bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery for autoimmune aortitis: unanswered questions
Authors: Arafat Amr A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The aorta is rarely affected by autoimmune vasculitis, which can lead to aortic dilatation requiring surgery. Autoimmune aortitis may affect one aortic segment or the entire aorta, and in some cases, the aorta may be affected at different time intervals. Because of the rarity of the disease and the limited cases described in the literature, management of autoimmune aortitis is still controversial. We aimed to review the current literature evidence regarding these controversial aspects for the management of autoimmune aortitis and give recommendations based on this evidence.

Main text

Immunosuppressants are generally indicated in vasculitis to halt the progression of the disease; however, its role after the occurrence of aortic dilatation is debatable since further aortic dilatation would eventually occur because of the weakness of the arterial wall. In patients with a localized ascending aortic dilatation who required surgery, the optimal approach for the distal aorta is not known. If the probability of disease progression is high, it is not known whether the patients would benefit from postoperative immunosuppressants or further distal aortic intervention may be required. The risk of rupture of the weakened aortic wall was not established, and it is debatable at which diameter should these patients have surgery. In patients with previous ascending surgery for autoimmune aortitis, the endovascular management of the distal aortic disease has not been studied. The inflammatory process may extend to affect the aortic valve or the coronary vessels, which may require special attention during the procedure.

Conclusion

Patients with diagnosed autoimmune aortitis are prone to the development of the distal aortic disease, and endovascular intervention is feasible in those patients. Patients with concomitant aortic valve can be managed with the aortic valve-sparing procedure, and preoperative screening for coronary disease is recommended. Immunosuppressants should be used early before aortic dilatation, and its role postoperatively is controversial.
Nationwide Survey of Patients’ Perspectives Regarding Their Radiation and Multidisciplinary Cancer Treatment Experiences
Authors: Shaverdian Narek , Yeboa Debra N. , Gardner Liz , Harari Paul M. , Liao Kaiping , McCloskey Susan , Tuli Richard , Vapiwala Neha , Jagsi Reshma
Published: November 2019

PURPOSE:

The perspectives of patients with cancer about their treatment can inform interventions to improve the approaches of treating oncologists and experiences of future patients. We sought to identify areas where current toxicity management, informed consent processes, and physician-patient communication merit improvement.

METHODS:

In a Web-based survey administered from March to May 2018 using quota-based sampling to draw a nationwide sample of US patients with cancer treated with radiotherapy within the past 5 years, we evaluated patient perceptions of adequacy of information about adverse effects, severity of actual adverse effects experienced, and experiences divergent from expectations.

RESULTS:

Among 403 respondents, 18% felt inadequately informed about what adverse effects to expect from radiotherapy, and 37% experienced radiation adverse effects that they wished they had known more about. Similar proportions of patients treated with chemotherapy (36%) and surgery (34%) experienced toxicities related to those treatments that they wished they had known more about. Patients who noted their adverse effects to be minimal versus severe were significantly more likely to feel informed about radiotherapy adverse effects (odds ratio, 13.05; 95% CI, 5.6 to 30.38; P < .001). Across all evaluated measures, a majority of patients indicated that they did not experience the potentially anticipated radiotherapy adverse effect or that it was the same as or better than expected.

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests that experiences with radiation adverse effects generally are congruent with expectations. Nevertheless, improvement of pretreatment counseling across all cancer therapy modalities seems warranted to improve informed decision making and treatment experiences.
Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Billington Emma O , Burt Lauren A , Rose Marianne S , Davison Erin M , Gaudet Sharon , Kan Michelle , Boyd Steven K , Hanley David A
Published: November 2019

Context

More than 3% of adults report vitamin D intakes of 4000 IU/day or more, but the safety of this practice is unknown.

Objective

The objective of this work is to establish whether vitamin D doses up to 10 000 IU/day are safe and well tolerated.

Design

The Calgary Vitamin D Study was a 3-year, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

A single-center study was conducted at the University of Calgary, Canada.

Participants

Participants included healthy adults (n = 373) ages 55 to 70 years with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 30 to 125 nmol/L.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to vitamin D3 400, 4000, or 10 000 IU/day. Calcium supplementation was initiated if dietary calcium intake was less than 1200 mg/day.

Main Outcome Measures

In these prespecified secondary analyses, changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, creatinine, 24-hour urine calcium excretion, and incidence of adverse events were assessed. Between-group differences in adverse events were examined using incident rate differences and logistic regression.

Results

Of 373 participants (400: 124, 4000: 125, 10 000: 124), 49% were male, mean (SD) age was 64 (4) years, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 78.0 (19.5) nmol/L. Serum calcium, creatinine, and 24-hour urine calcium excretion did not differ between treatments. Mild hypercalcemia (2.56-2.64 mmol/L) occurred in 15 (4%) participants (400: 0%, 4000: 3%, 10 000: 9%, P = .002); all cases resolved on repeat testing. Hypercalciuria occurred in 87 (23%) participants (400: 17%, 4000: 22%, 10 000: 31%, P = .01). Clinical adverse events were experienced by 365 (97.9%) participants and were balanced across treatment arms.

