bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Description and Evaluation of U.S. Climate Reference Network Standardized Soil Moisture Dataset
Authors: Leeper Ronald D. , Bell Jesse E. , Palecki Michael A.
Published: April 2019

The interpretation of in situ or remotely sensed soil moisture data for drought monitoring is challenged by the sensitivity of these observations to local soil characteristics and seasonal precipitation patterns. These challenges can be overcome by standardizing soil moisture observations. Traditional approaches require a lengthy record (usually 30 years) that most soil monitoring networks lack. Sampling techniques that combine hourly measurements over a temporal window have been used in the literature to generate historical references (i.e., climatology) from shorter-term datasets. This sampling approach was validated on select U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) stations using a Monte Carlo analysis, which revealed that shorter-term (5+ years) hourly climatologies were similar to longer-term (10+ year) hourly means. The sampling approach was then applied to soil moisture observations from the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN). The sampling method was used to generate multiple measures of soil moisture (mean and median anomalies, standardized median anomaly by interquantile range, and volumetric) that were converted to percentiles using empirical cumulative distribution functions. Overall, time series of soil moisture percentile were very similar among the differing measures; however, there were times of year at individual stations when soil moisture percentiles could have substantial deviations. The use of soil moisture percentiles and counts of threshold exceedance provided more consistent measures of hydrological conditions than observed soil moisture. These results suggest that hourly soil moisture observations can be reasonably standardized and can provide consistent measures of hydrological conditions across spatial and temporal scales.
Validation of Satellite Precipitation Estimates over the Congo Basin
Authors: Nicholson S. E. , Klotter D. , Zhou L. , Hua W.
Published: April 2019

This paper evaluates nine satellite rainfall products and the Global Precipitation Centre Climatology (GPCC) gauge dataset over the Congo basin. For the evaluation the reference dataset is a newly created, gridded gauge dataset based on a gauge network that is more complete than that of GPCC in recent years. It is termed NIC131-gridded. Gridding was achieved via a climatic reconstruction method based on principal components, so that reliable estimates of rainfall are available even in the data-sparse central basin. The satellite products were evaluated for two locations, the Congo basin and areas on its eastern and western periphery (termed the “east plus west” sector). The station density was notably higher in the latter region. Two time periods were also considered: 1983–94, when station density was relatively high, and 1998–2010, when station density was much lower than during the earlier period. Several products show excellent agreement with the NIC131-gridded reference dataset. These include CHIRPS2, PERSIANN-CDR, GPCP 2.3, TRMM 3B43, and, to a lesser extent, GPCC V7. RMSE for the period 1983–94 in the east plus west sector is on the order of 20 mm month−1 for GPCC V7 and 20–30 mm month−1 for the other products. The compares with 40–60 mm month−1 for the most poorly performing products, African Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARCv2) and CMAP. Over the Congo basin, RMSE for those two products is about the same as in the east plus west sector but is on the order of 30–40 mm month−1 for the better-performing products. In all cases, the performance of the 10 products evaluated is notably poorer in recent years (1998–2010), when the station network is sparse, than during the period 1983–94, when the dense station network provides reliable estimates of rainfall. For the more recent period RMSE is on the order of 30–40 mm month−1 for the best-performing products in the east plus west sector but only slightly higher over the Congo basin. All products do reasonably well in reproducing the seasonal cycle and the latitudinal gradients of rainfall. Estimates of interannual variability show more scatter among the various products and are less reliable. Overall, the most important results of the study are to demonstrate the strong impact that actual gauge data have on the various products and the need to have access to such gauge data, in order to produce reliable rainfall estimates from satellites.
Dynamics and Variability of the Spring Dry Season in the United States Southwest as Observed in AmeriFlux and NLDAS-2 Data
Authors: Pascolini-Campbell Madeleine , Seager Richard , Williams A. Park , Cook Benjamin I. , Pinson Ariane O.
Published: April 2019

The spring dry season occurring in an arid region of the southwestern United States, which receives both winter storm track and summer monsoon precipitation, is investigated. Bimodal precipitation and vegetation growth provide an opportunity to assess multiple climate mechanisms and their impact on hydroclimate and ecosystems. We detect multiple shifts from wet to drier conditions in the observational record and land surface model output. Focusing on the recent dry period, a shift in the late 1990s resulted in earlier and greater spring soil moisture draw down, and later and reduced spring vegetation green-up, compared to a prior wet period (1979–97). A simple soil moisture balance model shows this shift is driven by changes in winter precipitation. The recent post-1999 dry period and an earlier one from 1948 to 1966 are both related to the cool tropics phase of Pacific decadal variability, which influences winter precipitation. In agreement with other studies for the southwestern United States, we find the recent drought cannot be explained in terms of precipitation alone, but also is due to the rising influence of temperature, thus highlighting the sensitivity of this region to warming temperatures. Future changes in the spring dry season will therefore be affected by how tropical decadal variability evolves, and also by emerging trends due to human-driven warming.
Some Characterizations of Skew t-distribution of Three Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Ahsanullah Mohammad , Nevzorov Valery B.
Published: April 2019

