bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Down with 1989!”: The Peculiar Right-Wing Backlash against 1968 in Poland
Authors: Ost David
Published: September 2019

This article is part of the special cluster titled Generation ’68 in Poland (with a Czechoslovak Comparative Perspective).

Whereas much of the European right greeted the fiftieth anniversary of 1968 with a critique of its legacy, Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party was largely silent, both because 1968 did not usher in a counterculture and because the protests were directed against the communist party. And yet the Law and Justice party detests the legacy of 1968, for three reasons: 1968 was shaped by the left, ’68 activists and their values played a key role in the ensuing opposition, and because the right actually sympathizes with the communists of 1968, then dominated by nationalists. The right thus traditionally attacks the legacy of 1968 by attacking 1989 instead, when ’68’ ers played a central role and new left progressivism could finally emerge. That began changing early in 2018 when Poland’s parliament passed its Holocaust-speech law banning calumny against the “Polish Nation.” The resulting criticism brought 1968 back with a vengeance, with the right openly inhabiting the role of the national-communists, and beginning to attack Poland’s 1968 directly. Shedding new light on the diverse meanings of 1968 and the relationship of the right to national communism, the piece ends by looking at developments through Bernhard and Kubik’s theory of the politics of memory.
Sino-Singapore Friendship Library: A collaboration between librarians in China and Singapore
Authors: Choh Ngian Lek
Published: September 2019

In 2015, the National Library Board (NLB) Singapore was invited to participate in a project to set up two public libraries of about 1500 sq m each, within a larger public library of 67,000 sq m in the Tianjin Eco City. This was the first time NLB had the opportunity to plan two libraries concurrently within a larger library, from conceptualisation to delivering the final product of two working libraries. The libraries were completed and opened in September 2018. This article describes the journey, opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt.
Fulminant and rapidly fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in patients with HIV infection: A report of five cases and a review
Authors: Lam Paul , Khan Zeb , Bhatt Isha , Quale John
Published: September 2019

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare entity and diagnosis can be elusive. Commonly recognized inciting causes include autoimmune disorders, malignancies, and a wide variety of infections. With prompt recognition and treatment, survival rates approach 50%. Five cases of reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in patients with underlying HIV infection are reported. All of the patients had CD3/CD4 cell counts of <200 cells/µL. All cases presented with fever and all had marked cytopenias, with platelet counts falling to 10–15,000/µL. Ferritin levels were >5000 ng/mL in all cases. Concomitant inciting conditions included Epstein–Barr virus infection, Pneumocystis jiroveci, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma; in one case, no inciting condition was identified. Despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunosuppressive therapy, all five patients died within one month of presentation. The finding of fever and cytopenia in a patient with underlying HIV infection should prompt the clinician to determine a ferritin level. If markedly elevated, an aggressive work-up for hemophagocytic syndrome should be conducted. However, even with prompt recognition, mortality rates may be high in patients with underlying HIV infection.
Brain tumour? – Cerebellar histoplasmosis as a solitary mass lesion
Authors: Riste Michael , Bodasing Neena , Cadwgan Anthony
Published: September 2019

A 50-year-old man who had been living in Thailand presented with a history of falls, deteriorating vision and weight loss over several months. He had been admitted to a hospital in Thailand where he was given a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Neurological examination revealed a mild ataxic gait and lateral nystagmus, but no other abnormalities. He tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus with a CD4 cell count of 16 cells/µL. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of an intrinsic neoplasm and he underwent stereotactic brain biopsy which showed numerous yeast-like organisms. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction was positive for Histoplasma capsulatum. He received liposomal amphotericin B for six weeks, followed by itraconazole, and started antiretroviral therapy four weeks into treatment. He developed an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome which responded well to steroids. Six months after diagnosis, he has no neurological symptoms or signs and remains on itraconazole. Isolated bulky central nervous system histoplasmomas are exceedingly rare. A clinical suspicion of immunosuppression was key in making this diagnosis.
Late Glacial and early Holocene development of an oxbow lake in Central Europe (Poland) based on plant macrofossil and geochemical data
Authors: Gałka Mariusz , Lewandowska Agnieszka , Niedzielski Przemysław , Sim Thomas G , Swindles Graeme T , Szczurek Grzegorz
Published: September 2019

