bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English Speech Acts of Illocutionary Force in Class Interaction
Authors: Bahing - , Emzir - , Rafli Zainal
Published: July 2018

The goal of research was to achieve a deep comprehension of English speech acts of illocutionary force. The method applied was ethnography of communication. In relation with an approach, I applied the qualitative one. In the data collection procedures, I applied the ethnography method, i.e. field observation, recording, transcription, interview, and field notes. In analyzing the data, I used the model of communication analysis, such as analysis of: communication situation, communication events, and communication acts. The findings showed that (1) the realization of speech acts of illocutionary directive had been the dominant one, (2) the realization of Grice’s maxims had been conducted “Good” as shown by the achievement index of 78. 431 %, while the hit of maxims reached the index of 21.569 %, (3) the realization of direct and indirect speech acts proved that the question intonation (Ok?, No?, Here?, Clear?, Really?), question marks (What, Who, Where, When, Which, How), question words (Are, Is, Am, Can, May, Will, Shall), and the verbal ones (Explain!, Give Comment!, Give Example!, Look at!) were used significantly, (4) the use of direct speech acts was more dominant than the indirect speech acts, (5) the hit of Grice’s maxims of cooperative principles in speaking occurred, such as hit of the maxims: quality, and manner, (6) the most significant finding was the illocutionary speech act of directive owned higher social status than the illocutionary assertive, (7) lastly, the use of speech act was highly determined by the contexts of situation and social cultures.
Genre Crossing in Jamaica Kincaid’s ‘Girl’: From Short Fiction to Poetry
Authors: Ahmad Rabea Reem , Adel Almahameed Nusaiba
Published: July 2018

The paper intends to reread Jamaica Kincaid’s short story, ‘Girl’ (1978) and provide new insights into its understanding. It aims to analyse the poetic qualities, word choice, and structure of the text that are left not fully discussed by recent scholarship. The structure as well as the poetic language of ‘Girl’ make it an unconventional piece of writing falling between two literary categories and so hard to classify. ‘Girl’ apparently violates rules and transgresses conventions by being both poetic and going beyond the traditional fictional structure of a short story. The paper argues that ‘Girl’ is an unconventional piece of literature that crosses the borders of a short story to poetry. First, it obviously lacks the traditional structure to be classified as a short story. Second, the text embraces several poetic techniques which reveal it as poetry written in prose. Therefore, the paper purports to carefully consider the poetic techniques and rhetorical devices found in ‘Girl’ and make it much closer to a prose poem than a short story. The story depicts a pre-adolescent female being dictated by the instructions of a sharp-tongued mother who teaches her how to become a lady- both in the private setting of the house as well as in public- in contrast to what it is like for a woman growing up in Antigua. The paper’s considerations of Kincaid’s depictions of mother, daughter, and their relationship illuminate the poetic traits found including repetition, sound devices and word choice. The paper’s interpretation of ‘Girl’ reveals its poetic nature for being thoroughly repetitive and alliterative piece. The text’s repetitive quality does not only stimulate the reader’s intellectual appreciation of the text’s thematic notions and meanings but also promotes an overall unifying effect.
Need Analysis for Developing Translation’s Textbook base on TEFL Pedagogical Purpose in Indonesia: English Teachers’ Perspectives
Authors: Siregar Masitowarni , Sinar T. Silvana , Saragih Amrin , Lubis Syahron
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study was to find out the Prospective English teachers’ perspective on the development of translation’s textbook base on Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Pedagogical purpose. Therefore, the quantitative research was applied to gather the data. By using the questionnaire with Likert Scale, the quantitative data were collected from 100 prospective English teachers in Indonesia. As a result, from nine aspects questioned to the prospective English teachers, most of them (92%) said that the translation’s textbook base on TEFL Pedagogical purpose was significantly needed. Therefore, the English Education Study Program (EESP) in Indonesia should use translation for teaching English purpose not for professional career in translation. Therefore, Translation as a TEFL purpose model is the most suitable model to be applied in EESP in Indonesia.
Moral Values in Oral Tradition Bekesah Puspakrama at the Sasak Community in the West Nusa Tenggara (A Structural and Semiotic Review)
Authors: Turmuzi Ahmad , Emzir E. , Lustyantie Ninuk
Published: July 2018

