bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal Cortical Dysplasia: Gene Mutations, Cell Signaling, and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Iffland Philip H. , Crino Peter B.
Published: January 2017

Focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) are malformations of cortical development (MCDs) that are highly associated with medication-resistant epilepsy and are the most common cause of neocortical epilepsy in children. FCDs are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders caused by germline or somatic mutations that occur in genes regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway—a key pathway in neuronal growth and migration. Accordingly, FCDs are characterized by abnormal cortical lamination, cell morphology (e.g., cytomegaly), and cellular polarity. In some FCD subtypes, balloon cells express proteins typically seen in neuroglial progenitor cells. Because recurrent intractable seizures are a common feature of FCDs, epileptogenic electrophysiological properties are also observed in addition to local inflammation. Here, we will summarize the current literature regarding FCDs, addressing the current classification system, histopathology, molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and transcriptome and cell signaling changes.
Dissecting Clinical Heterogeneity in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Monroe Courtney L. , Dahiya Sonika , Gutmann David H.
Published: January 2017

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurogenetic disorder in which affected children and adults are predisposed to the development of benign and malignant nervous system tumors. Caused by a germline mutation in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene, individuals with NF1 are prone to optic gliomas, malignant gliomas, neurofibromas, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, as well as behavioral, cognitive, motor, bone, cardiac, and pigmentary abnormalities. Although NF1 is a classic monogenic syndrome, the clinical features of the disorder and their impact on patient morbidity are variable, even within individuals who bear the same germline NF1 gene mutation. As such, NF1 affords unique opportunities to define the factors that contribute to disease heterogeneity and to develop therapies personalized to a given individual (precision medicine). This review highlights the clinical features of NF1 and the use of genetically engineered mouse models to define the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of NF1-associated nervous system tumors.
Hydatidiform Moles: Genetic Basis and Precision Diagnosis
Authors: Hui Pei , Buza Natalia , Murphy Kathleen M. , Ronnett Brigitte M.
Published: January 2017

Hydatidiform moles are intriguing pathologic entities representing abnormal placental villous tissue with unique genetic profiles and a wide spectrum of morphologic features, which makes accurate diagnosis challenging. Overrepresentation of the paternal genome in sporadic hydatidiform moles (purely androgenetic in complete hydatidiform moles and diandric triploid in partial hydatidiform moles) is a fundamental genetic event leading to global alteration of imprinting gene expression in the molar trophoblast. Rare familial biparental hydatidiform moles (due to NLRP7 or KHDC3L mutations) share such global imprinting alterations, implying a common end point of pathogenesis. Despite being the cornerstone of diagnosis, routine morphologic assessment of hydatidiform moles continues to suffer from interobserver diagnostic variability, emphasizing the need for new diagnostic modalities. Analyses of p57 expression by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction–based DNA genotyping have emerged as powerful diagnostic methods for accurate classification of hydatidiform moles. Algorithmic approaches combining histology and these ancillary techniques provide the best diagnostic practice currently available.
Circulating Tumor Cells: Fluid Surrogates of Solid Tumors
Authors: Thiele J.-A. , Bethel K. , Králíčková M. , Kuhn P.
Published: January 2017

Evaluation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has demonstrated clinical validity as a prognostic tool based on enumeration, but since the introduction of this tool to the clinic in 2004, further clinical utility and widespread adoption have been limited. However, immense efforts have been undertaken to further the understanding of the mechanisms behind the biology and kinetics of these rare cells, and progress continues toward better applicability in the clinic. This review describes recent advances within the field, with a particular focus on understanding the biological significance of CTCs, and summarizes emerging methods for identifying, isolating, and interrogating the cells that may provide technical advantages allowing for the discovery of more specific clinical applications. Included is an atlas of high-definition images of CTCs from various cancer types, including uncommon CTCs captured only by broadly inclusive nonenrichment techniques.
Malignant Catatonia Warrants Early Psychiatric-Critical Care Collaborative Management: Two Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Park Julia , Tan Josh , Krzeminski Sylvia , Hazeghazam Maryam , Bandlamuri Meghana , Carlson Richard W.
Published: January 2017

Malignant catatonia (MC) is a life-threatening manifestation which can occur in the setting of an underlying neuropsychiatric syndrome or general medical illness and shares clinical and pathophysiological features and medical comorbidities with the Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). The subsequent diagnosis and definitive therapy of MC are typically delayed, which increases morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of MC and review recent literature of MC and NMS, illustrating factors which delay diagnosis and management. When clinical features suggest MC or NMS, we propose early critical care consultation and stabilization with collaborative psychiatric management.
Pectoralis Major Tear with Retracted Tendon: How to Fill the Gap? Reconstruction with Hamstring Autograft and Fixation with an Interference Screw
Authors: Baverel L. , Messedi K. , Piétu G. , Crenn V. , Gouin F.
Published: January 2017