Conclusions

The safety profile of vitamin D supplementation is similar for doses of 400, 4000, and 10 000 IU/day. Hypercalciuria was common and occurred more frequently with higher doses. Hypercalcemia occurred more frequently with higher doses but was rare, mild, and transient.
Case Report: Intussepting mucocele appendix
Authors: Crawley-Smith Tom
Published: November 2019

Background: A case study of a presentation of a mucocele appendix, a rare condition accounting for 0.2% of appendicectomies. The case and operative management are discussed along with the possible progression to pseudomyxoma peritoneii and its differing management.

Case: A 15-year-old girl had two presentations with atypical Right Iliac Fossa pain over 2 months. This was investigated with ultrasound and CT which revealed a calcified, intussusepting mucocele of the appendix. This was surgically resected with partial Right Hemicolectomy. The patient was discharged on day 3 with no complications.

Discussion: The presentation, malignant potential, investigation and management of the mucocele appendix are discussed. The rare presentation of a mucocele appendix necessitates care to eliminate the risk of pseudomyxoma peritoneii. The operative management should minimise disturbance of the peritoneum in this presentation. In this case, due to an intersussepting nature a limited Right Hemicolectomy had to be performed. This is compared to the literature.
Distinct roles of GRIN2A and GRIN2B variants in neurological conditions
Authors: Myers Scott J , Yuan Hongjie , Kang Jing-Qiong , Tan Francis Chee Kuan , Traynelis Stephen F , Low Chian-Ming
Published: November 2019

Rapid advances in sequencing technology have led to an explosive increase in the number of genetic variants identified in patients with neurological disease and have also enabled the assembly of a robust database of variants in healthy individuals. A surprising number of variants in the GRIN genes that encode N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamatergic receptor subunits have been found in patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. This review compares and contrasts the available information describing the clinical and functional consequences of genetic variations in GRIN2A and GRIN2B. Comparison of clinical phenotypes shows that GRIN2A variants are commonly associated with an epileptic phenotype but that GRIN2B variants are commonly found in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. These observations emphasize the distinct roles that the gene products serve in circuit function and suggest that functional analysis of GRIN2A and GRIN2B variation may provide insight into the molecular mechanisms, which will allow more accurate subclassification of clinical phenotypes. Furthermore, characterization of the pharmacological properties of variant receptors could provide the first opportunity for translational therapeutic strategies for these GRIN-related neurological and psychiatric disorders.
SCIMITAR+ Trial: A randomised study within a trial (SWAT) of a contingent financial reward to improve trial follow-up
Authors: Arundel Catherine , Coleman Elizabeth , Fairhurst Caroline , Peckham Emily , Bailey Della , Gilbody Simon
Published: November 2019

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of a contingent financial incentive (£10 note in addition to a routinely provided £10 voucher) versus no contingent financial incentive, on improving the retention rate in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: A two arm ‘Study within a Trial’ (SWAT) embedded within a host RCT (SCIMITAR+). Participants were randomised to the SWAT using a 2:1 (intervention:control) allocation ratio. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants completing a CO breath measurement at the first SCIMITAR+ follow up time point (6 months). Secondary outcomes were withdrawing from follow-up after contact and time from assessment due date to completion.  Analyses were conducted using logistic or Cox Proportional Hazards regression as appropriate.

Results: A total of 434 participants were randomised into this SWAT. Completion of the CO breath measurement at 6 months was 88.5% (n=247) in the intervention arm of the SWAT and 85.4% (n=123) in the control arm. The difference (3.1%) was not statistically significant (p=0.36; OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.71-2.33, p=0.41). There was also no evidence of a difference in the proportion of participants withdrawing from follow-up after contact (intervention n=7 (2.5%), control n=5 (3.5%); OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.23-2.44, p=0.64), nor in terms of proximity of 6-month visit completion to due date (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86-1.33, p=0.55).

Conclusion: Contingent financial incentives did not statistically significantly increase rates of face-to-face follow-up completion within the SCIMITAR+ trial population. However, the sample size of this SWAT was constrained by the size of the host trial and power was limited. This SWAT adds to the body of evidence for initiatives to increase response rates in trials.
Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections to improve birth outcomes in high-burden, low-income settings: Study protocol for a cluster randomized crossover trial (the WANTAIM Trial, Papua New Guinea)
Authors: Vallely Andrew J. , Pomat William S. , Homer Caroline , Guy Rebecca , Luchters Stanley , Mola Glen D. L. , Kariwiga Grace , Vallely Lisa M. , Wiseman Virginia , Morgan Chris , Wand Handan , Rogerson Stephen J. , Tabrizi Sepehr N. , Whiley David M. , Low Nicola , Peeling Rosanna , Siba Peter , Riddell Michaela , Laman Moses , Bolnga John , Robinson Leanne J. , Morewaya Jacob , Badman Steven G. , Batura Neha , Kelly-Hanku Angela , Toliman Pamela J. , Peter Wilfred , Babona Delly , Peach Elizabeth , Garland Suzanne M. , Kaldor John M.
Published: November 2019

Background:Chlamydia trachomatis,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Trichomonas vaginalisand bacterial vaginosis have been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight, and are highly prevalent among pregnant women in many low- and middle-income settings. There is conflicting evidence on the potential benefits of screening and treating these infections in pregnancy. Newly available diagnostic technologies make it possible, for the first time, to conduct definitive field trials to fill this knowledge gap. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether antenatal point-of-care testing and immediate treatment of these curable sexually transmitted and genital infections (STIs) leads to reduction in preterm birth and low birth weight.

