bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Balloon Inflation Time and Pattern on the Coronary Stent Expansion
Authors: Skowroński Jarosław , Wolny Rafał , Jastrzębski Jan , Tyczyński Paweł , Szlazak Karol , Pręgowski Jerzy , Mintz Gary S. , Liżewska Karolina , Świeszkowski Wojciech , Chmielak Zbigniew , Witkowski Adam
Published: March 2019

Objectives. To assess the expansion pattern of coronary stents by using different balloon inflation times and pressures. Background. The selection of coronary stent size and its proper deployment is crucial in coronary artery interventions, having an impact on the success of the procedure and further therapy. Methods. Ten pairs of different stents were deployed under nominal pressure using sequential (5, 5, 10, and 10 seconds of repeated inflations, thus 30 seconds of summarized time) and continuous (30 seconds) deployment pattern. After each given time-point, intraluminal stent measurements were performed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Results. Both in-stent diameters and cross-section areas (CSA) of paired stents measured by OCT at all sequential time-points were significantly smaller compared to given manufacturers charts’ values (90% to 94% for diameters and 81% to 88% for CSA, p<0.05). Significant increase of in-stent diameter and CSA was observed across the step-by-step deployment pattern. In-stent lumen measurements were significantly larger when sequential deployment pattern was applied compared to continuous deployment. Additional measurements were also done for overlapping segments of stents, showing smaller in-stent measurements of the latter compared to nonoverlapping segments. Validation of OCT and IVUS measurements using a phantom metallic tube showed perfect reproducibility with OCT and overestimation with IVUS (8% for diameters and 16% for CSA). Conclusions. Stent diameter after deployment is time-dependent and not only pressure-dependent. Different stent expansion behavior, depending on the applied deployment pattern (sequential and nonsequential), was observed.
The Impact of Coupling Function on Finite‐Time Synchronization Dynamics of Multi‐Weighted Complex Networks with Switching Topology
Authors: Yang Bin , Wang Xin , Fang Jian-an , Xu Yuhua
Published: March 2019

This paper is not only concerned with the problem of finite‐time synchronization control for a class of nonlinear coupling multi‐weighted complex networks (NCMWCNs) with switching topology but also an attempt at using the derived results and Lyapunov stability theory to study the impact of nonlinear coupling function on finite‐time synchronization dynamics of the raised network model. Firstly, different from the existing related results, based on the existing and new finite‐time theories, two finite‐time synchronization controllers are, respectively, designed to make the considered network achieve finite‐time synchronization. Secondly, according to the obtained results, several finite‐time synchronization dynamics criteria are established to show that nonlinear coupled function and the switching of outer‐coupling matrix are how to impact finite‐time synchronization dynamics. Finally, two illustrated examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of theoretical results proposed in this paper.
In Vivo Study of the Antibacterial Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol Loaded with Silver Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing Applications
Authors: Nguyen Tan Dat , Nguyen Thanh Truc , Ly Khanh Loan , Tran Anh Hien , Nguyen Thi Thanh Ngoc , Vo Minh Thuy , Ho Hieu Minh , Dang Ngoc Thao Nhi , Vo Van Toi , Nguyen Dai Hai , Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai , Nguyen Thi Hiep
Published: March 2019

Silver nanoparticles have attracted great interests widely in medicine due to its great characteristics of antibacterial activity. In this research, the antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of a topical gel synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, and silver nanoparticles were studied. Hydrogels with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (15 ppm, 30 ppm, and 60 ppm) were evaluated to compare their antibacterial activity, nanoparticles’ sizes, and in vivo behaviors. The resulted silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel were characterized by TEM showing the nanoparticles’ sizes less than 22 nm. The in vitro results prove that the antibacterial effects of all of the samples are satisfied. However, the in vivo results demonstrate the significant difference among different hydrogels in wound healing, where hydrogel with 30 ppm shows the best healing rate.
Integration of Traditional Birth Attendants into Mental Healthcare: A Multistakeholder Qualitative Study Exploration
Authors: Musyimi Christine W. , Mutiso Victoria N. , Nyamai Darius N. , Ebuenyi Ikenna D. , Ndetei David M.
Published: March 2019

Background. A significant number of people with common mental disorders are undiagnosed or undetected at primary healthcare facilities. The experience of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in reassuring perinatal mothers could be utilized in maternal mental healthcare. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the feasibility of integrating TBAs into maternal mental healthcare using multiple stakeholder views. Methods. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study in September 2017 using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in depth interviews in Makueni County, Kenya. A total of 246 participants (TBAs, community health volunteers (CHVs), healthcare workers (HCWs), antenatal and postnatal mothers seeking care from TBAs and those seeking both hospital and TBA services, mothers in law and/or husbands of perinatal mothers, and opinion leaders based in the county) were purposively selected to participate in the discussions. Transcribed data was analyzed using NVivo version 10. Results. Four major themes emerged from the qualitative data and were identified as follows; (a) involving TBAs in perinatal mental healthcare by assigning them roles, (b) utilizing TBAs’ patient rapport and counseling experience, (c) recognition and appreciation of TBAs by the healthcare system, and (d) training and collaboration of TBAs with healthcare workers. Discussion. The findings of this study reveal that although TBAs informally provide psychosocial interventions to pregnant mothers, their roles in mental health are not clearly defined. The importance of TBAs sharing their experience and being recognized as important stakeholders in mental healthcare for perinatal mothers was highlighted. Inclusion of TBAs in dialogue and training them to offer evidence-based mental healthcare were identified as important steps towards improving the mental wellbeing of mothers and the future generation.
Effects of Fabrication Parameters on the Properties of Parts Manufactured with Selective Laser Sintering: Application on Cement-Filled PA12
Authors: Gadelmoula Abdelrasoul M. , Aldahash Saleh A.
Published: March 2019