Rupture of the pectoralis major tendon is considered an uncommon injury and a significant number of ruptures are missed or diagnosed late, leading to a chronic tear. We report an open reconstruction technique and its outcomes in a case of chronic and retracted PM tear. At the last follow-up (12 months), the patient was pain-free, with a visual analogic scale at 0 all the time. He was very satisfied concerning the cosmetic and clinical results. The constant score was 93%, the SST value 95%, and the Quick DASH score 4.5. MRI performed one year postoperatively confirmed the continuity between PM tendon and graft, even if the aspect of the distal tendon seemed to be thinner than normal PM tendon. The excellent clinical outcomes at one-year follow-up suggest that PM tear with major tendon retraction can be reliably reconstructed with hamstring autograft, using a bioabsorbable screw to optimize the fixation device. This technique has proven its simplicity and efficiency to fill the gap.
Novel Chemokine-Based Immunotoxins for Potent and Selective Targeting of Cytomegalovirus Infected Cells
Authors: Spiess Katja , Jeppesen Mads G. , Malmgaard-Clausen Mikkel , Krzywkowski Karen , Kledal Thomas N. , Rosenkilde Mette M.
Published: January 2017

Immunotoxins as antiviral therapeutics are largely unexplored but have promising prospective due to their high selectivity potential and their unparalleled efficiency. One recent example targeted the virus-encoded G protein-coupled receptor US28 as a strategy for specific and efficient treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. US28 is expressed on virus-infected cells and scavenge chemokines by rapid internalization. The chemokine-based fusion-toxin protein (FTP) consisted of a variant (F49A) of CX3CL1 specifically targeting US28 linked to the catalytic domain ofPseudomonas exotoxinA (PE). Here, we systematically seek to improve F49A-FTP by modifications in its three structural domains; we generated variants with (1) altered chemokine sequence (K14A, F49L, and F49E), (2) shortened and elongated linker region, and (3) modified toxin domain. Only F49L-FTP displayed higher selectivity in its binding to US28 versus CX3CR1, the endogenous receptor for CX3CL1, but this was not matched by a more selective killing of US28-expressing cells. A longer linker and different toxin variants decreased US28 affinity and selective killing. Thereby, F49A-FTP represents the best candidate for HCMV treatment. Many viruses encode internalizing receptors suggesting that not only HCMV but also, for instance, Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus may be targeted by FTPs.
Chemical Compositional Analysis of Catalytic Hydroconversion Products of Heishan Coal Liquefaction Residue
Authors: Yue Xiaoming , Wu Yajun , Zhang Shuangquan , Yang Xiaoqin , Wei Xianyong
Published: January 2017

Liquefaction residue of Heishan bituminous coal (HLR) was subject to two hydroconversion reactions under 5 MPa initial pressure of hydrogen at 300°C for 3 h, without catalyst and with acid supported catalyst (ASC), respectively. The reaction products were analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results show that 222 organic compounds were detected totally in the products and they can be divided into alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons (AHCs), phenols, ketones, ethers, and other species (OSs). The yield of hydroconversion over the ASC is much higher than that without catalyst. The most abundant products are aromatic hydrocarbons in the reaction products from both catalytic and noncatalytic reactions of HLR. The yield of aromatic hydrocarbons in the reaction product from hydroconversion with the ACS is considerably higher than that from hydroconversion without a catalyst.
A Case of “Refractory” Neuropsychiatric Lupus Responsive to Anticoagulation
Authors: Wu Rui , Hu Sun
Published: January 2017

Neuropsychiatric disorder is a severe complication in 14% to 75% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, which can result in significant morbidity. A 15-year-old female SLE patient with coexistence of dural sinus thrombosis and intracerebral hemorrhage resistant to two pulses of high dose of glucocorticoid was treated with anticoagulation of the low-molecular-weight [LMW] heparin subcutaneously followed by warfarin. The patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response.
Certificateless Public Auditing Protocol withConstantVerification Time
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Jeong Ik Rae
Published: January 2017