Sediments from an oxbow lake located in the Prosna River valley (Poland) were analysed to investigate the developmental history of the wetland ecosystem and any response to abrupt climatic changes. High resolution plant macrofossil analysis and radiocarbon dating were undertaken on two cores, with lower resolution geochemical analysis conducted on one of these cores. We provide evidence of a palaeolake with a late Glacial origin (older than 12,500 years). Abundant fossil presence of macrophytes (e.g. multiple Potamogeton species) in the studied palaeomeander may indicate that the north–south orientation of the Prosna valley made it an important route for the spreading of aquatic plants during the late Glacial. Chara sp., Batrachium sp. and Potamogeton spp. were the pioneer plants that colonised cold water with a high Ca2+ content. Early Holocene warming trigged a decrease in water level at the oxbow lake and facilitated the expansion of thermophilous water plants, for example, Ceratophyllum demersum, Typha sp. and Lemna trisulca, which usually occur in shallow water. A decreasing water level resulted in the gradual isolation of the study site from the influence of groundwater, leading to acidification of the habitat and the development of a Sphagnum population, with S. contortum and S. teres as dominant species. The presence of S. contortum (the oldest occurrence in the European lowlands) and S. teres during the early Holocene may indicate that river valleys and the peatlands that developed in this region acted as an important habitats (and possibly refugia) for some minerotrophic Sphagnum species.
On the use of the modified power series family of distributions in a cure rate model context
Authors: Gallardo Diego I , Gómez Yolanda M , Gómez Héctor W , de Castro Mário
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we propose a generalization of the power series cure rate model for the number of competing causes related to the occurrence of the event of interest. The model includes distributions not yet used in the cure rate models context, such as the Borel, Haight and Restricted Generalized Poisson distributions. The model is conveniently parameterized in terms of the cure rate. Maximum likelihood estimation based on the Expectation Maximization algorithm is discussed. A simulation study designed to assess some properties of the estimators is carried out, showing the good performance of the proposed estimation procedure in finite samples. Finally, an application to a bone marrow transplant data set is presented.
An Exploration of the Effect of Instructor Visual Signal on Vague Feedback Statements by Preservice Music Educators
Authors: Edelman Philip B. , Talbert Matthew D.
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a visual signal on feedback type and rehearsal time usage by preservice music educators. A secondary aim was to examine the types of ambiguous feedback statements made by preservice music educators during instruction. Study participants rehearsed their university lab ensemble four times over the course of a semester after being randomly assigned to the control group ( n = 9) or the intervention group ( n = 9). The intervention did not produce a statistically significant effect on the frequency of vague feedback statements. Participants assigned to the intervention group, however, demonstrated a significantly increased amount of music making during their rehearsals and decreased the amount of general talking. Finally, the types of vague statements made by participants during their rehearsals were mostly positive, followed by ambiguous, comparative, and negative statements.
The Research Excellence Framework in the United Kingdom: Processes, Consequences, and Incentives to Engage
Authors: Torrance Harry
Published: September 2019

Governments around the world have introduced various forms of research evaluation and accountability systems. These developments have been widely interpreted as evidence of the incursion of neoliberal discipline and governance into university procedures and management. This article reflects on the example of the U.K. Research Excellence Framework (REF). The article reviews the development and current operation of the REF, particularly in the field of Education; reflects on some of the issues it raises including intended and unintended consequences; and identifies why it has been so insidiously successful in colonizing U.K. academic life. The article is significant for linking critiques of neoliberalism with the lived realities of managing the REF.
Heart Rate Variability and Risk of All-Cause Death and Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Fang Su-Chen , Wu Yu-Lin , Tsai Pei-Shan
Published: September 2019

Lower heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, although the extent of the association is uncertain. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort studies to elucidate the association between HRV and the risk of all-cause death or cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) during a follow-up of at least 1 year. We searched four databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and extracted the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) from eligible studies. We included 28 cohort studies involving 3,094 participants in the meta-analysis. Results revealed that lower HRV was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular events; the pooled HRs were 2.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.64, 2.75]) and 1.46 (95% CI [1.19, 1.77]), respectively. In subgroup analyses, the pooled HR of all-cause death was significant for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but not for those with heart failure. The pooled HR for cardiovascular events was significant for the subgroup of patients with AMI and acute coronary syndrome but not for those with coronary artery disease and heart failure. Additionally, both time and frequency domains of HRV were significantly associated with risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular events in patients with CVD.
An efficient method for optimizing the seismic resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures
Authors: Bai Jiulin , Jin Shuangshuang , Ou Jinping
Published: September 2019

