bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of ocular perforation during retrobulbar block using high-resolution spectral domain–optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Rizzo Stanislao , Tartaro Ruggero , Finocchio Lucia , Giorni Andrea , Bacherini Daniela , Savastano Alfonso
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

This article reports a case of ocular perforation during a retrobulbar block in a patient who underwent scleral buckle for retinal detachment.

Methods:

Sterile air was immediately injected into the vitreous cavity to restore intraocular pressure and the scleral buckle operation was quickly finished. One week later, a laser retinopexy was performed on the two retinal holes that were outside the foveal area. After 6 months, spectral domain–optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography were performed on the perforated wall centered on the exit hole area.

Results:

The visual acuity was maintained 20/20 and the retina was totally attached. Spectral domain–optical coherence tomography showed a localized interruption of inner retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid, with a higher posterior reflectivity in correspondence with the sclera. Optical coherence tomography angiography was able to detect atrophic alterations in the choroidal slab with a good visualization of large and rarefied choroidal vessels due to lack of retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris.

Conclusion:

When ocular perforation by a needle is outside the foveal area and when there is an early awareness of the perforation, the complications may be avoided, and we could observe a good final visual acuity result. Furthermore, using spectral domain–optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography, we could observe the perforated eyeball wall and study the effects of a 25-gauge needle perforation in the retinal and choroidal blood stream.
Analysis of error motions of axial locking-prevention hydrostatic spindle
Authors: Zhang Penghai , Chen Yaolong
Published: April 2018

Hydrostatic spindles are widely used in precision optical grinder and lathe. Their high precision comes from the error averaging effect of oil film. The purpose of this paper is to give the quantitative analysis of the error averaging effect for a newly developed axial locking-prevention hydrostatic spindle. An approximate error motion model of the hydrostatic spindle is established to analyze the internal relationship between the geometric errors of the shaft and the error motions of the spindle including radial, tilt and axial error motions. The theoretical analysis shows that, the roundness errors of the two journals have a major impact on error motions while the coaxiality errors of two journals, the perpendicularity errors of front thrust plate and the coaxiality errors of the land of back thrust bearing, have no significant influences on error motions. The elliptical component of roundness errors of the two journals has significant influence on the axial error motion but no influence on the pure radial and tilt error motions, resulting into the fourth harmonic component of axial error motion. The trilobal component of roundness errors of the two journals has significant influence on the pure radial and tilt error motions but no influence on the axial error motion, resulting in the third harmonic component of pure radial and tilt error motions. The changes of recess pressures are not necessary condition for the error motions. Additionally, the experiment analysis shows that, the third harmonic component is the main part of the measured radial error motion and the third, fourth harmonic components are the main parts of the measured face error motion, which can be reasonably explained by the theory. The model proposed in this paper can be used to guide the precision design and optimization of hydrostatic spindle.
Implementation of lightweight intrusion detection model for security of smart green house and vertical farm
Authors: Huh Jun-Ho
Published: April 2018

With the current global food production capability, it is not difficult to anticipate that there will be a global food shortage when the world population grows beyond 10 billion by the end of the 21st century. Many projects are in motion to deal with this problem and some of them are considered to be quite feasible. Development and implementation of smart green houses and vertical farms are two major solutions for the expected crisis, but as other ICT-based systems, their security problems must be dealt with. Nevertheless, current network forensics is still unable to fully monitor and analyze computer network traffic to gather the evidences of malicious attacks or intrusions. Although major companies and government agencies have introduced various types of high-speed IDS into their networks, smaller firms or private organizations are unable to do so because of the cost involved. The lightweight IDS proposed in this study can be a suitable solution as this system can be operated with a common PC and peripherals. This system also underwent a test bed experiment and proved its efficiency. Jpcap library was used to capture transport packets which were then classified using typical communications protocols. The packet headers were subjected to analysis and the results were stored in database for later applications.
Evaluation of gas drainage and coal permeability improvement with liquid CO2 gasification blasting
Authors: Kang Jianhong , Zhou Fubao , Qiang Ziying , Zhu Shuangjiang
Published: April 2018

With the increasing mining depths of underground coal mines, gas drainage and coal permeability improvement with conventional coal seam fracture stimulating methods have shown some deficiencies. In this work, an application of liquid CO2 gasification blasting is proposed for increasing gas drainage and fracturing coal seam with high-gas content and low permeability. The methods of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation as well as field experiments are involved to build up a comprehensive understanding of this promising application. The variation of gas pressure for the gasification blasting is quantitatively determined by using a modified van der Waals equation of state. It is shown that the maximum pressure generated by the rapid thermal expansion of liquid CO2 could induce the initiation and propagation of coal cracks and fractures. To testify the fracturing effects of liquid CO2 gasification blasting on gas drainage, field experiments were carried out on two transportation roadways of Yuwu coal mine in China. It is found that (a) the effective fracturing radius could be about 3 m around the blasting borehole, (b) the quantities of gas extraction and gas emission are increased significantly, and (c) the outburst risk indices for drilling cutting fall below their critical values.
“No! You can’t have it”: Problematizing choice in institutionalized adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Johnson Khalilah R , Bagatell Nancy
Published: April 2018