To provide the integrity of outsourced data in the cloud storage services, many public auditing schemes which allow a user to check the integrity of the outsourced data have been proposed. Since most of the schemes are constructed on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), they suffer from several concerns like management of certificates. To resolve the problems,certificatelesspublic auditing schemes also have been studied in recent years. In this paper, we propose a certificateless public auditing scheme which has theconstant-time verification algorithm. Therefore, our scheme is more efficient than previous certificateless public auditing schemes. To prove the security of our certificateless public auditing scheme, we first define three formal security models and prove the security of our scheme under the three security models.
Effects of Aspirin and Intrauterine Balloon on Endometrial Repair and Reproductive Prognosis in Patients with Severe Intrauterine Adhesion: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Yuqing , Liu Lixiang , Luo Yuanna , Chen Minghui , Huan Yang , Fang Ruili
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effects of estrogen in combination with aspirin and intrauterine balloon on the uterine endometrial repair and reproductive prognosis in patients after surgery for severe intrauterine adhesion (sIUA). We prospectively recruited 114 patients with sIUA. Intrauterine device (IUD) was placed and oral estrogen was administered after surgery. Patients were divided into control group and aspirin group. In addition, patients in aspirin group were subdivided into nonballoon group and balloon group. Results showed that, after therapy, the increase in endometrial thickness of aspirin groups was superior to control group (P<0.05). The scores of intrauterine adhesion and menstruation were significantly improved in balloon group as compared to nonballoon group and control group, and significant differences were also observed between nonballoon group and control group (P<0.05). Of 97 patients, 44.3% became pregnant after surgery, the live birth rate was 27.8%, and the miscarriage rate was 37.2%, but there were no significant differences among three groups (P>0.05). Thus, aspirin may promote the uterine endometrial growth and repair after surgery for sIUA, and IUD in combination with intrauterine balloon may reduce the recurrence of intrauterine adhesion, but their effect on the reproductive prognosis is required to be further studied.
Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of 48 Patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease in a Single Center Study from Shanghai, China (2005–2015): New Studies and a Literature Review
Authors: Wu Jing , Wang Wei-Fan , Zhang Yi-Dan , Chen Tong-Xin
Published: January 2017

Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a rare inherited primary immunodeficiency, which is characterized by recurrent infections due to defective phagocyte NADPH oxidase enzyme. Nowadays, little is known about Chinese CGD patients. Here we report 48 CGD patients in our single center study, which is the largest cohort study from Mainland China. The ratio of male to female was 11 : 1. The mean onset age was 0.29 years old, and 52% patients had an onset within the 1st month of life. The mean diagnosis age was 2.24 years old. 11 patients (23%) had died with an average age of 2.91 years old. 13 patients (28%) had positive family histories. The most prevalent infectious sites were the lungs (77%), followed by gastrointestinal tract (54%), lymph nodes (50%), and skin (46%). In addition, septicopyemia, thrush, and hepatosplenomegaly were also commonly observed, accounting for 23%, 23%, and 40% of the cases. Lesions due to BCG vaccination occurred in more than half of the patients. X-linked CGD due toCYBBgene mutations accounted for 75% of the cases, and 11 of them were novel mutations. Autosomal recessive inheritance accounted for 6% patients, including 1 patient withCYBA,1 withNCF1, and 1 withNCF2gene mutations.
A Novel Procedure for the Immediate Reconstruction of Severely Resorbed Alveolar Sockets for Advanced Periodontal Disease
Authors: Aimetti Mario , Manavella Valeria , Cricenti Luca , Romano Federica
Published: January 2017

Background. Several clinical techniques and a variety of biomaterials have been introduced over the years in an effort to overcome bone remodeling and resorption after tooth extraction. However, the predictability of these procedures in sockets with severely resorbed buccal/lingual plate due to periodontal disease is still unknown. Case Description. A patient with advanced periodontitis underwent extraction of upper right lateral and central incisors. The central incisor exhibited complete buccal bone plate loss and a 9 mm vertical bone deficiency on its palatal side. The alveolar sockets were filled with collagen sponge and covered with a nonresorbable high-density PTFE membrane. Primary closure was not attained and any rigid scaffold material was not used. Histologic analysis provided evidence of new bone formation. At 12 months a cone-beam computed tomographic scan revealed enough bone volume to insert two conventional dental implants in conjunction with minor horizontal bone augmentation procedures. Clinical Implications. This case report would seem to support the potential of the proposed reconstructive approach in changing the morphology of severely resorbed alveolar sockets, minimizing the need for advanced bone regeneration procedures during implant placement.
Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) Travel to Resting Trees in a Seasonal Forest of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Parada-López Julián , Valenta Kim , Chapman Colin A. , Reyna-Hurtado Rafael
Published: January 2017

Resting by primates is considered an understudied activity, relative to feeding or moving, despite its importance in physiological and time investment terms. Here we describe spider monkeys' (Ateles geoffroyi) travel from feeding to resting trees in a seasonal tropical forest of the Yucatan Peninsula. We followed adult and subadult individuals for as long as possible, recording their activities and spatial location to construct travel paths. Spider monkeys spent 44% of the total sampling time resting. In 49% of the cases, spider monkeys fed and subsequently rested in the same tree, whereas in the remaining cases they travelled a mean distance of 108.3 m. Spider monkeys showed high linear paths (mean linearity index = 0.77) to resting trees when they travelled longer distances than their visual field, which suggests travel efficiency and reduced travel cost. Resting activity is time consuming and affects the time available to search for food and engage in social interactions.
Evidence for the Sea Peoples from Biblical and Later Jewish Writing from Late Antiquity
Authors: Peiper Adam
Published: January 2017