Several distributional properties of skew t-distribution are presented. Based on the distributional properties, some characterizations of the skew t-distribution with 3 degrees of freedom are given.
Steering the world from where we are: An introduction to the sociocybernetics perspective
Authors: Almaguer-Kalixto Patricia Eugenia , Giglietto Fabio
Published: April 2019

The concept of sociocybernetics has been shaped over the past 40 years at the intersection between first- and second-order cybernetics, constructive epistemology and systems science. This has produced a common language to bridge these different disciplines and a common basis for research analysing complex social problems. Sociocybernetics applies second-order cybernetics concepts to the study of societies, communities and groups in which first- and second-order reflexivity may play an important part, but it is not only a theoretical perspective in the abstract; it is also an approach that is applied to the analysis of cross-disciplinary issues such as systemic violence, the role of technology in society, environmental challenges, urban planning, community development, social identity and media representation, among many others. This article provides an introduction and a general conceptual description of second-order cybernetics in the broader context of cybernetics and systems sciences. It also presents the sociocybernetics debate as it stands today, after the 20-year anniversary of the Research Committee on Sociocybernetics’ (RC51) activities within the International Sociological Association (ISA) and its contributions to understanding and acting upon an increasingly complex social world. Sociocybernetics is the science of turbulent societies that somehow continue to adapt themselves, despite the complexities they are confronted with. The articles in this monograph introduce some of the current work of the research committee and showcase the extensive potential for sociocybernetics’ interaction with other areas of sociology and contemporary debate.
Regulation, migration and the implications for industrial relations
Authors: MacKenzie Robert , Lucio Miguel Martínez
Published: April 2019

The debate on migration has extended the scope of industrial relations research and brought questions of regulation to the centre. We suggest that there is a mutuality to the relationship between the debates around migration and regulation within the industrial relations literature: the study of migration has stimulated a new set of debates within industrial relations that allow us to reconsider issues of regulation; in turn, the study of regulation offers a useful perspective on issues relating to migration. The article applies an analytical framework based on the interplay of regulatory spaces and actors to the study of international migration. The framework offers a dynamic approach to mapping the wide range of actors involved in the regulation of migration and the boundaries between regulatory spaces, which may be fluid and contested. Through applying this framework, industrial relations issues relating to migration are located within a wider view of both regulation and the international movement of people.
What’s Driving High Disenrollment in Medicare Advantage?
Authors: DuGoff Eva , Chao Sandra
Published: April 2019

Disenrollment rates are one way that policy makers assess the performance of Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans. We use 3 years of data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine the characteristics of MA contracts with high disenrollment rates from 2015 to 2017 and the relationship between disenrollment rates in MA contracts and 6 patient experiences of care performance measures. We find that MA contracts with high disenrollment rates were significantly more likely to be for-profit, small, and enroll a greater proportion of low-income and disabled individuals. After adjusting for plan characteristics, contracts with the highest levels of disenrollment were statistically significantly more likely to perform poorly on all 6 patient experience measures. CMS should consider additional oversight of MA contracts with high levels of disenrollment and consider publishing disenrollment rates at the plan level instead of at the contract level.
Relationships among Concha Bullosa, Nasal Septal Deviation, and Sinusitis: Retrospective Analysis of 296 Cases
Authors: Balikci Hasan H. , Gurdal M. Mustafa , Celebi Saban , Ozbay Isa , Karakas Mustafa
Published: April 2019

We aimed to investigate the relationships among concha bullosa (CB), nasal septal deviation (NSD), and sinus disease. We retrospectively reviewed paranasal sinus computed tomography scans obtained from 296 patients—132 men and 164 women, aged 17 to 76 years (median: 39)—who had been evaluated over a 19-month period. CBs were classified as lamellar, bulbous, and extensive. In cases of bilateral CB, the larger side was designated as dominant. In all, 132 patients (44.6%) exhibited pneumatization of at least one concha, 176 (59.5%) had NSD, and 187 (63.2%) had sinus disease. Some 89 of 106 patients with unilateral or one-side-dominant CB (84.0%) had NSD, 89 of 132 patients with CB (67.4%) had sinus disease, and 109 of the 176 patients with NSD (61.9%) had sinus disease. We found a statistically significant relationship between CB and contralateral NSD, but no significant relationship between CB and sinus disease or NSD and sinus disease. While CB is a common anatomic problem that may accompany NSD, a causal relationship between CB or NSD and sinus disease is dubious.
An Analysis of Risk Factors in Unilateral Versus Bilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Howell Jessica B. , Appelbaum Eric N. , Armstrong Michael F. , Chapman Derek , Dodson Kelley M.
Published: April 2019