Selective laser sintering (SLS) becomes a promising technology for manufacturing complicated objects with small to moderate numbers from a wide range of polymeric and metallic powders. However, the fabrication parameters in the SLS process need to be tailored for each end-use fabricated product. Hence, it becomes extremely important to investigate the effects of fabrication parameters on the mechanical and morphological properties of SLS parts. For this purpose, the present experimental work is devoted to evaluating the effects of some important fabrication parameters, that have not received proper attention in the published literature, on the properties of cement-filled polyamide 12 (PA12) parts manufactured with the SLS technique. The effect of scanning vector length on the tensile, compressive, and flexural strength of manufactured PA12/white cement parts is investigated. Also, the end-of-vector (EOV) effect on the edge geometry of manufactured parts is studied. Moreover, the effect of incident laser power (LP) on the surface quality of fabricated SLS PA12/white cement parts is qualitatively evaluated. The results from this work revealed that the scanning vector length significantly affects the mechanical properties of SLS parts provided that the load is applied along the scanning vector direction. Also, it is noticed that excessive exposure to laser energy at layer edges can deteriorate the part’s edge and in some cases can cause localized heating and burning of the part’s edge and, eventually, can result in surface microcracks. Finally, the experiments confirmed that increasing the laser power can enhance the surface roughness of manufactured parts; however, excessive increase in laser power causes localized burning and initiation of surface microcracks.
Genome-Wide Interrogation of Human Cancers Identifies EGLN1 Dependency in Clear Cell Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Price Colles , Gill Stanley , Ho Zandra V. , Davidson Shawn M. , Merkel Erin , McFarland James M. , Leung Lisa , Tang Andrew , Kost-Alimova Maria , Tsherniak Aviad , Jonas Oliver , Vazquez Francisca , Hahn William C.
Published: March 2019

We hypothesized that candidate dependencies for which there are small molecules that are either approved or in advanced development for a nononcology indication may represent potential therapeutic targets. To test this hypothesis, we performed genome-scale loss-of-function screens in hundreds of cancer cell lines. We found that knockout of EGLN1, which encodes prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2), reduced the proliferation of a subset of clear cell ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro. EGLN1-dependent cells exhibited sensitivity to the pan-EGLN inhibitor FG-4592. The response to FG-4592 was reversed by deletion of HIF1A, demonstrating that EGLN1 dependency was related to negative regulation of HIF1A. We also found that ovarian clear cell tumors susceptible to both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of EGLN1 required intact HIF1A. Collectively, these observations identify EGLN1 as a cancer target with therapeutic potential.

Significance:

These findings reveal a differential dependency of clear cell ovarian cancers on EGLN1, thus identifying EGLN1 as a potential therapeutic target in clear cell ovarian cancer patients.
Results of Intralesional Bleomycin Sclerotherapy for Treatment of Orbital Lymphangiomas at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in Bangladesh
Authors: Nuruddin Murtuza , Roy Soma Rani , Singh Mudhar Hardeep
Published: March 2019

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of intralesional bleomycin injection for the treatment of orbital lymphangiomas. Methods: This was a prospective interventional case study. Twelve patients diagnosed with orbital lymphangiomas received intralesional bleomycin injection at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight (maximum 15 mg) along with lignocaine 2%. Those who required retreatment were injected at intervals of 4 weeks. The outcome was reviewed radiologically and using serial photographic comparison. Result: Proptosis and lid swelling were the most frequent presentations. The number of injections ranged from 1 to 3. Fifty percent of our patients showed complete resolution, and the other 50% showed more than 70% resolution as evidenced radiologically and on digital photography. Conclusion: No significant ophthalmic or systemic side effect was noticed in our study group. Therefore, intralesional bleomycin injection can be considered as first-line therapy for treatment of orbital lymphangiomas.
HPV in Head and Neck Carcinomas: Different HPV Profiles in Oropharyngeal Carcinomas – Why?
Authors: Syrjänen Stina , Syrjänen Kari
Published: March 2019