A practical and efficient optimization procedure for designing reinforced concrete frame structures with improved resistance to seismic loading was developed. The design methodology used the optimality criteria method in an iterative analysis-and-redesign scheme. A damage ratio–based procedure was proposed by employing the inelastic component rotations from nonlinear dynamic analysis to strengthen the severely damaged components in each iteration. The optimization approach is intuitive, simple, and easy to apply, since only analysis tools are required. The approach was applied to optimize the seismic response of two prototype frames, and sensitivity analysis established the relationship between seismic performance and the additional material cost of strengthening. The proposed method can substantially reduce the maximum interstory drift for a slight increase of material cost, indicating that the proposed method is a feasible design procedure for improving the earthquake resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures. Also, the procedure can deal with the cases of single and multiple ground motions. The effectiveness of the proposed method was also verified through extensive time-history analyses.
Development of physics-based three-way catalytic converter model for real-time distributed temperature prediction using proper orthogonal decomposition and collocation
Authors: Zhu Zhaoxuan , Midlam-Mohler Shawn , Canova Marcello
Published: September 2019

To meet the increasingly demanding emissions and fuel economy standards, the thermal management of the aftertreatment devices has recently become a priority in powertrain control. In particular, the longitudinal distribution of temperature in the three-way catalyst is a critically important variable to monitor for catalyst light-off control, thermal protection, and for diagnosing aging and degradation. However, such information is typically unavailable in production applications, due to the cost and reliability issues of instrumenting the three-way catalyst with multiple temperature sensors. This work focuses on the development and the experimental validation of a control-oriented, physics-based thermal model of a three-way catalyst for the purpose of real-time temperature monitoring. Starting from the governing equations in partial differential equation form, a model order reduction technique that combines proper orthogonal decomposition and collocation is developed. The sensitivity of the selection of the empirical basis functions is studied. To include the exothermic effect from chemical reactions, a fully connected artificial neural network is trained. The reduced-order model executes more than 100 times faster when compared to the use of standard numerical methods and commercial simulation software such as GT-Power, while providing comparable accuracy. Finally, to verify the proposed methodology, the model is calibrated and validated against experimental data collected by instrumenting a three-way catalyst with multi-point temperature measurements, and installed on an engine test bench.
Secondary prevention and cardiovascular care across Europe: A survey of European Society of Cardiology members’ views
Authors: Fitzsimons Donna , Stępińska Janina , Kerins Mary , F Piepoli Massimo , Hill Loreena , Carson Matthew A , Prescott Eva
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a significant clinical challenge and despite European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines, evidence confirms sub-optimal patient care.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate ESC members’ opinions on the current provision of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation services across Europe and explore barriers to guideline implementation.

Method:

Electronic surveys using a secure web link were sent to members of the ESC in eight purposively selected ESC affiliated countries.

Results:

A total of 479 professionals completed the survey, of whom 67% were cardiologists, 8.6% general physicians, 8.2% nurses and 16.2% other healthcare professionals. Respondents were predominantly (91%) practising clinicians, generally highly motivated regarding cardiovascular disease prevention, but most reported that secondary prevention in their country was sub-optimal. The main barriers to prevention were lack of available cardiac rehabilitation programmes and long-term follow-up, patients’ disease perception and professional attitudes towards prevention. While knowledge of the prevention guidelines was generally good, practices such as motivational counselling and better educational tools were called for to promote exercise, smoking cessation and for nutritional aspects.

Conclusions:

The provision of services focusing on the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease varies greatly across Europe. Furthermore, despite ESC Guidelines and a strong evidence base supporting the efficacy of secondary prevention, the infrastructure and co-ordination of such care is lacking. In addition patient motivation is considered poor and some professionals remain unconvinced about the merits of prevention. The disappointing results outlined in this survey emphasise that improved tools are urgently required to educate both patients and professionals and confirm the priority of cardiovascular prevention internationally.
An anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in the working population
Authors: Wang Saibin , Wang Sujiao , Jiang Shuzhen , Ye Qian
Published: September 2019

Background:

Early detection of metabolic syndrome is highly desirable for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate an anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in a working population.

Methods:

The present study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. A total of 60,799 workers in Spain were enrolled between 2012 and 2016, of which 50% were randomly assigned to the derivation cohort and the remainder to the validation cohort. Participants’ demographics and anthropometric variables were entered into least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression for the selection of variables. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression was performed to develop the predictive model and a nomogram. The discrimination ability, calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis of the nomogram was evaluated. Internal validation of the model was also performed.

Results:

There were 2725 (9.0%) participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the derivation cohort and 2762 (9.1%) participants in the validation cohort. Six variables (age, smoking, body fat percentage, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were included in the nomogram. The area under the curve was 0.901 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.895–0.906) and 0.899 (95% CI 0.894–0.905) for the predictive and internal validation, respectively. Furthermore, decision curve analysis showed that if the threshold probability of metabolic syndrome is less than 72.0%, application of this nomogram can benefit more than either the treat-all or treat-none strategies.

