bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential brain mechanisms for processing distracting information in task‐relevant and ‐irrelevant dimensions in visual search
Authors: Wei Ping , Yu Hongbo , Müller Hermann J. , Pollmann Stefan , Zhou Xiaolin
Published: September 2018

A crucial function of our goal‐directed behavior is to select task‐relevant targets among distractor stimuli, some of which may share properties with the target and thus compete for attentional selection. Here, by applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to a visual search task in which a target was embedded in an array of distractors that were homogeneous or heterogeneous along the task‐relevant (orientation or form) and/or task‐irrelevant (color) dimensions, we demonstrate that for both (orientation) feature search and (form) conjunction search, the fusiform gyrus is involved in processing the task‐irrelevant color information, while the bilateral frontal eye fields (FEF), the cortex along the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), and the left junction of intraparietal and transverse occipital sulci (IPTO) are involved in processing task‐relevant distracting information, especially for target‐absent trials. Moreover, in conjunction (but not in feature) search, activity in these frontoparietal regions is affected by stimulus heterogeneity along the task‐irrelevant dimension: heterogeneity of the task‐irrelevant information increases the activity in these regions only when the task‐relevant information is homogeneous, not when it is heterogeneous. These findings suggest that differential neural mechanisms are involved in processing task‐relevant and task‐irrelevant dimensions of the searched‐for objects. In addition, they show that the top‐down task set plays a dominant role in determining whether or not task‐irrelevant information can affect the processing of the task‐relevant dimension in the frontoparietal regions.
A MATLAB toolbox for multivariate analysis of brain networks
Authors: Bahrami Mohsen , Laurienti Paul J. , Simpson Sean L.
Published: September 2018

Complex brain networks formed via structural and functional interactions among brain regions are believed to underlie information processing and cognitive function. A growing number of studies indicate that altered brain network topology is associated with physiological, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities. Graph theory is showing promise as a method for evaluating and explaining brain networks. However, multivariate frameworks that provide statistical inferences about how such networks relate to covariates of interest, such as disease phenotypes, in different study populations are yet to be developed. We have developed a freely available MATLAB toolbox with a graphical user interface that bridges this important gap between brain network analyses and statistical inference. The modeling framework implemented in this toolbox utilizes a mixed‐effects multivariate regression framework that allows assessing brain network differences between study populations as well as assessing the effects of covariates of interest such as age, disease phenotype, and risk factors on the density and strength of brain connections in global (i.e., whole‐brain) and local (i.e., subnetworks) brain networks. Confounding variables, such as sex, are controlled for through the implemented framework. A variety of neuroimaging data such as fMRI, EEG, and DTI can be analyzed with this toolbox, which makes it useful for a wide range of studies examining the structure and function of brain networks. The toolbox uses SAS, R, or Python (depending on software availability) to perform the statistical modeling. We also provide a clustering‐based data reduction method that helps with model convergence and substantially reduces modeling time for large data sets.
Clonal evolution in long‐term follow‐up patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Geng , Cai Zhixiong , Li Zhenli , Dong Xiuqing , Xu Haipo , Lin Jianling , Chen Lihong , Zhang Huqin , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng
Published: September 2018

To investigate tumor clonal evolution in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we collected 31 tumor samples,16 peritumor samples and matched PBMCs from 11 long‐term follow‐up patients with HCC. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed to obtain SNVs and CNVs for each sample. An average of 652.2 somatic mutations were identified in each patient and the mean percentage of nonubiquitous tumor mutations was 63.7% (range, 0.7%–100%), reflecting the variety of tumor heterogeneity. Further analysis of clonal evolution was conducted based on mutation clustering results and revealed that different clonal evolution patterns indeed existed in single and multifocal HCC while these patterns were significantly correlated to patients’ clinical course. These patterns clearly demonstrated different mechanisms of tumor recurrence. During tumor clonal evolution, potential therapeutic targets also emerged and vanished dynamically. Moreover, mutation analysis revealed that the contribution of mutational signature was correlated with clonal evolution history. Target sequencing of follow‐up plasma samples also confirmed that ctDNA level could dynamically reflect tumor clonal/subclonal burden. By investigating clonal evolution in HCC patients, our analysis revealed that different patterns indeed existed during HCC progression and proposed a novel strategy for identifying the origin of recurrent tumor as well as optimizing treatment selection.
A new perspective: Exploring future therapeutic strategies for cancer by understanding the dual role of B lymphocytes in tumor immunity
Authors: Liu Min , Sun Qian , Wang Jian , Wei Feng , Yang Lili , Ren Xiubao
Published: September 2018