Background: The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was first described in 1982–1983 by the authors of this review. Prompted by this discovery 35 years ago, an entirely new field of HPV research has emerged, resulting in a paradigm shift from smoking and alcohol as the only etiological factors to confirmation of HNSCC as an important group of HPV-related human malignancies. Summary: In this review, the authors first describe the scope (i.e., HNSCC) by the anatomic sites of the tumors. Their important site-specific differences in epidemiology are emphasized, and the misconceptions caused by the adopted practice of pooling all tumors from these divergent anatomic sites as a single entity (HNSCC) are pinpointed. The convincing evidence of the established risk factors (smoking and alcohol) is briefly addressed, before entering in the discussion on the causal role of HPV in HNSCC pathogenesis. The global HPV prevalence in different subsets of HNSCC is summarized using the data extracted from all meta-analyses published since 2010. Of all HNSCC subsets, oropharyngeal SCC has an HPV profile distinct form all the other subsets, and the possible mechanisms explaining this intimate association with HPV are discussed. Key Messages: Recent global trends show a constant increase in HNSCC rates particularly among younger age groups. The evidence on cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption as the prime risk factors of HNSCC is overwhelming. During the past 35 years, however, increasing evidence has accumulated implicating an important causal role of HPV in HNSCC. These data have important clinical implications, HPV detection and tailored treatment strategies for HPV-positive HNSCCs currently being an integral part of the oncological management practices of HNSCC.
Daratumumab Interference in Pretransfusion Testing Is Overcome by Addition of Daratumumab Fab Fragments to Patients’ Plasma
Authors: Werle Egon , Ziebart Josefin , Wasmund Eleonora , Eske-Pogodda Kristin
Published: March 2019

Background: Daratumumab (DARA), an IgG1κ human monoclonal anti-CD38 antibody, is used for the treatment of refractory myeloma for example. Binding of DARA to CD38 on red blood cells (RBCs), however, leads to panagglutination in indirect antiglobulin testing and possibly masks clinically relevant alloantibodies. Dithiothreitol eliminates panreactivity by destroying CD38 but has the drawback of modifying certain blood group antigens and, thereby, impairs the detection of alloantibodies. Methods: DARA was digested for 16 h at 37°C using immobilized papain in a spin column, centrifuged, and washed, and the DARA-Fab fragments in pooled flow-throughs were stored at –20°C. DARA-Fab and test cells (ID-DiaCell I-II-III or ID-DiaPanel; BioRad) were incubated with human plasma spiked with DARA (plasma concentration up to 1,000 mg/L) or plasma from patients under DARA therapy at 37°C for 15 min. Thereafter, ID-Cards LISS/Coombs were used. Results: Immunofixation electrophoresis showed complete fragmentation of DARA into Fc and Fab fragments by papain proteolysis. DARA-Fab efficiently prevented RBC agglutination by patients’ plasma and by plasma spiked with DARA. Moreover, DARA-Fab did not interfere with the detection of alloantibodies. Conclusion: We present a quite easy, reproducible, and cost-effective method for DARA-Fab fragment preparation. Blocking CD38 epitopes with DARA-Fab easily overcomes DARA interference in pretransfusion testing without affecting alloantibody detection.
Clinical Evaluation of Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid-Based Treatment on Onset of Acute Side Effects in Women Receiving Adjuvant Radiotherapy after Cervical Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Delia Pietro , Sansotta Giuseppe , Pontoriero Antonio , Iati Giuseppe , De Salvo Santa , Pisana Michele , Potami Antonio , Lopes Salvatore , Messina Giovanna , Pergolizzi Stefano
Published: March 2019

Background: Radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer (CC) often induces side effects, including inflammation, dryness, dyspareunia. Considering its key role in the healing process, hyaluronic acid (HA) could be useful for the completion of radiotherapy. Objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of HA to reduce the onset of side effects due to radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: In total, 180 women undergoing radiotherapy were randomized into two arms: controls and those treated with vaginal suppositories containing low-molecular-weight HA from day 1 of radiotherapy. The study lasted 5 weeks and was characterized by three visits: at baseline (T0), 15 days later (T1), and at the end of the radiotherapy cycle (T2). The onset of side effects, pain, safety, efficacy, acceptability of treatment, and compliance to the therapy were evaluated. Results: Patients in the control arm reported the onset and worsening of all symptoms with a moderate or severe grade at T2, whereas in the treatment arm almost 90% of patients reported the absence of symptoms or a mild grade. All patients in the treatment arm referred a lower intensity of pain on a visual analog scale compared with the control arm at T2 (6.85 ± 0.94 vs. 1.88 ± 1.02). Conclusions: HA was able to help vaginal mucosa healing during radiotherapy in patients with CC.
Impact of Brush Cytology Analysis for the Diagnosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Quality of Liquid-Based Preparation of Cytological Slides
Authors: Mariano Vânia S. , Pastrez Paula R.A. , Mafra Costa Allini , Guimarães Denise P. , Cunha Thiago R. , Neto Said A.Z. , Scapulatempo-Neto Christóvam , Syrjänen Kari J. , Longatto-Filho Adhemar
Published: March 2019