Conclusions:

An anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in a working population was developed that incorporates reliable non-invasive anthropometric features to facilitate health counselling and self-risk assessment of developing metabolic syndrome.
Physician characteristics associated with treatment initiation patterns in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: LaCamera Peter P , Limb Susan L , Haselkorn Tmirah , Morgenthien Elizabeth A , Stauffer John L , Wencel Mark L
Published: September 2019

Pirfenidone and nintedanib are oral antifibrotic agents approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Real-world data on factors that influence IPF treatment decisions are limited. Physician characteristics associated with antifibrotic therapy initiation following an IPF diagnosis were examined in a sample of US pulmonologists. An online, self-administered survey was fielded to pulmonologists between April 10, 2017, and May 17, 2017. Pulmonologists were included if they spent >20% of their time in direct patient care and had ≥5 patients with IPF receiving antifibrotics. Participants answered questions regarding timing and reasons for considering the initiation of antifibrotic therapy after an IPF diagnosis. A total of 169 pulmonologists participated. The majority (81.7%) considered initiating antifibrotic therapy immediately after IPF diagnosis all or most of the time (immediate group), while 18.3% considered it only some of the time or not at all (delayed group). Pulmonologists in the immediate group were more likely to work in private practice (26.1%), have a greater mean percentage of patients receiving antifibrotic therapy (60.8%), and decide to initiate treatment themselves (31.2%) versus those in the delayed group (16.1%, 30.5%, and 16.1%, respectively). Most pulmonologists consider initiating antifibrotic treatment immediately after establishing an IPF diagnosis all or most of the time versus using a “watch-and-wait” approach. Distinguishing characteristics between pulmonologists in the immediate group versus the delayed group included practice setting, percentage of patients receiving antifibrotic therapy, and the decision-making dynamics between the patient and the pulmonologist.
Animated Case Study Videos: A Creative Approach for Exploring Health in the High School to College Transition
Authors: Traxler Elizabeth G. , Morgan Amy L. , Kiss Jessica E. , Ludy Mary-Jon
Published: September 2019

While the college years present an ideal time for chronic disease prevention, students often do not seek services or perceive themselves to be at health risk. Researchers at Bowling Green State University have been exploring the health patterns of first-year university students for several years, initially as a health-based research study (August 2012 to May 2016) and currently through a first-year seminar course for students transitioning from high school to college (August 2016 to present). This article describes the evolution of data sharing techniques from passively presented paper feedback sheets (focusing on individual health assessments) to highly interactive classroom discussions stemming from viewings of animated case study videos (designed based on whole group themes). Qualitative feedback from students and faculty has been positive, suggesting that animated case study videos are an effective strategy for engaging students in critical thinking about physical and mental health concerns affecting their peer group. Practical recommendations for using animated case studies in diverse educational settings are provided.
Television Studies, We Need to Talk about “Binge-Viewing”
Authors: Turner Graeme
Published: September 2019

This article argues that a crucial task for a renewed investment in television audience research now is to investigate the range of practices currently covered by the label of binge-viewing. Notwithstanding the widespread application of the concept of binge-viewing within both industry commentary and academic research, this article will suggest that the concept has reached the point where it has outlived its usefulness for television studies. Rather than staying with what has become an extremely imprecise term, the argument continues, television studies should turn its attention toward generating more located and nuanced observational accounts of the evolving “cultures of use” within consumer households in order to develop a more accurate and usable set of terms to describe what is actually happening in domestic spaces as people watch television.
Extended anticoagulation after venous thromboembolism: should it be done?
Authors: Fernandes Caio J. , Calderaro Daniela , Piloto Bruna , Hoette Susana , Jardim Carlos Vianna Poyares , Souza Rogério
Published: September 2019

Most physicians understand venous thromboembolism (VTE) to be an acute and time-limited disease. However, pathophysiological and epidemiological data suggest that in most patients VTE recurrence risk is not resolved after the first 6 months of anticoagulation. Recurrence rates are high and potentially life-threatening. In these cases, it would make sense to prolong anticoagulation for an undetermined length of time. However, what about the bleeding rates, induced by prolonged anticoagulation? Would they not outweigh the benefit of reducing the VTE recurrent risk? How long should anticoagulation be continued, and should all patients suffering from VTE be provided with extended anticoagulation? This review will address the most recent data concerning extended anticoagulation in VTE secondary prophylaxis.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplementary material section.
First-line systemic therapy for advanced gastric cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Ji , Cai Ming , Shuai Xiaoming , Gao Jinbo , Wang Guobin , Tao Kaixiong
Published: September 2019

Background:

Systemic therapy is the standard treatment against advanced gastric cancer. Fluoropyrimidine plus platinum doublet has been recommended as the preferred first-line strategy. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and hierarchical evidence that compares all eligible literature simultaneously.