Institutionalized adults with profound intellectual disabilities (ID) face significant challenges to having their choice-making cultivated and supported. Based on observational and interview data from an institutional ethnographic study, this article explores how choice-making during mealtimes is acknowledged and problematized by staff. First, we suggest that Foucauldian problematization offers a lens through which to better understand how mealtime intervention plans passed down over time become embodied restrictive practices. Second, we provide examples and analyses of mealtime negotiations between staff and residents. Analyses revealed staff infantilize and misrepresent residents’ choice-making during meals as manipulation; additionally, analyses suggest that past experiences of staff with residents and historical meal plans color how they acknowledge and interpret residents’ choices. Our argument is an attempt to move forward discussions concerning the implementation of quality habilitation services by highlighting the ways contemporary institutional systems perpetuate misrepresentations of nonverbal behaviors in adults with profound ID.
Icariin, a flavonoid with anti-cancer effects, alleviated paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in a SIRT1-dependent manner
Authors: Gui Yulong , Zhang Jie , Chen Liang , Duan Shunyuan , Tang Jing , Xu Wei , Li Aiyuan
Published: April 2018

Background

One of the most common side effects of paclitaxel was dosage-dependently painful neuropathy. Various reports indicated that spinal neuroinflammation was involved in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. This study investigated the effect of icariin on paclitaxel-induced neuroinflammation and peripheral neuropathy in rats.

Methods

Two parts were included in this study. In part one, the effect of icariin on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain was investigated. Mechanical thresholds were measured as primary outcomes. Production of proinflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 β, and interleukin-6), activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB(p65)) signal, and activation of astrocytes were detected as secondary outcomes. Spinal Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression, H4 acetylation, and NAD+ content were measured to investigate the effect of icariin on spinal SIRT1 signal pathway. In part two, the role of SIRT1 signal on icariin-induced effect in rats was investigated, and EX527, a SIRT1 inhibitor, was employed.

Results

The results showed paclitaxel treatment induced significant decrease in mechanical thresholds. Paclitaxel treatment also induced NF-κB(p65) activation and upregulation of proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Paclitaxel also induced astrocyte activation in the spinal cord. However, 100 mg/kg icariin treatment significantly alleviated paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia and spinal neuroinflammation. Furthermore, icariin treatment dosage-dependently reversed paclitaxel-induced SIRT1 downregulation and H4 acetylation. EX527, a selective SIRT1 inhibitor, completely reversed icariin-induced anti-neuroinflammation and anti-allodynia effects in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain rats.

Conclusions

This meant that spinal SIRT1 activation was involved in icariin-induced effects in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain rats. Icariin could be a potential agent for the treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.
Screening, management, and treatment of intimate partner violence among women in low-resource settings
Authors: Schwab-Reese Laura M , Renner Lynette M
Published: April 2018

The prevention of intimate partner violence continues to be a high priority for health practitioners and researchers around the world. Screening practices and intervention efforts utilized within high- and/or middle-income areas may not translate effectively to low-resource areas due to differences in financial, social, and physical context. However, little is known about the evidence-base of intervention efforts in such areas. Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework for scoping reviews, the purpose of this review was to synthesize what is known about intimate partner violence screening, management, and treatment in low-resource areas. A total of 31 programs reported across 34 articles were included in this scoping review. The programs incorporated a range of intervention activities, including group-based education and skill-development combined with microfinance to screening and referral to community resources. Slightly less than half of the studies (n = 14) were randomized controlled trials or clustered randomized controlled trials. Many barriers were common across the programs, including limited financial support, lack of community support, and lack of coordination across programs. Despite considerable barriers related to the limited available resources, the literature base had many strengths, such as strong evaluation methodologies, inclusion of a theoretical or conceptual framework to guide the intervention, and community engagement before and during the intervention implementation. However, insufficient statistical power and barriers related to cultural differences or inadequate cultural sensitivity were also common. With a variety of barriers to program implementation noted within the articles, it is important for researchers and practitioners to consider the geographic, social, cultural, and economic contexts when implementing intimate partner violence programs in low-resource areas. Given the significant differences in context across low-resource areas, additional research to establish effective protocols for tailoring and implementing evidence-based programs using a community-engaged framework would be beneficial to future research and practice.
Privacy in Mediated and Nonmediated Interpersonal Communication: How Subjective Concepts and Situational Perceptions Influence Behaviors
Authors: Teutsch Doris , Masur Philipp K. , Trepte Sabine
Published: April 2018