This study aims to gain a deep understanding in detail in accordance with the research focus on “Moral Values in Oral Tradition of Bekesah Puspakrama at the Sasak Community in the West Nusa Tenggara”. This research is not bound by the place because this research is library research. The approach used is qualitative, structural and semiotic approach design with content analysis technique. As a whole the text on Bekesah Puspakrama script consists of 533 verses of song and 152 pages. The researchers found 230 verses of song containing moral values according to sub-focus. Oral tradition is a cultural heritage of a society of previous generations that still exist today and become an identity for the community. The oral tradition of Bekesah Puspakrama has a position and serves as a system of social protection and control, ritual and cultural identity, as well as education and instruction for the Sasak community. The implications and targets aimed at this research have an impact on Indonesian language education and Indonesian literary majors, especially on the teaching of oral literature and oral tradition, especially those related to the content of values in the manuscript. Furthermore, it is expected as one of the alternative teaching materials and can be used as a reference in analyzing other literary works.
Ambivalence of Identity as an Extension of Colonial Discourse in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger
Authors: Kaya Göksel
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is to critically analyse the identity issue based on postcolonial theory in one of the most important novels of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and another novel, The White Tiger with which Indian writer Aravind Adiga won the Booker Prize in 2008. This study attempts to implement such an exploration not only in the context of western thought, but also from different angles with the realities of the oppressed nations of the Third World, especially India in order to construct the ‘other’ based on the other individuality. Both of the prominent writers in their works lay bare many scenes that focus on the problems of the heroes creating the basis of the events in question. That is why they take into consideration the state of the individual, because the central characters’ conflicts and developments present different aspects of the novel while constructing the individuality and identity behind the societal problems in terms of class conflict. They live under different circumstances to discover themselves and in each of the novels we can bear witness to the existence of some characters who achieve a sense of personal and social identity in the Victorian society of England, a time when great social and economic changes were taking place; and then in India where people suffer from the administrations of the members of Gandhi family led by especially Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. This study thereby examines how the individuals are exposed to the social, economic and political factors of the country where they live.
Progress in Powder Coating Technology Using Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Adhikari Sangeeta , Selvaraj Seenivasan , Kim Do‐Heyoung
Published: July 2018

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has found versatile applications in energy, environmental, and anthropogenic systems. The self‐terminating surface chemistry characteristic of ALD allows for atomic‐level control over film thickness and has unlocked attractive avenues for the development of novel nanostructured systems. Substantial modifications of standard ALD processes are achieved with the advent of powder coating technology using ALD. The basic principle of ALD is demonstrated along with a focus on the significant parameters governing the process in order to achieve good surface characteristics. The aim of this review is to explore the challenges faced in the development of reactors for powder coatings and solve the problems associated with particle distribution in the reactors. A theoretical briefing on the agglomeration phenomena in particles is provided for a better understanding of the typical particle sizes and their distributions in reactor systems. The gradual improvement in reactor designs, with particular emphasis on the homogeneous distribution of particles, is also discussed. Conclusively, the authors also review the emerging applications where this technology is being explored to overcome surface defects through the control of atomic growth on particles.
Exotic Metamaterials from Noncommutative Theory
Authors: Prudencio Thiago , Belich Humberto
Published: July 2018

Exotic optical properties in materials are investigated as a consequence of noncommutative geometry (NCG) originated from deformed Heisenberg algebra. The NCG leads to modified eletromagnetism and then changes the constitutive relations that allow the determination of refractive index and impedance of the medium for different materials. Considering different situations where permittivity and permeability are obtained depending on NCG parameters, in dielectric, nonmagnetic, and magnetic cases, exotic conditions associated with metamaterial properties are obtained as the presence of negative index refraction under a generalized susceptibility depending on NCG. These results show that a class of optical metamaterials can be modeled based on NCG depending on noncommutative parameters.
Insights into 2D MXenes for Versatile Biomedical Applications: Current Advances and Challenges Ahead
Authors: Lin Han , Chen Yu , Shi Jianlin
Published: July 2018

Great and interdisciplinary research efforts have been devoted to the biomedical applications of 2D materials because of their unique planar structure and prominent physiochemical properties. Generally, ceramic‐based biomaterials, fabricated by high‐temperature solid‐phase reactions, are preferred as bone scaffolds in hard tissue engineering because of their controllable biocompatibility and satisfactory mechanical property, but their potential biomedical applications in disease theranostics are paid much less attention, mainly due to their lack of related material functionalities for possibly entering and circulating within the vascular system. The emerging 2D MXenes, a family of ultrathin atomic nanosheet materials derived from MAX phase ceramics, are currently booming as novel inorganic nanosystems for biologic and biomedical applications. The metallic conductivity, hydrophilic nature, and other unique physiochemical performances make it possible for the 2D MXenes to meet the strict requirements of biomedicine. This work introduces the very recent progress and novel paradigms of 2D MXenes for state‐of‐the‐art biomedical applications, focusing on the design/synthesis strategies, therapeutic modalities, diagnostic imaging, biosensing, antimicrobial, and biosafety issues. It is highly expected that the elaborately engineered ultrathin MXenes nanosheets will become one of the most attractive biocompatible inorganic nanoplatforms for multiple and extensive biomedical applications to profit the clinical translation of nanomedicine.
Profile of exhaled-breath volatile organic compounds to diagnose pancreatic cancer
Authors: Markar S R , Brodie B , Chin S-T , Romano A , Spalding D , Hanna G B
Published: July 2018

Background

Pancreatic cancer has a very poor prognosis as most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage when curative treatments are not possible. Breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have shown potential as novel biomarkers to detect cancer. The aim of the study was to quantify differences in exhaled breath VOCs of patients with pancreatic cancers compared with cohorts without cancer.

