third calving is 2.03 and 0.71 cm, respectively, less than their peers demonstrated born by cows after the second and first calving. The distance between the tail and Tuber of calves born by cows after the second calving was 1.26 cm is greater than calves born by heifers showed, and 2.02 cm greater than calves born by cows after the second calving had. It is es-tablished that calves born by cows after the second calving are less viable because of their mothers prolonged lac-tation had been prior to their birth, and poor adaptation to the conditions of milk intensive production technology.
IMPROVEMENT OF EXTRUDER WORKING PROCESS WITH TERMOVACUAL EFFECT
Authors: Курочкин Анатолий , Kurochkin Anatolii A
Published: May 2019

The research aim is a theoretical substantiation of the increase in the efficiency of extrudate dehydration due to the supply of air into the vacuum chamber of a modernized extruder with a thermal vacuum working process. On the basis of modern study of the implementation of the thermodynamic process in the interaction of three different air flows in a limited volume of the vacuum chamber of the extruder, one possible way of increasing the efficiency of the finished product dehydration was theoretically justified. In the previously proposed constructive-technological scheme of the extruder, the insufficiently intensive dehydration of the finished product leaving the die of the ma-chine is associated with a relatively low air flow rate at the surface of the cooling extruder. These speed limits the transfer rate of the liquid removed from the extruder by means of wet steam, which is withdrawn from the vacuum chamber of the extruder into a vacuum balloon and condenses. In a modernized extruder, the effect of thermal vac-uum effect is proposed to be enhanced by means of a metered supply of air into the working volume of the extrud-er’s vacuum chamber. The conducted research allowed obtaining analytical expressions with the help of which it is possible to determine the volumetric flow rate of air injected into the vacuum chamber of the machine and to deter-mine its effect on the main structural and technological parameters of the system that ensures the thermal vacuum effect of the extrusion process. The relationship between the coefficient taking into account the influence of the thermal vacuum effect in an autogenous extruder on other significant technical and technological parameters of the machine is shown. The results obtained can be useful and considered in the course of subsequent theoretical stud-ies of extruders with a vacuum chamber and will allow on their basis increasing the efficiency of the machines per-forming the thermal vacuum extrusion of raw materials of plant origin.
THE SPEED MODE OF AEROPRODUCT FLOW WITH PARALLEL-SEQUENTIAL SECTIONS
Authors: Кравцов Артем , Kravtsov Artem , Коновалов Владимир , Konovalov Vladimir , Зайцев Владимир , Zaitsev Vladimir , Донцова Марина , Dontsova Marina
Published: May 2019

The aim of the research is to reduce pressure losses in the pneumatic system of the seeder with pneumatic sowing. In the production of seeders with pneumatic sowing one of the qualitative indicators of the technological process of pneumatic transportation of plant seeds and granules of oral fertilizers is the uniformity of the distribution of trans-ported bulk material from the bins with the dispenser of the sowing device to the unloading devices – nozzles of coulters. The task of distributing the material on the coulters is solved by the distributor. In the presence of trans-verse non-uniformity of feed of seeds is about 10% there is a risk of reducing productive activity of wheat to 1.0...1.5 t/ha. To ensure the quality of the specified material distribution in the design of the seeder is required to provide a number of quantitative terms. The change in the speed mode of movement of particles of bulk material affects not only the qualitative indicators of its distribution on coulters, but also the pneumatic resistance of the pneumatic con-veyor due to the turbulence of the flow, and the power consumption of the fan drive. Equations of pressure loss of pneumatic system are given. The results of the analysis of the 3D model pneumatic seeder pressure and flow rate. The flow rate at the beginning of the horizontal section of the pipe and the concentration of the sown material in the air product flow were changed in the simulation. The flow rate varied in the range of 15-25 m/s. The material con-centration varied in the range of 0-1.27 kg/kg of air. The regression equations of the average flow velocity over the sections of the pneumatic system, the fall of the static and total pressure are obtained. It is recommended to improve the design of the pneumatic system of seeders. The existing corrugated surface of the pipe does not fully cope with the task. The design of the vertical pipe requires additional structural elements that center the flow, both along the length of the pipe and at the inlet to the distributor.