Objectives: The diagnostic performance of cytology in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is meticulously described. Methods: Cytological and biopsy specimens were prospectively taken during esophagogastroduodenoscopy of 123 individuals in 2013 and 2014. Cytology samples were maintained in preservative fluid until processing and biopsies were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Results: Based on endoscopic biopsy results, 70 cases were positive for ESCC whilst 53 were negative for cancer. In addition, brush cytology showed high sensitivity and specificity (98.57 and 96.23%, respectively) in detecting the disease, and high accuracy (97.5%) comparable to that provided by histopathology which is the accepted gold standard. Conclusion: Brush cytology specimens preserved in liquid medium may be a good alternative for ESCC diagnosis.
MPGN Type 3 Associated with Pemphigus Herpetiformis Mimicking PGNMID and Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Authors: Shimizu Yoshio , Wakabayashi Keiichi , Hayashi Yoko , Hara Kazuaki , Aoyama Rumi , Niimi Takahiro , Tomino Yasuhiko , Wada Ryo , Hata Maki , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: March 2019

A 45-year-old man suffering from dermal blistering disease with proteinuria and hematuria underwent renal biopsy. The renal biopsy specimen suggested proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits under routine light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. The staining for IgG subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2) and κ/λ light chain indicated secondary immune complex type MPGN type 3. The patient had been diagnosed as having dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), a phenotype of gluten hypersensitivity prior to the appearance of the renal abnormality. Although common autoantibodies might be related to the pathogenesis of disorders in the skin and kidney, DH is mainly driven by IgA autoantibody, while MPGN is induced by IgG immune complexes. IgA was not observed in the glomeruli by immunofluorescence. Neither the examination for DH specific autoantibodies nor HLA-DQB1 genotype supported the diagnosis of DH. Reassessment of the skin biopsy record revealed that the blister was localized in the epidermis, suggesting pemphigus herpetiformis by IgG class anti-epidermal autoantibody, which also affected the renal disorder.
Thiamine Substitution in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Narrative Review of Medical Guidelines
Authors: Pruckner Nathalie , Baumgartner Josef , Hinterbuchinger Barbara , Glahn Alexander , Vyssoki Sandra , Vyssoki Benjamin
Published: March 2019

Aims: Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently suffer from cognitive deficits ranging from mild symptoms to most severe forms. Wernicke encephalopathy (WE), caused by thiamine deficiency, is a potentially fatal syndrome characterized by the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion. WE frequently presents in patients with AUD and, if left untreated, can progress to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which constitutes severe anterograde amnesia, confabulation, and behavioral abnormalities. Due to oftentimes indistinct clinical presentation, WE remains undiagnosed in up to 80% of cases. We conducted a review of current treatment guidelines for AUD in order to identify recommendations for the use of thiamine. Methods: Three different keyword combinations (“alcohol treatment guideline,” “alcohol withdrawal guideline,” and “alcohol treatment recommendation”) were entered in PubMed and Scopus, additional guidelines were searched screening the online sites of the respective agencies or societies. In total, 14 guidelines were included. Results: Thiamine was mentioned in all but one of the reviewed publications. Specifications on application modalities and indications varied considerably. While the majority of reviewed guidelines recommended parenteral thiamine only for patients at high risk for WE, some gave no information regarding the application form or dosage. Conclusion: Substitution of parenteral thiamine in individuals with suspected WE is a well-established treatment regimen. However, suggestions according to guidelines vary widely. Furthermore, hardly any evidence-based recommendations exist on a more general use of thiamine as a preventative intervention in individuals with AUD. Further research is of utmost importance to raise awareness for this potentially undervalued problem.
Predictable Value of Functional Independence Measure Differs between Anterior and Posterior Circulation Ischemic Strokes
Authors: Kawano Hiroyuki , Johno Takashi , Torii Masataka , Kamiyama Hiroshi , Amano Tatsuo , Honda Yuko , Okano Haruko , Unno Yoshiko , Yamada Shin , Okajima Yasutomo , Shiokawa Yoshiaki , Hirano Teruyuki
Published: March 2019

Background: The functional independence measure (FIM) is a standard tool to provide a detailed evaluation of ADL of patients with disabilities. This study aimed to show the differences in FIM scores as an outcome predictor between patients with anterior circulation (AC) and posterior circulation (PC) strokes. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke hospitalized within 7 days after onset were investigated. Baseline NIHSS scores, 1st-FIM (< 72 h after ­admission to stroke unit), 2nd-FIM (< 72 h before discharge), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were collected. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of a favorable outcome (mRS 0–2) at 3-month after stroke. Results: Three hundred eighty-five patients (median age, 78 years; male, 59%; median length of stroke unit stay, 20 days) were included. The median baseline NIHSS, 1st- and 2nd-FIM scores were 4 (interquartile range 2–9), 65 (33–91), and 98 (54–122) respectively. Baseline NIHSS (3 vs. 4, p = 0.01) and mRS score at 3-month (1 vs. 2, p = 0.01) were lower, and 1st-FIM (75 vs. 64, p < 0.01) and 2nd-FIM (113 vs. 95, p = 0.01) were higher in 82 patients with PC than 303 patients with AC strokes. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, 2nd-FIM score was an independent predictor of favorable outcomes in both PC (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.48, p < 0.01) and AC (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06–1.20, p < 0.01) strokes. The optimal cutoff scores of 2nd-FIM for predicting favorable outcome were 104 for PC (sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.88) and 93 for AC (0.88–0.90) strokes. Conclusions: The differences in outcome predictability by FIM score between AC and PC strokes should be considered, although FIM scores at discharge from stroke unit were useful to predict a favorable outcome.
Risk Factors for Stroke in Patients With Sepsis and Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Shao Iris Yuefan , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Boehme Amelia K.
Published: March 2019

Background and Purpose—

Sepsis has been identified as a trigger for stroke, but the underlying mechanisms and risk factors that predispose patients with sepsis to increased stroke risk remain unclear. We sought to identify predictors of stroke after sepsis and bloodstream infections.

