bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Anemia among People Living with HIV/AIDS Taking ART in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremedhin Ketema Bizuwork , Haye Tadesse Bedada
Published: March 2019

Background. Globally, anemia, among people living with HIV/AIDS, is a major public health problem. It has a significant effect on the progression of HIV/AIDS to advanced stages and there are a number of factors that often affect anemia. However, there is little insight regarding factors affecting anemia among HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Objective. This study aimed at investigating factors affecting anemia among people living with HIV/AIDS taking ART drug at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital based cross-sectional study design was used to assess factors affecting anemia among people living with HIV/AIDS. Structured checklist was used to gather information from charts of patients selected by simple random sampling method. We analyzed the data to identify factors associated with anemia among people with HIV/AIDS using logistic regression models. Results. A total of 301 selected charts were reviewed. The median age was 38 ± 10.38. The majority (62.5%) of the patients were taking ZDV-containing ART drug (ZDV/3TC/NVP). The overall anemia prevalence was 34.6%, while about 5%, 15.6%, and 14% of the patients had severe, moderate, and mild prevalence of anemia, respectively. Factors that were found to affect anemia among these patients include gender (OR = 2.26 [95% CI: 1.22, 4.16]), occupation (OR: 0.57 [95%CI: 0.35, 0.92]), WBC count (OR = 2.30 [95% CI: 1.29, 4.09]), platelet count (OR = 2.89 [95% CI: 0.99, 8.41]), nutritional status (OR = 2.05 [95% CI: 0.69, 6.02]), and WHO clinical stage of HIV/AIDS (OR = 3.69 [95% CI: 1.86, 7.31]). Conclusions. About one in three patients was found to be anemic. Intervention aimed at diagnosing and treating anemia among people living with HIV/AIDS should be considered.
The Potential of Hormonal Contraception to Influence Female Sexuality
Authors: de Castro Coelho Filipa , Barros Cremilda
Published: March 2019

The association between female sexual function and hormonal contraception is controversial. Recognition and management of sexual side effects in women using hormonal contraceptives are challenging. An unsatisfactory number of studies report the influence of the available contraceptives on female sexuality. This article provides an updated narrative review regarding the effect and the magnitude of the impact that hormonal contraceptives play in female sexual function.
Distributed H∞ Control of AVs Interacting by Uncertain and Switching Topology in a Platoon
Authors: Gao Feng , Dang Dongfang , Hu Qiuxia , He Yingdong
Published: March 2019

To overcome the challenges arising from the weakness of wireless communication, this paper presents a distributed H∞ control method for multi-AVs connected by an uncertain and switching topology in a platoon. After compensating for the powertrain nonlinearities, we model the node dynamics as a linear uncertain system. By applying the eigenvalue decomposition and linear transformation, the platoon system is decomposed to multiple low order subsystems depending on the eigenvalues of the topological matrix. The sufficient condition ensuring the robust performance of the platoon is presented by using the invariant of signal amplitude of the linear transformation. Then a numerical method is provided to solve the state feedback controller by using the LMI scheme. Only the bounds of the topological eigenvalues are necessary for this new synthesis method and the designed controller can govern the platoon composed of disturbed nodes and interacting by uncertain even switching topologies in a satisfactory way. The effectiveness of this distributed H∞ control strategy is validated by comparative bench tests between nominal and disturbed conditions.
Improving Study Skills by Combining a Study Skill Module and Repeated Reflection Seminars
Authors: Hedin Björn , Kann Viggo
Published: March 2019

If students have a broad spectrum of study skills, learning will likely be positively affected, since they can adapt the way they learn in different situations. Such study skills can be learned in, for example, learning-to-learn courses. Several studies of such courses have been done over the years, but few of these have been carried out in longitudinal naturalistic settings, where the effect has been evaluated over several years in nonexperimental settings. In this paper, we present a novel approach for learning study skills, as a part of a course running over three years. The course starts with a learning-to-learn module, followed by 11 follow-ups that include, among other things, peer discussions about learning strategies with the aim of promoting self-regulated learning. This evaluation shows which study skills the students were most interested in trying, how successful they were in continuing to use the study skills, and which effects the students believed the study skills had after trying them. No significant change was found in how satisfied the students were with their overall study technique immediately after the initial module, but in the long term, 78% of the students believed the course had promoted their ability to analyze and adapt their study habits. We conclude that our approach could be a useful way to get the students to improve their repertoire and use of study skills, and we believe that the students also will improve general self-regulated learning skills.
A Comparison of Mean-Based and Quantile Regression Methods for Analyzing Self-Report Dietary Intake Data
Authors: Vidoni Michelle L. , Reininger Belinda M. , Lee MinJae
Published: March 2019