New communication media such as social networking sites (SNSs) and instant messengers (IMs) challenge users’ privacy perceptions. Technical infrastructures and the flow of digital information lead to novel privacy risks that individuals are often not acquainted with. Users’ subjective perceptions of privacy may thus be flawed and lead to irrational behavior. In this work, we investigated a concept that has been addressed only implicitly in academic research on privacy: the user’s subjective perception of a given level of privacy. We examined the literature on how privacy perceptions have been conceptualized in traditional theories of privacy and how these conceptualizations are challenged in social media communication. We first qualitatively explored laypeople’s privacy concepts and investigated their subjective perceptions of privacy levels and subsequent private disclosures in different mediated and nonmediated communication settings. Interviews with N = 33 Germans revealed that, similar to academic privacy theories, they tend to conceptualize privacy as control over social, physical, and psychological boundaries. However, trust and other-dependent privacy emerged as important novel aspects for understanding privacy regulation in online communication. We further found that individuals consistently perceived a high level of privacy in face-to-face situations and a low level of privacy in public communication on SNSs. With regard to IMs, however, their answers were mixed: Uncertainty regarding digital communication properties and audiences as well as limited control over the communication setting prevented a reliable and shared perception of the privacy level. With regard to privacy behavior and private disclosures, we found that people tend to adapt their sharing of private information to the perceived level of privacy.
Factors Associated With Improvements in Mortality and Morbidity Rates of Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Cohort Study
Authors: Mari Giancarlo , Bursac Zoran , Goedecke Patricia Jean , Dhanireddy Ramasubbareddy
Published: April 2018

Objective. The objective of this study was to determine factors contributing to improvements in infant mortality rates (IMR) and composite morbidity-mortality in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants after initiating a new perinatal program in 2009 at Regional One Health (ROH). VLBW infants account for 67% of infant deaths. Design. This is a pre-/postintervention cohort study of prospectively gathered data. Population. VLBW infants delivered at ROH during the 2004 to 2015 study period. Setting. ROH is a Regional Perinatal Center affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Methods. We studied 2364 consecutive VLBW infants. Multivariate models were applied to determine factors contributing significantly to the reduction in the outcome measures as well as trends over time. Main Outcome Measures. Primary outcomes were IMR and composite morbidity-mortality rates. Standardized, risk-adjusted mortality and composite morbidity ratios were also reported as defined by the Vermont Oxford Network. Results. Mortality declined from 15.5% in Pre-Implementation to 13.1% in Post-Implementation ( P = .093), corresponding to an 18% reduction in odds. The combined factors of composite morbidity-mortality rate decreased from 55.7% in Pre-Implementation to 43.9% in Post-Implementation ( P < .0001), representing a 38% reduction in odds. Standardized, risk-adjusted mortality and composite morbidity ratios improved during the study period from 20% above to 20% below the expected rate. Increases in the administration of antenatal steroids, surfactant administration, cesarean delivery, and perhaps other programmatic changes that were observational and unaccounted in the model were associated with improvements in outcome measures. Conclusions. Decreased mortality and composite morbidity-mortality in VLBW infants delivered at ROH were found following the initiation of a new perinatal program.
The dynamically correct Poynting vector formulation for acoustic media with application in calculating multidirectional propagation vectors to produce angle gathers from reverse time migration
Authors: Tang Chen , McMechan George A.
Published: April 2018

The Poynting vector (PV) has been widely used to calculate propagation vectors of a pressure field (PF) in acoustic media. The most widely used acoustic PV formula is the negative of a product of the time and space derivatives. These two derivatives result in a phase shift between the PF and its PV; particularly, for a PF at a local magnitude peak, the PV modulus is zero and thus the propagation direction there is undefined. This “zero-modulus” issue is not consistent with the physical definition of the PV, which is the directional energy flux density of a PF because this definition indicates that the variation of the PV modulus should be consistent with the PF magnitude. This PV is only considered as kinematically correct and defined as K-PV. We derive the dynamically correct PV (D-PV) formula for acoustic media, which is the negative of the product of the reciprocal of the density, the PF itself, and a factor that is obtained by applying a time integration and a space derivative to the PF. There are two derivations. One uses the slowness vector, and the other is by simplifying the elastic PV. This D-PV does not suffer from the zero-modulus problem, and we also use it to update the multidirectional PV (MPV), which produces a D-MPV. Two strategies are provided to reduce the computational complexity of the time integration in the D-PV formula. Because the MPV already involves Fourier transforms between the time and frequency domains (which facilitates implementation of the time integration), its updated version causes only a very minor increase in the computational complexity of the original one. Numerical examples indicate that the D-PV provides more reliable propagation vectors than the K-PV, and the D-MPV provides more accurate angle-domain common-image gathers from reverse time migration of acoustic media than the K-MPV.
Ketamine as the anaesthetic for electroconvulsive therapy: the KANECT randomised controlled trial – CORRIGENDUM
Authors: Fernie Gordon , Currie James , Perrin Jennifer S. , Stewart Caroline A. , Anderson Virginica , Bennett Daniel M. , Hay Steven , Reid Ian C.
Published: April 2018

This notice describes a correction to the above mentioned paper.
Orlistat Therapy for Children With Type 1 Hyperlipoproteinemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Patni Nivedita , Quittner Claudia , Garg Abhimanyu
Published: April 2018

Context

Patients with type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia (T1HLP), a rare genetic disorder, have extreme chylomicronemia and recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. Currently, the only therapeutic option is to consume an extremely low-fat diet because the triglyceride-lowering medications are not efficacious.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of orlistat, a gastric and pancreatic lipase inhibitor, in reducing serum triglyceride levels in patients with T1HLP.