Methods: The Women and Newborn Trial of Antenatal Interventions and Management (WANTAIM) is a cluster-randomised crossover trial in Papua New Guinea to compare point-of-care STI testing and immediate treatment with standard antenatal care (which includes the WHO-endorsed STI ‘syndromic’ management strategy based on clinical features alone without laboratory confirmation). The unit of randomisation is a primary health care facility and its catchment communities. The primary outcome is a composite measure of two events: the proportion of women and their newborns in each trial arm, who experience either preterm birth (delivery <37 completed weeks of gestation as determined by ultrasound) and/or low birth weight (<2500 g measured within 72 hours of birth). The trial will also evaluate neonatal outcomes, as well as the cost-effectiveness, acceptability and health system requirements of this strategy, compared with standard care.

Conclusions:WANTAIM is the first randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, acceptability and health system requirements of point-of-care STI testing and treatment to improve birth outcomes in high-burden settings. If the intervention is proven to have an impact, the trial will hasten access to these technologies and could improve maternal and neonatal health in high-burden settings worldwide.

Registration:ISRCTN37134032.
Patient Safety Indicator‐12 Rarely Identifies Problems with Quality of Care in Perioperative Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Held Nicole , Jung Benjamin , Sommervold Lori , Singh Siddhartha , Kreuziger Lisa Baumann
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Patient safety indicators (PSI) were developed for hospitals to screen for healthcare‐associated adverse events. PSIs are believed to be preventable and have become a part of major pay‐for‐performance programs. PSI‐12 captures perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), which contributes to morbidity and mortality of hospitalized patients. We aimed to evaluate PSI‐12 events at our institution to identify areas for improvement of perioperative VTE prevention.

METHODS

We identified PSI‐12 events from June 2015 to June 2017 using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality software version 5. Events were reviewed using our electronic medical record to identify further details of each event.

RESULTS

A total of 154 perioperative VTE cases were analyzed in the 2‐year period. Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in 62.9% of cases, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in 24%, and concurrent DVT/PE in 12.9%. The mean age of patients was 56 years old. Deficiencies in guideline‐appropriate prophylaxis were identified in only 17 (11%) of cases. Unfractionated heparin was used in 61 cases, enoxaparin in 31 cases, and nine events occurred on therapeutic anticoagulation. Mechanical prophylaxis was used in 51 cases because of bleeding risk, thrombocytopenia, and/or liver associated coagulopathy. Four events occurred prior to the index procedure, with another eight cases occurring intraoperatively, or on the day of the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

PSI‐12 has several limitations in identifying quality of care issues in perioperative VTE. While it may be useful as a screening tool, further research for improvements are needed if it will remain one of the key measures in pay‐for‐performance.
The Association between Limited English Proficiency and Sepsis Mortality
Authors: Jacobs Zachary G , Prasad Priya A , Fang Margaret C , Abe‐Jones Yumiko , Kangelaris Kirsten N
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Limited English proficiency (LEP) has been implicated in poor health outcomes. Sepsis is a frequently fatal syndrome that is commonly encountered in hospital medicine. The impact of LEP on sepsis mortality is not currently known.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between LEP and sepsis mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

800‐bed, tertiary care, academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Electronic health record data were obtained for adults admitted to the hospital with sepsis between June 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary predictor was LEP. Patients were defined as having LEP if their self‐reported primary language was anything other than English and interpreter services were required during hospitalization. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Mortality was compared across races stratified by LEP using chi‐squared tests of significance. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to investigate the association between mortality, race, and LEP, adjusting for baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and illness severity.

RESULTS

Among 8,974 patients with sepsis, we found that 1 in 5 had LEP, 62% of whom were Asian. LEP was highly associated with death across all races except those identifying as Black and Latino. LEP was associated with a 31% increased odds of mortality after adjusting for illness severity, comorbidities, and other baseline characteristics, including race (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.06‐1.63, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

In a single‐center study of patients hospitalized with sepsis, LEP was associated with mortality across nearly all races. This is a novel finding that will require further exploration into the causal nature of this association.
Structural Analysis using X-Ray Diffraction and FTIR Spectroscopic Studies on
Mn2+ Substituted CaWO4 Materials Synthesized by Coprecipitation Method
Authors: Rao M. Jaganadha , Murthy K.S.R. , Shankar Kumar Ch. Ravi , Jha Anjali , Choudary G.S.V.R.K. , Varma M. Chaitanya
Published: November 2019