Methods—

The 2007–2009 California State Inpatient Database from the Health Care Utilization Project was used to identify patients over the age of 18 years and hospitalized with sepsis or bloodstream infection defined by
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
codes. Patients who died during their sepsis hospitalization were excluded. The primary outcome was a primary diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke on a subsequent hospitalization within 1 year. Associations between risk factors, also defined by
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
codes, and stroke were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. A composite risk score was generated to predict stroke risk.

Results—

Of 121 947 patients with sepsis, 0.5% (n=613) had a primary diagnosis of stroke within a year of their sepsis hospitalization. Significant predictors for stroke were identified. A score was generated from these risk factors with points assigned based on regression coefficients: valvular heart diseases (1 point), congestive heart failure (1), renal failure (1), lymphoma (2), peripheral vascular diseases (2), pulmonary circulation disorders (2), and coagulopathy (3). The C statistic for the receiver operating characteristic curve for the score was 0.68. The risk of stroke increased 43% (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.37–1.48) per-point increase in the score. The effect of increase in score was greater among younger patients.

Conclusions—

Risk factors and a composite risk score for stroke may help identify a subpopulation of sepsis patients that could be targeted to reduce the short-term risk of stroke after serious infections.
Home-Time Is a Feasible and Valid Stroke Outcome Measure in National Datasets
Authors: McDermid Iain , Barber Mark , Dennis Martin , Langhorne Peter , Macleod Mary J. , McAlpine Christine H. , Quinn Terence J.
Published: March 2019

Background and Purpose—

Home-time (HT) is a stroke outcome measure based on time spent at home after stroke. We hypothesized that HT assessment would be feasible and valid using national data.

Methods—

We linked the Scottish Stroke Care Audit to routine healthcare data and calculated 90-day HT for all strokes, 2005 to 2017. We described prognostic validity (Spearman rank correlation) of HT to baseline factors.

Results—

We were able to calculate HT for 101 969 strokes (99.3% of total Scottish strokes). Mean HT was 46 days (95% CI, 45.8–46.2; range, 0–90). HT showed consistent correlation with our prespecified prognostic factors: age: ρ, −0.35 (95% CI, −0.35 to −0.36); National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, −0.54 (95% CI, −0.52 to −0.55); and 6 simple variables (ordinal), −0.61 (95% CI, −0.61 to −0.62).

Conclusions—

HT can be derived at scale using routine clinical data and appears to be a valid proxy measure of functional recovery. Other national databases could use HT as a time and cost efficient measure of medium and longer-term outcomes.
“You Can't Dance to It”: Jazz Music and Its Choreographies of Listening
Authors: Wells Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

Central to dominant jazz history narratives is a midcentury rupture where jazz transitions from popular dance music to art music. Fundamental to this trope is the idea that faster tempos and complex melodies made the music hostile to dancing bodies. However, this constructed moment of rupture masks a longer, messier process of negotiation among musicians, audiences, and institutions that restructured listening behavior within jazz spaces. Drawing from the field of dance studies, I offer the concept of “choreographies of listening” to interrogate jazz's range of socially enforced movement “scores” for audience listening practices and their ideological significance. I illustrate this concept through two case studies: hybridized dance/concert performances in the late 1930s and “off-time” bebop social dancing in the 1940s and 1950s. These case studies demonstrate that both seated and dancing listening were rhetorically significant modes of engagement with jazz music and each expressed agency within an emergent Afromodernist sensibility.
Dave Brubeck's Southern Strategy
Authors: Klotz Kelsey A. K.
Published: March 2019

In January 1960, white jazz pianist Dave Brubeck made headlines for cancelling a twenty-five-date tour of colleges and universities across the American South after twenty-two schools had refused to allow his black bassist, Eugene Wright, to perform. This cancellation became a defining moment in Brubeck's career, forever marking him as an advocate for racial justice. This essay follows Brubeck's engagement with early civil rights–era protests, examining the moments leading up to Brubeck's cancellation of his 1960 tour of the South. In doing so, I uncover new details in Brubeck's steps toward race activism that highlight the ways in which Brubeck leveraged his whiteness to support integration efforts, even as he simultaneously benefited from a system that privileged his voice over the voices of people of color. While Brubeck has been hailed as a civil rights advocate simply for cancelling his 1960 tour, I argue that Brubeck's activism worked on a deeper level, one that inspired him to adopt a new musical and promotional strategy that married commercial interests with political ideology. Brubeck's advocacy relied on his power and privilege within the mainstream music industry to craft albums and marketing approaches that promoted integration in the segregationist South. Ultimately, this period in Brubeck's career is significant because it allows deep consideration of who Brubeck spoke for and above, who listened, and for whom his actions as a civil rights advocate were meaningful.
Why Jazz? South Africa 2019
Authors: Muller Carol A.
Published: March 2019