In mean-based approaches to dietary data analysis, it is possible for potentially important associations at the tails of the intake distribution, where inadequacy or excess is greatest, to be obscured due to unobserved heterogeneity. Participants in the upper or lower tails of dietary intake data will potentially have the greatest change in their behavior when presented with a health behavior intervention; thus, alternative statistical methods to modeling these relationships are needed to fully describe the impact of the intervention. Using data from Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!) at Home Intervention, we aimed to compare traditional mean-based regression to quantile regression for describing the impact of a health behavior intervention on healthy and unhealthy eating indices. The mean-based regression model identified no differences in dietary intake between intervention and standard care groups. In contrast, the quantile regression indicated a nonconstant relationship between the unhealthy eating index and study groups at the upper tail of the unhealthy eating index distribution. The traditional mean-based linear regression was unable to fully describe the intervention effect on healthy and unhealthy eating, resulting in a limited understanding of the association.
Differences in Nonspecific Low Back Pain between Young Adult Females with and without Lumbar Scoliosis
Authors: Yuan Wangshu , Shen Jianxiong , Chen Lixia , Wang Hai , Yu Keyi , Cong Hui , Zhou Jingya , Lin Youxi
Published: March 2019

Study design. Retrospective characterization of nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in young adult female patients with and without lumbar scoliosis. Background. There is no consensus as to whether NSLBP in scoliosis patients is related to scoliosis per se or is just a normal symptom that could happen in anyone. Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in NSLBP between young adult female patients with and without lumbar scoliosis and to provide a theoretical basis for differential treatment of NSLBP in patients with and without lumbar scoliosis. Methods. Ninety female young adults with NSLBP were divided into scoliosis and nonscoliosis groups. Characteristics of pain, lumbar mobility, muscle strength, Cobb angle, axial trunk rotation (ATR) angle, and surface electromyography (SEMG) signal were compared between the two groups. Results. The pain location in scoliotic patients was more concentrated on the left side of the lumbar spine (P≤0.001). The area affected by pain (P=0.028) and the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores (P=0.014) of scoliotic patients were less than those of nonscoliotic patients. The difference between side-bending in scoliotic patients was greater than that in nonscoliotic patients (P=0.001). Scoliotic patients exhibited a significantly better ability for flexion (P=0.001) and extension (P=0.017) than nonscoliotic patients. The posterior muscles in scoliotic patients were stronger than those in nonscoliotic patients (P=0.014). The ratio of root-mean-square (RMS) on paraspinal muscles in scoliotic patients was greater than that in nonscoliotic patients (P≤0.001). Scoliotic patients exhibited greater relaxation time during the flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) than nonscoliotic patients (P=0.024). Conclusions. The characteristics of NSLBP experienced by patients with lumbar scoliosis were distinct from those of NSLBP experienced by nonscoliotic patients. The treatment of NSLBP in scoliotic patients should be different from that in nonscoliotic patients.
Clinical Characteristics of 1378 Inpatients with Spinal Tuberculosis in General Hospitals in South-Central China
Authors: Liu Zheng , Wang Jun , Chen Gong-Zhou , Li Wei-Wei , Wu Yun-Qi , Xiao Xiao , Zhang Yi-Lu , Yang Yan , Hu Wen-Kai , Sun Zhi-Cheng , Wang Xi-Yang
Published: March 2019

In this retrospective study, charts of inpatients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) treated in large-scale general hospitals in Changsha, Hunan, China, between 2007 and 2016 were reviewed to investigate their clinical characteristics. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical features, imaging findings, treatment methods, and prognosis were summarized and analyzed. There were 1378 patients, 805 males and 573 females, with a mean age of 43.7 years. The mean interval between symptom onset and diagnosis was 16.0 months (range 15 days–240 months). The incidence of back pain, radicular pain and symptoms of systemic toxicity was 92.5%, 40.1%, and 32.1%, respectively. The rate of neurological impairment was 49.9 %. STB was present in two or more vertebrae in 91.1% of patients, with two adjacent vertebrae being involved in 67.9% of them. The lumbar segment (38.2%) was the most frequently affected, followed by the thoracic spine (35.7%). The sacrococcygeal area was the least frequently involved (0.8%). Abscesses were detected in 65.5% of patients. One thousand patients (72.6%) were managed with surgery and 378 (27.4%) with anti-TB drugs only. Cure was achieved in 1215 patients (88.2%), whereas 49 (3.5 %) had relapses. Concomitant pulmonary TB (PTB) was diagnosed in 366 patients (26.6%) and 63 (4.6%) had concomitant diabetes. Compared with the previous five years, the number of older patients, urban patients, and medical staff with STB had increased by 6.1%, 5.2%, and 1.3%, respectively in the five years studied. STB remains a severe public health problem that cannot be ignored. Most of the patients ignored early symptoms and therefore received untimely treatment. Thus, surveillance for and treatment of STB in South-central China requires strengthening. In addition to the current China-wide database of patients with PTB, a China-wide database of patients with STB should also be set up.
A Risk Management Framework for User-Generated Content on Public Display Systems
Authors: Coutinho Pedro , José Rui
Published: March 2019