Present day technology requires synthesis of materials with low energy consumption, free mercury pollution and its reliability. A novel material with control of crystallite size, composition and simple for white light relies in synthesis of materials. The present focus of article attributes series of manganese doped Ca1-xMnxWO4 luminescent materials with co-precipitation method. Reported studies attempts with change in structure of calcium tungstate (CaWO4) are observed with dopants like Eu3+, Eu2+, Tb3+, etc. However the effect of Mn2+ on structural properties of CaWO4 are quite interesting. The
synthesized samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction for lattice parameters, crystallite size and FTIR studies for bonding mechanism of O-W-O stretching and W-O-W bridge bond. Rietveld profile refinement of XRD patterns using MAUD program Ca1-xMnxWO4 revealed the Scheelite type structure with C4h point group and I41/a space group. Characterization studies reveal that doping of Mn2+ doping upto 0.1 in place of Ca2+ will not change the phase of Scheelite structure.
A expansão do cultivo da soja no brasil através dos dados oficiais
Authors: Barrozo João Carlos , Da Rosa Juliana Cristina
Published: November 2019

A expansão do cultivo da soja no Brasil ocorreu depois de 1940, quando passou a ser produzida para fins comerciais nos estados do sul do país. Com o aumento da demanda pelo grão no mercado nacional e internacional, o cultivo foi expandido para o centro oeste, sobretudo na década de 1970, quando novas variedades de sementes foram desenvolvidas para se adaptarem ao bioma Cerrado. Na metade da década de 1990, uma nova expansão ocorreu em direção à áreas de alguns estados do norte e nordeste do Brasil, tendo como destaque a região conhecida como MATOPIBA. Essa expansão pode ser visualizada pelos dados oficiais do IBGE que apontam as tendências desse processo histórico, e esse artigo se baseou nesses dados para traçar o percurso e indicar uma possível temporalidade para esse fenômeno social e histórico tão significativo para o Brasil.
GPU-enabled design of an adaptable pattern recognition system for discriminating squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix
Authors: Konstandinou Christos , Kostopoulos Spiros , Glotsos Dimitris , Pappa Dimitra , Ravazoula Panagiota , Michail George , Kalatzis Ioannis , Asvestas Pantelis , Lavdas Eleftherios , Cavouras Dionisis , Sakellaropoulos George
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present study was to design an adaptable pattern recognition (PR) system to discriminate low- from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL, respectively) of the cervix using microscopy images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained biopsy material from two different medical centers. Clinical material comprised H&E-stained biopsies of 66 patients diagnosed with LSIL (34 cases) or HSIL (32 cases). Regions of interest were selected from each patient’s digitized microscopy images. Seventy-seven features were generated, regarding the texture, morphology and spatial distribution of nuclei. The probabilistic neural network (PNN) classifier, the exhaustive search feature selection method, the leave-one-out (LOO) and the bootstrap validation methods were used to design the PR system and to assess its precision. Optimal PR system design and evaluation were made feasible by the employment of graphics processing unit (GPU) and Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) technologies. The accuracy of the PR-system was 93% and 88.6% when using the LOO and bootstrap validation methods, respectively. The proposed PR system for discriminating LSIL from HSIL of the cervix was designed to operate in a clinical environment, having the capability of being redesigned when new verified cases are added to its repository and when data from other medical centers are included, following similar biopsy material preparation procedures.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0001178 facilitates the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer through upregulating ZEB1 via sponging multiple miRNAs
Authors: Ren Chunfeng , Zhang Zhenmin , Wang Shunhua , Zhu Weitao , Zheng Peiguo , Wang Wanhai
Published: November 2019

Metastasis is the main cause of increasing cancer morbidity and mortality. However, the underlying mechanism of cancer metastasis remains largely unknown. In the present study, we identified one circular RNA (circRNA) closely related to the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC), namely hsa_circ_0001178. CRC patients with high hsa_circ_0001178 were more prone to have metastatic clinical features, advanced TNM stage and adverse prognosis. Stable knockdown of hsa_circ_0001178 significantly weakened CRC cell migratory and invasive capabilities in vitro as well as lung and liver metastases in vivo. Mechanistic study revealed that hsa_circ_0001178 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-382/587/616 to upregulate ZEB1 (a key trigger of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition), thereby promoting CRC metastatic dissemination. Of note, ZEB1 could also increase hsa_circ_0001178 expression via physically binding to hsa_circ_0001178 promoter region. Collectively, our data uncover the crucial role of hsa_circ_0001178 in CRC metastasis, and targeted therapy based on this positive feedback ceRNA axis may be a promising treatment for metastatic CRC patients.
The Influence of the Agglomeration Process on Stability of Microencapsulated β-Carotene
Authors: Dłużewska Elżbieta , Florowska Anna , Domian Ewa , Wojciechowska Maria , Maszewska Magdalena
Published: November 2019