I consider the current state of jazz in South Africa in response to the formation of the nation-state in the 1990s. I argue that while there is a recurring sense of the precarity of jazz in South Africa as measured by the short lives of jazz venues, there is nevertheless a vibrant jazz culture in which musicians are using their own studios to experiment with new ways of being South African through the freedom of association of people and styles forming a music that sounds both local and comfortable in its sense of place in the global community. This essay uses the words of several South African musicians and concludes by situating the artistic process of South African artist William Kentridge in parallel to jazz improvisation.
Description of adults and larvae of Orientelmis parvula (Nomura & Baba, 1961) (Coleoptera: Elmidae) with their molecular phylogenetic analysis
Authors: HAYASHI MASAKAZU , YOSHITOMI HIROYUKI , KAMITE YUUKI , KOBAYASHI TAKUYA , SOTA TEIJI
Published: March 2019

The elmid beetle Orientelmis parvula (Nomura & Baba, 1961) is a rare and endangered species in Japan. Mouth parts and genitalia in adults of both sexes and larval morphology are described based on scanning electron microscope observations. The larva of the genus Orientelmis Shepard, 1998 is described for the first time. The systematic position of the genus is discussed based on the morphology and a phylogenetic tree inferred from the mitochondrial COI, and nuclear ArgK and 18S gene sequences. A new key for larvae of known species and genera of Japanese Elmidae is given.
Response of the Sea Breeze to Urbanization in the Pearl River Delta Region
Authors: You Cheng , Chi-Hung Fung Jimmy , Tse Wai Po
Published: March 2019

The Pearl River delta (PRD) region has undergone rapid urbanization since the 1980s, which has had significant effects on the sea-breeze circulation in this region. Because the sea breeze plays an important role in pollutant transportation and convective initiation in the PRD region, it is meaningful to study the effects of urbanization on the sea breeze. In this study, three numerical experiments were conducted from 2 June to 31 August 2010 with land-use data from 1988, 1999, and 2010. For each simulation, characteristics of the sea breeze such as the start time, end time, intensity, height, pumping ability, and inland penetration distance were quantified. By comparing the characteristics of the sea breeze in these simulations, its response to urbanization was quantified. The results show that urbanization enhances the duration, height, and intensity of the sea breeze but blocks its inland penetration. One physical mechanism is proposed to dynamically elucidate the response of the sea breeze to urbanization. Because the urban area in the PRD region is concentrated near the coast, urbanization imposes a positive heating gradient on the coastal region and a negative heating gradient on the region farther inland. The positive heating gradient may intensify the sea breeze, and the negative heating gradient may prevent the sea breeze from propagating farther inland.
The Control of Surface Friction on the Scales of Baroclinic Eddies in a Homogeneous Quasigeostrophic Two-Layer Model
Authors: Chang Chiung-Yin , Held Isaac M.
Published: March 2019

In idealized models of the extratropical troposphere, both β and surface friction can control the equilibrated scales of baroclinic eddies by stopping the inverse cascade. A scaling theory on how surface friction alone sets these scales was proposed by Held in 1999 in the case of a quadratic drag law. However, the theory breaks down when friction is modeled by linear damping, and there are other reasons to suspect that it is oversimplified. An ideal system to test the theory is the homogeneous two-layer quasigeostrophic model in the β = 0 limit with quadratic damping. This study investigates some numerical simulations of the model to analyze two causes of the theory’s breakdown. They are 1) the asymmetry between two layers due to confinement of friction to the lower layer and 2) deviation from a spectrally local inverse energy cascade due to the spread of wavenumbers over which energy is input into the barotropic mode. The former is studied by comparing the simulations with drag appearing asymmetrically or symmetrically between the two layers. The latter is addressed with a heuristic modification of the theory. A regime where eddies equilibrate without an inverse cascade is also examined. A comparison is then made between quadratic and linear drag simulations. The connection to a competing theory based on the dynamics of equivalent barotropic vortices with thermal signatures is further discussed. Finally, we present an example of an inhomogeneous statistically steady state to argue that the diffusivity obtained from the homogeneous model has relevance to more realistic configurations.
Influence of an Island on Hysteresis of a Western Boundary Current Flowing across a Gap
Authors: Mei Huan , Qi Yiquan , Qiu Bo , Cheng Xuhua , Wu Xiangbai
Published: March 2019