Methods

Patients were recruited to an initial development cohort and a second validation cohort. The cancer group included patients with localized and metastatic cancers, whereas the control group included patients with benign pancreatic disease or normal pancreas. The reference test for comparison was radiological imaging using abdominal CT, ultrasound imaging or endoscopic ultrasonography, confirmed by histopathological examination as appropriate. Breath was collected from the development cohort with steel bags, and from the validation cohort using the ReCIVA™ system. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

A total of 68 patients were recruited to the development cohort (25 with cancer, 43 no cancer) and 64 to the validation cohort (32 with cancer, 32 no cancer). Of 66 VOCs identified, 12 were significantly different between groups in the development cohort on univariable analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using significant volatile compounds and the validation cohort produced an area under the curve of 0·736 (sensitivity 81 per cent, specificity 58 per cent) for differentiating cancer from no cancer, and 0·744 (sensitivity 70 per cent, specificity 74 per cent) for differentiating adenocarcinoma from no cancer.

Conclusion

Breath VOCs may distinguish patients with pancreatic cancer from those without cancer.
Return to work after specialized rehabilitation—An explorative longitudinal study in a cohort of severely disabled persons with stroke in seven countries
Authors: Langhammer Birgitta , Sunnerhagen Katharina S. , Sällström Susanne , Becker Frank , Stanghelle Johan K.
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Stroke may impose disabilities with severe consequences for the individual, with physical, psychological, social, and work‐related consequences. The objective with the current study was to investigate to what extent persons with stroke were able to return to work, to maintain their financial situation, and to describe the follow‐up services and participation in social networks and recreational activities.

Methods

The design was a prospective, descriptive study of specialized stroke rehabilitation in nine rehabilitation centers in seven countries. Semistructured interviews, which focused on the return to work, the financial situation, follow‐up services, the maintenance of recreational activities, and networks, were performed 6 and 12 months post discharge from rehabilitation.

Results

The working rate before the onset of stroke ranged from 27% to 86%. At 12 months post stroke, the return to work varied from 11% to 43%. Consequently, many reported a reduced financial situation from 10% to 70% at 6 months and from 10% to 80% at 12 months. Access to postrehabilitation follow‐up services varied in the different countries from 24% to 100% at 6 months and from 21% to 100% at 12 months. Physical therapy was the most common follow‐up services reported. Persons with stroke were less active in recreational activities and experienced reduced social networks. Associations between results from the semistructured interviews and related themes in LiSat‐11 were small to moderate. The study shows that education, age, and disability are predictors for return to work. Differences between countries were observed in the extent of unemployment.

Conclusions

In this international multicentre study, return to work after severe stroke and specialized/comprehensive rehabilitation was possible, depending on the extent of the disability, age, and education. Altered financial situation, reduced social networks, and reduced satisfaction with life were common psychosocial situations for these patients.
Evaluation process for an introductory programming course using blended learning in engineering education
Authors: Zampirolli Francisco A. , Goya Denise , Pimentel Edson P. , Kobayashi Guiou
Published: July 2018

The offer of the same course simultaneously for thousands of students, whether in classroom teaching or in distance learning, requires standardization to compare performance between classes and to evaluate the success of the teaching–learning processes. This can be made easier through digital technologies. This study aims to present an Evaluation Process (EP) designed for an Introduction to Programming course (IP) for students of the Bachelor's Degree in Science and Technology (Engineering Education) at the Federal University of ABC. Initially, the course scenario is presented in the classroom modality, Face‐to‐Face (IP‐FF), offered to about 2,000 students every year, identifying the problems, and then, describing the EP designed and applied in Blended Learning classes (IP‐BL). This includes the use of software tools developed for this purpose. The two scenarios (IP‐FF and IP‐BL) are compared using data from all the classes of the previous 9 years.
Evaluate threat assessment procedures before violence occurs
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2018

Preventing violence on campus is the best way to ensure that your students, staff, and faculty remain safe. Do your responsibilities include addressing both internal and external threats? And can you address those with similar strategies?
FBI releases report on pre‐attack behaviors of active shooters
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2018

How do active shooters behave before an attack? And why do they attack? What commonalities can we draw from past attacks to potentially predict violent behaviors? These are some of the questions the Federal Bureau of Investigation seeks to answer in its newly released report, A Study of the Pre‐Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States Between 2000–2013.
Comparison of short‐term clinical outcomes of proximal versus nonproximal lesion location in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction: The PROXIMITI study
Authors: Noaman Samer , Goh Cheng Yee , Vogrin Sara , Brennan Angela L. , Andrianopoulos Nick , Dinh Diem T. , Lefkovits Jeffrey , Reid Christopher M. , Walton Antony , Al‐Mukhtar Omar , Biswas Sinjini , Stub Dion , Duffy Stephen J. , Cox Nicholas , Chan William
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of proximal and nonproximal location of culprit coronary lesions with clinical outcomes of patients presenting with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Proximal culprit lesion location in patients presenting with STEMI is associated with increased mortality when compared to distal culprit lesions in the thrombolytic era. The impact of lesion location on clinical outcomes in the era of PCI remains unclear.