Our previous understanding of the role of B lymphocytes in tumor immunity is its antitumor effects. However, further evidence indicates B lymphocytes can also promote tumorigenesis by modulating immune responses. Therefore, the increasingly complex role of B lymphocytes in tumor immunity may become an important factor in tumor immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the development of B cells in tumor microenvironments. We then focus on the most controversial issues of the biological functions of B lymphocytes. Finally, we nominate B cells as therapeutic targets, which should open broad perspectives for the development of their clinical applications.
Minimizing resurgence of destructive behavior using behavioral momentum theory
Authors: Fisher Wayne W. , Greer Brian D. , Fuhrman Ashley M. , Saini Valdeep , Simmons Christina A.
Published: September 2018

The resurgence of destructive behavior can occur during functional communication training (FCT) if the alternative response contacts a challenge (e.g., extinction). Behavioral momentum theory (BMT) suggests that refinements to FCT could mitigate resurgence of destructive behavior during periods of extinction. Following a functional analysis and treatment with FCT, we combined three refinements to FCT (i.e., the use of a lean schedule of reinforcement for destructive behavior during baseline, a lean schedule for the alternative response during FCT, and an increase in the duration of treatment) and compared the magnitude of resurgence relative to a condition in which FCT was implemented in a traditional manner. Results suggested that the combination of these three refinements to FCT was successful in decreasing the resurgence of destructive behavior during an extinction challenge. We discuss the implications of these findings, as well as areas for future research.
Enhancing mechanical properties of an injectable two‐solution acrylic bone cement using a difunctional crosslinker
Authors: Wiegand Michael J. , Faraci Kennedy L. , Reed Brittany E. , Hasenwinkel Julie M.
Published: September 2018

Two‐solution bone cements modified with ethylene glycol‐dimethacrylate (EG‐DMA) as a crosslinker have been developed as an attempt to further improve the mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement. The result of this study shows that EG‐DMA can increase the mechanical properties and fractional monomer conversion while preserving the thermal characteristics. The strength and bending modulus increase with EG‐DMA concentrations at 5–10 vol % EG‐DMA. Substituting the EG‐DMA content past 10 vol % decreases the bending properties due to the effects of reduced monomer concentrations. Strengthened EG‐DMA samples demonstrated an increase in ductility with noticeably different fracture surface morphologies than the control samples, indicated by microtroughs and ridge formation caused by excessive plastic strain. This work provides insight into the effect of substituting a crosslinker for MMA monomer in an injectable two‐solution system and lays out the ideal concentrations of EG‐DMA for superior mechanical or fractional monomer conversion properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part B, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 783–790, 2019.
The use of electrochemical techniques to evaluate the corrosion performance of metallic biomedical materials and devices
Authors: Pound Bruce G.
Published: September 2018

The corrosion performance of metallic biomedical materials and devices is commonly evaluated using electrochemical techniques. Although test standards involving such techniques have been released to address some forms of corrosion, a key issue is application of the results with regard to use of an implantable device in vivo. This review focuses on nitinol, 316L/LVM stainless steel, and Co–Cr alloys and is intended to provide some perspective on the significance of results from tests concerning general corrosion, localized corrosion, galvanic corrosion, and fretting corrosion of these alloys in simulated physiological solutions. It also examines the factors that could cause differences in the corrosion performance between in vitro and in vivo exposure, with the goal of providing some rationale for applying electrochemical characteristics obtained from the tests to predict the corrosion performance in vivo. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1189–1198, 2019.
Influence of the Pacific and Indian Ocean climate drivers on the rainfall in Vietnam
Authors: Duc Hiep N. , Bang Ho Q. , Quang Ngo X.
Published: September 2018

Rainfall in Vietnam is strongly influenced by climate drivers which are caused by anomalies in sea surface temperature (SST), sea level pressure (SLP) or geopotential height in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. This paper analyses the rainfall records at different sites in various regions of Vietnam to determine the influence of the three major climate drivers, the ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation), IPO (Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation) and IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole) and their interaction on the rainfall at each of these sites. A statistical technique called Bayesian model averaging (BMA) is used to discuss and address the uncertainties problem in model and variable selection when fitting observed rainfall data with climate drivers' indices. The results show that the ENSO, IPO and IOD and their interaction overall have very minor roles in influencing the rainfall in Northern Vietnam but they have some influences on the rainfall in the central and southern parts of Vietnam. Furthermore, seasonality analysis shows the spring rainfall in Vietnam is strongly influenced by the ENSO, IOD and ENSO*IOD interaction, with ENSO*IOD interaction strongest in the north. The situation in summer is similar but the IOD is most dominant compared to the ENSO and ENSO*IOD interaction. In autumn, the IOD and ENSO influences on rainfall are weaker while the IPO has strong influence in the Central and Southern Vietnam and no climate driver has any influence in the north. And during winter, the IPO, ENSO and IPO*ENSO interaction are associated with rainfall variability across Vietnam while the IOD influence is insignificant. The results also confirm the previous studies on the teleconnection roles of SST in the Pacific and Indian Oceans on rainfall variability in Vietnam.
Influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation on Costa Rican mid‐summer drought timing
Authors: Zhao Zijie , Oliver Eric C. J. , Ballestero Daniel , Mauro Vargas‐Hernandez Jose , Holbrook Neil J.
Published: September 2018