Methods:

Record retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ASCO, and ESMO meeting library from inception to October 2018. Randomized controlled trials featuring comparisons between different first-line systemic treatments against advanced gastric cancer were eligible. Overall survival was utilized as the primary endpoint. Pairwise and network calculations were based on a random-effects model and the hierarchical ranking was numerically indicated by P-score. All procedures were conducted according to Cochrane Handbook 5.1 and PRISMA for Network Meta-analysis (Registration identifier: CRD42018084951).

Results:

A total of 119 studies were eligible for our pooled analysis. Concerning general analysis, ‘fluoropyrimidine plus platinum-based triplet’ topped the overall survival hierarchy (HR 0.91 [0.83–0.99], P-score = 0.903, p = 0.04) while it ranked in second place for progression-free survival and objective response rate. However, it displayed worse tolerability against ‘fluoropyrimidine plus platinum doublet’. More specifically, ‘Capecitabine plus cisplatin-based triplet plus targeted medication’ topped the ranking among all fluoropyrimidine plus platinum-based regimens in additional analysis. Nevertheless, it did not reach statistical advantage against fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin doublet in terms of survival benefits, while still displaying significantly worse safety profile.

Conclusions:

Taken together, fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin doublet (especially capecitabine or S-1) should still be considered as the preferred first-line regimen owing to its comparable survival benefits and lower toxicity.
The Impact of Brown on EL Students: Addressing Linguistic and Educational Rights Through School Leadership Practice and Preparation
Authors: Callahan Rebecca , DeMatthews David , Reyes Pedro
Published: September 2019

In 1974, the Supreme Court drew on the 1954 Brown decision in Lau v Nichols, placing English learner (EL) students’ right to a meaningful education at the forefront of educational policy. Subsequent federal decisions and legislation (i.e., Castañeda; Equal Educational Opportunities Act [EEOA], No Child Left Behind [NCLB], and Every Student Succeeds Act [ESSA]) have placed the responsibility for providing quality educational programming on districts, schools, and school leaders. In this article, we propose a framework for the integration of linguistic equity in leadership preparation and an historical case of a university-based principal preparation program that has integrated this framework into coursework and clinical experiences.
Twelve Years Unslaved: Lessons From Reconstruction and Brown for Contemporary School Leaders
Authors: Castro Eliana , Presberry Cierra B. , Venzant Chambers Terah T.
Published: September 2019

This conceptual analysis centers two historical periods in which Black communities in the United States secured educational rights for themselves in spite of (not because of) intervention from the federal government. Drawing from the Critical Race Theory, the authors argue that Reconstruction and the post-Brown era offer valuable lessons for school leaders today about the ability—and even need—to operate autonomously from formal channels. The authors feature lessons from Reconstruction and Brown regarding self-reliance, community control, and the hard-won victories whose benefits extended far beyond the Black community itself. The authors conclude with implications for school leaders.
The diagnostic challenge of primary adenocarcinoma of the vulva: a case report
Authors: Chow Chun Yuen , Namuduri Rama P , Yeo Yen Chin , Mihir Gudi
Published: September 2019

The diagnosis and classification of primary adenocarcinoma of the vulva is a complicated and understudied area, as this is a rare histological subtype of vulvar cancers. The differential diagnoses include extramammary Paget disease with invasion, adenocarcinoma arising from mammary-like glands, skin adnexal structures as well as Bartholin’s glands in the vicinity. We report a case of extramammary Paget disease which first presented as primary vulvar adenocarcinoma. The patient was a 71-year-old woman who presented with a swelling at the external genitalia. Clinical examination revealed a right vulvar lump, with eczematous features on the overlying skin. The lump was biopsied and was called Paget disease with underlying adenocarcinoma. Subsequently, the patient underwent radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin and pelvis dissection. The resection specimen was reported as extramammary Paget disease, with dermal invasion forming a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma showing strong HER-2 expression on immunohistochemistry. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenge in the classification of primary vulvar adenocarcinoma. Positivity for HER-2 has been reported in Paget-associated vulvar adenocarcinoma and might offer potentially actionable targets on the selection of therapy, especially in advanced metastatic disease.
Clinical outcomes of inferior vena cava filter in complicated pulmonary embolism
Authors: Gul Muhammad H. , Htun Zin M. , Rigdon Joseph , Rivera‐Lebron Belinda , Perez Vinicio de Jesus
Published: September 2019