Design and Setting

We conducted a randomized, open-label, clinical trial with a four-period, two-sequence (“orlistat” and “off orlistat” for 3 months), crossover study design.

Patients

Two unrelated young Asian Indian males (11 and 9 years old) with T1HLP due to homozygous large GPIHBP1 deletions were enrolled at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. The patients were randomized to receive 3 months of orlistat or no therapy (off), then crossed over to the other arm, and this sequence was then repeated. Fasting serum triglyceride levels, fat-soluble vitamins, and gastrointestinal side effects were assessed.

Results

Compared with the two off periods, orlistat therapy reduced serum triglycerides by 53.3% and 53.0% in patient 1 and 45.8% and 62.2% in patient 2. There was no deficiency of fat-soluble vitamin levels, and their growth continued. There were no serious adverse effects of orlistat; patient 1 had a mild increase in passage of gas and bloating, and patient 2 had constipation with mild stool leakage.

Conclusion

Orlistat is safe and highly efficacious in lowering serum triglycerides in children with T1HLP and should be the first-line therapy in conjunction with an extremely low-fat diet.
Multimodal Regulation of Circadian Glucocorticoid Rhythm by Central and Adrenal Clocks
Authors: Son Gi Hoon , Cha Hyo Kyeong , Chung Sooyoung , Kim Kyungjin
Published: April 2018

Adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs) control a wide range of physiological processes, including metabolism, cardiovascular and pulmonary activities, immune and inflammatory responses, and various brain functions. During stress responses, GCs are secreted through activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, whereas circulating GC levels in unstressed states follow a robust circadian oscillation with a peak around the onset of the active period of a day. A recent advance in chronobiological research has revealed that multiple regulatory mechanisms, along with classical neuroendocrine regulation, underlie this GC circadian rhythm. The hierarchically organized circadian system, with a central pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus and local oscillators in peripheral tissues, including the adrenal gland, mediates periodicities in physiological processes in mammals. In this review, we primarily focus on our understanding of the circadian regulation of adrenal GC rhythm, with particular attention to the cooperative actions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus central and adrenal local clocks, and the clinical implications of this rhythm in human diseases.
Comparison of Intraoperative Sedation With Dexmedetomidine Versus Propofol on Acute Postoperative Pain in Total Knee Arthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Shin Hyun-Jung , Do Sang-Hwan , Lee Jae-Sung , Kim Tae-Kyun , Na Hyo-Seok
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

In patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia, we compared the postoperative analgesic effect of intraoperative sedation with dexmedetomidine versus propofol. We hypothesized that sedation with dexmedetomidine would result in lower postoperative opioid analgesic consumption than with propofol.

METHODS:

Forty-eight patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a dexmedetomidine group (n = 24), which received a loading dose of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1–0.5 μg·kg−1·hour−1, or a propofol group (n = 24), which received a continuous infusion of propofol via a target-controlled infusion to maintain the effect-site concentration within a range of 0.5–2.0 μg/mL. The drug infusion rate was determined according to the sedation level, targeting a modified observer’s assessment of alertness/sedation score of 3 or 4. The cumulative amounts of fentanyl administered via intravenous patient-controlled analgesia were recorded at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively (primary outcome). The postoperative numerical rating scale for pain was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (secondary outcome). The postoperative use of additional rescue analgesic (ketoprofen) and antiemetic drugs was also compared between the 2 groups at 24 and 48 hours.

RESULTS:

Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced postoperative fentanyl consumption (median [interquartile range]) during 0–24 hours (45 [30–71] vs 150 [49–248] μg, P = .004; median difference = −105 μg [99.98% CI, 210–7.5]), 24–48 hours (90 [45–143] vs 188 [75–266] μg, P = .005; median difference = −98 μg [99.98% CI, 195–45]), and 0–48 hours (135 [68–195] vs 360 [146–480] μg, P = .003; median difference = −225 μg [99.98% CI, 405–7.5]). The numerical rating scale (median [interquartile range]) was lower at 6 hours (1 [0–2] vs 2 [1–3], P = .003), 12 hours (1 [1–2] vs 3 [2–3], P < .001), 24 hours (1 [1–2] vs 3 [2–3], P < .001), and 48 hours (2 [2–3] vs 3 [3–4], P < .001) after surgery in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the propofol group. No significant intergroup differences were observed in the amount of rescue analgesics and antiemetics at 24 hours (P = .155 and P = .482) and 48 hours (P = .082 and P = .153) after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intraoperative dexmedetomidine sedation was associated with a small but clinically important reduction in postoperative opioid use after total knee arthroplasty.
Dezocine Alleviates Morphine-Induced Dependence in Rats
Authors: Wu Fei-xiang , Babazada Hasan , Gao Hao , Huang Xi-Ping , Xi Chun-hua , Chen Chun-hua , Xi Jin , Yu Wei-feng , Liu Renyu
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

Opioid dependence is a major public health issue without optimal therapeutics. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effect of dezocine, a nonaddictive opioid, in opioid dependence in rat models.