The French Egyptologist Emmanuel de Rougé termed the sea-borne foreign invaders who invaded Egypt during the late Bronze Age on the basis of the Great Karnak inscription, “peuples de la mer” or Sea Peoples. Recently however, specialists, in the absence of more direct evidence of the use of this term in antiquity, have called into question its historical provenance and have even declared it a “modern term”. Ancient Jewish writings, by contrast, refer to several Peoples of the Sea which notably include the Philistines. Moreover, close examination of the orthography of biblical ethnonyms in the context of migratory sea passages in both the Masoretic text and the Septuagint demonstrates the existence of a previously undescribed productive genitive sea-borne indicator within the very fabric of the biblical text.
Intertidal Bryozoa from Korea—new additions to the fauna and a new genus of Bitectiporidae (Cheilostomata) from Baengnyeong Island, Yellow Sea
Authors: MIN BUM SIK , SEO JI EUN , GRISCHENKO ANDREI V. , GORDON DENNIS P.
Published: January 2017

Eight species are added to the intertidal bryozoan fauna of South Korea, all collected from the extreme northwestern part of the country at Baengnyeong Island. Five of the species (Hippothoa imperforata, Celleporella hyalina, Celleporella nodasakae, Porella donoghueorum and Suhius rubescentis) are new records. Cauloramphus dicki n. sp., Cauloramphus spencerjonesae n. sp., and Exochella cryptodontia n. sp. are new to science; Suhius n. gen. is a newly recognized genus in Bitectiporidae. The close morphological similarity of umbonuloid-shielded P. donoghueorum to Australasian and Antarctic species of lepralioid-shielded species of Aimulosia is discussed in relation to ascophoran phylogeny. The described cheilostome fauna from South Korea is herein increased to 121 species.
Systematics of some calloporid and lacernid Cheilostomata (Bryozoa) from coastal South Korean waters, with the description of new taxa
Authors: MIN BUM SIK , SEO JI EUN , GRISCHENKO ANDREI V. , LEE SANG-KYU , GORDON DENNIS P.
Published: January 2017

Six species in two families of Cheilostomata—Calloporidae and Lacernidae—are described from the southern coasts of the Korean Peninsula, resulting in a new distributional record and four new species to the Korean fauna. Further, Woosukia n. gen. is described, based on an existing species. Two species names (Crassimarginatella crassimarginata and Arthropoma cecilii) are deleted from the Korean faunal list owing to previous misidentification, with the net result that the Korean cheilostome fauna is increased to 125 species. The new additions to the fauna are: Crassimarginatella kumatae (Okada), Retevirgula asiana n. sp., Woosukia subhexagona (Ortmann), Arthropoma magniporosum n. sp., Arthropoma minus n. sp., and Phonicosia crena n. sp. The biogeographic relationships of some western Pacific taxa are discussed.
An interesting new genus of Berothinae (Neuroptera: Berothidae) from the early Eocene Green River Formation, Colorado
Authors: MAKARKIN VLADIMIR N.
Published: January 2017

Xenoberotha angustialata gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) is described from the early Eocene of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation (U.S.A., Colorado). It is assigned to Berothinae as an oldest known member of the subfamily based on the presence of scale-like setae on the foreleg coxae. Distal crossveins of the fourth (outer) gradate series which are located very close to the wing margin in Xenoberotha gen. nov. is a character state previously unknown in Berothinae.
Aortic arch reconstruction: deep and moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion
Authors: Wu YanWen , Xiao LiQiong , Yang Ting , Wang Lei , Chen Xin
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To compare the effects of moderate and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (SACP) during aortic arch surgery in adult patients and to offer the evidence for the detection of the temperature which provides best brain protection in the subjects who accept aortic arch reconstruction surgery.

Methods:

A total of 109 patients undergoing surgery of the aortic arch were divided into the moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest group (Group I) and the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group (Group II). We recorded the data of the patients and their cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic clamping time, SACP time and postoperative anesthetized recovery time, tracheal intubation time, time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and postoperative neurologic dysfunction.

Results:

Patient characteristics were similar in the two groups. There were four patients who died in Group II and 1 patient in Group I. There were no significant differences in aortic clamping time of each group (111.4±58.4 vs. 115.9±16.2) min; SACP time (27.4±5.9 vs. 23.5±6.1) min of the moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest group and the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group; there were significant differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (207.4±20.9 vs. 263.8±22.6) min, postoperative anesthetized recovery time (19.0±11.1 vs. 36.8±25.3) hours, extubation time (46.4±15.1 vs. 64.4±6.0) hours; length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (4.7±1.7 vs. 8±2.3) days and postoperative neurologic dysfunction in the two groups.