Background: Previous observational studies suggest that inferior vena cava filter placement in pulmonary embolism patients complicated with congestive heart failure, mechanical ventilation, and shock may have a mortality benefit. We sought to analyze the survival benefits of inferior vena cava filter in pulmonary embolism patients complicated with acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory failure, shock, or requiring treatment with thrombolytics. Methods: This retrospective observational study used hospital discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample Data (NIS). ICD‐9‐CM coding was used to identify complicated pulmonary embolism patients (N = 254,465) in NIS from 2002 to 2014, including the subgroups of acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory failure, shock, and thrombolytics. Inferior vena cava filter recipients were 1:1 propensity score‐matched on age, sex, race, deep vein thrombosis, Elixhauser comorbidities, and other pulmonary embolism comorbidities (45 covariates) to non‐inferior vena cava filter recipients in complicated pulmonary embolism patients and separately in each subgroup. Clinical outcomes were compared between the inferior vena cava filter group and the non‐inferior vena cava filter group. Results: Mortality rate in complicated pulmonary embolism patients with inferior vena cava filter placement was lower (20.9% vs. 33%; NNT = 8.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.91–8.69, E‐value = 2.53) and in the subgroups; acute myocardial infarction (17.9% vs. 30.1%; NNT = 8.19, 95% CI 7.52–8.92, E‐value = 2.76), acute respiratory failure (19.5% vs. 29.7%; NNT = 9.76, 95% CI 8.67–11.16, E‐value = 2.38), shock (30.7% vs. 47.1%; NNT = 6.08, 95% CI 5.73–6.47, E‐value = 2.43), and with the use of thrombolytics (7% vs. 12.9 %; NNT 17.1, 95% CI 14.88–20.12, E‐value = 3.01) (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: Inferior vena cava filter placement in pulmonary embolism complicated with acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory failure, shock, or requiring thrombolytic therapy was associated with reduced mortality.
Datafied knowledge production: Introduction to the special theme
Authors: Bonde Thylstrup Nanna , Flyverbom Mikkel , Helles Rasmus
Published: September 2019

Framing datafication as new form of knowledge production has become a trope in both academic and commercial contexts. This special theme examines and ultimately rejects the familiar grand claims of datafication, to instead pay attention to emergent conversations that seek to take a more nuanced stock of the status and nature of datafied knowledge production. The articles in this special theme thus engage with datafied knowledge production through elaborate explorations of how datafied knowledge depends on the contexts of its production and the forms of knowledge production that precede it in those contexts. Our basic argument is that while the resources, material features and analytical operations involved in datafied knowledge production may be different, many fundamental concerns about epistemology, ontology and methods remain relevant to understand what shapes it. We still need to understand and explicate the assumptions, operations and consequences of emergent forms of knowledge production. If datafied knowledge production is neither a clean revolutionary break with past forms of knowledge production nor a balloon of pure hype, the articles in this special theme ask: what does the phenomenon of datafied knowledge production look like? Which digital and datafied infrastructures support its future development? And what potentialities and limits do such forms of analysis and knowledge production contain?
BRIEF-P: Validation Study in Children in Early Childhood With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Bausela Herreras Esperanza
Published: September 2019

The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) is a hand-storable instrument that permits evaluation of the executive functions in children between the ages of 2 years and 5 years 11 months by parents, teachers, or other usual child caregivers, thus facilitating early intervention. It is a standardized questionnaire that is derived from the school version. It has been translated into different languages and adapted to different cultures and recently it has been translated into Spanish. It is answered using a Likert-type frequency scale. It is composed of 63 items that measure various aspects of executive functioning: five clinical scales, three broad indexes, one composite score or Global Executive Composite, and validity scales. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties related to the validity and reliability of BRIEF-P in children with neuropsychological, psychological, and developmental disorders that begin to manifest during early years. Non-experimental or ex post facto research was the method used. The participants were 107 parents and 98 teachers, evaluating 205 children. We analyzed several psychometric properties, related to reliability and validity, and compared the results with normative and clinical samples in the versions (parents and teachers). It is confirmed that BRIEF-P is a valid and reliable instrument with which to evaluate executive functions in children having neurodevelopmental disorders. We believe that BRIEF-P can be an especially useful and advisable instrument to be applied by educational psychologists and children’s clinicians in a population. BRIEF-P is discriminative and sensitive to executive deficits in the clinical population.
Methadone and a Clinical Pathway in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: A Historically Controlled Study
Authors: Tams Carl , Dooley F. Cole , Sangari Taranjit S. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Sandra N. , Stoker Robert E. , Phillips Sarah A. , Koenig Megan , Wishin Judith M. , Molinari Sarah C. , Blakemore Laurel C. , Seubert Christoph N.
Published: September 2019

Study Design:

Historically controlled clinical trial.