Methods

We analyzed 3,283 patients with STEMI who enrolled in the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry. We compared outcomes in those with proximal lesion location versus patients with nonproximal location.

Results

Of 3,283 participants, 1,376 (41.9%) had a proximal lesion location. Patients with proximal lesion location presented with greater rates of cardiogenic shock and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, all P < .01. Procedural success rates were similar (96% vs. 95%, P = .08). Patients with proximal lesion location had higher rates of in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE; mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and unplanned revascularization) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; MACE, and stroke) compared to the nonproximal group, all P < .001. However, on multivariable regression analysis, proximal lesion location was not independently associated with MACE during in‐hospital stay or at 30‐days (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.95–1.83, P = .09 and OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.92–1.65, P = .15) respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with proximal lesion location had greater hemodynamic instability and higher‐risk features; however, proximal lesions per se were not independently associated with worse clinical outcomes compared to nonproximal lesions.
Predicted magnitude of alternate access in the contemporary transcatheter aortic valve replacement era
Authors: Rogers Toby , Gai Jiaxiang , Torguson Rebecca , Okubagzi Petros G. , Shults Christian , Ben‐Dor Itsik , Satler Lowell F. , Waksman Ron
Published: July 2018

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the true extent of alternate access in a contemporary cohort of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients.

Background

Appropriate access selection for TAVR impacts clinical outcomes. Despite device miniaturization, some patients remain ineligible for transfemoral arterial access.

Methods

Five hundred seventy‐five consecutive TAVR patients were classified according to iliofemoral artery diameters measured by computed tomography (<5.0 mm, 5.0‐5.4 mm, 5.5‐5.9 mm, or ≥6 mm) and need for alternate access rate was estimated according to commercially available transcatheter heart valve Instructions For Use (IFU).

Results

Based on iliofemoral artery diameters alone, 11.5% of patients were predicted to require alternate access. After patient‐level adjustment for the size of the planned THV and severe tortuosity or severe calcification, 14.9% and 20.8% of patients, respectively were predicted to require alternate access. Overall, 87.8% of patients underwent transfemoral TAVR and 12.3% underwent alternate access. There was no difference in the rate of major vascular complications and life threatening or major bleeding between groups, but transfusion rate was higher in smaller vessel groups.

Conclusions

Despite device miniaturization, a substantial minority of contemporary TAVR patients still require alternate access. Most are eligible for newer extrathoracic approaches including transcaval, subclavian, and transcarotid that avoid the morbidity of transthoracic access.
Real clinical experiences of dual versus triple antithrombotic therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Wustrow Isabel , Sarafoff Nikolaus , Haller Bernhard , Rössner Lisa , Sibbing Dirk , Schüpke Stefanie , Ibrahim Tareq , Anetsberger Aida , Schunkert Heribert , Laugwitz Karl‐Ludwig , Kastrati Adnan , Bernlochner Isabell
Published: July 2018

Objectives

We aimed to assess the impact of omitting aspirin on clinical outcomes in a real‐world collective of patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy who were treated with a current‐generation drug‐eluting stent (DES) or an everolimus‐eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS).

Background

Limited data are available regarding the clinical benefit of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) with aspirin compared with dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) without aspirin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and requiring OAC.

Methods

In total, 237 patients were analyzed. The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) within 1 year after PCI. Secondary outcomes were the individual components of the primary endpoint, cardiovascular death, and any bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) or Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria.

Results

Eighty‐nine patients (37.6%) received DAT, and 148 (62.4%) received TAT. The rate of MACCE was significantly higher in DAT patients than in TAT patients (16 (18%) vs. 11 (7.4%); hazard ratio [HR] 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–6.03; P = 0.01). The results of the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model including corrections for imbalances in baseline characteristics confirmed a significant independent association between DAT and MACCE (HRadj 3.14, 95% CI 1.31–7.54; P = 0.01). Major bleeding did not differ significantly between treatment groups.

Conclusion

DAT was associated with a significantly higher rate of MACCE than TAT after DES or BVS implantation. Further studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual versus TAT after PCI in clinical practice.
Microcatheter knuckle technique: A novel technique for negotiating the subintimal space during chronic total occlusion recanalization
Authors: Carlino Mauro , Demir Ozan M. , Colombo Antonio , Azzalini Lorenzo
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To establish if novel microcatheter knuckle technique (MKT) is feasible and efficacious in negotiating the subintimal space in difficult lesions during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

CTOs remain one of the most challenging lesion subsets in PCI. Guidewire manipulation and advancement of equipment within the subintimal space is sometimes challenging and aggressive manipulation in the subintimal space is feared, because of concern of vessel disruption and perforation. Here we introduce the MKT, for negotiating the subintimal space during challenging CTO PCI.