Digital public displays can represent a powerful medium for personal expression and situated communication. However, before they can actually serve as an effective communication medium, they need to move towards more open models, in which user-generated content can play a more prominent role in their relevance and value proposition. The key challenge, however, is how to share control with users while being able to guarantee that published content matches the social expectations of a place and the goals of the display owner. In this study, we explore a risk management methodology as a comprehensive approach to this issue. We propose a framework that supports the systematic elicitation of the risks involved, their prioritisation, and the selection of the specific combination of moderation techniques that is able to reduce risk to a level that is deemed acceptable, while minimising the moderation effort and the impact on the willingness of users to publish their content. With this overall framework, we expect to help display owners to reason about the moderation needs of their displays and the best mapping between those needs and various moderation techniques.
Computer-Assisted Design Template Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation through Foramen Rotundum for Treatment of Isolated V2 Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Wang Ran , Han Ying , Lu Lijuan
Published: March 2019

Objective. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) through the foramen rotundum has emerged as an alternative for treatment of isolated V2 trigeminal neuralgia. But puncture of the foramen rotundum is difficult and time-consuming. In current study, we introduced the application of a computer-assisted design (CAD) template to guide foramen rotundum cannulation. Meanwhile, we assessed its safety and efficacy in the treatment of isolated V2 trigeminal neuralgia. Methods. From November 2015 to August 2017, thirty-eight patients with isolated V2 trigeminal neuralgia were treated with computed tomography- (CT-) guided RFT through the foramen rotundum in our institution. All cases were reviewed, and patients were divided into the experimental group (n=17, puncture with a CAD template) and control group (n=21, free-hand puncture) according to the puncture method used. The puncture times, duration of puncture, and duration of operation were collected. The outcome of pain remission was evaluated utilizing the Barrow Neurological Institute’s (BNI) pain score. Complications and recurrence of pain were also recorded. Data were compared between groups. Results. The rate of one-time successful puncture in the experimental group was obviously higher than that in the control group. Mean puncture times in the experimental group was fewer. Average duration of puncture and operation in the experimental group was also shorter than that in the control group. All patients experienced good pain remission (BNI Class I or II) postoperatively. At four follow-up points (7 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation), there was no significant difference in good pain relief rate between the two groups. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in complications. Conclusions. CAD template is a safe and precise navigation instrument for RFT treatment of isolated V2 trigeminal neuralgia via the foramen rotundum. Therefore, this novel tool is worthy of clinical promotion.
SSL: A Novel Image Hashing Technique Using SIFT Keypoints with Saliency Detection and LBP Feature Extraction against Combinatorial Manipulations
Authors: Xue Mingfu , Yuan Chengxiang , Liu Zhe , Wang Jian
Published: March 2019

Image hashing schemes have been widely used in content authentication, image retrieval, and digital forensic. In this paper, a novel image hashing algorithm (SSL) by incorporating the most stable keypoints and local region features is proposed, which is robust against various content-preserving manipulations, even multiple combinatorial manipulations. The proposed algorithm combines S_cale invariant feature transform (SIFT) with S_aliency detection to extract the most stable keypoints. Then, the L_ocal binary pattern (LBP) feature extraction method is exploited to generate local region features based on these keypoints. After that, the information of keypoints and local region features are merged into a hash vector. Finally, a secret key is used to randomize the hash vector, which can prevent attackers from forging the image and the hash value. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hashing algorithm can identify visually similar images which are under both single and combinatorial content-preserving manipulations, even multiple combinations of manipulations. It can also identify maliciously forged images which are under various content-changing manipulations. The collision probability between hashes of different images is nearly zero. Besides, the evaluation of key-dependent security shows that the proposed scheme is secure that an attacker cannot forge or estimate the correct hash value without the knowledge of the secret key.
Maternal Cardiac Function after Normal Delivery, Preeclampsia, and Eclampsia: A Prospective Study
Authors: Timokhina Elena , Kuzmina Tatiana , Strizhakov Alexander , Pitskhelauri Elena , Ignatko Irina , Belousova Vera
Published: March 2019

Introduction. The aim of this study is to assess maternal cardiac function in the postpartum period, after 2 and 6 months in the parturient with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Materials and Methods. Prospective study: 90 postpartum women after preeclampsia and eclampsia and 55 patients after an uncomplicated pregnancy. The parameters of maternal hemodynamics were recorded on days 1, 3, 5, 9, and 14 of postpartum period, after 2 and 6 months. The cardiac parameters were assessed. Results. PE is accompanied by increased peripheral vascular resistance. The indicator of vascular resistance, SVR, is elevated for both mild and severe PE. With mild PE, a significant increase in SVR is observed up to 5 days of postpartum period, with severe PE/E up to 9 days. We found that in case of severe PE, SVR remains elevated to 6 months after delivery. The parameters of the contractile function of the heart (ESV, EDV, SV, SI, CO, СI, MVCF) were significantly decreased: with mild PE up to 5-9 days, with severe up to 9-14 days of puerperia. ESV, SV, SI, CO, and CI remain low with severe PE up to 6 months. The revealed decreasing of contractile function of the heart is a sign of asymptomatic heart failure. Conclusions. The hemodynamics of the puerperas after PE and E is characterized by impaired contractility of the myocardium and an increase in the indices of peripheral resistance. The degree of deviation in the parameters of cardiac hemodynamics and vascular resistance depended on the severity of hypertensive complications of pregnancy.
Modeling Sulfur Poisoning of Palladium Membranes Used for Hydrogen Separation
Authors: Gabitto Jorge , Tsouris Costas
Published: March 2019