Effects of agglomeration of β-carotene microencapsulated by spray drying on its stability were analysed. Mixtures of Arabic gum (GA), maltodextrin (MD), modified starch (OSA), and whey protein (WP) were used as carriers. GA + MD and OSA + MD microcapsules were subjected to agglomeration. All the samples were stored for 60 days with access to daylight. Stability of the emulsions had a significant effect on efficiency of microencapsulation but had no effect on β-carotene retention during sample storage. Among the tested samples, the highest retention of colorant characterized the samples containing GA + MD. The agglomeration process reduced the content of β-carotene in the microcapsules almost by half. However, retention of the colorant during storage of the microcapsules was increased most of all and half-life of β-carotene was significantly prolonged. Changes in L*and a*colour parameters during storage were more limited in the case of agglomerated samples.
Joint inversion of compact operators
Authors: Mead Jodi L. , Ford James F.
Published: November 2019

Joint inversion of multiple data types was studied as early as 1975 in [K. Vozoff and D. L. Jupp,
Joint inversion of geophysical data,
Geophys. J. Internat. 42 1975, 3, 977–991],
where the authors used the singular value decomposition to determine the degree of ill-conditioning of joint inverse problems. The authors demonstrated in several examples that combining two physical models in a joint inversion, and by effectively stacking discrete linear models, improved the conditioning as compared to individual inversions. This work extends the notion of using the singular value decomposition to determine the conditioning of discrete joint inversion to using the singular value expansion to determine the well-posedness of joint operators. We provide a convergent technique for approximating the singular values of continuous joint operators. In the case of self-adjoint operators, we give an algebraic expression for the joint singular values in terms of the singular values of the individual operators. This expression allows us to show that while rare, there are situations where ill-posedness may be not improved through joint inversion and in fact can degrade the conditioning of an individual inversion. The expression also quantifies the benefits of including repeated measurements in an inversion. We give an example of joint inversion with two moderately ill-posed Green’s function solutions, and quantify the improvement over individual inversions. This work provides a framework in which to identify data types that are advantageous to combine in a joint inversion.
Synthesis and characterization of size controlled alloy nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Jingfang , Yu Yifu , Zhang Bin
Published: November 2019

Bimetallic and multimetallic alloy nanoparticles are emerging as a class of critical nanomaterials in electronic, optical and magnetic fields due to their unique physic-chemical properties. In particular, precise control of the nanoparticle size can endow them with broad versatility and high selectivity. This chapter reviews some tremendous achievements in the development of size controlled bimetallic and multimetallic alloy nanoparticles, with special emphasis on general preparation methods, characterization methodologies and instrumentation techniques. Some key factors and future perspectives on the development of size-controlled bimetallic and multimetallic alloy nanoparticles are also discussed.
Peacekeeping Labor Mali: Deutschland und der MINUSMA Einsatz
Authors: Patz Christian
Published: November 2019

Mit dem Engagement in MINUSMA ist Deutschland zum VN-geführten Peacekeeping zurückgekehrt und Teil eines Laborversuchs zur Zukunft von VN-geführten Friedeneinsätzen geworden. Der Einsatz in Mali steht exemplarisch für die unterschiedlichen Entwicklungen der jüngeren Generation von Friedenseinsätzen. Der Beitrag analysiert die Gründe für Deutschlands Beteiligung an MINUSMA und erläutert die Besonderheiten des Einsatzes vor dem Hintergrund des Konflikts in Mali und seiner Dynamiken. Dabei werden vier Probleme identifiziert: die Konsequenzen der Re-Priorisierung des Mandats; die ungleiche Lastenverteilung und fehlende Kohäsion; das Risiko von Fehlschlüssen bei der Übertragung von Lehren aus Einsätzen wie ISAF-Afghanistan und; die offene Frage nach den Erfolgskriterien des Einsatzes.
Multilingual and bilingual communication in law and power: access, identity and trust
Authors: Bengoetxea Joxerramon
Published: November 2019

This article develops a user perspective, applied both to law as discourse and normative practical reason - law, religion - and to linguistic communication. In multilingual contexts, this perspective requires special adaptation, because the communities of users may use different languages for the creation of new norms, and for their judicial interpretation and application. The possibilities for contesting meaning are enhanced where multilingual normative communication is involved. Important consequences then follow as regards legislative drafting, statutory interpretation and multilingual contexts of conflict-resolution. The EU is the classical multilingual institutional setting where these ideas are tested. Although in the EU only those languages that are official or co-official at the level of the Member State are immediately recognised as official languages, the EU operates as a genuine multilingual system of law, the most impressive official multilingualism in the world. Discourses exploring the EU’s political identity tend to see this multilingualism as an obstacle to the development of a demos rather than a salient feature of its multicultural and federal-like Constitution. This paradox is compared to the linguistic identity of the Basque Country, which is analysed in its different territories from the legal and sociolinguistic perspectives, where the legal status of Basque is subordinated to the official language regime of France and Spain.
Extracellular Vesicles and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Hill Andrew F.
Published: November 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) include exosomes and microvesicles and have been shown to have roles in the CNS ranging from the removal of unwanted biomolecules to intercellular communication to the spread of pathogenic proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. EVs carry protein, lipid, and genetic cargo, and research over more than a decade has shown that they contain the misfolded forms of proteins associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and the prion diseases. Altered genetic cargo, usually in the form of miRNAs, have also been identified in EVs patients with these diseases, suggesting that EVs may be a source of disease biomarkers. Whether EVs play a key role in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases remains to be firmly established because most current research is performed using cell culture and transgenic animal models. If EVs are identified as a key pathological contributor to neurological conditions, they will form a novel target for therapeutic intervention. This Dual Perspectives article will discuss the current understanding of the role of EVs in neurological diseases and raise some of the limitations of our current understandings of this field.