A retrospective review of children with confirmed hearing loss identified through universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) in Virginia from 2010 to 2014 was conducted in order to compare the incidence of Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) risk factors in children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) to bilateral hearing loss (BHL). Over the 5-year study period, 1004 children (0.20% of all births) developed a confirmed hearing loss, with 544 (51%) children having at least one JCIH risk factor. Overall, 18% of children with confirmed hearing loss initially passed UNHS. Of all children with risk factors, 226 (42%) demonstrated UHL and 318 (58%) had BHL. The most common risk factors for UHL were neonatal indicators (69%), craniofacial anomalies (30%), stigmata of HL syndromes (14%), and family history (14%). The most common risk factors in BHL were neonatal indicators (49%), family history (27%), stigmata of HL syndromes (19%), and craniofacial anomalies (16%). Children with the risk factor for positive family history were more likely to have BHL, while those with craniofacial anomalies were more likely to have UHL ( P < .001). Neonatal indicators were the most commonly identified risk factor in both UHL and BHL populations. Children with UHL were significantly more likely to have craniofacial anomalies, while children with BHL were more likely to have a family history of hearing loss. Further studies assessing the etiology underlying the hearing loss and risk factor associations are warranted.
‘This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen’: Feste, Lear’s Fool and the border between ‘idiocy’ and mental illness
Authors: Equestri Alice
Published: April 2019

‘Folly’ is often used as an umbrella term for Renaissance representations both of ‘idiocy’ and madness, although early modern legislation and medicine described crucial differences between the two conditions. Shakespeare sometimes stages their liminality by having fools interact with lunatics, as in Twelfth Night and in King Lear. By drawing in particular from socio-legal and scientific ideas of the early modern period, the present article considers some of these interactions to discuss the ways in which fools as intellectually disabled individuals are separated from madmen as mentally ill, while also assessing how occasionally ‘idiocy’ borders into madness.
Socialism through convergence, or: Why a socialist society does not need to be a fraternal community
Authors: Piromalli Eleonora
Published: April 2019

In this article, first of all, I point out the difference I perceive between the conception of social freedom Honneth delineates in Freedom’s Right and the one, inspired by the proto-socialists’ principle of fraternity, that I see operating in The Idea of Socialism (section I). Then, I discuss the advisability of envisaging the future socialist society, as Honneth does, in terms of a ‘fraternal coexistence’, in which a benevolent and fraternal attitude should guide everyone’s actions towards others (section II). Finally, I sketch out a conception that, in being compatible with Honneth’s idea of ‘social freedom’, does not need to rely on the decidedly substantive element of fraternity: thereby, it may prove itself more feasible and potentially attractive to the subjects of complex, pluralistic societies (section III).
His Career, Her Job, Their Future: Cohabitors’ Orientations Toward Paid Work
Authors: Miller Amanda J. , Carlson Daniel L. , Sassler Sharon
Published: April 2019

In this article, we examine the work orientations of service- and middle-class cohabiting couples. Through our in-depth interviews with both partners in 61 couples, we find that middle-class cohabitors often report polarized work orientations—they are generally either the most conventional (privileging men’s work or planning for the female partner to become a stay at home mother) or the most egalitarian. The service class, conversely, more often contain one partner with a stronger, yet nonprivileged work orientation, but this partner is equally as likely to be the female as the male. Furthermore, we detail those couples, often absent from the literature, in which neither partner has a strong orientation toward paid work. We examine our findings in light of what they might mean for couples’ relationship progressions, future orientations, and persistent gender inequality in marriage.
Parenting While Food Insecure: Links Between Adult Food Insecurity, Parenting Aggravation, and Children’s Behaviors
Authors: Gee Kevin A. , Asim Minahil
Published: April 2019

Parents who experience food insecurity face not only uncertainty in obtaining food, but an invisible emotional burden, one that can potentially influence both their parenting behaviors and ultimately, their children. In our study, we investigated adult food insecurity’s link to parents’ aggravation and whether that aggravation influenced their children’s behaviors. Results, based on data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey, Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011 using first-difference regression, showed that parents ( N = 7,820) of first graders who became food insecure experienced heightened parenting aggravation (0.525; p < .01). Our mediation analysis on a matched sample of food secure ( n = 1,600) and insecure parents ( n = 470) revealed that adult food insecurity was not directly associated with children’s behaviors; rather, it was indirectly related to lowered attentional focus (−0.062; p < .05) and inhibitory control (−0.093; p < .001) via parenting aggravation. Our findings underscore the importance of parenting aggravation in transmitting the effects of food insecurity on children’s behaviors.
“Not living together yet all the time together”: The construction of living apart together in continuing care retirement communities from perspectives of residents and CCRC staff*
Authors: Koren Chaya , Ayalon Liat
Published: April 2019