Hydrocarbons are the most important source for hydrogen production. A combined reaction-separation process using inorganic membranes can significantly increase the reaction conversion by shifting the equilibrium toward product formation. Sulfur poisoning is a significant problem as it deactivates the most commonly used metallic membranes. The relationship of the membrane activity and surface coverage with the surface structure has been recognized in the literature. A theoretical model to simulate hydrogen transport in the presence of sulfur compounds is presented. This model accounts for active site deactivation and permanent structural damage to the membrane. Transport and reaction rate parameters used in the model have been estimated from experimental data. Qualitatively, the model represents well the behavior of inorganic membranes, including partial membrane activity regeneration after the sulfur source is removed.
Two Cases of Periprosthetic Atypical Femoral Fractures in Patients on Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment
Authors: Miura Takanori , Kijima Hiroaki , Tani Takayuki , Ebina Toshihito , Miyakoshi Naohisa , Shimada Yoichi
Published: March 2019

The current definition of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) excludes periprosthetic fractures. However, a few cases of bisphosphonates (BPs) -associated periprosthetic atypical femoral fractures (PAFFs) have been reported in the literature. Here, we report two rare cases of PAFFs that fulfilled the major criteria for AFFs in patients with prolonged use of BPs. Both cases progressed to a complete fracture with minor trauma from an incomplete fracture at the distal tip of the well-fixed femoral stem. The femoral stem effect on lateral femoral cortical bone, together with the decreased bone elastic resistance induced by BPs, was considered the cause of onset. In each case, we performed open reduction and internal fixation using a locking plate with cable grip and postoperatively prescribed teriparatide and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). Both cases had a good clinical course. However, as conservative treatment was not effective in these cases, treatment such as non-weight-bearing exercises during hospitalization or prophylactic surgery may be necessary. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment strategy.
Copper Mediates Anti-Inflammatory and Antifibrotic Activity of Gleevec in Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Induced Male Rats
Authors: Hassan Iftekhar , Ebaid Hossam , Alhazza Ibrahim M. , Al-Tamimi Jameel , Aman Shazia , Abdel-Mageed Ahmad M.
Published: March 2019

The elevated level of copper is one of the hallmark features of cancer cells in most of the types of cancer. In the present study, this feature has been targeted to investigate if coadministration of exogenous copper (Cu+) and its chelating agent like disulfiram (DSF+) influence the antineoplastic activity of the anticancer drug, Gleevec (GLV+), in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-induced rats via immunomodulation. After the treatment, the level of proinflammatory interleukins (IL-1, 2, 6, and 7), anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL-10) concomitant with transcription factors (NF-kB and TNF-a), and the apoptotic marker (cleaved PARP) was estimated. The cancer-induced group without treatment (CN+) demonstrated abnormally elevated level of all proinflammatory cytokines and transcription factors concomitant with a compromised level of cleaved PARP as compared to the control normal (CN-). The detailed histological analysis also supported the results exhibiting extensive inflammation and tissue fibrosis confirming the second stage of HCC. Cu+, DSF+, and GLV+ displayed mild improvement in most of the parameters, but the combination group GLV + Cu+ demonstrated remarkable recovery in histology and most of the parameters tended towards the CN- followed by GLV + DSF+. Therefore, the management of copper level is critical in realizing the antineoplastic activity of GLV up to its full potential in cancer treatment. These findings will help in improving chemoimmunotherapy and personalized cancer treatment.
Resolving the confusion between two fossil freshwater diatoms from Otago, New Zealand: Encyonema jordanii and Encyonema jordaniforme (Cymbellaceae, Bacillariophyta)
Authors: HARPER MARGARET A. , VAN DE VIJVER BART , KAULFUSS UWE , LEE DAPHNE E.
Published: March 2019

Encyonema jordanii and E. jordaniforme are two freshwater pennate diatoms from Otago, New Zealand which have been misidentified in the past. The first is of uncertain age, while E. jordaniforme, dominant in a Konservat-Lagerstätte diatomite from Foulden Maar near Middlemarch, South Island, New Zealand, is dated as earliest Miocene in age (23 Ma). The two species are similar in appearance as both are swollen at their centres. However, E. jordanii is constricted near its wide ends, which are ventrally deflected near their tips, whereas E. jordaniforme has more acute apices and less strongly radiating central striae. Both species are illustrated with light and scanning electron microscopy observations which highlight the main morphological features that can be used to separate the two species. A brief history of the taxonomy and description of both species is added.
A study of functional traits reveals serpentinomorphoses and new taxa in populations of Mediterranean Genista (Fabaceae)
Authors: HIDALGO-TRIANA NOELIA , PÉREZ-LATORRE ANDRÉS V.
Published: March 2019