Dual Perspectives Companion Paper:NeuroEVs: Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles Generated in the Neural Domain, by Christie D. Fowler
Analysis of Population Structure and Differentially Selected Regions in Guangxi Native Breeds by Restriction Site Associated with DNA Sequencing
Authors: Yang Zhuliang , Deng Jixian , Li Dongfeng , Sun Tiantian , Xia Li , Xu Wenwen , Zeng Linghu , Jiang Hesheng , Yang Xiurong
Published: November 2019

Guangxi indigenous chicken breeds play a very important role in promoting the high-quality development of the broiler industry in China. However, studies on genomic information of Guangxi indigenous chicken to date remain poorly explored. To decipher the population genetic structure and differentially selected regions (DSRs) in Guangxi indigenous chickens, we dug into numerous SNPs from seven Guangxi native chickens (GX) by employing the restriction site associated with DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) technology. Another three breeds, Cobb, White Leghorn, and Chahua (CH) chicken, were used as a control. After quality control, a total of 185,117 autosomal SNPs were kept for further analysis. The results showed a significant difference in population structure, and the control breeds were distinctly separate from the Guangxi native breeds, which was also strongly supported by the phylogenetic tree. Distribution of FST indicated that there were three SNPs with big genetic differentiation (FST value all reach to 0. 9427) in GX vs. CH group, which were located on chr1-96,859,720,chr4-86,139,601, and chr12-8,128,322, respectively. Besides, we identified 717 DSRs associated with 882 genes in GX vs. Cobb group, 769 DSRs with 476 genes in GX vs. Leghorn group, and 556 DSRs with 779 genes in GX vs. CH group. GO enrichment showed that there were two significant terms, namely GPI-linked ephrin receptor activity and BMP receptor binding, which were enriched in GX vs. Leghorn group. In conclusion, this study suggests that Guangxi native chickens have a great differentiation with Cobb and Leghorn. Our findings would be beneficial to fully evaluate the genomic information on Guangxi native chicken and facilitate the application of these resources in chicken breeding.
Policy or Pathologization?: Questions into the Rhetoric of Inclusion and Acceptance in Schools
Authors: Stagg Jillian
Published: November 2019

In the wake of a study released by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2012 that focused on student belonging, safety, and inclusion in schools, the Ontario government introduced the Accepting Schools Act (Bill 13), which was successively passed into law that year. As an amendment to the longstanding Education Act, Bill 13 was a turning point for discourse surrounding safe and accepting schools, due to a specific focus on bullying, discrimination, and inclusion in fostering positive school climates. Following the recurrent rhetoric of inclusion, however, Bill 13 – as both policy and practice – failed to locate and identify discrimination and exclusion as both systemic and structural problems. In doing so, Bill 13, and similar inclusive policies to follow, merely advocated for the inclusion of marginalized and “at-risk” students, while continuing to cite and valorize heteronormative, ableist, and colonial values as the benchmark of inclusion and belonging. Using the insights of critical pedagogy, queer studies, and critical disability studies, this paper aims to extend the dialogue of inclusion beyond the student “at-risk,” and instead, examine the ways that policy rhetoric upholds hostile and oppressive school climates. Thus, this paper argues for a critical reexamination of the ways in which colonial, ableist, and heterosexist standards of normality manifest in inclusive discourse and practice. In doing so, schools, policy-makers, students, and staff can move beyond damaging discourses that hinder the positive development of queer, two-spirit, trans, and questioning students, and in particular, students whose queerness intersects with their race, class, and/or disability.
Prenatal and Infancy Nurse Home Visiting and 18-Year Outcomes of a Randomized Trial
Authors: Kitzman Harriet , Olds David L. , Knudtson Michael D. , Cole Robert , Anson Elizabeth , Smith Joyce A. , Fishbein Diana , DiClemente Ralph , Wingood Gina , Caliendo Angela M. , Hopfer Christian , Miller Ted , Conti Gabriella
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Given earlier effects found in randomized clinical trials of the Nurse-Family Partnership, we examined whether this program would improve 18-year-old first-born youths' cognition, academic achievement, and behavior and whether effects on cognitive-related outcomes would be greater for youth born to mothers with limited psychological resources (LPR) and on arrests and convictions among females.