Moving to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and living apart together (LAT) late in life are occurrences representing new beginnings in old age. However, they may also involve restrictions related to partnership characteristics and to the semi-totalitarian features of the CCRC. From community, person-in-environment and person–environment fit/misfit approaches, we aim to examine how LAT relationships are constructed in the CCRC from perspectives of residents and CCRC staff as members of the same semi-totalitarian communities. This could provide new understandings on CCRC features and LAT relationships for enhancing residents’ quality-of-life. A total of 30 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in three CCRCs in Israel: 10 with widowed LAT residents, 10 with widowed residents not LAT, and 10 with CCRC staff. The interviews were analyzed based on thematic analysis and triangulated to produce a broad and rich experience of LAT in the CCRC. Two themes that characterize LAT relationships in the CCRC were identified: (1) friendship rather than partnership characterize the LAT relationship and (2) not living together yet being all the time together. The intersection between the social environment (the CCRC) as a semi-totalitarian institution and the persons (residents in LAT and not in LAT and CCRC staff) is discussed. The discussion focuses on LAT relationships in the CCRC as representing exclusive friendship and the limited autonomy associated with not living together yet being all the time together. Implications on micro, mezzo, and macro levels are suggested.
A Dynamic Stakeholders’ Framework in a Marketing Systems Setting
Authors: Domegan Christine , McHugh Patricia , Flaherty Tina , Duane Sinead
Published: April 2019

A marketing systems approach to stakeholders has never been more important in an increasingly interconnected world. Recognising the inherent limitations of a firm-centric stakeholder stance, this paper proposes a dynamic stakeholders framework to examine the interacting nature of interrelated and interdependent stakeholder effects from a societal perspective. It presents a systemic stakeholders framework that incorporates several defining features and core propositions based on Layton’s MAS mechanisms and Coleman’s Boat. The contribution of a dynamic stakeholders’ marketing system framework is not so much in identifying or defining the appropriate marketing mechanisms at work but in understanding the continuous feedback nature of the macro-micro-macro everyday dynamics which stakeholders listen to, learn about and leverage to act, react and interact.
Ultrasound microbubble-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of C-erbB-2 in HEC-1A cells
Authors: Cai Junhong , Huang Sizhe , Yi Yuping , Bao Shan
Published: April 2019

Objective

Epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (C-erbB-2) is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human tumors. We aimed to evaluate the knockout efficiency of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) technology using ultrasound microbubble transfection to target C-erbB-2 in human endometrial cancer (HEC)-1A cells.

Methods

Three single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting C-erbB-2 were designed and used to construct CRISPR/CRISPR-associated (Cas)9-C-erbB-2 plasmids. The constructed plasmids were transfected into HEC-1A cells using ultrasound microbubbles. C-erbB-2 knockout cloned cells were identified by green fluorescence. C-erbB-2 mRNA and protein expression was measured by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting, respectively.

Results

RT-PCR showed that C-erbB-2 mRNA expression was significantly lower in sgRNA1-transfected cells (0.57 ± 0.06) than in blank (1.00 ± 0.09) and negative-control groups (1.02 ± 0.12). Western blotting revealed C-erbB-2 protein expression to be significantly lower in sgRNA1-transfected cells (0.269 ± 0.033) than in blank (0.495 ± 0.059) and negative-control groups (1.243 ± 0.281). However, there was no significant difference in C-erbB-2 protein and mRNA expression in sgRNA2- and sgRNA3-transfected cells compared with controls.

Conclusion

Ultrasound microbubbles can mediate plasmid transfer into HEC-1A cells to interfere with gene expression and knockout C-erbB-2.
Electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor: Italian cultural adaptation and face validity
Authors: Soligo Marco , Roberti Maggiore Umberto Leone , Oprandi Nadia C , Nelva Stellio Leonardo , De Ponti Elena , Del Popolo Giulio , Finazzi Agrò Enrico , Ferrazzi Enrico
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Electronic questionnaires offer invaluable advantages over paper-based ones. The aims of this study were to make available to Italian clinicians a culturally adapted version of the multidimensional electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor and to test face validity and factorial analysis for the Urinary section.

Methods:

The original English-language version of electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor was cross-culturally adapted to the Italian language. At the Urogynaecology Unit of Buzzi Hospital in Milan, the Urinary section of the Italian version was completed by women symptomatic for pelvic floor dysfunction. Time to questionnaire completion was recorded, and a nine-item paper questionnaire about the questionnaire was completed. Descriptive analysis to define patient population characteristics and nine-item paper questionnaire analysis were performed. Factorial analyses on the Urinary section of the questionnaire and on the nine-item paper questionnaire were performed, and internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha.

Results:

A culturally adapted Italian version of electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor was provided. In total, 95 women complaining of pelvic floor dysfunction took part in the study. Mean time to electronic questionnaire completion was 9 min (range: 5–17), with 95% of patients completing within 15 min. More than 95% of women considered the Italian version of electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor helpful, relevant, easy to use and comprehensive and would be happy to use it again. The questionnaire being overly long was an issue for 17% of women. The internal consistency of items in the nine-item paper questionnaire was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha scores > 0.8 for both the ‘Value’ and ‘Burden’ domains.