Conclusion:

Compared to deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest can provide better brain protection and achieve good clinical results.
A Review of Complications and Their Treatments in Facial Aesthetic Surgery
Authors: Guthrie Ashley , Kadakia Sameep , Cranford Jeffrey , Sawhney Raja , Ducic Yadranko
Published: January 2017

Aesthetic surgery has become increasingly popular in the last several decades, with facial aesthetic surgery accounting for a large percentage of the procedures performed. With this surge in popularity and the increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries and procedures completed, comes an inevitable increase in the number of complications encountered. This review elucidates common complications and effective management of frequently performed cosmetic facial surgeries. This article represents a general overview of the topic. For a more exhaustive review, the reader is encouraged to turn their attention to the facial plastics and additional surgical subspecialty literature. Aesthetic procedures discussed in this article include rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, facial augmentation, otoplasty, brow lift, blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing and chemical peels, and facial injections.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and School-Based Victimization and Perpetration
Authors: Forster Myriam , Gower Amy L. , McMorris Barbara J. , Borowsky Iris W.
Published: January 2017

Retrospective studies using adult self-report data have demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase risk of violence perpetration and victimization. However, research examining the associations between adolescent reports of ACE and school violence involvement is sparse. The present study examines the relationship between adolescent reported ACE and multiple types of on-campus violence (bringing a weapon to campus, being threatened with a weapon, bullying, fighting, vandalism) for boys and girls as well as the risk of membership in victim, perpetrator, and victim–perpetrator groups. The analytic sample was comprised of ninth graders who participated in the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey ( n ~ 37,000). Multinomial logistic regression models calculated the risk of membership for victim only, perpetrator only, and victim–perpetrator subgroups, relative to no violence involvement, for students with ACE as compared with those with no ACE. Separate logistic regression models assessed the association between cumulative ACE and school-based violence, adjusting for age, ethnicity, family structure, poverty status, internalizing symptoms, and school district size. Nearly 30% of students were exposed to at least one ACE. Students with ACE represent 19% of no violence, 38% of victim only, 40% of perpetrator only, and 63% of victim–perpetrator groups. There was a strong, graded relationship between ACE and the probability of school-based victimization: physical bullying for boys but not girls, being threatened with a weapon, and theft or property destruction ( ps < .001) and perpetration: bullying and bringing a weapon to campus ( ps < .001), with boys especially vulnerable to the negative effects of cumulative ACE. We recommend that schools systematically screen for ACE, particularly among younger adolescents involved in victimization and perpetration, and develop the infrastructure to increase access to trauma-informed intervention services. Future research priorities and implications are discussed.
Ghanaian Women’s Knowledge and Perceptions of Services Available to Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Anyemedu Akua , Tenkorang Eric Y. , Dold Patricia
Published: January 2017

This article presents qualitative findings on women’s knowledge and perceptions of services available to victims of domestic violence in Ghana. In addition, the challenges to access of service and service delivery are explored. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 female residents of Sowutuom, a periurban community in Accra, Ghana. An additional three semistructured interviews were also conducted with local service providers in Accra. Results showed that awareness among respondents of available services was low. The majority of women had heard of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, though they had limited knowledge of the kind of support provided by this service provider. In addition, most women expressed doubt in the ability of these services to adequately handle cases of intimate partner violence. This study demonstrates that more educational campaigns need to be carried out to raise awareness among Ghanaians on domestic violence and the formal interventions available in the country.
Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among Tanzanian migrants: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Norris Alison H , Loewenberg Weisband Yiska , Wiles Melissa , Ickovics Jeannette R
Published: January 2017

For the many millions of migrants, mobility creates vulnerabilities and elevates risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We document, among Tanzanian agricultural plantation residents, migrant characteristics and test associations between migrant status and prevalent STI (HSV-2, syphilis, and HIV). From 623 plantation resident participants, we limit this analysis to participants about whom we know migration status (migrants n = 242, non-migrants n = 291). We collected behavioral data via audio-computer assisted self-interview survey, and clinical data via STI testing. We used multivariate Poisson regression models, stratified by gender and controlling for behavioral risk factors, to measure associations between migrant status and STI. In men, HIV prevalence was 9% for migrants, and 6% for non-migrants. HSV-2 prevalence was 57% for migrants, and 32% for non-migrants. Syphilis prevalence was 12% for migrants, and 3% for non-migrants. Among women, there were few differences in STI prevalence by migrant status: prevalence of HIV was 6% vs. 5% (migrants vs. non-migrants); HSV-2 prevalence was 68% vs. 65%; and syphilis prevalence was 11% vs. 8%. Being a male migrant was significantly associated with increased prevalence of any STI after controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics (APR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.23–5.25). Migrant women did not have increased prevalence of STI as compared to non-migrant women (APR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.85–1.24). Amongst Tanzanian agricultural workers, male migrants experienced elevated risk for prevalent STI as compared to male non-migrants. We suggest structural interventions to reduce risks associated with migration, especially in male migrants, including workplace-based STI prevention programs, and connecting migrants to resources and support within new communities. The key messages are: migrant men experience significantly elevated risk for prevalent STI, above and beyond sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors, as compared to their non-migrant peers; women in this Tanzanian agricultural plantation community overall had higher prevalence of some STIs than men, migrant women had similar STI risk as non-migrant women; and migration for work, an economic strategy for millions, also creates vulnerabilities, so workplace-based STI prevention programs and connecting migrants to community resources are essential.
Apostles of anti-philosophy: Badiou and Lyotard
Authors: McCaffrey Enda
Published: January 2017