METHODS:

We enrolled 742 pregnant, low-income women with no previous live births and randomly assigned them to receive either free transportation for prenatal care plus child development screening and referral (control; n = 514) or prenatal and infant home nurse visit (NV) plus transportation and screening (n = 228). Assessments were completed on 629 18-year-old first-born offspring to evaluate these primary outcomes: (1) cognitive-related abilities (nonverbal intelligence, receptive language, and math achievement) and (2) behavioral health (internalizing behavioral problems, substance use and abuse, sexually transmitted infections, HIV risk, arrests, convictions, and gang membership).

RESULTS:

Compared with control-group counterparts, NV youth born to mothers with LPR had better receptive language (effect size = 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00 to 0.47; P = .05), math achievement (effect size = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.61; P = .002), and a number of secondary cognitive-related outcomes. NV females, as a trend, had fewer convictions (incidence ratio = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.11; P = .08). There were no intervention effects on other behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS:

The program improved the cognitive-related skills of 18-year-olds born to mothers with LPR and, as a trend, reduced female convictions but produced no other effects on youth behavioral health.
Prenatal and Infancy Nurse Home Visiting Effects on Mothers: 18-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial
Authors: Olds David L. , Kitzman Harriet , Anson Elizabeth , Smith Joyce A. , Knudtson Michael D. , Miller Ted , Cole Robert , Hopfer Christian , Conti Gabriella
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND:

Prenatal and infancy home-visiting by nurses is promoted as a means of improving maternal life-course, but evidence of long-term effects is limited. We hypothesized that nurse-visitation would lead to long-term reductions in public-benefit costs, maternal substance abuse and depression, and that cost-savings would be greater for mothers with initially higher psychological resources.

METHODS:

We conducted an 18-year follow-up of 618 out of 742 low-income, primarily African-American mothers with no previous live births enrolled in an randomized clinical trial of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses. We compared nurse-visited and control-group women for public-benefit costs, rates of substance abuse and depression, and examined possible mediators of intervention effects.

RESULTS:

Nurse-visited women, compared with controls, incurred $17 310 less in public benefit costs (P = .03), an effect more pronounced for women with higher psychological resources ($28 847, P = .01). These savings compare with program costs of $12 578. There were no program effects on substance abuseor depression. Nurse-visited women were more likely to be married from child age 2 through 18 (19.2% vs 14.8%, P = .04), and those with higher psychological resources had 4.64 fewer cumulative years rearing subsequent children after the birth of the first child (P = .03). Pregnancy planning was a significant mediator of program effects on public benefit costs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Through child age 18, the program reduced public-benefit costs, an effect more pronounced for mothers with higher psychological resources and mediated by subsequent pregnancy planning. There were no effects on maternal substance abuse and depression.
Estética e identidad corporativa
Authors: Villamizar Duarte Eduardo , Osorio Contreras Jesús Alejandro
Published: November 2019

La Estética es la ciencia que se ocupa del problema del sentir para hacer una reflexión filosófica sobre la naturaleza de lo bello y los productos artísticos visuales y audiovisuales. Orientada a la comunicación empresarial y publicitaria, concibiendo sus soportes como productos artísticos a partir de su inserción en este campo en el año de 1908, en Berlín Alemania e, impulsada de manera visionaria por los hermanos Rathenau, creadores de la firma AEG, se materializó por la acción del arquitecto, diseñador y artista gráfico alemán, Peter Behrens y el sociólogo austriaco Otto Neurath, quienes se encargaron del cambio y creación del estilo gráfico de la identidad visual de esta firma, constituyendo un acto pionero en el uso de la estética dentro del branding corporativo. De esta manera se inventó el concepto y la praxis de la identidad corporativa, aportando una nueva forma en la comunicación empresarial, acto emulado por otras marcas de gran reconocimiento, que han intervenido sus signos y vectores de comunicación, para reforzarlos con valores estéticos, haciéndolos más aptos para competir en entornos dinámicos y afectados por las nuevas tecnologías, que han creado para las marcas nuevas formas de construir vínculos, comunicar una estética propia, cargada de valores diferenciales, que impacta y se transmite a través de las redes sociales, adaptándose a los cambios del entorno y del consumidor, tendencia a la cual deben ingresar las empresas de la región en aras de su posicionamiento y competitividad.
La política de investigación, ciencia y tecnología y la investigación educativa en Colombia
Authors: Parodi Gonzalo Eduardo
Published: November 2019

La Política de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación en Colombia es un instrumento para promover el desarrollo de la investigación en el país. Este artículo aborda algunas características de la investigación en Colombia, elementos para el diagnóstico y cómo la educación y la investigación educativa pueden aportar al desarrollo de habilidades investigativas.
Language Prognosis and Language Diversity in the Russian Federation: Sociolinguistic Aspect
Authors: Bitkeeva Aysa , Wingender Monika , Mikhalchenko Vida
Published: November 2019