METHODS:

Dezocine was administered intraperitoneally to a morphine-dependent rat model to investigate its effect on withdrawal and conditioned place preference (CPP). Effect of dezocine on morphine withdrawal syndrome and CPP was analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Buprenorphine and vehicle solution containing 20% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide were used for positive and negative control, respectively. The astrocytes activation in nucleus accumbens was assessed by immunofluorescence assay of glial fibrillary acidic protein. Effect of dezocine and buprenorphine on the internalization of κ opioid receptor (KOR) was investigated using Neuro2A expressing KOR fused to red fluorescent protein tdTomato (KOR-tdT). Buprenorphine and dezocine were screened against 44 G-protein–coupled receptors, ion channels, and transporter proteins using radioligand-binding assay to compare the molecular targets.

RESULTS:

The mean withdrawal score was reduced in rats treated with 1.25 mg·kg−1 dezocine compared to vehicle-treated control animals starting from the day 1 (mean difference: 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.35–9.25; P < .0001 by 2-way ANOVA). Significance was observed at all treatment days, including day 7 (mean difference: 2.13; 95% CI, 0.68–3.58; P < .001 by 2-way ANOVA). Furthermore, dezocine inhibited the reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP (mean difference: 314; 95% CI, 197.9–430.1; P < .0001 by 2-way ANOVA) compared to the control group. Chronic morphine administration induced astrocytes activation in nucleus accumbens, which was attenuated by dezocine. Dezocine blocked the agonist-induced KOR internalization in vitro, 1 of the mechanisms involved in the downstream signaling and development of opioid dependence. Dezocine had affinity to norepinephrine and serotonin transporters and sigma-1 receptor, whereas buprenorphine showed no activity against these targets.

CONCLUSIONS:

Dezocine could potentially be used to alleviate opioid dependence. Due to the unique molecular target profile different from buprenorphine, it might have important value in studying the mechanisms of morphine dependence and developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Bodyminds Reimagined
Authors: Schalk Sami
Published: April 2018

In Bodyminds Reimagined Sami Schalk traces how black women's speculative fiction complicates the understanding of bodyminds—the intertwinement of the mental and the physical—in the context of race, gender, and (dis)ability. Bridging black feminist theory with disability studies, Schalk demonstrates that this genre's political potential lies in the authors' creation of bodyminds that transcend reality's limitations. She reads (dis)ability in neo-slave narratives by Octavia Butler (Kindred) and Phyllis Alesia Perry (Stigmata) not only as representing the literal injuries suffered under slavery, but also as a metaphor for the legacy of racial violence. The fantasy worlds in works by N. K. Jemisin, Shawntelle Madison, and Nalo Hopkinson—where werewolves have obsessive-compulsive-disorder and blind demons can see magic—destabilize social categories and definitions of the human, calling into question the very nature of identity. In these texts, as well as in Butler’s Parable series, able-mindedness and able-bodiedness are socially constructed and upheld through racial and gendered norms. Outlining (dis)ability's centrality to speculative fiction, Schalk shows how these works open new social possibilities while changing conceptualizations of identity and oppression through nonrealist contexts.
Low resolution vision in a velvet worm (Onychophora)
Authors: Kirwan John Daniel , Graf Josefine , Smolka Jochen , Mayer Georg , Henze Miriam Judith , Nilsson Dan-Eric
Published: April 2018

Onychophorans, also known as velvet worms, possess a pair of simple lateral eyes, and are a key lineage with regard to the evolution of vision. They resemble ancient Cambrian forms, and are closely related to arthropods, which boast an unrivalled diversity of eye designs. Nonetheless, the visual capabilities of onychophorans have not been well explored. Here, we assess the spatial resolution of the onychophoran Euperipatoides rowelli using behavioural experiments, three-dimensional reconstruction, anatomical and optical examinations, and modelling. Exploiting a spontaneous attraction towards dark objects, we find that E. rowelli can resolve stimuli that have the same average luminance as the background. Depending on the assumed contrast sensitivity of the animals, we estimate spatial resolution to be in the range of 15° to 40°. This results from an arrangement where the cornea and lens project the image largely behind the retina. The peculiar ellipsoid shape of the eye in combination with the asymmetric position and tilted orientation of the lens may improve spatial resolution in the forward direction. Nonetheless, the unordered network of interdigitating photoreceptors, which fills the whole eye chamber, precludes high acuity vision. Our findings suggest that adult specimens of E. rowelli cannot spot or visually identify prey or conspecifics beyond a few centimetres from the eye, but the coarse spatial resolution that the animals exhibited in our experiments is likely sufficient to find shelter and suitable microhabitats from further away. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of resolving vision in an onychophoran.
A Longitudinal Study of the Effect of Organized Physical Activity on Free Active Play
Authors: CAIRNEY JOHN , BULTEN RHEANNA , KING-DOWLING SARA , ARBOUR-NICITOPOULOS KELLY
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The relationship between organized sport participation and positive youth development is well established. However, overinvolvement in sport and organized physical activity has been identified as having a potentially negative effect. Overscheduling and its impact on free play is one concern, given the importance of free play to overall health and development. Currently, it is not known if greater participation in organized sport has a positive or negative effect on discretionary free play in children and youth.