In this work we try to determine whether the modifications in the functional traits of a plant species, both morphological and phenological, and caused by the adaptive serpentinomorphoses syndrome are enough to differentiate a new taxon. For this purpose, Genista hirsuta subsp. lanuginosa, a western Mediterranean serpentinophyte (subserpentinophyte) with populations both on serpentines and outside them was selected. The study of functional types (functional traits, which link morphology with adaptations, and phenological reproductive and vegetative phases) was performed in both populations. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the two types of populations (serpentine and non-serpentine) with respect to some of the quantitative functional characters studied (plant height, crown diameter, Specific leaf area (SLA), and length of photosynthetic stems). Moreover, other differences were detected with respect to semi-quantitative and qualitative traits: location of renewal buds, branch type, morphology of aerial part, bark consistency, leaf tomentosity, morphology of the root system, and organ redness. Some of them are consistent with serpentinomorphoses syndrome, such as the existence of dwarfism (height of plants), cushion habit, macro-rooted plants and lower SLA (stenophylly) in serpentine populations, besides the presence of redness, which could be a character also linked to serpentinomorphoses. However, neither glaucescent organs nor glabrescence were observed (on the contrary, there is a greater general tomentosity in the plants of the serpentine population). In addition, phenological differences were detected, consisting of a generalized shortening of the phenophases and a certain delay in the reproductive phenophases in the serpentine populations, a characteristic trait in serpentine flora, and differences in sequencing phenophases. These facts lead to propose the use of phenology, in combination with functional traits, to detect serpentinomorphoses syndrome. The detected differences are enough to separate taxonomically the two populations of Genista hirsuta subsp. lanuginosa, proposing for the non-serpentine populations a new variety: var. silicicola nov.
Rediscovery of the enigmatic Scutellaria xylorrhiza (Scutellarioideae; Lamiaceae)—a rare endemic species from Iran
Authors: SALMAKI YASAMAN , MÜLLER JOCHEN
Published: March 2019

After more than 100 years since the first discovery, Scutellaria xylorrhiza, a critically endangered species listed in the Red List of Iranian plants had been presumed to be extinct. We rediscovered recently a population of this species in Sofeh Mountain South of Isfahan. Here, we perform the taxonomic history, phylogenetic placement and conservation status of this endemic species, and compare our findings with the description provided in the protologue and other references. Besides the updated description, notes on typification and new photographs of this species are presented. In addition, we compare S. xylorrhiza with other related Scutellaria species occurring in Iran and neighboring regions using molecular sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal DNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer). Our morphological and sequence analyses show that S. xylorrhiza is close to S. ariana.
A new combination in Cynorkis (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) for the Mascarenes
Authors: BYTEBIER BENNY , PAILLER THIERRY
Published: March 2019

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3. A Congolese Woman’s Life in Europe: A Postcolonial Diptych of Migration
Authors: Colard Sandrine
Published: March 2019

Sandrine Colard uses the photographs in her family photo album to tell the story of her mother leaving the Congo, of her studies in Europe, and then meeting and getting married to Colard’s Belgian father. She explores the difficulties her mother faced as a young woman migrating to a new country and the cultural attitudes towards her mother and father’s interracial marriage. Colard compares photographs of herself as both a student and a professional with those of her parents on their wedding day and reflects on her family’s past.
6. Making Through Motion
Authors: Mutu Wangechi
Published: March 2019

In ‘Making Through Motion, Art Practice Manifesto’, Kenyan/US artist Wangechi Mutu explores how memory and metaphor have shaped her artistic practice. Mutu tells a deeply personal story of her life and connects her own experience of migration with that of three generations of women in her family, while drawing out themes of empowerment and independence.
10. My Baby Saved My Life: Migration and Motherhood in an American High School
Authors: Ingram Jessica
Published: March 2019

Jessica Ingram’s ‘My Baby Saved My Life: Migration and Motherhood in an American High School’, expands on her social practice as a photographer committed to social change. Ingram photographed and worked closely with students at Hilltop High, a public high school for pregnant teenagers in the Mission District of San Francisco. Ingram portrays Hilltop as a crucial safe space for young women and their children who have emigrated to the United States.
18. Filipina Stories
Authors: Mesina Editha
Published: March 2019

Editha Mesina’s photographic essay ‘Gabriela NY and Justice for Mary Jane Veloso’ focuses on a Filipina organisation called Gabriela NY, a grassroots human rights feminist organisation that advocates for migrant workers.
23. Sarah Parker Remond’s Black American Grand Tour
Authors: Salenius Sirpa
Published: March 2019

Sirpa Salenius examines a Black American female abolitionist’s European travel in the nineteenth century in ‘Sarah Parker Remond’s Black American Grand Tour’. Remond participated in transatlantic struggles for social justice, moving beyond the borders of her nationality, race, and gender. Her travels and her detachment from her previous set of social conditions enabled her to propose a progressive model of Black womanhood – one of independence, intellectualism, and personal and professional success.
25. Moving Mountains: Harriet Hosmer’s Nineteenth-Century Italian Migration to Become the First Professional Woman Sculptor
Authors: Cronin Patricia
Published: March 2019