The Central American mid‐summer drought (MSD) is the decline of precipitation during the middle of the wet season (July and August) over Central America and southern Mexico. It affects agriculture and favours the initiation of bushfires in Costa Rica's national parks, particularly during El Niño years. The MSD is a seasonal phenomenon that varies in intensity and timing inter‐annually. The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) has been shown to influence Costa Rican rainfall on intra‐seasonal time scales, and therefore may be important to the MSD. In this study we use rainfall data from seven stations in Costa Rica to analyse the MJO's influence on the timing of the onset and end of the MSD. We find that the MSD is more likely to start and end in MJO Phases 1 and 8, respectively. Our findings indicate enhanced MSD predictability on intra‐seasonal time scales, which could be beneficial to agricultural planning in Costa Rica.
Quantification of solute diffusivity in osteoarthritic human femoral cartilage using correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Graham Brian T. , Wright Alison D. , Burris David L. , Axe Michael J. , Raisis Leo W. , Price Christopher
Published: September 2018

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, pain, and disability. As an avascular tissue, the movement of water and solutes through the tissue is critical to cartilage health and function, and early changes in solute diffusivity due to micro‐scale changes in the properties of cartilage's extracellular matrix might precede clinical symptoms. A diagnostic technique for quantifying alteration to the diffusive environment of cartilage that precedes macroscopic changes may allow for the earlier identification of osteoarthritic disease, facilitating earlier intervention strategies. Toward this end, we used two confocal microscopy‐based correlation spectroscopy techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and raster image correlation spectroscopy, to quantify the diffusion of two small solutes, fluorescein and 3k dextran, within human osteoarthritic articular cartilage. Our goal was to determine if these relatively simple optical correlation spectroscopy techniques could detect changes in solute diffusivity associated with increasing cartilage damage as assessed by International Cartilage Repair Society scoring guidelines, and if these measures are correlated with mechanical and compositional measures of cartilage health. Our data show a modest, yet significant increase in solute diffusivity and cartilage permeability with increasing osteoarthritis score (grades 0–2), with a strong correlation between diffusion coefficients, permeability, and cartilage composition. The described correlation spectroscopy techniques are quick, simple, and easily adapted to existing laboratory workflow and equipment. Furthermore, the minimal solute concentrations and laser powers required for analysis, combined with recent advances in arthroscopic microscopy, suggest correlation spectroscopy techniques as translational candidates for development into early OA diagnosis tools. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3256–3267, 2018.
Efficacy of levofloxacin against biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with respiratory tract infections in vitro
Authors: She Pengfei , Luo Zhen , Chen Lihua , Wu Yong
Published: September 2018

Microbial biofilms are formed in a variety of clinical situations and increase antibiotic resistance of the pathogen by almost ~1,000 times. The effect of levofloxacin (OFLX) on the biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 and the clinical isolates was investigated by crystal violet staining and confocal laser scanning microscope. The transcriptional alteration in the PAO1 biofilms upon OFLX treatment was also analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq). We found that while OFLX significantly inhibited P. aeruginosa biofilm formation in a dose‐dependent manner, it could not completely eradicate preformed biofilms even at higher concentrations. RNA‐seq revealed that PAO1 genes related to metabolism, formation of secondary metabolites, and quorum sensing biosynthesis were differentially expressed in the biofilms treated with OFLX. Our data might be useful in determining the optimum OFLX concentration needed for P. aeruginosa biofilm inhibition and eradication in patients with respiratory tract infections.
Vaso‐occlusive crisis as a predictor of symptomatic avascular necrosis in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Mesleh Shayeb Akram , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Kaste Sue C. , Brown Ashley , Estepp Jeremie H. , Nottage Kerri A.
Published: September 2018

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a chronic bone complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) resulting in significant morbidity. Understanding associated risk factors can facilitate risk‐based screening, earlier identification, and prompt intervention. Between 1998 and 2014, 26 symptomatic cases with imaging evidence of AVN were compared 1:5 with age‐ and SCD genotype‐matched controls (n = 128). Patients with 1–5 vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) (OR 11.9, 95% CI, 1.4–99.9; P = 0.02) and more than 5 VOC (OR 53.6, 95% CI, 5.5–520.2; P = 0.0006) in a 5‐year period were more likely to have AVN. Symptomatic patients with more than five VOC in 5 years may benefit from radiologic screening for AVN.
Osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE)
Authors: Ali Nesreen , Gohar Seham , Zaky Iman , Elghoneimy Ahmed , Youssef Sarah , Sameer Gehad , Yassin Dina , Salem Sherine , Magdi Hadeel , Sidhom Iman
Published: September 2018

Background

As survival rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) improve, awareness of treatment complications becomes important. Osteonecrosis (ON) is a serious disabling complication in treated ALL patients. The aim of the study was to define the frequency of ON identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to study the risk factors for ON.