We investigate impact of an island on hysteresis of a western boundary current (WBC) flowing across a gap using a nonlinear 1.5-layer ocean model. The results of hysteresis curves show the island in the middle of the gap facilitates the WBC intrusion. The inserted (removed) island in the middle of the gap promotes the WBC to shed eddy (leap across the gap) when the WBC path transits from the periodic penetrating (leaping) to the leaping (periodic penetrating) regime without (with) an island. Vorticity balance analysis reveals that the WBC transition from the eddy-shedding (leaping) to the leaping (eddy-shedding) regime is induced by increased (decreased) meridional advection. Moreover, the critical Reynolds number of the WBC at the Hopf bifurcation is not sensitive to the size and location of the island when the total gap width is fixed. The critical Reynolds number of the WBC translating from the eddy shedding to the leaping regime increases when either the total gap width increases or the island’s meridional length increases; however, the critical Reynolds number is inversely proportional to the width of the southern gap with fixed total gap width and enlarged island length. The island promotes the WBC to shed eddy except when the island is near the northern barrier. The influence of an eastward-shifted island on the WBC transition from the eddy-shedding to the leaping regime is gradually reduced when the island is east of the Munk layer.
Comparison of Oceanic Multisatellite Precipitation Data from Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission and Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Datasets with Rain Gauge Data from Ocean Buoys
Authors: Wu Qiaoyan , Wang Yilei
Published: March 2019

Three satellite-derived precipitation datasets [the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) dataset, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) dataset, and the newly available Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) dataset] are compared with data obtained from 55 rain gauges mounted on floating buoys in the tropics for the period 1 April 2014–30 April 2017. All three satellite datasets underestimate low rainfall and overestimate high rainfall in the tropical Pacific Ocean, but the TMPA dataset does this the most. In the high-rainfall (higher than 4 mm day−1) Atlantic region, all three satellite datasets overestimate low rainfall and underestimate high rainfall, but the IMERG dataset does this the most. For the Indian Ocean, all three rainfall satellite datasets overestimate rainfall at some gauges and underestimate it at others. Of these three satellite products, IMERG is the most accurate in estimating mean precipitation over the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, but it is less accurate over the tropical Atlantic Ocean for regions of high rainfall. The differences between the three satellite datasets vary by region and there is a need to consider uncertainties in the data before using them for research.
Endoscopic Management of Postradiation Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abu-Ghanem Sara , Sung Chin-Kwang , Junlapan Attapon , Kearney Ann , DiRenzo Elizabeth , Dewan Karuna , Damrose Edward J.
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

To systematically review the success rate and safety profile of the available endoscopic surgical options for radiation-induced dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients following organ preservation treatment, including upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dilation, cricopharyngeus (CP) myotomy (CPM), and CP intramuscular botulinum toxin (Botox) injection.

Methods:

A search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases was done to identify articles published between January 1980 and December 2017. Pediatric series, foreign language articles, series with Zenker’s diverticulum or following primary surgical treatment including laryngectomy, open UES/CP surgery, or samples with fewer than 5 patients were excluded.

Results:

An initial search identified 539 articles. All titles and abstracts were reviewed. One hundred and sixteen potentially relevant articles were inspected in more detail, and 14 retrospective studies met eligibility criteria. Dilation group included 10 studies on anterograde and/or retrograde dilation, with an overall 208 patients. Success rate ranged from 42% to 100%. The endoscopic CPM group included 3 studies with a total of 36 patients, and the success rate ranged from 27% to 90%. In the Botox group, 1 one study with 20 patients met our inclusion criteria, with an overall 65% success rate (13/20). Major complications were only reported in the dilation group, which included esophageal perforation and death.

Conclusions:

The lack of consistency across trials indicates insufficient evidence for guiding clinical practice. This systematic review suggests the need for greater standardization of outcomes and instruments. Future prospective evaluation should use validated patient-rated and clinician-rated assessment tools to optimally measure postoperative swallowing outcomes of head and neck cancer dysphagic patients following organ preservation therapy.
Acculturation Profiles of Central Florida Puerto Ricans: Examining the Influence of Skin Color, Perceived Ethnic-Racial Discrimination, and Neighborhood Ethnic-Racial Composition
Authors: Capielo Rosario Cristalis , Adames Hector Y. , Chavez-Dueñas Nayeli Y. , Renteria Roberto
Published: March 2019

Evaluating sociocultural factors that may influence acculturation strategies rather than assuming homogeneity among different Latinx ethnic groups is important. A latent profile analysis with covariates was used to identify acculturation profiles in a sample of first-generation Central Florida Puerto Ricans ( N = 381) along bidimensional behavioral, values, and ethnic identity indicators. We examined whether three contextual covariates including (a) perceived ethnic-racial discrimination, (b) percentage of White Americans, and (c) percentage of Puerto Ricans residing in each participants’ zip code could help derive latent profile membership. Participants were categorized into three profiles. The first profile exhibited the highest levels of White American ethnic identity and high levels of Puerto Rican and White American cultural behaviors. The second profile described individuals with the lowest adherence to White American behaviors and ethnic identity. It also exhibited high attachment to Puerto Rican cultural values. The third profile exhibited high levels of Puerto Rican and White American cultural values and moderate levels of White American cultural behaviors and ethnic identity. An examination of covariates revealed that only perceived ethnic-racial discrimination had an influence on profile identification and membership, with likelihood of belonging to Profile 2 decreasing, and likelihood of belonging to Profile 1 increasing as perceived ethnic-racial discrimination increased. Perceived ethnic-racial discrimination did not influence the likelihood of Profile 3 membership. Results highlight the importance of contextualizing acculturation.
Assessing Sensitive Consumer Behavior Using the Item Count Response Technique
Authors: de Jong Martijn G. , Pieters Rik
Published: March 2019