Patricia Cronin’s essay ‘Moving Mountains: Harriet Hosmer’s Nineteenth-Century Italian Migration to Become the First Professional Woman Sculptor’ is a pioneering work that combines hand-painted images with art historical research to reveal the complexities f Hosmer’s career, reputation, and legacy.
28. Supershero Amrita Simla, Partitioned Once, Migrated Twice
Authors: Khan Sarah K.
Published: March 2019

Sarah K. Khan’s ‘Supershero Amrita Simla, Partitioned Once, Migrated Twice’ is an exploration of migrant stories through food. She illustrates Indian women farmers in their working environments and tells the story of farmers through the eyes of a seriously playful and playfully serious super shero, Amrita Simla. The Shero is neither oversexualised nor over-covered. She demonstrates agency based on her own experience, intellect, and humanity.
37. The Acton Photograph Archive: Between Representation and Re-Interpretation
Authors: Capodacqua Alessandra
Published: March 2019

Photographer Alessandra Capodacqua’s ‘The Acton Photograph Archive: Between Representation and Re-Interpretation’ mines a unique photography collection by selecting portraits of women that align with the standards of mid-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century portraiture whereby women were represented as symbols of beauty and purity. She focuses on the gaze of these women, arguing that it conveys different messages because their expressions could not be controlled by the photographer as they could by a painter, for instance.
Influence of the machining strategy on the resulting properties of five-axis hard-milled bevel gears
Authors: Solf Mareike , Bieker Rafael , Löpenhaus Christoph , Klocke Fritz , Bergs Thomas
Published: March 2019

On universal milling machines, bevel gears can be produced with standard end mills. Due to the flexible process kinematics, there are fewer restrictions with regard to implementable component geometries compared to conventional gear-cutting processes. The quality requirements for bevel gears allow deviations of only a few micrometers. For this reason, small production-related deviations can lead to the exceedance of the permissible tolerances. Furthermore, surface integrity is decisive for the load-carrying capacity of gears. In this report, the influence of the process on the bevel gear quality and the properties of the near surface zone is analyzed.
Driver drowsiness detection based on classification of surface electromyography features in a driving simulator
Authors: Mahmoodi Mohammad , Nahvi Ali
Published: March 2019

Driver drowsiness is a significant cause of fatal crashes every year in the world. In this research, driver’s drowsiness is detected by classifying surface electromyography signal features. The tests are conducted on 13 healthy subjects in a driving simulator with a monotonous route. The surface electromyography signal from the upper arm and shoulder muscles are measured including mid deltoid, clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, and triceps and biceps long heads. Signals are separated into 30-s epochs. Five features including range, variance, relative spectral power, kurtosis, and shape factor are extracted. The Observer Rating of Drowsiness evaluates the level of drowsiness. A binormal function is fitted for each feature. For classification, six classifiers are applied. The results show that the k-nearest neighbor classifier predicts drowsiness by 90% accuracy, 82% precision, 77% sensitivity, and 92% specificity.
Knowledge of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Among Primary Health Care Physicians: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Mostafa Mostafa A , Kamal Naglaa M , Eltaher Sherif , Hamed Yahia , Abdelaziz Hany , Abdelghany Walid , Aser Efat , Fawzy Eman , Sherief Laila M
Published: March 2019

Background and objectives:

To evaluate the knowledge of the primary health care physicians (PHCP) in Kalubia governorate, Egypt, about the causes, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NHB).

Methods:

Cross-sectional survey distributed by interview to 500 physicians working in the primary health care (PHC) sector in Kalubia.

Results:

Out of 500 distributed surveys, 419 (84%) PHCP completed the questionnaire. They represent 174 (90%) out of 193 PHC units and centers. About 18% were males and 82% females with mean age of 28.5 ± 5.2 years, and mean duration of work was 3.3 ± 4.4 years. All of the respondents have patients with NHB in their daily practice. The knowledge of the PHCP was good in some aspects about NHB; however, it was poor and may be even hazardous in other aspects.

Conclusions:

Many areas of defects are detected in PHCP knowledge about NHB. Pre-service and continuous training of the PHCP about the diagnosis and management of NHB are essential.
Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields enhances hair follicle regrowth in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Li Xinping , Wang Xin , Bai Liming , Zhao Pin , Zhang Mingsheng
Published: March 2019

Many studies have suggested that electromagnetic field activity affects the cellular activity of many types of cells involved in forming hair follicles. However, the bio-effects of electromagnetic fields on hair follicle growth have not been fully elucidated. This present study was designed to determine whether 50 Hz electromagnetic fields increased hair follicle regrowth. In this experiment, C57BL/6 mice were used to present the model of depilation-induced hair follicle cycling, and then those mice were divided at random into the control group and the electromagnetic field group. After electromagnetic field (50 Hz, 5 mT) exposure for 16 days, the skin specimens of the mice were harvested to assess for hair regrowth, and epidermal stem cells proliferation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. The expression and location of keratinocyte growth factors were also tested. Our results showed that, compared to the control, the hair club formed faster on the 3rd day, and most of the hair shafts erupted earlier from the pore in the epidermis on the 9th day after depilation, and the hairs length was significantly longer on the 16th day within the electromagnetic field group. After electromagnetic field treatment, there were more Ki67+ cells in the outer root sheath and hair bulb where it co-localized with K15+ cells compared to the control. Keratinocyte growth factors were expressed in the inner root sheath in both groups, and the electromagnetic field group showed more expression of keratinocyte growth factors. Our data suggested that the hair-growth-promoting effect of the 50 Hz electromagnetic field was observed in depilation-induced hair follicles cycling, which was associated with 50 Hz electromagnetic field enhancing K15+ stem cells proliferation and increased keratinocyte growth factor expression.