Objectives:

Patients presenting for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by posterior spinal fusion may benefit from structured clinical pathways. We studied the effects of implementing a published clinical pathway for the perioperative care of patients with AIS that required intraoperative use of methadone at our institution.

Methods:

We performed a historically controlled clinical trial of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS by comparing a retrospectively collected control group of 25 patients with a prospective experimental group of 14 patients receiving methadone, gabapentin, propofol, and remifentanil as part of a new clinical pathway.

Results:

Use of the pathway decreased average pain scores evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale in the 24 hours following surgery (4.8 [4-6] to 3.4 [2-4], P = .03 [−2.6 to −0.2; t = −2.3]) and postoperative opioid consumption by 76% (41 [29-51] mg to 10 [4-17] mg, P < .001 [−45 to −15; Welch’s t = 4.9]) during the same period. Improved analgesia and reduced reliance on opioids facilitated other postoperative elements of the clinical pathway and shortened the average hospital length of stay by 1 day (4 [3-6] days to 3 [3-5] days, P = .001 [−2 to −1; U = 67, Z = −3.3]).

Conclusions:

Multimodal analgesia and a clinical pathway add value in the perioperative care of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS by improving analgesia and shortening hospitalization. The prospective arm of the trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT02481570.
The Conflict Over Land Ownership and Unauthorized Construction in the Negev
Authors: Yahel Havatzelet
Published: September 2019

Since the early days of Israeli independence, there has been a continuous dispute over land rights and settlements in the Negev region, between the Bedouins and the State of Israel. Its most notable manifestation is unauthorized construction dispersed over vast tracts of land, with no consideration for existing zoning plans and in locations undesignated or unfit for human habitation. As a result, the Bedouins, one of Israel’s most impoverished population groups, experience significant difficulties in benefitting from public services available to other citizens. The situation also impedes the development of the Negev for the benefit of all its inhabitants. This article will trace the dispute back to its roots, outline the main public actions taken, and suggest an explanation.
Achievement Goals in Music Contexts: A Review of Literature
Authors: Tan Leonard , Sin Hui Xing
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this article was to review and synthesize the research literature on achievement goals in music contexts. It is structured in four parts: (a) adaptive dispositions and outcomes, (b) motivational climate, (c) music and other domains, and (d) implications for music education. Researchers have found that learners who endorse mastery goals, in particular, mastery-approach ones, also tend to possess a range of adaptive dispositions. Music educators may therefore consider creating motivational climates that foster mastery goals. Achievement goals have also been found to be largely domain specific. Based on the review, implications for music education are offered.
SNP-based mate allocation strategies to maximize total genetic value in pigs
Authors: González-Diéguez David , Tusell Llibertat , Carillier-Jacquin Céline , Bouquet Alban , Vitezica Zulma G.
Published: September 2019

Background

Mate allocation strategies that account for non-additive genetic effects can be used to maximize the overall genetic merit of future offspring. Accounting for dominance effects in genetic evaluations is easier in a genomic context, than in a classical pedigree-based context because the combinations of alleles at loci are known. The objective of our study was two-fold. First, dominance variance components were estimated for age at 100 kg (AGE), backfat depth (BD) at 140 days, and for average piglet weight at birth within litter (APWL). Second, the efficiency of mate allocation strategies that account for dominance and inbreeding depression to maximize the overall genetic merit of future offspring was explored.

Results

Genetic variance components were estimated using genomic models that included inbreeding depression with and without non-additive genetic effects (dominance). Models that included dominance effects did not fit the data better than the genomic additive model. Estimates of dominance variances, expressed as a percentage of additive genetic variance, were 20, 11, and 12% for AGE, BD, and APWL, respectively. Estimates of additive and dominance single nucleotide polymorphism effects were retrieved from the genetic variance component estimates and used to predict the outcome of matings in terms of total genetic and breeding values. Maximizing total genetic values instead of breeding values in matings gave the progeny an average advantage of − 0.79 days, − 0.04 mm, and 11.3 g for AGE, BD and APWL, respectively, but slightly reduced the expected additive genetic gain, e.g. by 1.8% for AGE.

Conclusions

Genomic mate allocation accounting for non-additive genetic effects is a feasible and potential strategy to improve the performance of the offspring without dramatically compromising additive genetic gain.
TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal pathway regulates Th17 differentiation during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development
Authors: Qu Xuebin , Han Jingjing , Zhang Ying , Wang Xingqi , Fan Hongbin , Hua Fang , Yao Ruiqin
Published: September 2019

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is well known for activating the innate immune system; however, it is also highly expressed in adaptive immune cells, such as CD4+ T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, which play a key role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. However, the function and governing mechanism of TLR4 in Th17 remain unclear.