Patients and methods

The frequency of ON was evaluated retrospectively in 858 patients with ALL who were diagnosed at Children's Cancer Hospital of Egypt from January 2009 to December 2012. Patients were treated with St Jude Total Therapy Study XV.

Results

Of 858 patients evaluated, 665 were eligible for the study and 65 (9.7%) developed ON. The cumulative 5‐year incidence of ON was 11.96% (SE, 0.131%). Of 154 patients aged 10 years and older, 40 (26%) developed ON. The mean age of patients with ON was 10.7 years. The prognostic factors with a significant relationship with ON were age 10 years and older (P = 0.0001) and intermediate‐/high‐risk group (P = 0.0001). However, gender did not have a significant relationship. At the onset of ON, the mean cumulative dexamethasone dose was 796 mg/m2, and the mean total corticosteroid dose, calculated as prednisolone equivalence, was 6,431 mg/m2. Out of 43 patients who developed ON while on corticosteroid therapy, 36 (84%) required dexamethasone dose modification and/or discontinuation.

Conclusion

The frequency of ON among the studied patients was 9.7%. Risk factors with a significant association with ON were older age and more intensive corticosteroid therapy.
The linker length of glucose–fipronil conjugates has a major effect on the rate of bioactivation by β‐glucosidase
Authors: Wen Yingjie , Jiang Xunyuan , Yang Chen , Meng Huayue , Wang Binfeng , Wu Hanxiang , Zhang Zhixiang , Xu Hanhong
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Endogenous plant β‐glucosidases can be utilized to hydrolyze pro‐pesticides and release the bioactive pesticide. Two related glucose–fipronil conjugates with different linkers structure, N‐{3‐cyano‐1‐[2,6‐dichloro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]‐4‐[(trifluoromethyl) sulfinyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl}‐1‐(2‐triazolethyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐methanamine (GOTF) and N‐{3‐cyano‐1‐[2,6‐dichloro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]‐4‐[(trifluoromethyl)‐sulfinyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl}‐2‐aminoethyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (GOF), were deglucolysated by β‐glucosidase both in vitro and in vivo at different rates. Here, the basis for these differences was investigated by revealing the kinetics of the reaction and by modeling molecular docking between enzyme and substrate.

RESULTS

Results from kinetic study showed that the reaction rate was the main reason for the poorer rate of GOF hydrolysis with respect to GOTF. Modeling of substrate docking indicated that the spacer arm of glucose–fipronil conjugates affects the strength of non‐covalent bonds within the active site and the position of fipronil within the pocket. Four glucose–fipronil conjugates and four corresponding aglycones were synthesized, and the hydrolysis data confirmed that the increased tether length between the bulky aglycone and glycone would lead to faster hydrolysis rate. The bioassay results indicated that most glucose–fipronil conjugates displayed moderate to excellent insecticidal activities in vivo against Plutella xylostella larvae.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a potential strategy to optimize the substrate structure to enhance hydrolytic specificity in order to design appropriate phloem mobile pro‐pesticides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Light‐Driven Sustainable Hydrogen Production Utilizing TiO2 Nanostructures: A Review
Authors: Cai Jingsheng , Shen Jiali , Zhang Xinnan , Ng Yun Hau , Huang Jianying , Guo Wenxi , Lin Changjian , Lai Yuekun
Published: September 2018

As a promising alternative clean energy to fossil fuels, H2 has been given increasing attention, and efficient H2 production is urgently required. Photocatalytic H2 generation from water splitting (WS) is deemed to be a promising and green route for H2 production. TiO2 has been widely utilized in WS owing to the stability, low cost, corrosion resistance, and environmental safety properities. Nevertheless, two dominant defects (inferior absorption performance in visible light and recombination of photogenerated e−–h+ pairs) still impede the development of TiO2. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the progress of various routes for TiO2 nanostructures (0D–3D) and diversified modifications for enhanced H2 production. Further, the perspectives and opportunities for TiO2 based materials are promoted. Persistent efforts are needed to equip the TiO2 nanomaterials with original advanced commercialization and functionality.
An exposition of the false confidence theorem
Authors: Carmichael Iain , Williams Jonathan
Published: September 2018