Impact statement

In this study, our experiments confirmed that 50 Hz EMF affected hair follicle regrowth, and 50 Hz EMF enhanced K15+ stem cells proliferation in the hair bulb and follicular outer root sheath of hair follicles. Those results indicated that 50 Hz EMF may be beneficial for functional healing of hair loss.
American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Perioperative Management of Patients on Preoperative Opioid Therapy
Authors: Edwards David A. , Hedrick Traci L. , Jayaram Jennifer , Argoff Charles , Gulur Padma , Holubar Stefan D. , Gan Tong J. , Mythen Michael G. , Miller Timothy E. , Shaw Andrew D. , Thacker Julie K. M. , McEvoy Matthew D. ,   POQI-4 Working Group
Published: March 2019

Enhanced recovery pathways have quickly become part of the standard of care for patients undergoing elective surgery, especially in North America and Europe. One of the central tenets of this multidisciplinary approach is the use of multimodal analgesia with opioid-sparing and even opioid-free anesthesia and analgesia. However, the current state is a historically high use of opioids for both appropriate and inappropriate reasons, and patients with chronic opioid use before their surgery represent a common, often difficult-to-manage population for the enhanced recovery providers and health care team at large. Furthermore, limited evidence and few proven successful protocols exist to guide providers caring for these at-risk patients throughout their elective surgical experience. Therefore, the fourth Perioperative Quality Initiative brought together an international team of multidisciplinary experts, including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, surgeons, pain specialists, neurologists, nurses, and other experts with the objective of providing consensus recommendations. Specifically, the goal of this consensus document is to minimize opioid-related complications by providing expert-based consensus recommendations that reflect the strength of the medical evidence regarding: (1) the definition, categorization, and risk stratification of patients receiving opioids before surgery; (2) optimal perioperative treatment strategies for patients receiving preoperative opioids; and (3) optimal discharge and continuity of care management practices for patients receiving opioids preoperatively. The overarching theme of this document is to provide health care providers with guidance to reduce potentially avoidable opioid-related complications including opioid dependence (both physical and behavioral), disability, and death. Enhanced recovery programs attempt to incorporate best practices into pathways of care. By presenting the available evidence for perioperative management of patients on opioids, this consensus panel hopes to encourage further development of pathways specific to this high-risk group to mitigate the often unintentional iatrogenic and untoward effects of opioids and to improve perioperative outcomes.
Suppression of Human Natural Killer Cells by Different Classes of Opioids
Authors: Maher Dermot P. , Walia Deepa , Heller Nicola M.
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND:

The use of regional and other opioid-sparing forms of anesthesia has been associated with a decrease in the recurrence of certain malignancies. Direct suppression of human natural killer cells by opioids has been postulated to explain this observation. However, the effect of different classes of opioids on suppression of natural killer cell cytotoxicity has not been systematically characterized.

METHODS:

After confirming that freshly isolated natural killer cells from peripheral human blood express opioid receptors, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of clinically used or receptor-specific opioid agonists. We also evaluated the effect of pretreatment with receptor-specific antagonists or naloxone. Treated natural killer cells were then coincubated with a carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester–labeled target tumor cell line, K562. Annexin V staining was used to compare the percent of tumor cell apoptosis in the presence of opioid-pretreated and untreated natural killer cells. Treated samples were compared to untreated samples using Kruskal-Wallis tests with a post hoc Dunn correction.

RESULTS:

Morphine, methadone, buprenorphine, loperamide, [d-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin, and U-50488 significantly decreased natural killer cell cytotoxicity. When natural killer cells were pretreated with naloxone, cyprodime, and nor-binaltorphimine before exposure to morphine, there was no difference in natural killer cytotoxicity, compared to the amount observed by untreated natural killer cells. Fentanyl, O-desmethyltramadol, and [D-Pen2,D-Pen5] enkephalin did not change natural killer cell cytotoxicity compare to untreated natural killer cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Incubation of isolated natural killer cells with certain opioids causes a decrease in activity that is not observed after naloxone pretreatment. Suppression of natural killer cell cytotoxicity was observed with μ- and κ-receptor agonists but not δ-receptor agonists. These data suggest that the effect is mediated by μ- and κ-receptor agonism and that suppression is similar with many clinically used opioids.
Methylprednisolone Does Not Reduce Acute Postoperative Pain After Cardiac Surgery: Subanalysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Turan Alparslan , Cohen Barak , Whitlock Richard P. , Essber Hani , Niazi Azfar , Makarova Natalya , Saasouh Wael , Alfirevic Andrej , Marciniak Donn , Sessler Daniel I.
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND:

Pain after cardiac surgery is largely treated with opioids, but their poor safety profile makes nonopioid medications attractive as part of multimodal pathways. Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce acute postoperative pain, but the role of steroids in reducing acute poststernotomy pain is unclear. We evaluated the association between the intraoperative administration of methylprednisolone and postoperative analgesia, defined as a composite of pain scores and opioid consumption, during the initial 24 hours after cardiac surgery.