Methods

The changes of TLR4 in CD4+ T cells from MS patients and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice were tested. TLR4-deficient (TLR4−/−) naïve T cells were induced in vitro and transferred into Rag1−/− mice to measure Th17 differentiation and EAE pathology. DNA sequence analyses combining with deletion fragments and mutation analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were used to explore the mechanism of TLR4 signaling pathway in regulating Th17 differentiation.

Results

The levels of TLR4 were increased in CD4+ Th17 cells both from MS patients and EAE mice, as well as during Th17 differentiation in vitro. TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells inhibited their differentiation into Th17, and transfer of TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells into Rag1−/− mice was defective in promoting EAE, characterized by less demyelination and Th17 infiltration in the spinal cord. TLR4 signal enhanced Th17 differentiation by activating RelA, downregulating the expression of miR-30a, a negative regulator of Th17 differentiation. Inhibition of RelA activity increased miR-30a level, but decreased Th17 differentiation rate. Furthermore, RelA directly regulated the expression of miR-30a via specific binding to a conserved element of miR-30a gene.

Conclusions

TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells are inadequate in differentiating to Th17 cells both in vitro and in vivo. TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal pathway regulates Th17 differentiation via direct binding of RelA to the regulatory element of miR-30a gene. Our results indicate modulating TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal in Th17 may be a therapeutic target for Th17-mediated neurodegeneration in neuroinflammatory diseases.
Effects of Xinjiaxiangruyin on the TLR7 pathway in influenza virus-infected lungs of mice housed in a hygrothermal environment
Authors: Fu Ying-Jie , Yan Yu-Qi , Zheng Xiao , Shi Shan-Shan , Wu Sha , Jiang Zhen-You
Published: September 2019

Background

To investigate the effects and immunological mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine Xinjiaxiangruyin on controlling influenza virus (FM1 strain) infection in mice housed in a hygrothermal environment.

Methods

Mice were housed in normal and hygrothermal environments, and intranasally infected with influenza virus (FM1). A high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint of Xinjiaxiangruyin was used to provide an analytical method for quality control. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure messenger RNA expression of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in the TLR7 signaling pathway and virus replication in the lungs. Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 proteins. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17/T-regulatory cells.

Results

Xinjiaxiangruyin effectively alleviated lung inflammation in C57BL/6 mice in hot and humid environments. Guizhimahuanggebantang significantly reduced lung inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. The expression of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA in lung tissue of WT mice in the normal environment, GZMHGBT group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). In WT mice exposed to the hot and humid environment, the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the XJXRY group were significantly different from those in the virus group. The expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue of WT mice exposed to the normal environment, GZMHGBT group was significantly lower than those in the model group. In WT mice exposed to hot and humid environments, the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein in XJXRY group were significantly different from those in the virus group.

Conclusion

Guizhimahuanggebantang demonstrated a satisfactory therapeutic effect on mice infected with the influenza A virus (FM1 strain) in a normal environment, and Xinjiaxiangruyin demonstrated a clear therapeutic effect in damp and hot environments and may play a protective role against influenza through downregulation of the TLR7 signal pathway.
Dual delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor from nanohydroxyapatite/collagen for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Hu Yuqian , Zheng Linlin , Zhang Jinhui , Lin Lijuan , Shen Yue , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wu Buling
Published: September 2019

Background

In bone tissue engineering, the fabrication and biocompatibility of scaffold are crucial. Among many scaffold materials, nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) and collagen (COL) are chosen as building materials of scaffold. At the same time, growth factors were also used to modify the scaffolds.

Methods

In this study, blending and freeze drying methods were adopted together in order to build basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-nHAP/COL scaffolds. ELISA was applied to test the release of bFGF and BMP-2 on the scaffold. The flow cytometry was used to identify bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Scanning electron microscope was adopted to observe scaffolds and cells morphology. BMSCs were seeded on the scaffolds to test the biological compatibility in vitro. Cells were counted to detect early cell adhesion. Cell counting kit-8 assay was adopted to detect cell proliferation and alkalinephosphatase assay was applied to detect cell activity.

Results

The characterization of bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds meets the requirements of ideal bone tissue engineering scaffolds. BMSCs that were isolated, purified and passaged satisfied the needs of further experiments. The growth status of cells on bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds was satisfactory. Cell adhesion was the highest in the bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds group. The cell viability and ALP activity of bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds group were the highest.

Conclusion

Taken together, bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds have good biocompatibility in vitro and promote adhesion, proliferation, differentiation of BMSCs.