A recent paper (Balch et al. (), ‘Satellite conjunction analysis and the false confidence theorem’, arXiv 5 preprint arXiv:1706.08565.) presents the “false confidence theorem,” which has potentially broad implications for statistical inference using Bayesian posterior uncertainty. This theorem says that with an arbitrarily large (sampling/frequentist) probability, there exists a set that does not contain the true parameter value but has an arbitrarily large posterior probability. As the use of Bayesian methods has become increasingly popular in applications of science, engineering and business, it is critically important to understand when Bayesian procedures lead to problematic statistical inferences or interpretations. In this paper, we consider a number of examples demonstrating the paradoxical nature of false confidence to begin to understand the contexts in which the false confidence theorem does (and does not) play a meaningful role in statistical inference. Our examples illustrate that models involving marginalization to non‐linear, not one‐to‐one functions of multiple parameters play a key role in more extreme manifestations of false confidence. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Offshore wind jacket foundation design challenges in earthquake regions
Authors: Brendike André , Ostermann Frank , Lüddecke Falk
Published: September 2018

Herausforderungen in der Bemessung von Jacket‐Strukturen für Offshore‐Windturbinen in Erdbebengebieten. Die Entwicklung der Offshore‐Windmärkte in Ostasien erfordert eine Erdbebenbemessung von Offshore‐Windturbinen und deren Gründungsstrukturen. Der Aufsatz analysiert Standortbedingungen und Bemessungsmethoden für Jacket‐Gründungsstrukturen in Erdbebenregionen. Anzuwendende Normen und Richtlinien sowie Lastfallkombinationen sind aufgeführt. In einer Studie sind Jacket‐Gründungsstrukturen einer generischen 12,5 MW Turbine für Standortbedingungen in der Nordsee und Ostasien entwickelt worden. Anhand der Ergebnisse von Biegemomenten an Turmfuß und Seeboden erfolgt ein Abgleich verschiedener Bemessungsmethoden. Zusammenfassend werden bemessungsrelevante Lastsituationen identifiziert und Empfehlungen für die Erdbebenbemessung abgeleitet.
Constitutive modeling of the cyclic dissipation in thin and thick rubber specimens
Authors: Guo Qiang , Zaïri Fahmi , Ovalle Rodas Cristian , Guo Xinglin
Published: September 2018

A thermo‐viscoelastic‐damage constitutive model, in accordance with the thermodynamic principles, is proposed to describe the cyclic dissipation in rubbers. The general form of the model can be represented by a thermal branch responsible for the stress‐free thermal expansion joined to parallel mechanical multi‐branches responsible for the cyclically damaged‐elastic response and the inelastic effects, i.e. fatigue‐induced stress‐softening and hysteresis. The viscoelastic and damage dissipations contributing to heat build‐up are considered in the model formulation using the internal state variable theory. The model is identified and verified using experimental observations on stress‐softening, hysteresis and dissipative heating obtained on rubber flat specimens containing different amounts of carbon‐black and cyclically loaded under different minimum stretch levels. The model is then used to predict damage and thermal patterns in thick specimens involving different triaxial stress states in the median cross‐section.
Workplace mentoring of residents in generic competencies by an independent coach
Authors: Stigt Jos A. , Koele Janine H. , Brand Paul L. P. , Jaarsma Debbie A. C. , Slootweg Irene A.
Published: September 2018

Introduction During postgraduate education in pulmonology, supervisors are responsible for training residents in generic competencies such as communication, professionalism and collaboration, but their focus commonly lies more on medical-technical competencies. As an alternative approach to supporting residents to develop generic skills, we developed a personal mentoring program with a non-medical professional as mentor. In this study, the residents’ experiences with the mentoring program were evaluated.
Methods After an introductory session in which individual learning goals were established, pulmonology residents received at least six, 60–90-minute, individual, mentoring sessions largely consisting of feedback after being observed during daily clinical activities, over a period of 9 months. The residents’ experiences with mentoring were explored through in-depth interviews followed by a qualitative content analysis.
Results From March to November 2016, ten residents in pulmonology completed the program. Despite initial scepticism, mentoring encouraged residents to reflect deeply on their professional interactions. This caused an increased awareness of the effects of their communication and behaviour on patients. Experimenting with communication and different behaviours in subsequent interactions felt rewarding and contributed to further development, resulting in increased self-confidence and job satisfaction.
Discussion Mentoring residents by non-medical coaching was associated with improved residents’ proficiency in generic competencies.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED): Clinical heterogeneity and cognitive-behavioral therapy outcome
Authors: Riesco Nadine , Agüera Zaida , Granero Roser , Jiménez-Murcia Susana , Menchón José M. , Fernández-Aranda Fernando
Published: September 2018

Background:

with the DSM-5 new eating disorders (EDs) diagnostic subtypes were identified within the Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) category, which have so far been under-researched. Objectives of this study were to examine differential features among OSFED subtypes, exploring short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) response and identifying clinical predictors of therapy outcome.

Methods:

the sample included 176 female patients diagnosed with OSFED [82 atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical-AN), 57 purging disorder (PD), and 37 subthreshold bulimia nervosa (sub-BN)]. Assessment included eating-related, psychopathological and personality measures.

