bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Los límites jurídicos de las políticas lingüísticas y la desterritorialidad del catalán
Authors: Jiménez-Salcedo Juan
Published: March 2019

El concepto de territorialidad lingüística remite a la existencia, para cada una de las lenguas
de Europa, de un régimen jurídico propio circunscrito a un territorio determinado. Como categoría opuesta, el concepto de
desterritorialidad implica la existencia de un no-territorio jurídico, en el que no se pueden desarrollar de
manera óptima las políticas lingüísticas necesarias para hacer que una lengua se convierta en lengua pública común. El catalán
puede considerarse lengua mediana de Europa desde el punto de vista demolingüístico, pero está desterritorializada, pues carece de
plenitud institucional al tener que compartir espacio jurídico con el francés y el castellano. Este fenómeno es especialmente
observable en el ámbito educativo, en el que pueden analizarse hasta tres niveles diferentes de desterritorialidad: la influencia
del castellano y el francés como lengua franca y lengua vehicular tradicional en Andorra (nivel 1), la dificultad de encajar el
sistema de conjunción lingüística de Cataluña en el entramado constitucional español (nivel 2) y la insuficiencia de la política
lingüística educativa para revertir la ruptura de la transmisión lingüística intergeneracional en el Rosellón (nivel 3).
Living with parallel corpora
Authors: Marco Josep
Published: March 2019

Parallel corpora can be used in translation research in at least two ways: as the main source of data or as a supplement to data retrieved from a comparable corpus, enabling data triangulation. In the former scenario, they may throw light on contrastive aspects or on translator techniques and methods. In the latter they will tend to be searched to account for differences perceived between the two components of a comparable corpus. Two case studies will be put forward in order to illustrate these two uses of parallel corpora. Both draw on the English-Catalan subcorpus of COVALT (Valencian Corpus of Translated Literature). The first analyses the translation of meal names whereas the second focuses on the -ment adverb + adjective construction.
Corpus PaGeS
Authors: Doval Irene , Lanza Santiago Fernández , Juliá Tomás Jiménez , Lamas Elsa Liste , Lübke Barbara
Published: March 2019

This chapter presents the bilingual parallel corpus PaGeS, compiled by the research group SpatiAlEs from the University of Santiago de Compostela. PaGeS currently amounts to nearly 20 million tokens and consists of texts originally written in German and in Spanish and their correspondent translations into the other language, as well as a small portion of German and Spanish translations from third languages. The present contribution introduces the main characteristics of the PaGeS corpus, focusing on its design and compilation. It first explains the criteria for the selection of the texts and the details of text pre-processing, automatic alignment and manual review. It then addresses the search and display features describing the server architecture and indexing process. Finally, the intended development of the PaGeS corpus is briefly discussed.
PEST
Authors: Mikhailov Mikhail , Santalahti Miia , Souma Julia
Published: March 2019

This chapter introduces the Parallel Electronic corpus of State Treaties (PEST). The current plan is to compile a parallel corpus, which will include treaties concluded between Russia and Finland, Finland and Sweden, and Sweden and Russia. In addition, there will be a subcorpus of international conventions in all three languages plus English, to be used as reference data. The chapter describes the structure of the subcorpora (number of documents, their chronological distribution and topics featured), and it also addresses the challenges of balancing such a corpus. In the future, this material can be used for studies ranging from lexicon and semantics to grammar, style, discourse, translation studies, and language for special purposes.
Normalization of shorthand forms in French text messages using word embedding and machine translation
Authors: Ghoshal Parijat , Rao Xi
Published: March 2019

This chapter focuses on the normalization of abbreviations and shorthand forms used in French text messages. These forms are difficult to normalize, as they mostly cannot be resolved by typical spell checkers and dictionary lookups. Firstly, we aligned normalized and non-normalized French text messages and built a parallel corpus. We applied two popular approaches for text normalization, namely multilingual word embeddings, and character-based machine translation. We compare our results and observe the efficacy of our models while normalizing deletions, substitutions, repetitions, swaps, and insertions, made to canonical forms. This is the first paper that uses Multivec and the Belgian SMS corpus collected under the SMS4Science Project. The unsupervised machine learning approach makes the system highly flexible, easily adaptable and provides a domain-independent method of text normalization.
R-impersonal interpretation in Italian Sign Language (LIS)
Authors: Mantovan Lara , Geraci Carlo
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we examine agent backgrounding in Italian Sign Language (LIS). Specifically, we are interested in
identifying and describing the strategies used by LIS signers to reduce referentiality. On the basis of low-referential contexts
(cf. questionnaire in the Introduction chapter), we recorded target sentences containing potential markers of agent backgrounding
and asked three LIS native signers to provide felicity judgments on them using a 7-point scale. We discuss agent-backgrounding
strategies of different types: (i) manual, (ii) non-manual, and (iii) syntactic. Overall, our study shows that the combination of
raised eyebrows and mouth-corners down associated with the existential quantifier someone and the sign person
makes the agent-backgrounding reading more prominent. Other strategies that can be used in LIS to reduce referentiality are free
relatives, perspective shift, and null subject. We also investigate in more detail the semantic status of someone,
person, and the null subject through well-established tests from the literature.
R-impersonals in Hong Kong Sign Language
Authors: Sze Felix , Tang Gladys
Published: March 2019