The article considers the methodological basis of sociolinguistic research into language perspectives with a focus on linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation, the study of which is closely connected with such sociolinguistic concepts as language situation, language policy and language planning. Оver the recent decades, sociolinguistics has witnessed a real boom in new research showing a growing variety of methods for studying linguistic diversity. Closer consideration of these papers shows that the authors focus on the search for tools to analyze the prerequisites, history and current situation of linguistic diversity. However, research methods for the future development of linguistic diversity – linguistic forecasting, lack for scientific representation. Analysis of the prospects for the development of languages in present-day conditions is no less relevant research topic. The identification of the laws of language development requires a comprehensive approach from the position of sociolinguistics, which leads to the multifaceted nature of scientific research, the consideration of the object not only from the linguistic point of view, but also from sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, ethnolinguistic etc. factors. The authors present an overview of sociolinguistic methods. As part of a combination of methods, which is justified by the variety of goals and subjects of linguistic forecasting, the authors analyze some possible methods of sociolinguistic forecasting (parametric, statistical, discursive) and their practical application in the study of linguistic diversity. The article concludes with forecasts for linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation.
I and We in Corporate Discourse: The Realization of Sociocultural and Linguopragmatic Characteristics of Communication
Authors: Mityagina Vera , Novikova Elina , Vankova Lenka
Published: November 2019

The paper outlines the significance of the opposition I : : We within corporate discourse, the study of which claims to become one of the main areas of studying professional communication in the age of globalization. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to establish common and different forms of expressing personal and collective aspects in social communicative content in the genre of congratulatory speech. The research material is represented with the texts of congratulatory speeches in the German, Russian and Czech languages. The authors focus on the implementation of the current social and cultural status of a person in the texts, belonging to the genre of corporate discourse, which is defined in the paper as a type of institutional business communication, realized both in special, documentary texts of a given professional sphere, and in a complex of ritual, etiquette and ceremonial texts. In selected language versions, the authors reveal the common rigid structure of speech and the insignificant linguopragmatic and stylistic variability of language means caused by the general positive perlocutivity of this performative genre. The revealed features include, in particular, the self-orientation of congratulatory speeches in German as an explication of active self-presentation, that expresses rationality and individualism of the German collective style; reflection of the collective consciousness of the Russian society in the forms of deixis associated with the expression of intentions We : : I+everyone; as well as obligatory explication of close friendly relations of the sender and the recipient of congratulations in the Czech linguistic culture.The uniformity of linguistic means, noted in the acts of congratulatory speech, is explained as an intention to follow common discourse rules and universal commandments of global professional communication, shared by all discourse participants.
Critical Discourse Analysis: Theoretical and Methodological Approaches
Authors: Matytsina Marina
Published: November 2019

The article is devoted to formation and development of discourse analysis as an effective method to study functional aspects of political communication in global political space. It reports on main theoretical and methodological approaches to critical analysis of political discourse. Mainly, it deals with theoretical and methodological perspectives of three leading schools of critical discourse analysis: discourse analysis of N. Fairclough, that presents a relational approach to considering social problems in their relation to textual analysis; socio-cognitive theory of T.A. van Dijk, oriented to investigating relations between cognitive structures, discourse and social coordination; discourse analysis of R. Wodak, that uses historical approach to discourse and is aimed at description of powerful language of the elite that helps to maintain dominance in society. The paper characterizes some frameworks of critical analysis of political discourse, including the Duisburg School of Critical Discourse Analysis (S. Jäger, F. Maier), System-Functional and Social-Semiotic Theory (M. Halliday, T. van Leeuwen), and Mediated Discourse Analysis (R. Scollon, S. Scollon). It is stated that within its boundaries critical discourse analysis includes a variety of approaches, analytical tools and methodologies. The author underlines that scientific consideration of critical discourse analysis will demonstrate its potential and prospects for integrating this interdisciplinary qualitative methodology into a set of empirical tools of modern political science.
APRENDIZAGEM E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE JOVENS E ADULTOS ALFABETIZADOS A PARTIR DE UMA ABORDAGEM HISTÓRICO-CULTURAL
Authors: Vieira Maria Clarisse , Pinto Luciana de Oliveira
Published: November 2019

RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta os resultados de pesquisa que teve como objetivo investigar as contribuições que a aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita propicia ao desenvolvimento de jovens e adultos, bem como significados por eles atribuídos ao seu processo de alfabetização, tendo como base a abordagem histórico-cultural de Bakhtin, Vigotski e Leontiev e o materialismo histórico e dialético de Marx e Engels. O procedimento metodológico da referida investigação foi pautado na pesquisa-ação de Thiollent e Barbier, de cunho dialógico e interventivo. O lócus foi uma turma do BB Educar em São Sebastião (DF). Constatou-se que a aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita contribuiu para mudanças na forma de ser, pensar e agir dos educandos que, na sua percepção, empoderaram-se, tornaram-se referência para a comunidade e seus filhos mais novos, passando a adotar uma postura metacognitiva, ou seja, refletindo sobre o seu processo de aprendizagem, compreendendo a sua forma singular de pensar e ampliando estratégias de raciocínio para apreensão da realidade e resolução de problemas.