Discussion:

Our Italian cultural adaptation of electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire–Pelvic Floor was well accepted by an appropriate target population. A full psychometric validation is now warranted.
Epidemiology of sexual disorders in general medical practice: An Italian survey
Authors: De Rose Aldo Franco , Gallo Fabrizio , Bini Paola Maria , Gattuccio Ignazio , Chiriacò Vincenzo , Terrone Carlo
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To report the results of a survey supported by the Italian Andrological Association (ASS.A.I.), aimed at documenting sexual disorders in a large population of patients who visited general practitioners for general health problems.

Methods:

Between April and October 2016, 15,000 questionnaires were distributed to general practitioners throughout Italy and made available to all the people who visited the doctor’s offices. The data were collated separately for age ranges, 15–30, 31–50 and 51–65 years, respectively.

Results:

A final sample of 5441 questionnaires was evaluable (4000 men and 1441 women). Sexual disorders were reported by 1795 out of 5441 (33.0%) patients. Among the male population, phimosis, varicocele, prostate and testicular disorders were the most common conditions interfering with sexuality, being reported by 42.0%, 37.0%, 39.0% and 31.0% of the sample, respectively. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, premature ejaculation and penile curvature were reported by 27.7%, 27.0%, 17.0%, 14.4% and 7.8% of the male sample, respectively. Among the female population, low sexual satisfaction was the more common complaint, reported by 65.0% of the sample. Sexually transmitted diseases, low libido, dyspareunia, infertility and arousal disorder were reported by 32.0%, 29.0%, 24.0%, 24.0% and 19.7% of the female sample, respectively.

Conclusion:

Our data show sexual disorders among 33.0% of people visiting doctors’ offices. The majority of these sexual disorders increased with age among both male and female subjects. Despite the limitations of our study, we consider that these data confirm the importance of sexual function evaluation during a physician’s daily clinical practice.
The Factor Structure of Outcome Questionnaire–45.2 Scores Using Confirmatory Tetrad Analysis–Partial Least Squares
Authors: Tabet Saundra M. , Lambie Glenn W. , Jahani Shiva , Rasoolimanesh S. Mostafa
Published: April 2019

The researchers employed a confirmatory tetrad analysis (CTA) using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with Outcome Questionnaire–45.2 (OQ-45) data, examining the measurement model of the OQ-45 scores with a sample of male adult clients ( N = 1,558) receiving individual therapy at a university-based community counseling and research center (UBCCRC). Using CTA-PLS, this study examined the reflective and formative nature of each of the OQ-45 items and dimensions. These results identified the innovative second-order formative–formative three-factor model as a best alternative measurement model to represent and calculate the scores of OQ-45 scale.
Influence of physical training on markers of bone turnover, mechanical properties, morphological alterations, density and mineral contents in the femur of rats exposed to cadmium and/or alcohol
Authors: Markiewicz-Górka Iwona , Kuropka Piotr , Januszewska Lidia , Jaremków Aleksandra , Pawłowski Paweł , Pawlas Natalia , Prokopowicz Adam , Gonzalez Ewa , Nikodem Anna , Pawlas Krystyna
Published: April 2019

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of physical training on bone parameters of rats exposed to alcohol (Al) and/or cadmium (Cd). Young female rats were divided into one control group and six groups exposed to Cd and/or Al. Al (36% calories of diet) and Cd (20 mg Cd/kg feed) were administered with liquid diet. Half of the rats from the treated groups were subjected to treadmill training (20 m/min for 0.5 h, 4 days a week). The experiment was carried out for 5 months. Al decreased the concentration of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in the femur, whereas Cd and Cd + Al intake reduced the contents of Ca, Fe and zinc. Al and/or Cd caused an increase in both C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX1; bone resorption marker) and osteocalcin (OC; formation indicator) and enhanced the degree of porosity and flexural strength of the femur. Al partially prevented the loss of Fe from the bone caused by Cd, but intensified the inhibition of growth of body weight in comparison with separate exposure to Cd. In rats co-exposed to Cd + Al, the levels of CTX1 were greater compared with those treated with Al or Cd separately, and the density was less than that in rats exposed to Al separately. The training caused increases of magnesium and Ca contents, decreases in CTX1, as well as increases in OC and bone density, decreasing their porosity. The effect of training on the bone status, however, was limited (especially in rats co-exposed to Cd and Al) because of the increase in their mineralization, stimulated by exercises, was insufficient in relation to collagen production intensity. In conclusion, training had favourable effects on some bone parameters, but did not compensate for the negative effects of Al and/or Cd exposure on the poor mineralization and histopathological and morphological changes in the femur.
Delayed Cardiotoxicity From a Massive Nortriptyline Overdose Requiring Prolonged Treatment
Authors: Elsamadisi Pansy , Sclafani Alyssa , Eche Ifeoma Mary
Published: April 2019

Purpose

A case of a nortriptyline overdose complicated by delayed ventricular arrhythmias necessitating prolonged sodium bicarbonate infusion is presented, along with a review of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicology and key concepts for massive overdose management.