This paper discusses R-impersonals in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL). As evidenced in our questionnaire and conversation data, R-impersonals in HKSL typically make use of null forms, the non-specific indefinite determiner (i.e.,onedet-path(someone)/onedet-path(anyone)), distinguished by non-manual markers), and, occasionally, the Chinese character signhuman/person. HKSL does not show impersonal uses of personal pronouns (e.g.,they, you) which are commonly found in spoken languages. The nominal strategies are determined by the contexts and the referential properties of the impersonal referents, and they differ in the use of space in representing the impersonal referents in subsequent discourse. R-impersonal referents encoded byonedet-path(someone)/onedet-path(anyone) are associated with an area of the upper part of the ipsilateral side of the signing space, but they can still be assigned to a specific locus if the subsequent discourse requires locative information. Impersonal referents introduced by null forms or the Chinese character signhuman/personare typically not spatially anchored.
Strong pronominals in ASL and LSF?
Authors: Schlenker Philippe
Published: March 2019

Theories of pronominal strength (e.g., Cardinaletti & Starke 1999)
lead one to expect that sign language, just like spoken language, can have morphologically distinct strong pronominals. We suggest
that American Sign Language (ASL) and French Sign Language (LSF) might have such pronominals, characterized here by the fact that
they may associate with only even in the absence of prosodically marked focus.
The role of behavioural assessment in determining 'positive' affective states in animals.
Authors: Whittaker A. L. , Marsh L. E.
Published: March 2019

The assessment and promotion of positive affective states as opposed to consideration of negative states alone has now become an accepted component of animal welfare thinking. However, methods for assessment of positive affective state are comparatively underdeveloped compared with their negative counterparts. Due to the current lack of established physiological methods for assessing positive effect in animals, behavioural measures are likely to be the closest proxies. In this paper, we broadly review spontaneous behavioural measures that have been utilized in mammals to determine positive affect. This includes luxury behaviours, facial expression, vocalizations and laterality. Play and anticipatory behaviours expressed in animals have received greatest research attention. However, these methods require care in interpretation due to the influence of age and other factors, such as social status on their performance. These methods may also be subjective if descriptions of individual behaviours are not well defined and validated. Methods that are amenable to automation may reduce subjectivity. Automation will also aid in more widespread implementation as an on-enterprise welfare assessment tool. There is a pressing need to develop simple and objective indices of positive affect. The use of vocalizations and facial expressions may fulfil these criteria. Future research attention should be directed towards further characterising these methods.
Loss of Rim15p in shochu yeast alters carbon utilization during barley shochu fermentation
Authors: Watanabe Daisuke , Tashiro Satoshi , Shintani Dai , Sugimoto Yukiko , Iwami Akihiko , Kajiwara Yasuhiro , Takashita Hideharu , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

Rim15p of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Greatwall-family protein kinase that inhibits alcoholic fermentation during sake brewing. To elucidate the roles of Rim15p in barley shochu fermentation, RIM15 was deleted in shochu yeast. The disruptant did not improve ethanol yield, but altered sugar and glycerol contents in the mash, suggesting that Rim15p has a novel function in carbon utilization.
Single-cell transcriptome-based multilayer network biomarker for predicting prognosis and therapeutic response of gliomas
Authors: Zhang Ji , Guan Meige , Wang Qianliang , Zhang Jiajun , Zhou Tianshou , Sun Xiaoqiang
Published: March 2019

Occurrence and development of cancers are governed by complex networks of interacting intercellular and intracellular signals. The technology of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides an unprecedented opportunity for dissecting the interplay between the cancer cells and the associated microenvironment. Here we combined scRNA-seq data with clinical bulk gene expression data to develop a computational pipeline for identifying the prognostic and predictive signature that connects cancer cells and microenvironmental cells. The pipeline was applied to glioma scRNA-seq data and revealed a tumor-associated microglia/macrophage-mediated EGFR/ERBB2 feedback-crosstalk signaling module, which was defined as a multilayer network biomarker (MNB) to predict survival outcome and therapeutic response of glioma patients. We used publicly available clinical data sets from large cohorts of glioma patients to examine the prognostic significance and predictive accuracy of the MNB, which outperformed conventional gene biomarkers and other methods. Additionally, the MNB was found to be predictive of the sensitivity or resistance of glioma patients to molecularly targeted therapeutics. Moreover, the MNB was an independent and the strongest prognostic factor when adjusted for clinicopathologic risk factors and other existing gene signatures. The robustness of the MNB was further tested on additional data sets. Our study presents a promising scRNA-seq transcriptome-based multilayer network approach to elucidate the interactions between tumor cell and tumor-associated microenvironment and to identify prognostic and predictive signatures of cancer patients. The proposed MNB method may facilitate the design of more effective biomarkers for predicting prognosis and therapeutic resistance of cancer patients.
Interacting, Nonspecific, Immunological Effects of Bacille Calmette-Guérin and Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis Inactivated Polio Vaccinations: An Explorative, Randomized Trial
Authors: Blok Bastiaan A , de Bree L Charlotte J , Diavatopoulos Dimitri A , Langereis Jeroen D , Joosten Leo A B , Aaby Peter , van Crevel Reinout , Benn Christine S , Netea Mihai G
Published: March 2019