METHODS:

We conducted a post hoc retrospective analysis of a large clinical trial in which adults having cardiac surgery were randomized 1:1 to receive 2 intraoperative doses of 250 mg IV methylprednisolone or placebo. Pain scores and opioid consumption were collected during the initial 24 hours after surgery. Methylprednisolone was considered to be associated with better pain control than placebo if proven noninferior (not worse) on both pain scores (defined a priori with delta of 1 point) and opioid consumption (delta of 20%) and superior to placebo in at least 1 of the 2 outcomes. This test was repeated in the opposite direction (testing whether placebo is better than methylprednisolone on postoperative pain management).

RESULTS:

Of 251 eligible patients, 127 received methylprednisolone and 124 received placebo. Methylprednisolone was noninferior to placebo on pain with difference in mean (CI) pain scores of −0.25 (−0.71 to 0.21); P < .001. However, methylprednisolone was not noninferior to placebo on opioid consumption (ratio of geometric means [CI]: 1.11 [0.64–1.91]; P = .37). Because methylprednisolone was not noninferior to placebo on both outcomes, we did not proceed to superiority testing based on the a priori stopping rules. Similar results were found when testing the opposite direction.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this post hoc analysis, we could not identify a beneficial analgesic effect after cardiac surgery associated with methylprednisolone administration. There are currently no data to suggest that methylprednisolone has significant analgesic benefit in adults having cardiac surgery.
Minocycline Relieves Depressive-Like Behaviors in Rats With Bone Cancer Pain by Inhibiting Microglia Activation in Hippocampus
Authors: Dai Jiajia , Ding Zhuofeng , Zhang Jie , Xu Wei , Guo Qulian , Zou Wangyuan , Xiong Yunchuan , Weng Yingqi , Yang Yong , Chen Sisi , Zhang Jun-Ming , Song Zongbin
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND:

Pain and depression are highly prevalent symptoms in cancer patients. They tend to occur simultaneously and affect each other and share biological pathways and neurotransmitters. In this study, we investigated the roles of microglia in the hippocampus in the comorbidity of bone cancer pain and depressive-like behaviors in an animal model of bone cancer pain.

METHODS:

Bone cancer pain was induced by injection of Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells into the tibia of rats. The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of microglia inhibitor minocycline were examined.

RESULTS:

Carcinoma intratibia injection caused comorbidity of mechanical allodynia and depressive-like behaviors in rats and activation of microglia in the hippocampus. Both mechanical allodynia and depressive-like behaviors were attenuated by minocycline. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis showed that the enhanced expressions of M1 microglia marker (CD 86) and the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the hippocampus of cancer-bearing rats were decreased by minocycline. On the other hand, minocycline also increased the expressions of M2 microglia marker (MRC1) and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results suggest that the activation of microglia in the hippocampus plays an important role in the development of pain and depressive-like behaviors in bone cancer condition.
V˙O2peak, Body Composition, and Neck Strength of Elite Motor Racing Drivers
Authors: MCKNIGHT PETER J. , BENNETT LUKE A. , MALVERN JON J. , FERGUSON DAVID P.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Automobile racing is widely known to be physically demanding; however, there is no published information comparing the physical fitness variables of elite-level race car drivers across various competitive championships.

Methods

We documented the body composition, peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak), and isometric neck strength in a sample of elite race car drivers currently competing in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and International Motor Sports Association sports car racing (IMSA GTD), to determine current human performance benchmarks and establish goals for drivers wishing to compete in these series.

Results

Percent body fat was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in Formula 1 drivers (8.1% ± 1.7%) as compared with the other series, with IndyCar (17.4% ± 1.7%) and NASCAR (17.3% ± 4.6%) being less than IMSA GTD (24.9% ± 1.8%). Percent lean mass followed the same trend as percent body fat. IMSA GTD had not only the highest percent body fat but also the lowest (P = 0.001) V˙O2peak (45.2 ± 2.1 mL·kg−1·mL−1) compared with Formula 1 (62.0 ± 6.0 mL·kg−1·mL−1), IndyCar (58.05 ± 6.40 mL·kg−1·mL−1), and NASCAR (53.2 ± 4.1 mL·kg−1·mL−1). Isometric neck strength was the highest in Formula 1 and IndyCar drivers as compared with IMSA GTD and NASCAR drivers.

Conclusion

These results support the hypothesis that the varying physical demands of each competition series require different physical fitness levels of drivers. These benchmarks can be used by exercise professionals to better prepare athletes for competition.