Methods

MKT is performed by creating a wire knuckle with polymer‐jacketed guidewire and positioned in the subintimal space. Subsequently, a tapered‐tip, kink‐resistant microcatheter is advanced towards the knuckled tip of guidewire and the guidewire is simultaneously withdrawn; creating a knuckle‐shaped microcatheter tip. The MKT was considered in CTO PCIs that involved subintimal techniques where resistance to guidewire knuckle advancement was encountered. Procedures were performed between March 2013 and June 2017 at our institution.

Results

During the study period, a total of 440 CTO PCIs were performed, from which seven were treated with MKT. MKT was successful in six patients and technical success was achieved in all seven patients. The MKT was successfully performed with both the antegrade and retrograde approach.

Conclusion

We present a novel technique for negotiating the subintimal space in CTO PCI for cases where significant resistance is experienced restricting guidewire or material advancement in antegrade or retrograde dissection. The MKT appears to be efficacious complementing the CTO operator's armamentarium.
Reactor Design and Kinetic Study on Adsorption/Desorption of CO and Cl2 for Industrial Phosgene Synthesis
Authors: Bähr Alexander , Moon Gun‐Hee , Diedenhoven Jelka , Kiecherer Johannes , Barth Ekkehard , Tüysüz Harun
Published: July 2018

The aim of this work is the utilization of carbon monoxide (CO) from steel mill gases for the synthesis of phosgene, which can further react with phenol to building blocks for polymers. The effect of impurities like NOx, CO2, and O2 on the activity and stability of the activated‐carbon (AC) catalyst and the follow‐up products should be evaluated. Therefore, new porous carbon catalysts and a new reactor are designed for a systematic kinetic study on the adsorption and desorption behaviors of CO and chlorine (Cl2) on carbon‐based materials to identify AC catalysts with optimum physical properties.
Identification of discrete, intermingled hypocretin neuronal populations
Authors: Iyer Manasi , Essner Rachel A. , Klingenberg Bernhard , Carter Matthew E.
Published: July 2018

Neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area that express hypocretin (Hcrt) neuropeptides help regulate many behaviors including wakefulness and reward seeking. These neurons project throughout the brain, including to neural populations that regulate wakefulness, such as the locus coeruleus (LC) and tuberomammilary nucleus (TMN), as well as to populations that regulate reward, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). To address the roles of Hcrt neurons in seemingly disparate behaviors, it has been proposed that Hcrt neurons can be anatomically subdivided into at least two distinct subpopulations: a “medial group” that projects to the LC and TMN, and a “lateral group” that projects to the NAc and VTA. Here, we use a dual retrograde tracer strategy to test the hypotheses that Hcrt neurons can be classified based on their downstream projections and medial/lateral location within the hypothalamus. We found that individual Hcrt neurons were significantly more likely to project to both the LC and TMN or to both the VTA and NAc than would be predicted by chance. In contrast, we found that Hcrt neurons that projected to the LC or TMN were mostly distinct from Hcrt neurons that projected to the VTA or NAc. Interestingly, these two populations of Hcrt neurons are intermingled within the hypothalamus and cannot be classified into medial or lateral groups. These results suggest that Hcrt neurons can be distinguished based on their downstream projections but are intermingled within the hypothalamus.
Nutrient uptake in a simplified stream channel: Experimental manipulation of hydraulic residence time and transient storage
Authors: Cunha Davi Gasparini Fernandes , Finkler Nícolas Reinaldo , Calijuri Maria do Carmo , Covino Timothy P. , Tromboni Flavia , Dodds Walter K.
Published: July 2018

Stream restoration efforts have aimed at increasing hydraulic residence time (HRT) and transient storage (TS) to enhance nutrient uptake, but there have been few controlled studies quantifying HRT and TS influences on nutrient uptake dynamics. We assessed the effects of HRT and TS on ammonium (NH4+) and phosphate (PO43−) uptake through controlled experiments in an artificial channel draining a pristine tropical stream. We experimentally dammed the channel with artificial weirs, to progressively increase HRT, and performed NH4+ and PO43− additions to estimate uptake each time a weir was added. We also ran consecutive additions of NH4+ and PO43− with no weirs, to evaluate short‐term changes in uptake metrics. Also, NH4+ was injected alone to assess potential nitrification. We observed that NH4+ and PO43− uptake rates were much greater in the very first addition, probably due to luxury uptake. The weirs increased mean HRT (from 8.5 to 12 min) and depth (from 6.5 to 8.9 cm) and decreased mean water velocity (0.40–0.28 m s−1). Surprisingly, damming decreased the relative size of transient storage zone (storage zone area/channel area, As/A from 0.72 to 0.55), indicating that greater depth increased A, but not As. Greater HRT increased uptake rates and velocities of both nutrients (p < 0.05). The NH4+ conversion to NO3− was estimated at 18% of NH4+ consumption, indicating that joint additions to measure NH4+ and NO3− uptake would not be feasible in this system. Our results suggest that increases in HRT can lead to a greater short‐term retention of nutrients, with implications for stream management and restoration initiatives.
Paediatric Anti‐Müllerian Hormone measurement: Male and female reference intervals established using the automated Beckman Coulter Access AMH assay
Authors: Jopling Helen , Yates Allen , Burgoyne Nicholas , Hayden Katharine , Chaloner Christopher , Tetlow Lesley
Published: July 2018