Background

Certain vaccines, such as Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), have nonspecific effects, which modulate innate immune responses and lead to protection against mortality from unrelated infections (trained immunity). In contrast, in spite of the disease-specific effects, an enhanced overall mortality has been described after diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination in females. This randomized trial aimed to investigate the nonspecific immunological effects of BCG and DTP-containing vaccines on the immune response to unrelated pathogens.

Methods

We randomized 75 healthy, female, adult volunteers to receive either BCG, followed by a booster dose of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis inactivated polio vaccine (Tdap) 3 months later; BCG and Tdap combined; or Tdap followed by BCG 3 months later. Blood was collected before vaccination, as well as at 1 day, 4 days, 2 weeks, and 3 months after the first vaccination(s), plus 2 weeks after the second vaccination. Ex vivo leukocyte responses to unrelated stimuli and pathogens were assessed.

Results

Tdap vaccination led to short-term potentiation and long-term repression of monocyte-derived cytokine responses, and short-term as well as long-term repression of T-cell reactivity to unrelated pathogens. BCG led to short-term and long-term potentiation of monocyte-derived cytokine responses. When given together with Tdap or after Tdap, BCG abrogated the immunosuppressive effects of Tdap vaccination.

Conclusions

Tdap induces immunotolerance to unrelated antigens, which is partially restored by concurrent or subsequent BCG vaccination. These data indicate that the modulation of heterologous immune responses is induced by vaccination with Tdap and BCG, and more studies are warranted to investigate whether this is involved in the nonspecific effects of vaccines on mortality.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02771782.
Diacylglycerol kinase epsilon nephropathy: late diagnosis and therapeutic implications
Authors: Holanda Maria Izabel de , Gomes Caio Perez , Araujo Stanley de Almeida , Wanderley David Campos , Eick Renato George , Dantas Gustavo Coelho , Tino Michele Karen dos Santos , Pesquero João Bosco , Palma Lilian Monteiro Pereira
Published: March 2019

A 17-year-old male presented thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) at 6 months of age with arterial hypertension, anemia, thrombocytopenia and kidney injury improving with plasma infusions. Fourteen years later, he was diagnosed with severe arterial hypertension, increase in serum creatinine and chronic TMA on kidney biopsy. Eculizumab was started and after 18 months of treatment, he persisted with hypertension, decline in renal function and proteinuria. Genetic analysis demonstrated mutation in diacylglycerol kinase epsilon (DGKe). Complement blockade was stopped. This case of late diagnosis of DGKe nephropathy highlights the importance of genetic testing in patients presenting TMA during the first year of life.
DUBLIN [Degree of Ulcerative colitis Burden of Luminal Inflammation] Score, a Simple Method to Quantify Inflammatory Burden in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Rowan Catherine R , Cullen Garret , Mulcahy Hugh E , Sheridan Juliette , Moss Alan C , Ryan Elizabeth J , Doherty Glen A
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Endoscopic scores of local severity do not reflect disease extent, or disease burden. The DUBLIN score is a simple bedside clinical score that estimates inflammatory burden using both disease severity and extent. As the need to personalize therapy for ulcerative colitis [UC] patients increases, a score accurately assessing disease burden will be of great relevance. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of the DUBLIN score by comparing its performance with objective biomarkers.

Methods

The DUBLIN score was calculated as a product of the Mayo Endoscopic Score [0–3] and disease extent [E1–E3]. Correlation with objective biomarkers was performed in a retrospective ‘discovery cohort’. A ‘validation cohort was recruited from a single centre, where clinical outcomes, colectomy rate, and biochemical data were collected prospectively.

Results

The discovery cohort included 70 patients with UC. The DUBLIN score correlated significantly with faecal calprotectin [FCP] levels [r = 0.394; p < 0.01]. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] analysis using FCP>50μg/g showed a higher area under the ROC curve [AUC] with the DUBLIN score [AUC = 0.76] than with the Mayo Score [AUC = 0.73]. The validation cohort included 41 patients. Patients with a high inflammatory burden [DUBLIN >3] had higher C-reactive protein and FCP, and lower albumin than patients with a low inflammatory burden. A high DUBLIN score was associated with an increased risk of treatment failure. [hazard ratio 2.98 95%, confidence interval 1.002–8.87; p = 0.049]

Conclusion

The DUBLIN score is a simple measure of inflammatory burden, which correlates with objective inflammatory markers and is associated with clinical outcomes, such as treatment failure. The DUBLIN score has the potential to assist in personalizing therapy for patients with UC.
Lung cancer survival and comorbidities in lung cancer screening participants of the Gdańsk screening cohort
Authors: Ostrowski Marcin , Marczyk Michał , Dziedzic Robert , Jelitto-Górska Małgorzata , Marjański Tomasz , Pisiak Sylwia , Jędrzejczyk Tadeusz , Polańska Joanna , Zdrojewski Tomasz , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Rzyman Witold
Published: March 2019