Methods

The Physical Health and Activity Study Team study was a 5-yr, longitudinal cohort study that followed 2278 fourth grade children (ages 9–10 yr). Organized sport and free play was assessed in the fall of each school year from fifth to eighth grades using self-report questionnaires.

Results

Using mixed-effects modeling, we found that higher participation in organized sport was associated with increased participation in free play over time (coefficient = 0.20, P < 0.001). Although this effect was independent of age and socioeconomic status, we did find that boys with high levels of organized participation reported the highest levels of free play overall.

Conclusions

Possible explanations for this association are related to the role sport might play in supporting physical literacy and the development of fundamental movement skills, allowing children to participate in more active free play pursuits. It might also be the case that active children simply seek out both organized and unorganized physical activity opportunities during this developmental period. Limitations and implications for further research and policy are discussed.
On Some Methodological Issues of Studying Cytogenetic Effects in Cancer Patients Treated with Neutron Therapy Using U-120 Cyclotron
Authors: Лисин В. , Lisin V.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: To study dosimetric characteristics of neutron radiation field, to determine their role in the formation of the total cytogenetic effect in the patient’s body and to assess the cytogenetic dosimetry capabilities in improving the quality of NT. Material and methods: A therapeutic beam with the average neutron energy of ~6.3 MeV was obtained from the V-120 cyclotron. The radiation field of the beam was investigated with the help of two ionization chambers with different sensitivity to neutrons. Chamber with high and low sensitivities were made of polyethylene and graphite, respectively. To exclude the uncertainty associated with the change in beam intensity in time, a dosimeter monitor operating in the integral mode was used. Results: The dependence of the monitor factor on the irradiated area was measured. The distributions of the absorbed dose of neutrons and γ-radiation over the depth of the tissue-equivalent medium were found. The contribution of γ-radiation to the neutron dose was increased from ~10 % at the entry to the medium to ~30 % at a depth of 16 cm. Dose distributions of scattered neutron and γ-radiation in the plane of the end face of the forming device were obtained. The contribution of these radiations to the dose received by the patient’s body was estimated. This contribution was shown to be comparable with that from the therapeutic beam. The analysis of the influence of NT on the estimation of the frequency of chromosome aberrations in the blood of patients was carried out. Conclusion: The frequency of chromosome aberrations in the blood of patients was determined by the whole-body dose, including dose due to scattered radiation. When using equal focal doses, the cytogenetic effect was found to be dependent on the area of the irradiated field and the depth of the tumor in the patient’s body. The differences in the RBE of neutrons and γ-radiation as well as the instability of the therapeutic neutron beam intensity create uncertainties that do not allow for the necessary control over the doses using the cytogenetic dosimetry. Therefore, cytogenetic dosimetry should be combined with an effective instrument dosimetry method. The use of biodosimetry based on the assessment of the frequency of chromosome aberrations is promising for controlling the average whole-body dose, on which the overall radiation response of the body depends.
Relationship between Hospital 30‐Day Mortality Rates for Heart Failure and Patterns of Early Inpatient Comfort Care
Authors: Chen Lena M. , Levine Deborah A. , Hayward Rodney , Cox Margueritte , Schulte Phillip J. , DeVore Adam D. , Hernandez Adrian , Heidenreich Paul A. , Yancy Clyde , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rewards hospitals that have low 30‐day risk‐standardized mortality rates (RSMR) for heart failure (HF).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of early comfort care for patients with HF, and whether hospitals that more commonly initiate comfort care have higher 30‐day mortality rates.

DESIGN

A retrospective, observational study.

SETTING

Acute care hospitals in the United States.

PATIENTS

A total of 93,920 fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries admitted with HF from January 2008 to December 2014 to 272 hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines‐Heart Failure registry.

EXPOSURE

Early comfort care (defined as comfort care within 48 hours of hospitalization) rate.

MEASUREMENTS

A 30‐day RSMR.