This article explores the impact of the turn in French theological thought in the 1980s by focusing on one of its consequences – the advent of anti-philosophy as act. In his work L’antiphilosophie de Wittgenstein (2009a), Alain Badiou explored the main aspects of anti-philosophy: the void, non-thought, anti-historicism. Drawing on this work and with specific reference to Badiou’s Saint Paul: La fondation de l’universalisme (1997) and Jean-François Lyotard’s La Confession d’Augustin (1998), I argue that, as a category of truth founded in the void, the anti-philosophical act enables Badiou to traverse the divisional effects of religious and cultural relativism and reposition subjectivity and eventiveness outside historicism and sophistry. Lyotard, I maintain, extends anti-philosophy through the idiom of poetic composition as an exercise in elimination, and through confession as a process that reveals the rift between the expression of an event and its immanence. Badiou and Lyotard revise our understanding of belief through anti-philosophy as an act that forgoes the ideology of cultural relativism for the purity of thought.
Self-defeating austerity? Assessing the impact of a fiscal consolidation on unemployment
Authors: Lopes João Carlos , do Amaral João Ferreira
Published: January 2017

The great recession of 2008/2009 had a huge impact on unemployment and public finances in most advanced countries, and these impacts were magnified in the southern Euro area by the sovereign debt crisis of 2010/2011. The fiscal consolidation imposed by the European Union on highly indebted countries was based on the assumptions of so-called expansionary austerity. However, the reality so far provides proof to the contrary, and the results outlined in this article support the opposing view of a self-defeating austerity. Based on a model of the input–output relations of the productive system, an unemployment rate/budget balance trade-off equation is derived, as well as the impact of a strong fiscal consolidation based on social transfers and the notion of a neutral budget balance. An application to the Portuguese case confirms the huge costs of a strong fiscal consolidation, both in terms of unemployment and social policy regress. The conclusion is that too much consolidation in anyone year makes consolidation more difficult in the following year.
Discrete element method simulations of fracture in concrete under uniaxial compression based on its real internal structure
Authors: Suchorzewski Jan , Tejchman Jacek , Nitka Michał
Published: January 2017

The paper describes experimental and numerical results of concrete fracture under quasi-static uniaxial compression. Experimental uniaxial compression tests were performed on concrete cubic specimens. Fracture in concrete was detected at the aggregate level by means of three non-destructive methods: three-dimensional X-ray microcomputed tomography, two-dimensional scanning electron microscope and manual two-dimensional digital microscope. The discrete element method was used to directly simulate experiments. Concrete was modelled as a random heterogeneous four-phase material composed of aggregate particles, cement matrix, interfacial transitional zones and macrovoids based on experimental images. Two- and three-dimensional analyses were carried out. In two-dimensional analyses, the real aggregate shape was created by means of clusters of spheres. In three-dimensional calculations, spheres were solely used. A satisfactory agreement between numerical and experimental results was achieved in two-dimensional analyses. The model was capable of accurately predicting complex crack paths and the corresponding stress–strain responses observed in experiments.
Development of a new algorithm for fluid sloshing-vehicle dynamic coupled simulation and its experimental validation
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad Hossein , Durali Mohammad
Published: January 2017

Traditional methods for analyzing the dynamics of fluid-carrying vehicles such as pendulum or mass–spring models do not yield accurate results, thus seeking new methods for investigating the dynamics of these vehicles is desirable. The objective of this study is to find a new methodology for handling the dynamics of such systems. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed by which a data bridge is implemented between two commercial software programs such that a coupled simulation of the carrier and fluid dynamics is achieved. Unlike alternative mechanical models, the most important feature of this method is its validity during all events regardless of carrier position and orientation. Finally, this approach is validated by experiments. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with simulations. In addition, unlike existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm is numerically stable.
Adapting evidence-based behavioral weight loss programs for emerging adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: LaRose Jessica Gokee , Tate Deborah F , Lanoye Autumn , Fava Joseph L , Jelalian Elissa , Blumenthal Megan , Caccavale Laura J , Wing Rena R
Published: January 2017