Background

In 2010, the World Health Organisation recommended implementation of screening programmes in four groups of diseases—neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is due to the fact that they share the same, modifiable risk factors.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, 8637 heavy smokers (aged 50–75, smoking history >20 pack-years) were screened in the Pomeranian Pilot Lung Cancer Screening Programme (PPP) in Gdańsk, Poland. We looked at 5-year follow-up and analysed the medical events and comorbidities of all participants. One health care provider in the Polish health care system provides a unique opportunity to gather most reliable data on all medical events in each person.

Results

In 52.0% of lung cancer screening participants CVD (33.5%), DM (26.0%) and COPD (21.0%) were diagnosed. Prevalence of these diseases is higher in lung cancer patients than in the non-cancer screening group (P < 0.0001). One hundred and seven (1.2%) lung cancers were diagnosed during PPP programme performance and another 382 cases (4.4%) in the 5-year follow-up, so the potential mean annual lung cancer detection rate is 0.77%.

Conclusions

Lung cancer screening programme offers a great potential for joint screening of lung cancer, CVD, diabetes and COPD.
Physiological and transcriptomic response of Saccharomyces pastorianus to cold storage
Authors: Somani Abhishek , Box Wendy G , Smart Katherine A , Powell Chris D
Published: March 2019

Removal of yeast biomass at the end of fermentation, followed by a period of storage before re-inoculation into a subsequent fermentation, is common in the brewing industry. Storage is typically conducted at cold temperatures to preserve yeast quality, a practice which has unfavourable cost and environmental implications. To determine the potential for alleviating these effects, the transcriptomic and physiological response of Saccharomyces pastorianus strain W34/70 to standard (4°C) and elevated (10°C) storage temperatures was explored. Higher temperatures resulted in increased expression of genes associated with the production and mobilisation of intracellular glycogen, trehalose, glycerol and fatty acids, although these observations were limited to early stages of storage. Intracellular trehalose and glycerol concentrations were higher at 4°C than at 10°C, as a consequence of the cellular response to cold stress. However, significant changes in glycogen degradation or cellular fatty acid composition did not occur between the two sets of populations, ensuring that cell viability remained consistent. It is anticipated that this data may lead to changes in standard practice for handling yeast cultures, without compromising yeast quality. This work has significance not only for the brewing industry, but also for food and biofuel sectors requiring short-term storage of liquid yeast.
Salbutamol modifies the neuromuscular junction in a mouse model of ColQ myasthenic syndrome
Authors: McMacken Grace M , Spendiff Sally , Whittaker Roger G , O’Connor Emily , Howarth Rachel M , Boczonadi Veronika , Horvath Rita , Slater Clarke R , Lochmüller Hanns
Published: March 2019

The β-adrenergic agonists salbutamol and ephedrine have proven to be effective as therapies for human disorders of the neuromuscular junction, in particular many subsets of congenital myasthenic syndromes. However, the mechanisms underlying this clinical benefit are unknown and improved understanding of the effect of adrenergic signalling on the neuromuscular junction is essential to facilitate the development of more targeted therapies. Here, we investigated the effect of salbutamol treatment on the neuromuscular junction in the ColQ deficient mouse, a model of end-plate acetylcholinesterase deficiency. ColQ−/− mice received 7 weeks of daily salbutamol injection, and the effect on muscle strength and neuromuscular junction morphology was analysed. We show that salbutamol leads to a gradual improvement in muscle strength in ColQ−/− mice. In addition, the neuromuscular junctions of salbutamol treated mice showed significant improvements in several postsynaptic morphological defects, including increased synaptic area, acetylcholine receptor area and density, and extent of postjunctional folds. These changes occurred without alterations in skeletal muscle fibre size or type. These findings suggest that β-adrenergic agonists lead to functional benefit in the ColQ−/− mouse and to long-term structural changes at the neuromuscular junction. These effects are primarily at the postsynaptic membrane and may lead to enhanced neuromuscular transmission.
MBNL1 overexpression is not sufficient to rescue the phenotypes in a mouse model of RNA toxicity
Authors: Yadava Ramesh S , Kim Yun K , Mandal Mahua , Mahadevan Karunasai , Gladman Jordan T , Yu Qing , Mahadevan Mani S
Published: March 2019