RESULTS

Hospitals' early comfort care rates were low for patients admitted for H F, with no change over time (2.5% to 2.6%, from 2008 to 2014, P = .56). Rates varied widely (0% to 40%), with 14.3% of hospitals not initiating comfort care for any patients during the first 2 days of hospitalization. Risk‐standardized early comfort care rates were not correlated with RSMR (median RSMR = 10.9%, 25th to 75th percentile = 10.1% to 12.0%; Spearman's rank correlation = 0.13; P = .66).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital use of early comfort care for HF varies, has not increased over time, and on average, is not correlated with 30‐day RSMR. This suggests that current efforts to lower mortality rates have not had unintended consequences for hospitals that institute early comfort care more commonly than their peers.
Predictors of Long‐Term Opioid Use After Opioid Initiation at Discharge From Medical and Surgical Hospitalizations
Authors: Mosher Hilary J. , Hofmeyer Brooke A. , Hadlandsmyth Katherine , Richardson Kelly K. , Lund Brian C.
Published: April 2018

Opioid analgesics may be initiated following surgical and medical hospitalization or in ambulatory settings; rates of subsequent long‐term opioid (LTO) use have not been directly compared. This retrospective cohort study of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) included all patients receiving a new outpatient opioid prescription from a VHA provider in fiscal year 2011. If a new outpatient prescription was filled within 2 days following hospital discharge, the initiation was considered a discharge prescription. LTO use was defined as an episode of continuous opioid supply lasting a minimum of 90 days and beginning within 30 days of the initial prescription. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify the factors associated with LTO use following surgical and medical discharges. Following incident prescription, 5.3% of discharged surgical patients, 15.2% of discharged medical patients, and 19.3% of outpatient opioid initiators received opioids long term. Medical and surgical patients differed; surgical patients were more likely to receive shorter prescription durations. Predictors of LTO use were similar in medical and surgical patients; the most robust predictor in both groups was the number of days' supply of the initial prescription (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12‐1.37 for 8‐14 days; OR = 1.56 and 95% CI, 1.39‐1.76 for 15‐29 days; and OR = 2.59 and 95% CI, 2.35‐2.86 for >30 days) compared with the reference group receiving ≤7days. Rates of subsequent LTO use are higher among discharged medical patients than among surgical patients. Characteristics of opioid prescribing within the initial 30 days, including initial dose and days prescribed, were strongly associated with LTO use.
Hospitalist Value in an ACO World
Authors: Li Jing , Williams Mark V.
Published: April 2018

The accountable care organization (ACO) concept is advocated as a promising value‐based payment model that could successfully realign the current payment system to financially reward improvements in quality and efficiency. Focusing on the care of hospitalized patients and controlling a substantive portion of variable hospital expenses, hospitalists are poised to play an essential role in system‐level transformational change to achieve clinical integration. Especially through hospital and health system quality improvement (QI) initiatives, hospitalists can directly impact and share accountability for measures ranging from care coordination to implementation of evidence‐based care and the patient and family caregiver experience. Regardless of political terrain, financial constraints in healthcare will foster continued efforts to promote formation of ACOs that aim to deliver coordinated, evidence‐based, and patient‐centered care. Hospitalists possess the clinical experience of caring for complex patients with multiple comorbidities and the QI skills needed to lead efforts in this new ACO era.
Leadership Education and Development: Theory Driven Evolutions
Authors: Raymer Steven D. , Dobbs James , Kelley Christopher P. , Lindsay Douglas R.
Published: April 2018

This paper examines the evolution of the core academic leader development course at the United States Air Force Academy. The course serves as a key part of student leadership development integrated into all four years of a student’s education and their roles within the organization. The curriculum focuses on skills, character, and critical thinking in leadership contexts. The desired effect is to engage students where they are in their development and to train them in the practice of effective, professional team leadership within their teams and the larger organization. Assessment strategies such as reflection, journaling, self-assessment, and practiced application of course material are designed to fit into students’ leadership experiences so students apply what they learn in an immediate, relevant context.
On complex Berwald metrics which are not conformal changes of complex Minkowski metrics
Authors: Xia Hongchuan , Zhong Chunping
Published: April 2018

We investigate a class of complex Finsler metrics on a domain D ⊂ ℂ
n
. Necessary and sufficient conditions for these metrics to be strongly pseudoconvex complex Finsler metrics, or complex Berwald metrics, are given. The complex Berwald metrics constructed in this paper are neither trivial Hermitian metrics nor conformal changes of complex Minkowski metrics. We give a characterization of complex Berwald metrics which are of isotropic holomorphic curvatures, and also give characterizations of complex Finsler metrics of this class to be Kähler Finsler or weakly Kähler Finsler metrics. Moreover, in the strongly convex case, we give characterizations of complex Finsler metrics of this class to be projectively flat Finsler metrics or dually flat Finsler metrics.
Homogeneous spin Riemannian manifolds with the simplest Dirac operator
Authors: Gadea P. M. , González-Dávila J. C. , Oubiña J. A.
Published: April 2018

We show the existence of nonsymmetric homogeneous spin Riemannian manifolds whose Dirac operator is like that on a Riemannian symmetric spin space. Such manifolds are exactly the homogeneous spin Riemannian manifolds (M, g) which are traceless cyclic with respect to some quotient expression M = G/K and reductive decomposition 𝔤 = 𝔨 ⊕ 𝔪. Using transversally symmetric fibrations of noncompact type, we give a list of them.
Productivity, vocabulary size, and new words. A response to Säily (2016)
Authors: Berg Kristian
Published: April 2018