Emerging adults are at high risk of obesity but behavioral weight loss programs do not meet their needs. Emerging adults ( N = 52, age = 22.3 ± 2 years, body mass index = 34.2 ± 5.5 kg/m2, 46.2% non-Hispanic White) were randomly assigned to one of three behavioral weight loss programs adapted based on formative work: face-to-face behavioral weight loss, web-based behavioral weight loss, or web plus optional community sessions (Hybrid). Assessments occurred at 0 and 3 months. Engagement and self-monitoring were highest in Hybrid. Intent-to-treat weight losses were −2.8 ± 2.9 percent in face-to-face behavioral weight loss, −2.2 ± 4.5 percent in web-based behavioral weight loss, and 4.8 ± 4.9 percent in Hybrid. Percent achieving ⩾5 percent weight loss was highest in Hybrid (63%). Findings suggest potential for adapted behavioral weight loss to promote engagement and weight loss in emerging adults.
Lay theories of health, self-rated health, and health behavior intentions
Authors: Bunda Kathryn , Busseri Michael A
Published: January 2017

We used an experimental design to examine young adults’ ( N = 247; M age = 19.71; 86% female) intentions to engage in health-promoting behaviors in relation to beliefs concerning whether health is malleable or fixed, and how their health is unfolding over time. Individuals in the incremental (health is malleable) and control conditions viewed their health as improving over time; those in the entity (health is fixed) condition viewed their health as relatively stable. Individuals with more incremental theories of health and those who viewed their health as improving over time (particularly past to present) reported stronger health-promoting behavior intentions.
Design method of dynamic parameters of a self-synchronization vibrating system with dual mass
Authors: Zhao Chunyu , He Bin , Liu Junjiang , Han Yanlong , Wen Bangchun
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a design method of dynamic parameters for the self-synchronization vibrating conveyor with two exciters. The dimensionless coupling equations of the two exciters are derived by using the average method of modified small parameters and the synchronization and stability criteria are deduced from the existence and stability conditions of the dimensionless coupling equations. The two exciters loading coefficient is a periodic function of the phase difference between the two exciters and the extreme point of synchronization is either the minimum or maximum point of the two exciters loading coefficient. There are two ridges in the three-dimensional graphs of the characteristic amplitude and the force transmission coefficient on the plane of the two design frequency ratios, respectively. One ridge of both the characteristic amplitude and the force transmission coefficient is distributed along the curve segment of the one natural frequency ratio in the direction of the working mass frequency ratio approaching to zero, but the other ridge of the characteristic amplitude and that of the force transmission coefficient go along the curve segments of the other natural frequency ratio in the directions that the isolation mass frequency ratio and the working mass frequency ratio approach to infinity, respectively. The design procedure of the dynamic parameters is proposed by numerically and experimentally discussing the effects of the dynamic parameters on the performance parameters of vibrating system. A design example of the vibrating conveyor is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design method.
Epilogue: Timing the study of news temporality
Authors: Zelizer Barbie
Published: January 2017

This epilogue argues that time matters in journalism’s operation but is not sufficiently considered in its study. It focuses on the temporal expectations associated with the digital environment, highlighting problems with an overemphasis on the present in studies of news production, a lack of temporality in discussions of news engagement, and a failure to consider the temporal depletion associated with journalism’s future.
No strangers to adversity: Resilience-promoting practices among South African women child protection social workers
Authors: Truter Elmien , Theron Linda , Fouché Ansie
Published: January 2017

Globally the well-being of child protection social workers (CPSWs) is placed at risk by the taxing nature of their profession. In response, there have been international calls for the prioritization of CPSWs’ resilience. Despite the call to enhance the resilience of CPSWs, to date, only five research studies have explored resilience processes in CPSWs. In this article, we present findings that describe resilience-enhancing practices in the lives of 15 South African CPSWs who were considered resilient. They were recruited by means of snowball sampling and engaged in in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that the overall well-being and functioning of these 15 South African CPSWs are endangered by several occupational risk factors including work pressure, inadequate professional support, financial strain, challenges unique to CPSW such as removal of children and exposure to aggressive clients, and emotional exhaustion. Their resilience was informed by four differently weighted but interrelated resilience practices: practice- and purpose-informing creeds, support systems, constructive transactions, and accentuating the positive. These practices are potentially useful to contribute to the body of knowledge on CPSWs’ resilience as well as to the development of resilience-enhancing guidelines and subsequent intervention programmes with the purpose of protecting CPSWs globally and contributing to efficient service delivery. However, given the dynamic nature of resilience, continued explorations of CPSW resilience processes in different cultural contexts are needed.
Interest Group and Lobbying Research in a Higher Level Context: Two Tests of Integrating Multiple Levels of Analysis
Authors: Holyoke Thomas T.
Published: January 2017