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by an expanded (CTG)n tract in the 3′UTR of the DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The RNA transcripts produced from the expanded allele sequester or alter the function of RNA-binding proteins (MBNL1, CUGBP1, etc.). The sequestration of MBNL1 results in RNA-splicing defects that contribute to disease. Overexpression of MBNL1 in skeletal muscle has been shown to rescue some of the DM1 features in a mouse model and has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for DM1. Here, we sought to confirm if overexpression of MBNL1 rescues the phenotypes in a different mouse model of RNA toxicity. Using an inducible mouse model of RNA toxicity in which expression of the mutant DMPK 3′UTR results in RNA foci formation, MBNL1 sequestration, splicing defects, myotonia and cardiac conduction defects, we find that MBNL1 overexpression did not rescue skeletal muscle function nor beneficially affect cardiac conduction. Surprisingly, MBNL1 overexpression also did not rescue myotonia, though variable rescue of Clcn1 splicing and other splicing defects was seen. Additionally, contrary to the previous study, we found evidence for increased muscle histopathology with MBNL1 overexpression. Overall, we did not find evidence for beneficial effects from overexpression of MBNL1 as a means to correct RNA toxicity mediated by mRNAs containing an expanded DMPK 3′UTR.
Avoiding misinterpretation of climate change projections of fish catches
Authors: Barange Manuel
Published: March 2019

It is common to assume that climate change impacts on future fish catches, relative to current levels of catch, are directly proportional to changes in the capacity of the ocean to produce fish. However, this would only be the case if production was optimized, which is not the case, and continues to do so in the future, which we do not know. It is more appropriate to see changes in the ocean’s productive capacity as providing an upper limit to future fish catches, but whether these catches are an increase or a decrease from present catch levels depends on management decisions now and in the future, rather than on the ocean’s productive capacity alone. Disregarding the role of management in driving current and future catches is not only incorrect but it also removes any encouragement for management agencies to improve performance. It is concluded that climate change provides one of the most powerful arguments to improve fisheries—and environmental—management, and thus fisheries sustainability globally.
The Lung Mucosa Environment in the Elderly Increases Host Susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Moliva Juan I , Duncan Michael A , Olmo-Fontánez Angélica , Akhter Anwari , Arnett Eusondia , Scordo Julia M , Ault Russell , Sasindran Smitha J , Azad Abul K , Montoya Maria J , Reinhold-Larsson Nicole , Rajaram Murugesan V S , Merrit Robert E , Lafuse William P , Zhang Liwen , Wang Shu-Hua , Beamer Gillian , Wang Yufeng , Proud Kevin , Maselli Diego Jose , Peters Jay , Weintraub Susan T , Turner Joanne , Schlesinger Larry S , Torrelles Jordi B
Published: March 2019

As we age, there is an increased risk for the development of tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Few studies consider that age-associated changes in the alveolar lining fluid (ALF) may increase susceptibility by altering soluble mediators of innate immunity. We assessed the impact of adult or elderly human ALF during Mtb infection in vitro and in vivo. We identified amplification of pro-oxidative and proinflammatory pathways in elderly ALF and decreased binding capability of surfactant-associated surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) to Mtb. Human macrophages infected with elderly ALF–exposed Mtb had reduced control and fewer phagosome–lysosome fusion events, which was reversed when elderly ALF was replenished with functional SP-A/SP-D. In vivo, exposure to elderly ALF exacerbated Mtb infection in young mice. Our studies demonstrate how the pulmonary environment changes as we age and suggest that Mtb may benefit from declining host defenses in the lung mucosa of the elderly.
Development and multicentre validation of an agar-based screening method for echinocandin susceptibility testing of Aspergillus species
Authors: Meletiadis Joseph , Siopi Maria , Kanioura Lamprini , Jørgensen Karin Meinike , Perlin David S , Mouton Johan W , Arendrup Maiken Cavling
Published: March 2019

Background

Reference antifungal susceptibility testing of echinocandins against Aspergillus spp. relies on the determination of the minimal effective concentration, which is difficult to perform, time-consuming and subjective. We developed and evaluated in a multicentre study an agar-based screening method for echinocandin susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp.

Methods

Forty WT isolates [10 Aspergillus fumigatus species complex (SC), 10 Aspergillus flavus SC, 10 Aspergillus terreus SC and 10 Aspergillus niger SC] and 4 non-WT A. fumigatus isolates with or without known fks alterations were used. The optimal test conditions and stability over time were evaluated in preliminary studies monitoring colony growth. Twenty-microlitre aliquots of 1–2 McFarland inocula in 0.1% Tween 20 aqueous solution were added to each well and plates were incubated for 24/48 h at 35 ± 2°C. Subsequently, all isolates were tested blindly at three centres using four-well screening plates, containing anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin or no antifungal in each of the four wells, respectively.

Results

WT isolates produced fluffy colonies on drug-free agar wells only. The non-WT isolates produced fluffy colonies on echinocandin-containing and control agar wells. Using the echinocandin concentrations of 0.25 mg/L anidulafungin, 1 mg/L caspofungin and 0.125 mg/L micafungin, and the compact (non-fluffy) versus fluffy colony morphology endpoint, all centres successfully discriminated non-WT and WT strains even after 24 h. Among the three echinocandins, anidulafungin produced the clearest endpoints.