Säily (2016, Sociolinguistic variation in morphological productivity in eighteenth-century English.Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory12(1). 129–151) offers a very interesting way of gauging the productivity of a word-formation pattern when the corresponding token counts vary. However, I disagree with the operationalization of productivity that she uses. If we employ vocabulary size as an indicator of productivity, later stages in a language’s life will automatically be more productive. As an alternative, I suggest a neologism-based measure, which is preferable for various reasons.
Effect of the African-specific promoter polymorphisms on the SLC22A2 gene expression levels
Authors: Pearce Brendon , Abrahams-October Zainonesa , Xhakaza Lettilia , Jacobs Clifford , Benjeddou Mongi
Published: April 2018

Background:

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in promoter regions have been shown to alter the transcription of genes. Thus, SNPs in SLC22A2 can result in inter-individual variable response to medication.

Methods:

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of the African-specific promoter polymorphisms on the SLC22A2 gene expression levels in vitro. These included rs572296424 and rs150063153, which have been previously identified in the Xhosa population of South Africa. The promoter region (300 bp) for the two haplotypes was cloned into the pGLOW promoterless GFP reporter vector. The GFP expression levels of each haplotype was determined in the HEK293 cells using a GlowMax Multi-Detection E7031 luminometer in the form of light emission.

Results:

The relative promoter activity suggests that no significant variation exists between the expression levels of the WT and -95 haplotypes and the -95 and -156 haplotypes (p=0.498). However, the relative promoter activity of the WT haplotype in comparison to the -156 haplotype displayed a significant difference in expression level (p=0.016).

Conclusions:

The data presented here show that the African-specific promoter polymorphisms can cause a decrease in the SLC22A2 gene expression levels in vitro, which in turn, may influence the pharmacokinetic profiles of cationic drugs.
Sharp estimates for the gradient of the generalized Poisson integral for a half-space
Authors: Kresin Gershon , Maz’ya Vladimir
Published: April 2018

A representation of the sharp coefficient in a pointwise estimate for the gradient
of the generalized Poisson integral of a function f on

ℝ
n

{{\mathbb{R}}^{n}}

is obtained under the assumption that
f belongs to

L
p

{L^{p}}

. The explicit value of the coefficient is found for the cases

p
=
1

{p=1}

and

p
=
2

{p=2}

.
Immunity properties of the s-degrees
Authors: Omanadze Roland , Sorbi Andrea
Published: April 2018

We investigate immunity properties of the s-degrees. In particular we show that neither the immune nor the hyperimmune s-degrees are upwards closed since there exist s-degrees a ≤s
b such that a is hyperimmune, but b is immune free. We also show that there is no hyperhyperimmune set A such that , where is the complement of the halting set and ≤ŝ denotes the finite-branch version of s-reducibility.
Localized boundary-domain integral equation formulation for mixed type problems
Authors: Chkadua Otar , Mikhailov Sergey E. , Natroshvili David
Published: April 2018

Some modifed direct localized boundary-domain integral equations (LBDIEs) systems associated with the mixed boundary value problem (BVP) for a scalar “Laplace” PDE with variable coefficient are formulated and analyzed. The main results established in the paper are the LBDIEs equivalence to the original variable-coefficient BVPs and the invertibility of the corresponding localized boundary-domain integral operators in appropriately chosen function spaces.
Global well-posedness and linearization of a semilinear 2D wave equation with exponential type nonlinearity
Authors: Mahouachi Olfa , Saanouni Tarek
Published: April 2018

We consider the initial value problem for a two-dimensional semi-linear wave equation with exponential type nonlinearity. We obtain global well-posedness in the energy space. We also establish the linearization of bounded energy solutions in the spirit of Gérard [J. Funct. Anal. 141: 60–98, 1996]. The proof uses Moser–Trudinger type inequalities and the energy estimate.
The Amounts of Water Adsorbed to the Surface of Clay Minerals at the Plastic Limit
Authors: Gorączko Aleksandra , Olchawa Andrzej
Published: April 2018

The paper presents results of a study on the amount of water associated with the solid phase of the clay water system at the plastic limit. Two model monomineral clays, namely kaolinite, and montmorillonite, were used in the study. The latter was obtained by gravitational sedimentation of Na-bentonite (Wyoming).

The calculated mean number of water molecule layers on the external surface of montmorillonite was 14.4, and water in interlayer spaces constituted 0.3 of the water mass at the plastic limit.

The number of water layers on the external surface of kaolinite particles was 63, which was related to the higher density of the surface electrical charge of kaolinite compared to that of montmorillonite.

The calculations were made on the basis of the external surface area of clays and the basal spacing at the plastic limit measured by an X-ray diffraction test. The external surface area of clays was estimated by measuring sorption at a relative humidity p/p
0 = 0.5.