Objective

Anti‐Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration is high at birth in males, demonstrating the presence of functional testicular tissue in the prepubertal period, and acting as a useful marker in the investigation of paediatric reproductive disorders. AMH also provides a tool in the investigation of female virilization, premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome in childhood. Robust, assay‐specific paediatric AMH reference intervals are therefore required for clinical interpretation of results. The aim of this study was to derive age‐specific AMH reference intervals for males and females aged 0‐18 years.

Design and Patients

Plasma samples were obtained from patients at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and analysed for AMH using the automated Beckman Coulter Access AMH Assay. Patients under investigation for paediatric reproductive or endocrine disorders were excluded from the study.

Measurements

Seven hundred and 2 patient plasma samples (465 male, 237 female) were subject to AMH measurement, and results were analysed in order to derive continuous and discrete reference intervals for the paediatric age range.

Results

Clear discrimination between male and female AMH results was evident in the prepubertal age range, with some overlap between the genders following pubertal onset.

Conclusions

We have derived age‐related reference intervals for plasma AMH in the paediatric age range (0‐18 years) using the automated Beckman Coulter Access AMH assay which will aid in the investigation of paediatric endocrine disorders such as disorders of sexual development.
Spectrum matching in licensed spectrum sharing
Authors: Butt M. Majid , Macaluso Irene , Jorswieck Eduard A. , Bradford Julie , Marchetti Nicola , Doyle Linda
Published: July 2018

Spectrum sharing is one of the promising solutions to meet the spectrum demand in fifth‐generation networks that results from the emerging services like machine‐to‐machine and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure communication. The idea is to allow a set of entities to access the spectrum whenever and wherever it is unused by the licensed users. In the proposed framework, different spectrum provider (SP) networks with surplus spectrum available may rank the operators requiring the spectrum, called spectrum users (SUs) hereafter, differently in terms of their preference to lease spectrum, based, for example, on target business market considerations of the SUs. Similarly, SUs rank SPs depending on a number of criteria, for example, based on coverage and availability in a service area. Ideally, both SPs and SUs prefer to provide/get spectrum to/from the operator of their first choice, but this is not necessarily always possible due to conflicting preferences. We apply matching theory algorithms with the aim to resolve the conflicting preferences of the SPs and SUs and quantify the effect of the proposed matching theory approach on establishing preferred (spectrum) provider‐user network pairs. We discuss both one‐to‐one and many‐to‐one spectrum sharing scenarios and evaluate the performance using Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that comprehensive gains in terms of preferred matching of the provider‐user network pairs can be achieved by applying matching theory for spectrum sharing as compared with uncoordinated spectrum allocation of the available spectrum to the SUs.
On the origin of lognormal network synchrony in CA1
Authors: Weissenberger Felix , Einarsson Hafsteinn , Matheus Gauy Marcelo , Meier Florian , Mujika Asier , Lengler Johannes , Steger Angelika
Published: July 2018

The sharp wave ripple complex in rodent hippocampus is associated with a network burst in CA3 (NB) that triggers a synchronous event in the CA1 population (SE). The number of CA1 pyramidal cells participating in a SE has been observed to follow a lognormal distribution. However, the origin of this skewed and heavy‐tailed distribution of population synchrony in CA1 remains unknown. Because the size of SEs is likely to originate from the size of the NBs and the underlying neural circuitry, we model the CA3‐CA1 circuit to study the underlying mechanisms and their functional implications. We show analytically that if the size of a NB in CA3 is distributed according to a normal distribution, then the size of the resulting SE in CA1 follows a lognormal distribution. Our model predicts the distribution of the NB size in CA3, which remains to be tested experimentally. Moreover, we show that a putative lognormal NB size distribution leads to an extremely heavy‐tailed SE size distribution in CA1, contradicting experimental evidence. In conclusion, our model provides general insight on the origin of lognormally distributed network synchrony as a consequence of synchronous synaptic transmission of normally distributed input events.
Fecal calprotectin correlates with active colonic inflammatory bowel disease but not with small intestinal Crohn's disease activity
Authors: Zittan Eran , Kelly Orlaith B , Gralnek Ian M , Silverberg Mark S , Hillary Steinhart A
Published: July 2018