A 61-year-old man presented after an intentional nortriptyline overdose with a possible consumption of up to 2500 mg of nortriptyline. Electrocardiogram on presentation demonstrated QRS widening to 240 milliseconds. Despite treatment with a sodium bicarbonate infusion and further narrowing of his QRS interval, his course was complicated by repeated episodes of wide complex tachycardia. Given these episodes, an elevated quantitative serum nortriptyline level of 468 μg/L on hospital day 6 and persistently positive TCA urine screens, the patient was continued on a sodium bicarbonate infusion until hospital day 14. Based on our patient’s quantitative serum nortriptyline levels, we calculated an elimination half-life of 184 hours, 6 days post ingestion as compared to the reported half-life of nortriptyline of 14 to 51 hours.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates that at toxic levels of ingestion, routine TCA pharmacokinetics may be unreliable due to delayed absorption, enterohepatic recirculation, large volume of distribution, and saturable kinetics. Therefore, in these cases, pharmacokinetic values derived from routine dosing should not be used to make clinical decisions (such as timing of discontinuation of sodium bicarbonate infusion). We found that urine TCA screens provided similar information to quantitative nortriptyline levels and can be used to guide therapy along the QRS duration.
Abnormal methylation of spermatozoa induced by benzo(a)pyrene in rats
Authors: Zhang CM , Sun ZX , Wang ZL , Chen JS , Chang Z , Wang Z , Zhu L , Ma ZH , Peng YJ , Xu ZA , Wang SQ
Published: April 2019

Epigenetic mutations caused by pollutants are possibly linked to many diseases. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most representative air pollutants and has aroused wide concern because of its strong carcinogenicity. The reproductive toxicity induced by BaP has been identified, but little is known about the characteristics of the methylation changes induced by BaP. In this study, a methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing method was used to detect the methylation of sperm DNA of rats exposed to BaP. Compared with the respective genes in normal rats, there were 3227 hypomethylated genes and 828 hypermethylated genes after BaP exposure. Gene ontology enrichment analysis reported that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were enriched in the localization, single-multicellular organism process and plasma membrane. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the DMGs were significantly enriched in the Ras signalling pathway, Rap1 signalling pathway, pancreatic secretion and neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction. DisGeNET disease spectrum analysis showed that DMGs were associated with infertility and certain genetic diseases. Further research needs to be done to explore whether these abnormal methylation are transgenerational.
Plaque Distribution of Basilar Artery Fenestration by 3D High-Resolution MR Vessel Wall Imaging
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhang Xue-Bin , Lu Shuo , Liu Zun-Jing , Zhu Xian-Jin
Published: April 2019

The association between fenestrations and neurovascular pathology is not well defined. The morphology of vessel wall plays an important role in the development of neurovascular pathology. We sought to explore the plaque distribution around basilar artery fenestration (BAF) by three-dimensional high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging (3D HRMRI). Patients with BAF on 3D HRMRI images were enrolled. All cross-sectional slices of basilar arteries were assessed and categorized based on the location of fenestration as proximal segment, in-bifurcation segment, and distal segment. Furthermore, plaques in the in-bifurcation segment were classified according to their orientation being centered on the lateral, interior, dorsal, or ventral wall of the vessel. In all, 12 cases with BAF involving 661 cross-sectional image slices in entire basilar arteries were included. Plaques were found in 190 image slices, with the distribution of 41 slices in the proximal segment, 144 slices in the in-bifurcation segment and 67 slices in the distal segment. Plaques were found more frequently in the proximal and in-bifurcation segments than in the distal segment ( P < 0.001), but there was no statistical difference between the proximal and in-bifurcation segment ( P = 0.11). In the in-bifurcation segment, plaques were more frequently located at the lateral (50.0%) than other interior (16.0%), dorsal (21.0%), and ventral (13.0%) wall ( P < 0.001).Plaques of BAF tend to locate in the proximal and in-bifurcation segments, especially at the lateral wall of the in-bifurcation segment.
Damage Modelling in Thermoplastic Laminates Reinforced with Steel and Glass Fibres under Quasi-Static Indentation Loading at Low-Velocity
Authors: Mahdad M'hamed , Saada Aicha Ait , Belaidi Idir , Mokhtari Ahcene , Benidir Adel
Published: April 2019

This paper deals with experimental and numerical investigations of the composites damages with ductile and fragile reinforcement under quasi-static indentation loading. The main goal of the work is to increase the post-damage residual strength and ductility of thermoplastic composite. Two types of composite laminates with polypropylene (PP) matrix are tested: glass fibre laminate (GFPP) and steel fine wire mesh laminate (SWPP). The specimens are [0° 90°]2s stacking sequence and prepared by using a compression moulding technique. Quasi-static indentation tests were performed with two distinct penetration scales under low velocity (1.2 mm/min). The diameter of the hemispherical indenter is 16 mm. The failure mechanisms of composite layers were examined by the field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the failure mode of SWPP laminates is principally dominated by the plastic deformation component. In contrast, the GFPP laminate exhibits a fragile behaviour which is related to the fragile failure of glass fibres. In addition, the SEM shows that matrix cracking, fibre breakage, debonding and fibre pull out are the major damages observed around the indentation area. A model based on the combined use of plasticity, damage and fracture, was developed and applied to simulate quasi-static indentation behaviour and predict the resulting damage.
Sportscapes: Contested bodies, gender and desire within a female Australian rules football team
Authors: Sanders Kellie
Published: April 2019