Conclusions

The four-well plate agar method is suitable for echinocandin susceptibility screening of Aspergillus spp. and can be used to detect echinocandin non-WT isolates.
Blessings in the Phoenician and Luwian Inscriptions of Azatiwada
Authors: Schade Aaron
Published: March 2019

This article will discuss the volitive mood of the blessings found in the Phoenician and Luwian inscriptions of Azatiwada. Within the framework of a linguistic approach to the text, I will examine textlevel syntax, genre and influences between the Phoenician/Luwian bilingual inscriptions within their cultic context. All of these components help establish the volitive mood of the blessings within the inscriptions. It will be demonstrated that we are witnessing blessings beyond the parameters of the indicative mood of past events. These elements are established by the combination of the factors listed above and contribute to the composition and shaping of the texts as a whole, all of which maintain an ongoing cultic function.
A Novel Arterial Line Simulation Model
Authors: Walsh Ryan , Black Chelsie , Krieger Joshua
Published: March 2019

With damage control surgery and resuscitation teams, the military is bringing surgical as well as intensive care far forward to areas where mass casualty events are an ever-present threat. One procedure that the team is required to be proficient in is arterial line insertion and transducing. To our knowledge, there are no previously described field arterial line simulation models. We present an arterial line insertion and transducer simulator created using medium resistance Thera-band tubing, saline, Coban, and a SAM splint. Ten deployed members of a damage control surgical team received 30 minutes of instruction on how to properly insert an arterial line and how to set up the transducer equipment. All participants were able to show proficiency in radial artery line insertion and transducer setup despite 8 of the 10 participants having never inserted or setup an arterial line. We describe, to our knowledge, the first arterial line insertion and transducing model utilizing only items found in the deployed environment. This model can be easily made and utilized to train medical personnel of all skill levels to augment the capabilities of medical units in areas where mass casualty events are likely.
Acellular Fish Skin Grafts for Management of Split Thickness Donor Sites and Partial Thickness Burns: A Case Series
Authors: Alam Khurshid , Jeffery Steven L A
Published: March 2019

When treating large burns, autologous skin availability becomes a problem and burn surgeons rely heavily on allogenic and xenogeneic skin for temporary coverage after excision. Application of cadaveric and pig skin grafts carries a risk of auto-immune response and risk of viral and bacterial diseases transmission, and there are many cultural and religious rejections for use of porcine grafts. There has recently become available an alternative resource of xenograft using acellular fish skin (KerecisTM Omega3 Burn). This has been described as providing an effective, safe, efficient skin substitute, free of the risk of transmission of viral disease, and auto-immune reaction risk.

Methods

Ten patients having split-thickness skin grafting for burn injury were treated with the fish skin xenografts.

Results

There were no adverse reactions noted on the use of the fish skin grafts. No patient had any reaction to the fish skin and there was a zero incidence of infection. The handling of the fish skin was excellent, a robust and pliable xenograft that was easy to apply.

The quality of donor site healing was judged to be good in all cases. Both the analgesic effect noted and the relatively short average times until 100% re-epithelialization are promising. We also illustrate two cases where the dressing was used to treat superficial burns.
Portable System for Neuro-Optical Diagnostics Using Virtual Reality Display
Authors: Versek Craig , Rissmiller Armen , Tran Anthony , Taya Munish , Chowdhury Kaushik , Bex Peter , Sridhar Srinivas
Published: March 2019

A new product prototype system for diagnosing vision and neurological disorders, called NeuroDotVR, is described herein: this system utilizes a novel wireless NeuroDot brain sensor [Versek C et al. J Neural Eng. 2018 Aug; 15(4):046027] that quantitatively measures visual evoked potentials and fields resulting from custom visual stimuli displayed on a smartphone housed in a virtual reality headset. The NeuroDot brain sensor is unique in that it can be operated both in regular electroencephalography mode, as well as a new electric field encephalography mode, which yields improvements in signal sensitivity and provides new diagnostic information. Steady state and transient visual evoked potentials and fields using reversing checkerboard stimuli are presented with case studies in amblyopia, glaucoma, and dark adaptation. These preliminary data sets highlight potential clinical applications that may be pursued in further product development and scientific studies.
Crossover Assessment of Intraoral and Cuffed Ventilation by Emergency Responders
Authors: McCrory Bernadette , Lowndes Bethany R , Thompson Darcy L , Wadman Michael C , Sztajnkrycer Matthew D , Walker Richard , Lomneth Carol S , Hallbeck M Susan
Published: March 2019

Objectives

A cuffed bag valve mask (BVM) is the most common device used by emergency medical responders to ventilate patients. The BVM can be difficult for users to seal around the patient’s mouth and nose. An intraoral mask (IOM) with snorkel-like design may facilitate quicker and better ventilation particularly under austere conditions.

Methods

Both a BVM and IOM were utilized by 27 trained emergency medical technicians and paramedics to ventilate a lightly embalmed cadaver. Ventilation efficacy, workload, and usability were assessed for both devices across four study conditions.

Results

The IOM was superior to the BVM in delivered tidal volume ratio (measure of leak, p < 0.03) and minute ventilation (p < 0.0001). Workload, ergonomic and usability assessments indicated that the IOM facilitated gripping through the reduced hand interface size (p < 0.01), decreased user effort (p < 0.001), and reduced upper limb workload (p = 0.0088).