Background

The utility of fecal calprotectin (FC) in small intestinal Crohn's disease (CD) is unclear. We examined how reliably FC reflects clinical and mucosal disease activity in small intestinal CD, colonic CD, and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

A total of 72 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients (23 colonic CD, 14 isolated small intestinal CD, and 35 UC) were included. Clinical activity was assessed using the Harvey–Bradshaw Index (HBI) (CD) and Mayo score (UC). Inflammatory activity was assessed through ileocolonoscopy, cross‐sectional imaging, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and FC. Clinical activity was defined as HBI > 4 or Mayo clinical score ≥ 3. Endoscopy activity was defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore ≥ 1, SES‐CD score ≥ 3, and Rutgeerts > i1.

Results

In UC, FC was correlated with the Mayo clinical score (P < 0.0001) and was highly correlated with the total Mayo score (P < 0.0001). A cut‐off value of FC 100 μg/g provided sensitivity of 88% and specificity 100% for endoscopic activity. FC was lower for patients with endoscopic and clinical remission compared to active endoscopic disease (median 100 vs 1180 μg/g, P < 0.0001). In colonic CD, there was a significant correlation between FC and endoscopic activity (P < 0.001). For an FC cut‐off value of 100 μg/g, sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 67%. In contrast, for isolated small intestinal CD, there was no significant correlation between FC and objective disease activity measured by either endoscopy or imaging (AUC 0.52, P = 0.58).

Conclusion

FC is reliable for the detection of colonic mucosal inflammation in both UC and CD but is less sensitive and reliable in the detection of small intestinal CD.
Spinning plates: livelihood mobility, household responsibility and anti‐retroviral treatment in an urban Zambian community during the HPTN 071 (PopART) study
Authors: Bond Virginia , Ngwenya Fredrick , Thomas Angelique , Simuyaba Melvin , Hoddinott Graeme , Fidler Sarah , Hayes Richard , Ayles Helen , Seeley Janet ,   the HPTN 071 (PopART) study team
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Qualitative data are lacking on the impact of mobility among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their decision‐making around anti‐retroviral treatment (ART). We describe challenges of juggling household responsibility, livelihood mobility and HIV management for six PLHIV in urban Zambia.

Methods

Six PLHIV (three men and three women, aged 21 to 44) were recruited from different geographic zones in one urban community drawn from a qualitative cohort in a social science component of a cluster‐randomized trial (HPTN071 PopART). Participants were on ART (n = 2), not on ART (n = 2) and had started and stopped ART (n = 2). At least two in‐depth interviews and participant observations, and three drop‐in household visits with each were carried out between February and August 2017. Themed and comparative analysis was conducted.

Results

The six participants relied on the informal economy to meet basic household needs. Routine livelihood mobility, either within the community and to a nearby town centre, or further afield for longer periods of time, was essential to get by. Although aware of ART benefits, only one of the six participants managed to successfully access and sustain treatment. The other five struggled to find time to access ART alongside other priorities, routine mobility and when daily routines were more chaotic. Difficulty in accessing ART was exacerbated by local health facility factors (congestion, a culture of reprimanding PLHIV who miss appointments, sporadic rationed drug supply), stigma and more limited social capital.

Conclusions

Using a time‐space framework illustrated how household responsibility, livelihood mobility and HIV management every day were like spinning plates, each liable to topple and demanding constant attention. If universal lifelong ART is to be delivered, the current service model needs to adjust the limited time that some PLHIV have to access ART because of household responsibilities and the need to earn a living moving around, often away from home. Practical strategies that could facilitate ART access in the context of livelihood mobility include challenging the practice of reprimand, improving drug supply, having ART services more widely distributed, mapped and available at night and weekends, and an effective centralized client health information system.
Sensing of invading pathogens by GBPs: At the crossroads between cell-autonomous and innate immunity
Authors: Santos José Carlos , Broz Petr
Published: July 2018

Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are conserved family of IFN-inducible GTPases that play an important role in the host immunity against bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens. GBPs protect the host by associating with intracellular microbes, their vacuolar niche or, in the case of viruses, with their replication complex. This association results in a restriction of the respective pathogen, yet the exact molecular mechanisms of the antimicrobial functions of GBPs are still unclear. Recent work has linked the GBPs with the activation of inflammasomes, multi-protein complexes that assemble upon recognition of pathogen- or host-derived signals and that drive the release of cytokines and host cell death. Here, we will focus on the most recent findings that have started to unravel the manifold restriction mechanism controlled by GBPs in mouse and human cells, and that shed light on the molecular cues that control GBP recruitment to bacterial membranes.