Despite the recent rise of female Australian rules football in the public eye, little research has explored the nuances of players’ experiences of gendered embodiment, performance, identity, desire and engagement in the sport. The aim of this article is to explore how spaces have the capacity to create, normalise and regulate gender, bodies, identity and desire through an analysis of a women’s Australian rules football team, a space that is neither dominated by heteronormativity and neither queer nor lesbian subcultures. Through analysis of photographs and photo-elicitation interviews, this paper seeks to explore how bodies, gender, desire and embodiment are experienced, perceived and contested by and through the lens of players, within this sportscape. The implications of this research are an insight into the fluid and complex dynamics of a particular sportscape and the capacity of such spaces to redefine belonging and normativity outside of dominant hetero-gendered discourses.
The Evidence and Future Potential of WeChat in Providing Support for Chinese Parents of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Herniorrhaphy
Authors: Liu Jun , Zheng Xin , Zhang Xuelin , Feng Zehui , Song Ming , Lopez Violeta
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Based on the current medical environment in China, this study developed a WeChat-based health education program for parents of children undergoing day surgery herniorrhaphy and evaluated the users’ satisfaction of its usage by adapting the technology acceptance model. Methodology: A descriptive quantitative online design with a researcher-developed Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to survey 198 users in the university-affiliated hospital in China. Results: The users were generally satisfied with the program. The users living in urban areas obtained higher satisfaction (β coefficient = 1.763, p = .006). The users who were satisfied showed high intention to recommend WeChat to other parents. Discussion: In general, WeChat users found the educational program useful, and similar educational intervention can be expanded to other areas in China.
The Balancing of Country-Based Interaction Orientation and Marketing Strategy Implementation Adaptation/Standardization for Profit Growth in Multinational Corporations
Authors: Lee Hannah Soobin , Griffith David A.
Published: April 2019

For business success and continued growth, multinational corporations (MNCs) must work to efficiently leverage interactions with customers dispersed across geographic boundaries. Under the framework of the attention-based view, this study examines the MNC strategic approach of country-based interaction orientation and marketing strategy implementation adaptation/standardization as drivers of global profit growth, contingent on the environmental conditions of competitive intensity and market dynamism. The findings from a survey of U.S.-based MNCs indicate that managerial attention focused on country-based interaction orientation and marketing strategy implementation standardization, when considered jointly, have a positive effect on MNC profit growth. The findings also show that the effect of a country-based interaction orientation on MNC profit growth is not as susceptible to competitive intensity and market dynamism when MNCs standardize their marketing strategy implementation, but it varies when MNCs take a more adapted approach to their implementation strategies across country markets. These findings bring to light important implications for international marketing theory and practice.
“My Husband Has to Stop Beating Me and I Shouldn’t Go to the Police”: Family Meetings, Patriarchal Bargains, and Marital Violence in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Moore Elena
Published: April 2019

This article examines how women in South Africa, in challenging marital violence, navigate relations of patriarchal domination through appeals to the state, familial channels, or a combination of both. Using Kandiyoti’s concept of “patriarchal bargains,” the article describes how women during family meetings draw upon the state to challenge patriarchy within intimate partnerships and reassert control within their marriages. However, by drawing on the state for support, women have to navigate the patriarchal domination at the macro level as the state continues to act as an oppressive entity, particularly as it continues to constrain women’s access to justice.
Addendum to Iwai and Hoberman (2014)—Reassessment of Developmental Toxicity of PFHxA in Mice
Authors: Iwai Hiroyuki , Hoberman Alan M. , Goodrum Philip E. , Mendelsohn Emma , Anderson Janet K.
Published: April 2019

This article presents a supplemental data analysis and evaluation of the findings from an oral (gavage) combined developmental and perinatal/postnatal reproduction toxicity study of the ammonium salt of perfluorohexanoic acid (CASRN: 21615-47-4) in Crl: CD-1(ICR) mice. The original study has been cited as supporting a lowest-observed-adverse-effects level of 175 mg/kg/d and no-observed-adverse-effects level of 35 mg/kg/d for developmental effects from perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, CASRN: 307-24-4) in mice. The statistical analysis reported in 2014 was accurate in terms of quantifying statistical significance within phase 2 of the study. However, given the low incidence of findings, the purpose of this article is to extend the analysis and interpretation of findings by pooling the control group information from both phases of the same study, comparing the study findings to the incidence rates for stillbirths and postpartum viability for this species and strain of mouse observed for similar studies conducted by the same laboratory, and evaluating data on the incidence and range of spontaneous eye abnormalities reported in the literature. Based on this supplemental evaluation, the original study supports a NOAEL of 175 mg/kg/d for PFHxA in mice, which is a factor of 5-fold higher than previously reported. Furthermore, to the extent that this study may be considered in the selection of a point of departure for PFHxA in mice, it is noted that 175 mg/kg/d for maternal exposure is an unbounded NOAEL for developmental effects, meaning that the study did not establish a dose at which developmental effects may occur.
Treatment of feline injection-site sarcoma with surgery and iridium-192 brachytherapy: retrospective evaluation of 22 cats
Authors: Bloch Jacqueline , Rogers Kenita , Walker Michael , Dawson Jesse , Wilson-Robles Heather
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to determine the effectiveness of using iridium implants in addition to surgery in cats with feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) in terms of time to progression and disease-specific survival and to identify prognostic factors for patient outcome.