Results:

results showed similar clinical and personality profiles between the diagnostic subtypes, with hardly any differences, only observable in the core symptoms of each diagnosis. The sub-BN group was the one which showed more social impairment. Regarding treatment outcome, the three groups did not reveal significant differences in remission rates, therapeutic adherence or dropout rates, reaching rates of dropout from 36.8% to 50% (p =.391). However, different ED subtype predictors appear related with full remission or dropout risk, specifically personality traits.

Conclusions:

our results suggest that OSFED patients may benefit similarly from the same CBT outpatient group approach. However, high dropout rates and low motivation seems to be an important limitation and challenge for future approaches.
Evidence for a Change in the Sex Ratio of Children Referred for Gender Dysphoria: Data From the Gender Identity Development Service in London (2000–2017)
Authors: de Graaf Nastasja M. , Carmichael Polly , Steensma Thomas D. , Zucker Kenneth J.
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The prevalence of gender dysphoria in children is not known; however, there are some data on the sex ratio of children referred to specialized gender identity clinics.

Aim

We sought to examine the sex ratio of children, and some associated factors (age at referral and year of referral), referred to the Gender Identity Development Service in the United Kingdom, the largest such clinic in the world.

Methods

The sex ratio of children (N = 1,215) referred to the Gender Identity Development Service between 2000–2017 was examined, along with year of referral, age-related patterns, and age at referral.

Main Outcome Measure

Sex ratio of birth-assigned boys vs birth-assigned girls.

Results

The sex ratio significantly favored birth-assigned boys over birth-assigned girls (1.27:1), but there were also age and year of referral effects. The sex ratio favored birth-assigned boys at younger ages (3–9 years), but favored birth-assigned girls at older ages (10–12 years). The percentage of referred birth-assigned boys significantly decreased when 2 cohorts were compared (2000–2006 vs 2007–2017). On average, birth-assigned boys were referred at a younger age than birth-assigned girls.

Clinical Implications

The evidence for a change in the sex ratio of children referred for gender dysphoria, particularly in recent years, matches a similar change in the sex ratio of adolescents referred for gender dysphoria. The reasons for this remain understudied.

Strength & Limitations

The United Kingdom data showed both similarities and differences when compared to data from 2 other gender identity clinics for children (Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Such data need to be studied in more gender identity clinics for children, perhaps with the establishment of an international registry.

Conclusion

Further study of the correlates of the sex ratio for children referred for gender dysphoria will be useful in clinical care and management.
The Use of Transnational Labour Law in Steering Socially Responsible Corporate Governance towards Increased Worker Protection
Authors: Martin Isabelle
Published: September 2018

Socially responsible corporate governance (SRCG) is a product of the interaction of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. These two transnational business governance schemes have converged around the principles of accountability, sustainability, and due diligence. This article will examine to what extent SRCG can be useful in promoting worker protection. It will contend that, as a reflexive regulation, SRCG is normatively indeterminate and may easily be subject to regulatory capture by the traditional actors of corporate governance. This article will argue that these risks may be alleviated by the interaction of SRCG with transnational labour law (TLL). Transnational labour law increases SRCG’s responsiveness to the value of worker protection by offering labour more direct sources of participation to strengthen SRCG’s enforcement and alleviate risks of capture. Moreover, the principles of TLL weave a coherent and meaningful framework which can be used to assess the quality of the various corporate governance initiatives.
The Scrantonian Worldview Gazing East
Authors: VINSEL LEE
Published: September 2018

This comment attempts, first and foremost, to place Phil Scranton’s article within the overall trajectory of his career as a writer and historian. A common theme of that career has been complicating—or, as this comment puts it, “mucking up”—existing historical narratives. Finally, this comment suggests that Scranton’s role as complicator sometimes gives too little guidance for how his thoughts connect to existing literature, and it puts forward some possible avenues for future exploration that spring from Scranton’s examination of communist enterprise.
Author’s Rejoinder to Comments on Managing Communist Enterprises: Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, 1945–1970
Authors: SCRANTON PHILIP
Published: September 2018

This text is the author’s reply to reactions to “Managing Communist Enterprises” from three colleagues, Lee Vinsel, Natalya Vinokurova, and Pál Germuska. It includes reflections on his work process in researching capitalist and noncapitalist firms and sectors and the practical and theoretical bases for that work. In the course of replying to particular suggestions and critiques, the rejoinder also offers some considerations about the current and future course of business history as a discipline.
Cabinet Durability and Fiscal Discipline
Authors: FORTUNATO DAVID , LOFTIS MATT W.
Published: September 2018