Scholarship on interest groups and lobbying has become bifurcated between the dominant micro-level research on the choices of individual groups and macro-level research on group-level populations, especially the work of Gray and Lowery, with almost no integration of the two. Failure to integrate levels of analysis, unfortunately, will impede future progress in the subfield. I discuss some of the challenges to integrating research at multiple levels and then propose a solution which I test by re-analyzing two of my micro-level research projects now combined with Gray and Lowery’ macro-level density variable using hierarchical modeling. It turns out that grouping micro-level observations by group interest niches matters in the statistical analysis, though the effects of varying group population density are more subtle.
Grindr, Scruff, and on the Hunt: Predictors of Condomless Anal Sex, Internet Use, and Mobile Application Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Whitfield Darren L. , Kattari Shanna K. , Walls N. Eugene , Al-Tayyib Alia
Published: January 2017

In 2016, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise more than half of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States, with the primary mode of infection being condomless anal sex (CAS). While studies report an association between use of Internet-based social networking sites and increased CAS, the research on the relationship between cell phone mobile applications (e.g., Grindr, Scruff, Jack’d) and CAS is much less developed. The present study examines whether the manner in which gay, bisexual, and other MSM find sexual partners predicts an increase in likelihood of engaging in CAS in an urban, noncoastal U.S. city. Conducting a secondary data analysis of the 2011 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance survey for Denver ( N = 546), the authors performed binary logistic regression analyses to assess the models that predict how MSM find sexual partners, and the odds of engaging in CAS. While the results suggest that age and race are associated with the mode of finding sexual partners, using the Internet or a mobile app to find sexual partners was not predictive of CAS ( ZWald = .41, p = .52; ZWald = .80, p = .37). In terms of HIV prevention, these findings suggest a need for intervention to address HIV prevention on multiple levels (e.g., individual, group, community).
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: Chest X-ray or lung ultrasound? A systematic review
Authors: Hiles Matthew , Culpan Anne-Marie , Watts Catriona , Munyombwe Theresa , Wolstenhulme Stephen
Published: January 2017

Background and aim

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a leading cause of morbidity in preterm new-born babies (<37 weeks gestation age). The current diagnostic reference standard includes clinical testing and chest radiography with associated exposure to ionising radiation. The aim of this review was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound against the reference standard in symptomatic neonates of ≤42 weeks gestation age.

Methods

A systematic search of literature published between 1990 and 2016 identified 803 potentially relevant studies. Six studies met the review inclusion criteria and were retrieved for analysis. Quality assessment was performed before data extraction and meta-analysis.

Results

Four prospective cohort studies and two case control studies included 480 neonates. All studies were of moderate methodological quality although heterogeneity was evident across the studies. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of lung ultrasound were 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94–99%) and 91% (CI: 86–95%) respectively. False positive diagnoses were made in 16 cases due to pneumonia (n = 8), transient tachypnoea (n = 3), pneumothorax (n = 1) and meconium aspiration syndrome (n = 1); the diagnoses of the remaining three false positive results were not specified. False negatives diagnoses occurred in nine cases, only two were specified as air-leak syndromes.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound was highly sensitive for the detection of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome although there is potential to miss co-morbid air-leak syndromes. Further research into lung ultrasound diagnostic accuracy for neonatal air-leak syndrome and economic modelling for service integration is required before lung ultrasound can replace chest radiography as the imaging component of the reference standard.
Assessing the efficiency of maintenance operators: A case study of turning railway wheelsets on an under-floor wheel lathe
Authors: Andrade Antonio Ramos , Stow Julian
Published: January 2017

This article assesses the technical efficiency of different operators turning railway wheelsets on an under-floor wheel lathe. This type of lathe is a computer numerical control machine used to turn wheelsets in situ on the train. As railway wheels are turned, a certain amount of the wheel diameter is lost to restore the tread profile and full flange thickness of the wheel. The technical efficiencies of the different wheel lathe operators are assessed using a stochastic frontier analysis, while controlling for other explaining variables such as the flange thickness and the occurrence of rolling contact fatigue defects, wheel flats and cavities. Different model specifications for the stochastic frontier analysis are compared with linear mixed model specifications, showing that the stochastic frontier analysis model exhibits a better Akaike information criterion.
Massive open online courses: a resource for health education in developing countries
Authors: Liyanagunawardena Tharindu R. , Aboshady Omar A.
Published: January 2017

Developing countries are suffering from increasing burdens presented by both non-communicable and emerging infectious diseases. Health education is an important step to fight against these mostly preventable diseases. E-learning has been shown to be one of the tools that address some of the training challenges experienced in developing countries by supporting efficient content delivery, decreasing costs and increasing access. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are a recent innovative presentation of online learning that have attracted millions of learners from all over the world. In this commentary, we propose MOOCs as a potential tool to offer a tremendous opportunity to fulfil the unmet training needs of the health sector in developing countries in two complementary ways: as a resource for training healthcare professionals; and as a resource for the general public. Potential barriers to accessing MOOCs and possible solutions are also discussed.