Conclusions

In the assessed model, the IOM represented a better choice for airway management than the standard cuffed BVM. An emergency medical device that is intuitive, efficacious and less demanding has the potential to reduce responder stress and improve resuscitation efforts, especially during austere rescue and patient transport.
Mental Health Care for Service Members and Their Families Across the Globe
Authors: McGraw Kate , Adler Jamie , Andersen Søren B , Bailey Suzanne , Bennett Clare , Blasko Kelly , Blatt Andrew D , Greenberg Neil , Hodson Stephanie , Pittman Demietrice , Ruscio Aimee C , Stoltenberg Christian D G , Tate Karyn E , Kuruganti Kanchana
Published: March 2019

The U.S. Defense Department partnered with the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership on effective leadership and operational practices for delivery of mental health (MH) as well as addiction services throughout the world for Service Members (SM) and beneficiaries. A Military Issues Work Group (MIWG) was established in 2011 to focus on challenges experienced by military SM and beneficiaries among countries. The MIWG found common concerns related to MH care delivery to rural and remote beneficiaries. Gaps in access to care were identified and prioritized to explore. This led to better collaboration and understanding of telemental health (TMH) practices and technology applications (apps) which increase access to care for rural and remote SMs and beneficiaries. An assessment of the number of SMs and dependents distant from MH care services in the USA was conducted, as well as an environmental scan for psychological health-focused mobile apps and TMH services geared toward SM, veterans, and beneficiaries. The MIWG is developing a compendium of existing military TMH programs and apps that address MH concerns and extant literature on use of technology to extend global access to care for military members and their families across the world.
I’m Wearing My Hearing Protection – Am I Still At Risk for Hearing Loss? Lurking Ototoxins in the Military Environment
Authors: Hammill Tanisha L , McKenna Elizabeth , Hecht Quintin , Buchanan Kari , Pryor Nina
Published: March 2019

Objective

Information is summarized from the overall body of published literature regarding ototoxic chemicals encountered outside of clinical exposures, largely in occupational settings. While summarizing the most common non-pharmaceutical ototoxins, this review provides clinically relevant information and recommendations such that hearing health professionals may adopt a more comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic case history, test battery, documentation scheme, and education delivery.

Methods

Solvents, metals, and asphyxiants literature was reviewed using PubMed, national and international agency websites, and communications with known ototoxicity experts.

Results

Initial intentions to summarize the existing programs for occupational ototoxicity monitoring fell short when it was discovered that such programs have not yet formalized across the major oversight agencies in the United States. Instead, recommended guidance documents and fact sheets, which highlight existing occupational exposure limits and suggest monitoring and education are discussed.

Conclusions

While evidence in humans is limited, potentially ototoxic substances are worthy of improved surveillance and further research to understand their ototoxic mechanisms, effects, and possible mitigation strategies. A triad approach of monitoring, protecting, and educating is recommended for effective prevention of hearing loss: the Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence’s Comprehensive Hearing Health Program model employs such an approach.
Evaluation of Aircrew Low-Intensity Threat Laser Eye Protection
Authors: Reddix Michael D , Funke Matthew E , Kinney Micah J , Bradley John L , Irvin Greg , Rea Everett J , Kunkle Christina K , McCann Mary B , Gomez Jacqueline
Published: March 2019

Prototype low-intensity threat laser eye protection (LIT-LEP) spectacles were evaluated for US Coast Guard (USCG) cockpits and night vision goggle compatibility. The impetus for interest in aviation LIT-LEP is driven in part by the fact that easily accessible 0.5–2.0 W high-power laser pointers exceed safety standards for direct on-axis viewing. A repeated-measures experimental design was used to assess LIT-LEP performance relative to a no-LEP control for the following tasks: Near- and far contrast acuity, night vision goggle far-contrast acuity, emissive and non-emissive light source color-vision screening, and USCG multifunctional display color symbol discrimination reaction time and accuracy. Near- and far-contrast acuity results demonstrated good LIT-LEP performance for typical in- and out-of-cockpit lighting conditions. Night vision goggle performance suffered marginally at only one contrast level (85%; 20/30 acuity line). Color vision test results showed good color balance in that S-, M-, and L-cone performance did not demonstrate a clinical diagnostic color defect for emissive or non-emissive light sources when wearing LIT-LEP. Color symbol discrimination reaction-time-task results based on inverse efficiency scores revealed that some non-primary flight display colors exhibited a combination of slower speed and decreased accuracy. The findings will contribute to an acquisition decision as well as guide future LEP designs.
Perceptions of High-Risk Situations for Sexual Assault: Gender Differences in the U.S. Air Force
Authors: Silber Ashley Olivia , Lane Marian E , Morgan Jessica Kelley , Charm Samantha , Tharp Andra , Brown Mark
Published: March 2019