Review on the recruitment and effector mechanism of Guanylate-binding proteins in human and mouse cells.
Fisher predation on Canada lynx in the Northeastern United States
Authors: McLellan Scott R. , Vashon Jennifer H. , Johnson Erica L. , Crowley Shannon M. , Vashon Adam D.
Published: July 2018

The geographic range of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) extends south from Canada into the United States where they are federally protected as a threatened species. Although inadequate protection of habitat on federal lands was the primary reason for listing, the status of lynx in the lower 48 states is not well understood. Thus, we initiated a telemetry study to assess the status of a lynx population in northern Maine, USA. In this manuscript, we present findings on a source of mortality not previously documented. Between 1999 and 2011, we captured 187 lynx, equipped 85 with radio‐collars, and investigated mortalities when they occurred. Predation was the leading source of mortality and accounted for ≥18 of 65 mortalities, 14 of which were attributed to fishers (Martes pennanti). Although fisher predation did not appear to restrict population growth during this study, we recommend that lynx and fishers be monitored where the species coexist to better inform management decisions. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders
Authors: Yoshikawa Yuki , Ohmaki Etsuko , Kawahata Hirohisa , Maekawa Yoshihiro , Ogihara Toshio , Morishita Ryuichi , Aoki Motokuni
Published: July 2018

Aim

In the present study we investigated the effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in older people.

Design

An open‐label trial.

Methods

Seventeen older people who regularly attended an elderly day care centre were recruited. Stand‐up comedy as laughter therapy was performed once a week for 4 weeks. Parameters of physiological and psychological function were evaluated before and after laughter therapy.

Results

Laughter therapy intervention resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, accompanied by a significant increase in plasma concentration of serotonin and a significant decrease in salivary concentration of chromogranin A. Questionnaire surveys of SF‐8, GDS‐15, and Vitality Index demonstrated alleviation of depression and improvement of sociability and activity in older people. Laughter therapy could be expected to become a practical treatment to improve quality of life of older people in an elderly day care centre.
The Role of Child Personality in Effects of Psychologically Controlling Parenting: An Examination at the Level of Daily Fluctuations
Authors: Mabbe Elien , Vansteenkiste Maarten , Van der Kaap–Deeder Jolene , Dieleman Lisa , Mouratidis Athanasios , Soenens Bart
Published: July 2018

Research increasingly demonstrates the detrimental effects of psychologically controlling parenting on children's adjustment. An important and practically relevant question is whether some children are more vulnerable for the effects of psychologically controlling parenting. In the current diary study, we investigated whether daily psychologically controlling parenting relates to children's daily externalizing and internalizing problems and whether these associations depend on child personality. A total of 206 children ( M age = 9.93 years; 46.6% female) along with their mothers and fathers ( M age = 40.30 and 42.40 years) participated in this multi–informant diary study. All three family members filled out a diary each day for seven days. Multilevel analyses indicated that daily maternal and paternal psychological control were positively related to daily externalizing and internalizing problems, a pattern that was fairly consistent across informants. Out of the 35 interactions tested, only three turned out to be significant. Overall, the limited number of interactions suggests that psychologically controlling parenting is generally detrimental to children's daily functioning. Still, children differ somewhat in their susceptibility to the effect of psychologically controlling parenting. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Human telomerase protein: Understanding how the catalytic activity is suppressed under single substitutions of some conserved residues. A computational study
Authors: Herrera Fernando E. , Sferco Silvano J.
Published: July 2018

The reverse transcriptase domain in telomerase proteins contains the essential conserved residues to catalyze the addition of a single nucleotide to the ends of DNA strands of most eukaryotic cells. In human telomerase protein, mutations in the conserved residues K902, R631, K626, D712, D868, and D869 are known to suppress catalytic activity. To understand these results, a computational model was constructed to simulate a ternary complex consisting of a model of the protein reverse transcriptase domain, a DNA/RNA double helix, an incoming dNTP, and two Mg2+ ions. Three independent Molecular Dynamics Simulations were performed for the wild type and the mutated K902N, R631Q, D712A, D868A, and D869A complexes. Binding Free Energies and alanine‐scanning studies were also performed. Using the two‐metal‐ion mechanism for the nucleotide addition, deviations from the wild type which stop the activity of the human protein, were identified in each mutated complex. The K902N and R631Q mutations might stop the catalytic activity preventing the exit of the pyrophosphate from the catalytic pocket. Additionally, evidence that the same mechanism probably applies to the K626A, R631A, and K902A mutations is presented. For D712A mutation, the pentavalent intermediate state might not form; therefore, the catalytic reaction might not even begin. For the D868A mutation, the O3′‐hydroxyl might lose coordination with the Mg ion and the reaction might not either start. Finally, from the limited sampling carried out in this work, we did not obtain any evidence to identify the mechanism by which the D869A mutation cancels the activity of telomerase.
Assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: July 2018

NICE published a new guideline on the assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding (NG88) in March, in response to new developments in diagnosis and treatment. This article provides a brief summary of the guidance.