Methods

Medical records of cats presented at our institution with FISS were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included histologic diagnosis of a tumor type associated with post-injection neoplastic development, tumor located at a site associated with vaccination, no other therapies prior to the administration of brachytherapy with the exception of surgery and adequate follow-up data.

Results

Twenty-two cats with FISS were treated with surgery and brachytherapy delivered by postoperative iridium-192 interstitial implants. Radiation doses ranged from 4000 to 6000 cGy (median dose 5079.55 cGy), with most doses delivered over 7 days. The median number of surgeries prior to brachytherapy was one (range 1–4). The complications associated with postoperative brachytherapy were typically mild, although four cats developed more severe complications. The median time to progression for all cats was 619 days and disease-specific survival time for all cats was 1242 days. The 1 and 2 year tumor-free rates in these cats were 63.6% and 40.9%, respectively. The local failure rate was 54.5% and the distant failure rate was 13.6% due to lung metastasis. There was a significant difference in time to progression of cats that had a single surgery performed prior to brachytherapy and those that had multiple surgeries (undefined vs 310 days; P = 0.01). There were no other statistically significant identified prognostic factors.

Conclusions and relevance

These data suggest that the addition of brachytherapy postoperatively in cats with FISS was well tolerated and is comparable to other forms of adjuvant therapy.
Incidence, management, and outcomes of autoimmune nephropathies following alemtuzumab treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Phelps Richard , Winston Jonathan A , Wynn Daniel , Habek Mario , Hartung Hans-Peter , Havrdová Eva Kubala , Markowitz Glen S , Margolin David H , Rodriguez Claudio E , Baker Darren P , Coles Alasdair J
Published: April 2019

Background:

Autoimmune disorders including nephropathies have been reported more frequently in alemtuzumab-treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients than in the general population.

Objective:

Describe instances of autoimmune nephropathy in alemtuzumab-treated MS patients.

Methods:

Cases were identified from safety monitoring within the alemtuzumab relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) clinical development program (CDP) or post-marketing, or following off-label use.

Results:

As of 16 June 2017, 16 autoimmune nephropathies have occurred following alemtuzumab treatment for MS. The incidence of autoimmune nephropathies was 0.34% within the CDP (5/1485 patients). The five CDP cases (one of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease, two of membranous glomerulonephropathy, and two of serum anti-GBM antibody without typical anti-GBM disease) were identified early, responded to conventional therapy (where needed), and had favorable outcomes. Three of 11 cases outside the CDP occurred following off-label alemtuzumab use prior to approval for RRMS and were all anti-GBM disease. Diagnosis was delayed in one of these three cases and another did not receive appropriate treatment; all three cases resulted in end-stage renal failure. All anti-GBM disease cases with documented urinalysis demonstrated prior microscopic hematuria.

Conclusion:

Close monitoring of alemtuzumab-treated MS patients facilitates diagnosis and treatment early in the nephropathy course when preservation of renal function is more likely.
A bearing fault and severity diagnostic technique using adaptive deep belief networks and Dempster–Shafer theory
Authors: Yu Kun , Lin Tian Ran , Tan Jiwen
Published: April 2019

An artificial intelligent bearing fault and hierarchical severity diagnosis framework is proposed in this study. The framework utilizes a combined deep belief networks (DBNs) and Dempster–Shafer (D-S) theory fault diagnosis scheme and adopts a two-stage approach in classifying (1) bearing fault conditions and (2) fault severities. The combined fault diagnostic scheme first employs two parameter-optimized DBNs to process the horizontal and vertical vibration data acquired from the bearing house of a test rig, where the parameters of the DBNs are optimized using a hybrid genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization algorithm proposed in this study. The classification results from the two DBNs are fused further using the D-S theory to improve the diagnostic accuracy. The fault diagnosis scheme is used first to classify the bearing fault conditions in Stage 1 from a bulk dataset containing all bearing operation conditions under study. The same diagnosis scheme is applied once more to classify the hierarchical fault severities for each fault condition in Stage 2 using the pre-classified data from Stage 1. The effectiveness of the framework is then evaluated on a set of bearing condition monitoring data. A comparison study between the results obtained using the current method and those from existing published work is also presented in the article. It is shown that the accuracy for bearing fault and severity diagnosis can be substantially improved by using the current framework.