This study explored U.S. Air Force service members’ perceptions of high-risk situations for sexual assault victimization. Qualitative data were collected from 52 active duty Airmen, including sexual assault survivors and general population officers and enlisted personnel. Participants were recruited through posted flyers, base-wide e-mail messages, and referrals from the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s office. Content analysis was used to summarize participants’ opinions and experiences. High-risk situations for all Airmen included excessive alcohol use, specific physical settings, and situations associated with work assignments. High-risk situations identified frequently by male and female sexual assault survivors and female (but not male) general population Airmen included power imbalance; isolation in the workplace and social settings; and youth, inexperience, and unfamiliarity with the military environment. Female Airmen identified workplaces with a predominance of men or being one of very few women in a group as a high-risk situation for sexual assault victimization. And female sexual assault survivors identified implicit but unwarranted trust between Airmen as a high-risk situation. This study provides new insight into gender differences in high-risk situations for sexual assault victimization, and the data can help policymakers better prevent sexual assault by appropriately tailoring and timing sexual assault risk reduction training.
Improving Relative Bioavailability of Oral Imidazolidinedione by Reducing Particle Size Using Homogenization and Ultra-Sonication
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Xie Lisa , Zhang Jing , Vuong Chau , Potter Brittney , Aylor Samantha , Sousa Jason , Black Chad , Li Qigui
Published: March 2019

Particle size is an important determinant of gastrointestinal absorption of compounds administrated orally. The present study evaluates the effect of a reduction in particle size assessed by homogenization, sonication, and homogenization plus sonication on the bioavailability of imidazolidinedione (IZ), an antimalarial compound with known causal prophylactic activity and radical cure of relapsing malaria. Formulations were administrated intragastrically to mice, and blood samples were collected for LC-MS/MS analysis. The homogenization method manually decreased particle size with minimal variance, resulting in a mean particle diameter of 42.22 μm, whereas the probe sonication method evenly distributed pulses of sound to break apart particles, resulting in a mean diameter of 1.50 μm. Homogenization plus sonication resulted in a mean particle diameter of 1.44 μm, which was similar to that of the sonication method alone. The compound suspensions did not show a significant difference in mean particle size between the different vehicles. The sonically engineered microparticle delivers high sonic energy to the suspension leads to faster breakdown and stabilizing of the micronized particles when compared with homogenizer. The bioavailability of the small particle IZ formulation was 100%, compared to the 55.79% relative bioavailability of IZ with larger particle size. These initial data clearly show that a reduction in particle size of orally administered IZ with probe sonication could significantly increase bioavailability in rodent animals that is affected by a high first-pass effect.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained During Marine Corps Recruit Training
Authors: Jensen Andrew E , Laird Melissa , Jameson Jason T , Kelly Karen R
Published: March 2019

Musculoskeletal injuries cost the U.S. Marine Corps approximately $111 million and 356,000 lost duty days annually. Information identifying the most common types of injuries and events leading to their cause would help target mitigation efforts. The purpose of this effort was to conduct an archival data review of injuries and events leading to injury during recruit training. An archival dataset of Marine recruits from 2011 to 2016 was reviewed and included 43,004 observations from 28,829 unique individuals. Injuries were classified as mild, moderate, and severe and categorized into new overuse, preexisting overuse, and traumatic. Injury classification and categorization were stratified by event in which the injury occurred. The majority of injuries were due to overuse, and the most common types were sprains, strains, iliotibial band syndrome, and stress fractures, which constituted over 40% of all injuries. Conditioning hikes were the primary event leading to injury, with 31% of all injuries occurring during this training; running claimed 12%. Most injuries sustained during basic training comprised sprains and strains. Marines who remained uninjured during basic training outperformed those who reported at least one injury on fitness tests. These results point to enhanced conditioning as a potential entry point to target future intervention efforts.
A Novel Gradient Echo Plural Contrast Imaging Method Detects Brain Tissue Abnormalities in Patients With TBI Without Evident Anatomical Changes on Clinical MRI: A Pilot Study
Authors: Astafiev Serguei V , Wen Jie , Brody David L , Cross Anne H , Anokhin Andrey P , Zinn Kristina L , Corbetta Maurizio , Yablonskiy Dmitriy A
Published: March 2019

Research objectives

It is widely accepted that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) causes injury to the white matter, but the extent of gray matter (GM) damage in mTBI is less clear.

Methods

We tested 26 civilian healthy controls and 14 civilian adult subacute-chronic mTBI patients using quantitative features of MRI-based Gradient Echo Plural Contrast Imaging (GEPCI) technique. GEPCI data were reconstructed using previously developed algorithms allowing the separation of R2t*, a cellular-specific part of gradient echo MRI relaxation rate constant, from global R2* affected by BOLD effect and background gradients.

Results

Single-subject voxel-wise analysis (comparing each mTBI patient to the sample of 26 control subjects) revealed GM abnormalities that were not visible on standard MRI images (T1w and T2w). Analysis of spatial overlap for voxels with low R2t* revealed tissue abnormalities in multiple GM regions, especially in the frontal and temporal regions, that are frequently damaged after mTBI. The left posterior insula was the region with abnormalities found in the highest proportion (50%) of mTBI patients.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that GEPCI quantitative R2t* metric has potential to detect abnormalities in GM cellular integrity in individual TBI patients, including abnormalities that are not detectable by a standard clinical MRI.