We argue that short government durations in parliamentary democracies increase public spending by driving a political budget cycle. We present a revision of the standard political budget cycle model that relaxes the common (often implicit) assumption that election timing is fixed and known in advance. Instead, we allow cabinets to form expectations about their durability and use these expectations to inform their spending choices. The model predicts that (1) cabinets should spend more as theirexpectedterm in office draws to a close and (2) cabinets that outlive their expected duration should run higher deficits. Using data from 15 European democracies over several decades, we show that governments increase spending as their expected duration withers and run higher deficits as they surpass their forecasted life expectancy.
EFFECTS OF GREEN MANURES AND NPK FERTILIZER ON SOIL PROPERTIES, TOMATO YIELD AND QUALITY IN THE FOREST-SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA
Authors: AGBEDE TAIWO M. , ADEKIYA ARUNA O. , ALE MONDAY O. , EIFEDIYI EHIOKHILEN K. , OLATUNJI CHRISTY A.
Published: September 2018

Green manures (GM) as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer offer considerable potential as a source of plant nutrients and organic matter (OM). Hence, field experiments were carried out during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to compare impacts of GM and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on soil properties, growth, fruit yield, mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill). GMs were composed by green tender stems and leaves of pawpaw (Carica papayaL.), neem (Azadirachta indicaA. Juss.), moringa (Moringa oleiferaLam.) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium(Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) and applied at 5 Mg ha−1, whereas NPK was applied at 300 kg ha−1and there was a no fertilizer plot (control). Application of GMs reduced soil bulk density and increased soil OM, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth, number of fruits and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. NPK fertilizer had no effect on soil bulk density and soil OM, but it increased soil fertility and tomato yield as compared with the control. When comparing treatments, the highest tomato yield and best cost:benefit ratio were obtained with gliricidia as GM. The GMs and NPK fertilizer increased mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents in tomato fruits and the highest K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, lycopene and vitamin C contents in tomato fruits were found with moringa as GM. Our results revealed that GM has potential to improve soil properties, tomato yield and quality, being an alternative for cropping management.
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: INTRODUCTION
Authors: Farmer Tessa , Barnes Jessica
Published: September 2018

From arid cities to irrigated fields, hot deserts to Mediterranean mountains, costal enclaves to verdant oases, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) encompasses a range of environments for thinking through the relationships between nature and society, people, plants, and animals, human and nonhuman worlds. Early depictions of the region in terms of patriarchal, tradition-bound, and largely homogenous Muslim populations living in undifferentiated desert spaces has long given way to scholarship that identifies the diversity and dynamism of associational life, political subjectivities, state formations, religious practices, and gender performances. Only relatively recently, however, has a significant subset of scholarship on the Middle East and North Africa picked up newer approaches to environmental issues and taken a renewed look at older topics, such as the relationship between water and the state and local subsistence practices in arid lands. This shift in the scholarship is not necessarily a reflection of rising popular “environmental consciousness” in the Middle East and North Africa, although people of the region have always been living in and thinking about the material worlds around them. For while there have been recent efforts to connect local traditions to global environmental discourses, such as rereading religious texts for their “green” character and celebrating heat-shedding architectural design, “the environment” as a term has a more uneven resonance regionally than it does in some other parts of the world. Rather, this increasing scholarly interest stems from a growing recognition within the euromerican academy of the environment as comprising intertwined social, material, political, biological, and representational worlds, and thus constituting an important focus of study.
Edges, Interfaces, and Nexus: New Paradigms for Blue Urban Landscapes in the Gulf
Authors: Grichting Anna
Published: September 2018

Gulf cities are generally characterized by their extremely rapid development with resulting demographic increases and imbalances and accompanying environmental degradation. These cities are the flagships of emerging countries that are constructing their national identity while seeking to preserve their traditions and customs and conserve their environments. As they are importing cultural and educational brands, business, and marketing models, they are also creating new hybrid forms and a particular Gulf identity or Gulf urbanism. Until now, resources, technology, and capital have allowed expansion without limits—into the ocean with landfills and artificial islands, into the sky with tall buildings, and into the desert with Zero Energy Cities. Yet the future of nonrenewable energy sources is leading Gulf cities to look towards new postcarbon identities for their countries and improved sustainability and livability for their cities.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF ENVIRONMENT: BUILDING HOUSES ALONG THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY IN JORDAN
Authors: Guarasci Bridget L.
Published: September 2018

This article analyzes the restoration of Jordan's UN Dana Biosphere Reserve cottages for ecotourism and home building in the neighboring village of Qadisiyya as competing land projects. Whereas a multimillion-dollar endowment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) restores Dana's houses as a “heritage” village for a tourist economy, families in Qadisiyya build houses with income from provisional labor to shore up a familial future. Each act of home building articulates a political claim to land. This article argues for attention to the architecture of the environment in the comparison of two, once-related villages. A comparative analysis of Dana and Qadisiyya reveals the competing socio-political objectives of home building for the future of Jordan and the implications of environment in that struggle.
REMEMBERING ZINGAL: STATE, CITIZENS, AND FORESTS IN TURKEY
Authors: Özkan Hande
Published: September 2018