The authors propose a new truth-telling technique and statistical model called “item count response technique” (ICRT) to assess the prevalence and drivers of sensitive consumer behavior. Monte Carlo simulations and a large-scale application to self-reported cigarette consumption among pregnant women (n = 1,315) demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure. The ICRT provides more valid and precise prevalence estimates and is more efficient than direct self-reports and previous item count techniques. It accomplishes this by (1) incentivizing participants to provide truthful answers, (2) accounting for procedural nonadherence and differential list functioning, and (3) obviating the need for a control group. The ICRT also facilitates the use of multivariate regression analysis to relate the prevalence of the sensitive behavior to individual-level covariates for theory testing and policy analysis. The empirical application reveals a significant downward bias in prevalence estimates when questions about cigarette consumption were asked directly to pregnant women, or when standard item count techniques were used. The authors find lower smoking prevalence among women with higher levels of education and who are further along in their pregnancy, and a much higher prevalence among unmarried respondents.
‘The power of a simple gift’: The ethics of children’s evangelization by Christian NGOs in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: LeBlanc Marie Nathalie , Koenig Boris
Published: March 2019

This article examines how some Evangelical nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Côte d’Ivoire have focused their actions towards children and in doing so use strategies based on gifts and play. These organizations’ activities encourage a holistic conception of ‘development’ that is based on both spiritual and material dimensions. In fact, these NGOs provide fascinating examples of the interaction between divergent development ideals, which are based on seemingly competing notions of the ‘good life’. These organizations promote an ethics of evangelization, which rests on the underlying ideas that ‘good Christians will make good citizens’, by emphasizing activities geared to the tutoring of children through educational, charitable, sanitary, and playful interventions. In order to illustrate how the leaders of these local Evangelical NGOs carefully manipulate the border between play and evangelization, and how amusement and gift-giving are key to the interconnection of humanitarian and proselytizing activities, we focus the analysis on the activities of a local affiliate of the transnational NGO Samaritan’s Purse. This case study also highlights how ethical ideals of evangelization defined by transnational organizations are appropriated by local actors and integrated within local discourses regarding the moralization of Ivorian society. The article is based on ethnographic field research conducted in the city of Abidjan in 2011, 2012, and 2016.
Reduction in Hospitals’ Readmission Rates: Role of Hospital-Based Skilled Nursing Facilities
Authors: Gupta Shivani , Zengul Ferhat D. , Davlyatov Ganisher K. , Weech-Maldonado Robert
Published: March 2019

Hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge is an important quality measure given that it represents a potentially preventable adverse outcome. Approximately, 20% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Many strategies such as the hospital readmission reduction program have been proposed and implemented to reduce readmission rates. Prior research has shown that coordination of care could play a significant role in lowering readmissions. Although having a hospital-based skilled nursing facility (HBSNF) in a hospital could help in improving care for patients needing short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation services, little is known about HBSNFs’ association with hospitals’ readmission rates. This study seeks to examine the association between HBSNFs and hospitals’ readmission rates. Data sources included 2007-2012 American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Area Health Resources Files, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare cost reports, and CMS Hospital Compare. The dependent variables were 30-day risk-adjusted readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure, and pneumonia. The independent variable was the presence of HBSNF in a hospital (1 = yes, 0 = no). Control variables included organizational and market factors that could affect hospitals’ readmission rates. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with state and year fixed effects and standard errors corrected for clustering of hospitals over time. Propensity score weights were used to control for potential selection bias of hospitals having a skilled nursing facility (SNF). GEE models showed that the presence of HBSNFs was associated with lower readmission rates for AMI and pneumonia. Moreover, higher SNFs to hospitals ratio in the county were associated with lower readmission rates. These findings can inform policy makers and hospital administrators in evaluating HBSNFs as a potential strategy to lower hospitals’ readmission rates.
Microfilaria: not always associated with eosinophilia
Authors: Garg Neha , More Shilpi , Sharma Monika , Kotru Mrinalini
Published: March 2019

Filariasis is a parasitic infection seen predominantly in tropical and subtropical countries including India. In clinically suspected cases, examining a thick wet mount smear or a buffy coat film is most informative. In unsuspected cases, however, eosinophilia in a peripheral blood smear (PBS) may be the sole indicator of parasitaemia. A few cases of tissue microfilaria with the absence of peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) have been reported. Here, we report two cases of microfilaria in PBS in the absence of PBE. A routine screening of the tail end of all PBS at low power magnification is also advised as it may facilitate the detection of asymptomatic cases when there is a normal eosinophil count.