This article analyzes Turkish forestry as a site of nation building. To understand the ways in which forestry shaped ideas of the state and citizenship, I explore the history and memories of the forestry enterprise, Zingal, from the early 20th century to the present. I argue that the conflicting narratives around Zingal in archives and memory are symptoms of the contradictions inherent to nationalist modernity. I also reveal the continuation of similar contradictions in the 21st century by showing how citizens’ discourse of resentment over deindustrialization can coexist with their objection to a potential nuclear industry.
Immediate selective laryngeal reinnervation in vagal paraganglioma patients
Authors: Mat Baki M , Clarke P , Birchall M A
Published: September 2018

Objective

This prospective case series aimed to present the outcomes of immediate selective laryngeal reinnervation.

Methods

Two middle-aged women with vagal paraganglioma undergoing an excision operation underwent immediate selective laryngeal reinnervation using the phrenic nerve and ansa cervicalis as the donor nerve. Multidimensional outcome measures were employed pre-operatively, and at 1, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

Results

The voice handicap index-10 score improved from 23 (patient 1) and 18 (patient 2) at 1 month post-operation, to 5 (patient 1) and 1 (patient 2) at 12 months. The Eating Assessment Tool 10 score improved from 20 (patient 1) and 24 (patient 2) at 1 month post-operation, to 3 (patient 1) and 1 (patient 2) at 12 months. There was slight vocal fold abduction observed in patient one and no obvious abduction in patient two.

Conclusion

Selective reinnervation is safe to perform following vagal paraganglioma excision conducted on the same side. Voice and swallowing improvements were demonstrated, but no significant vocal fold abduction was achieved.
Anaesthesia for ear surgery in remote or resource-constrained environments
Authors: Kaur B , Clark M P A , Lea J
Published: September 2018

Background

The successful provision of middle-ear surgery requires appropriate anaesthesia. This may take the form of local or general anaesthesia; both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Local anaesthesia is simple to administer and does not require the additional personnel required for general anaesthesia. In the low-resource setting, it can provide a very safe and effective means of allowing middle-ear surgery to be successfully completed. However, some middle-ear surgery is too complex to consider performing under local anaesthesia and here general anaesthesia will be required.

Conclusion

This article highlights considerations for performing middle-ear surgery in a safe manner when the available resources may be more limited than those expected in high-income settings. There are situations where local anaesthesia with sedation may prove a useful compromise of the two techniques.
Estimating the risk of lung cancer and cardiac mortality from doses to the lung and heart from modern tangent-only breast radiotherapy
Authors: Georgiou Loukas A. , Farmer Adam F.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) reported that the risks of breast cancer treatment in woman smokers may outweigh the benefits. The data used doses from published reports using a variety of treatment techniques. In our study, the risks of lung cancer and heart disease were determined from a modern era tangential-only technique.

Methods and materials

Doses to the lung and heart were obtained for tangential radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall. The risk of lung cancer incidence and cardiac mortality were calculated by taking the ratio of our doses to those published by the EBCTG.

Results

A total of 77 women were identified meeting our inclusion criteria. The mean combined whole lung dose was 2·0 Gy. The mean whole heart dose was 0·9 Gy. The estimated risk of lung cancer and cardiac mortality in a 50-year-old life-long smoker was estimated to be 1·5 and <1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Tangential only radiotherapy delivered substantially lower doses to the combined whole lung and whole heart than those reported by the EBCTCG. In this cohort, the risks of radiation induced lung cancer and heart disease are outweighed by the benefits of radiotherapy even in those that are smokers.
Scaling-up reasoning and advanced analytics on BigData
Authors: CONDIE TYSON , DAS ARIYAM , INTERLANDI MATTEO , SHKAPSKY ALEXANDER , YANG MOHAN , ZANIOLO CARLO
Published: September 2018

BigDatalog is an extension of Datalog that achieves performance and scalability on both Apache Spark and multicore systems to the point that its graph analytics outperform those written in GraphX. Looking back, we see how this realizes the ambitious goal pursued by deductive database researchers beginning 40 years ago: this is the goal of combining the rigor and power of logic in expressing queries and reasoning with the performance and scalability by which relational databases managed BigData. This goal led to Datalog which is based on Horn Clauses like Prolog but employs implementation techniques, such as semi-naïve fixpoint and magic sets, that extend the bottom-up computation model of relational systems, and thus obtain the performance and scalability that relational systems had achieved, as far back as the 80s, using data-parallelization on shared-nothing architectures. But this goal proved difficult to achieve because of major issues at (i) the language level and (ii) at the system level. The paper describes how (i) was addressed by simple rules under which the fixpoint semantics extends to programs using count, sum and extrema in recursion, and (ii) was tamed by parallel compilation techniques that achieve scalability on multicore systems and Apache Spark. This paper is under consideration for acceptance in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming.