bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization and reimbursements for sinus procedures: A five‐year analysis
Authors: Koester Lindsey K. , Goyal Parul
Published: March 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Balloon sinuplasty has become an increasingly popular option for patients undergoing surgical treatment of sinusitis. This study analyzes utilization and growth of these procedures across a large cohort of patients over a 5‐year period.

Study Design

Retrospective data review.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of Medicare utilization and billing data. Utilization and payment values were obtained from Medicare claims data using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services datasets. All Medicare claims were analyzed from 2012 to 2016. Data were extracted for balloon sinuplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery claims. Procedure location, total submitted claims, charges, and payments were compared.

Results

From 2012 to 2016, the number of balloon procedures increased from 5,603 to 25,640. Traditional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures increased from 15,509 to 18,164. Aggregate Medicare payments to otolaryngologists for endoscopic sinus surgery have remained relatively stable, whereas there has been a 450% increase in total payments to providers of balloon sinuplasty. In 2016, total payments to providers of balloon procedures ($40.5 million) were substantially higher than payments to providers of non–balloon‐based endoscopic sinus surgery ($4.7 million). The number of providers performing balloon procedures has increased 277% versus 17% for traditional sinus surgery.

Conclusions

There has been a rapid expansion in the number of sinus procedures in the Medicare population from 2012 to 2016. Office‐based balloon procedures account for the overwhelming majority of the increases in procedures and payments. Per procedure and aggregate payments are now higher for sinuplasty procedures than for traditional sinus surgery.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:2224–2229, 2019
Soil loss: Effect of plant litter incorporation rate under simulated rainfall conditions
Authors: Wang Lunjiang , Zhang Guanghui , Wang Xue , Zhu Pingzong
Published: March 2019

Plant litter can control land degradation by increasing soil organic matter and decreasing soil erosion by covering the soil surface or being incorporated into topsoil. However, the effect of litter incorporation on soil erosion is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of litter incorporation into topsoil on interrill erosion. The poorly decomposed litter was collected from the field and incorporated into topsoil (5 cm) at six rates (ranging from 0 to 0.5 kg m−2). Laboratory rainfall (80 mm hr−1) experiments were conducted under five slope gradients (ranging from 9% to 47%). The results showed that the soil loss rates declined exponentially with increase in litter incorporation rate on slope gradients between 9% and 36%. However, on slope gradient of 47%, litter incorporation caused an increase in the soil loss rate. The efficiency of litter incorporation in controlling soil loss varied from −21.7% to 40.5% with a mean of 10.8%. It decreased linearly with the slope gradient (R2 = 0.34). The decrease can be explained by two simultaneous but opposite effects: the effect of preventing erosion and that of promoting erosion. The former was induced by decreases in the effective erosive force of raindrop and overland flow exerted on soil, and soil erodibility, along with increases in sediment interception. The latter was caused by rapid saturation of the surface soil and concentrated overland flow. The results demonstrate the complexity of the effect of litter incorporation on soil erosion and can improve our understanding of litter in soil loss control.
Feelings and functionality in social networking communities: A regulatory focus perspective
Authors: Krishen Anjala S. , Berezan Orie , Raab Carola
Published: March 2019

A sense of community is vital to the sustainability of both face‐to‐face and virtual communities. In this study, we use a mixed methods design to study the motivations that lead to satisfaction in a social media network. In Study 1, we semantically analyze the qualitative comments from a survey regarding the reasons for using social networks (n = 237). Consistent with the literature, the results identify two categories of underlying motivations—hedonic (feelings) and utilitarian (functionality). With these results, we apply regulatory focus theory in Study 2 to propose a structural equation model (
n = 622). This model differentiates between the experiences of promotion‐ and prevention‐focused individuals with social networking based on the core elements of feelings versus functionality
. Our findings indicate that a sense of belonging and emotional connection are key hedonic elements and are more relevant for promotion‐focused individuals. For prevention‐focused individuals, the utilitarian and functional aspects of interactivity (influence) and innovativeness (risk) are more important in influencing satisfaction with a social network. Overall, positive and innovative user experience with a social media network requires the creation of an emotional connection, the existence of interactivity between members, and the cultivation of a sense of belonging.
Prevalence of bee viruses in Apis cerana cerana populations from different locations in the Fujian Province of China
Authors: Hassanyar Aqai Kalan , Huang Shaokang , Li Zhiguo , Rizwan Muhammad , Mehmood Shahid , Raza Muhammad Fahad , Qasim Muhammad , Hussain Mubasher , Su Songkun
Published: March 2019

Prevalence of honeybee viral diseases has recently been causing major problems in the beekeeping industry, causing economic losses worldwide. Honeybees are susceptible to a variety of diseases and various pathogens. Among these pathogens, prevalence viruses, along with other factors, are seriously threatening the health of bee species. In the present study, samples were collected from 80 Apis cerana cerana (A. c. cerana) colonies from three different locations, Cangshan, Fuan, and Yongtai, in the Fujian Province of China. All samples were screened using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method for detection of seven honeybee viruses, namely, Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV), deformed wing virus (DWV), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), and Kashmir bee virus (KBV). Our results showed that CSBV was the most prevalent as it was detected in (90%), of the samples, DWV was detected in (81.25%), and IAPV was detected in (26.25%). In contrast, insignificant prevalence results were obtained from all apiaries for BQCV, CBPV, APBV, and KBV, which were not detected in any sample. Here, we are providing the first report on the molecular detection of honeybee viruses, especially the prevalence of IAPV, from different regions in the Fujian Province of China with a high prevalence of bee viruses, on A. c. cerana, and there is great concern for the presence of honeybee viruses in the population of the native honeybee (A. c. cerana) in China.
Novel mutations found in the ATP7B gene in Chinese patients with Wilson's disease
Authors: Qian Zhiling , Cui Xiongwei , Huang Yunli , Liu Yanmin , Li Ning , Zheng Sujun , Jiang Jun , Cui Shichang
Published: March 2019

Background

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in ATP7B and characterized by copper metabolism disorders.

Methods

Direct sequencing of the ATP7B gene is the most sensitive and widely used confirmatory testing method. Fourteen probands with WD and 12 family members participated in this study. The ATP7B gene was analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results

Twenty‐nine different variants (27 substitutions, 1 duplication, 1 deletion) were found. Of the 23 reported variants, nine nondisease variants, 11 disease variants, one silent variant, and two variants with uncertain functions were identified. The six novel variants included c.1875T>A, c.2306T>C, c.3028A>G, c.3243G>A, c.3437_3438 delTG, and c.3903+5G>A.

Conclusion

These findings will assist in the diagnosis of WD. The novel variants have enriched the WD database.
Imaging brain microstructure with diffusion MRI: practicality and applications
Authors: Alexander Daniel C. , Dyrby Tim B. , Nilsson Markus , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2019

This article gives an overview of microstructure imaging of the brain with diffusion MRI and reviews the state of the art. The microstructure‐imaging paradigm aims to estimate and map microscopic properties of tissue using a model that links these properties to the voxel scale MR signal. Imaging techniques of this type are just starting to make the transition from the technical research domain to wide application in biomedical studies. We focus here on the practicalities of both implementing such techniques and using them in applications. Specifically, the article summarizes the relevant aspects of brain microanatomy and the range of diffusion‐weighted MR measurements that provide sensitivity to them. It then reviews the evolution of mathematical and computational models that relate the diffusion MR signal to brain tissue microstructure, as well as the expanding areas of application. Next we focus on practicalities of designing a working microstructure imaging technique: model selection, experiment design, parameter estimation, validation, and the pipeline of development of this class of technique. The article concludes with some future perspectives on opportunities in this topic and expectations on how the field will evolve in the short‐to‐medium term.
Comparison of high flow nasal cannula with noninvasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with hypercapnia in preventing postextubation respiratory failure: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jing Guoqiang , Li Jie , Hao Dong , Wang Tao , Sun Yunliang , Tian Huanhuan , Fu Zhong , Zhang Yuewei , Wang Xiaozhi
Published: March 2019

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been shown to improve extubation outcomes in patients with hypoxemia, but the role of HFNC in weaning patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with hypercapnia from invasive ventilation is unclear. We compared the effects of HFNC to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on postextubation vital signs and arterial blood gases (ABGs) among patients with COPD. Other outcomes included comfort scores, need for bronchoscopy, use of pulmonary medications, and chest physiotherapy. Forty‐two COPD patients who had persistent hypercapnia at extubation were assigned randomly to receive HFNC (22) or NIV (20). Twenty patients in each group were enrolled for per‐protocol analysis with regard to primary outcomes. Vital signs and ABGs before extubation were similar between groups. At 3 hr after extubation, pH in the NIV group was lower than HFNC group (7.42 ± 0.06 vs. 7.45 ± 0.05, p = 0.01). At 24 hr after extubation, patients’ mean arterial pressure (82.97 ± 9.04 vs. 92.06 ± 11.11 mmHg, p = 0.05) and pH (7.42 ± 0.05 vs. 7.46 ± 0.03, p = 0.05) in the NIV group were lower than in the HFNC group. No significant differences were found at 48 hr after extubation. In the HFNC group, comfort scores were better (3.55 ± 2.01 vs. 5.15 ± 2.28, p = 0.02) and fewer patients needed bronchoscopy for secretion management within 48 hr after extubation (2/22 vs. 9/20, p = 0.03). HFNC is a potential alternative to NIV to wean hypercapnic COPD patients with regard to vital signs and ABGs, HFNC improved patients’ comfort and secretion clearance.
Tribal Gaming and Educational Outcomes in the Next Generation
Authors: Thompson Owen
Published: March 2019

Following a series of federal policy changes and court rulings in the late 1980s, over 400 casinos owned by Native American tribes were opened throughout the United States, and expanded tribal gaming has transformed the economic development trajectories of many American Indian tribes. While most existing evaluations of tribal gaming's impacts focus on contemporaneous effects, the present paper evaluates whether the advent of tribal casinos affected educational outcomes in the subsequent generation of American Indian children. I assemble data on the adult educational outcomes of 11,647 American Indians across 36 counties who were children when a local casino was opened. I use these data to compare individuals who were relatively young at the time of a casino opening, and therefore had greater exposure to post‐gaming socioeconomic conditions, and individuals who were from the same county but were relatively old at the time of a casino opening, while also exploiting differences in the relative sizes of tribal gaming operations. Using this approach, I estimate that exposure to an average‐sized gaming operation during childhood increased adult educational attainment by .328 years and increased the probability of high school graduation and post‐secondary degree completion by 5 to 14 percent. No substantive improvements in adult educational outcomes are observed among white children from the same counties. The magnitudes of the estimates imply a relationship between family income during childhood and educational achievement that is similar to previous research within other low‐income populations.
Bile ductular reactions in the liver: similarities are only skin deep
Authors: Alison Malcolm R , Lin Wey‐Ran
Published: March 2019

Extensive bile ductular reactions (DRs) accompany many cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) as well as parenchymal liver cell diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and HCV and HBV infections. DRs originate from bile ducts or hepatocytes after damage and can be identified by expression of markers associated with cholangiocytes, often being associated with disease progression and fibrosis. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Govaere et al employed high‐throughput RNA sequencing to compare the transcriptomic profiles of DR cells from liver diseases of different aetiology; HCV infection affecting hepatocytes and PSC initially affecting biliary epithelial cells. Both DR transcriptomes were markedly different from that of their neighbouring hepatocytes and 330 genes were significantly differently expressed between the DRs of the HCV and PSC liver diseases. Exploring such gene expression profiles could enable therapeutic targeting of DRs, on the one hand to inhibit liver fibrosis and inflammation and conversely to promote hepatocyte and cholangiocyte regeneration. Copyright © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linkage of the CF foundation patient registry with the pediatric health information system database
Authors: Cogen Jonathan D. , Hall Matt , Loeffler Deena R. , Gove Nancy , Onchiri Frankline , Sawicki Gregory S. , Fink Aliza K.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) contains clinical and demographic data from ∼85% of US cystic fibrosis (CF) patients across 120 care centers, but lacks robust inpatient hospitalization data. In contrast, the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database includes inpatient clinical and resource utilization data from 49 US children's hospitals. The creation of a linked CFFPR‐PHIS dataset can uniquely address questions related to in‐hospital pediatric CF treatment and management. We assessed the feasibility of linking the CFFPR and PHIS databases and determined if successfully linked CF patients were generalizable to unlinked patients.

Methods

CF patients ≤21 years were eligible for linkage. The CFFPR and PHIS databases were linked at the patient level using indirect identifiers in a stepwise, deterministic, linkage approach. A validation cohort was created using a subset of patients to determine linkage accuracy. Clinical and demographic characteristics between linked and unlinked patients were compared to determine generalizability of the linked cohort.

Results

Of the 11 735 CF patients eligible for linkage from January 1st, 2005 through December 31st, 2016, 10 660 (91%) were successfully linked. Results of our single center validation cohort illustrated 100% accuracy. When compared to unlinked CF patients, fewer linked patients were born before 1990, more were Hispanic, and more were from West‐affiliated PHIS hospitals. Otherwise, no clinically meaningful differences were seen between linked and unlinked CF patients.

Conclusions

We demonstrated successful linkage of the CFFPR and PHIS databases, and created a large generalizable pediatric CF cohort for use in CF‐related research.
Identifying pediatric lung disease: A comparison of forced oscillation technique outcomes
Authors: Evans Denby J. , Schultz Andre , Verheggen Maureen , Hall Graham L. , Simpson Shannon J.
Published: March 2019

Rationale

Increasing evidence suggests the forced oscillation technique (FOT) has the capacity to provide non‐invasive monitoring and diagnosis of respiratory disease in young children. However, which FOT outcomes provide the most pertinent clinical information is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine which FOT outcomes were most sensitive for differentiating between health and specific childhood respiratory disease.

Methods

Respiratory impedance was measured using a commercial device (i2M, Chess Medical, Belgium) in children aged between 3 and 7 years, who had been diagnosed with either cystic fibrosis (N = 84), asthma (N = 99) or were born very preterm (N = 114). Z‐scores were calculated for respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at 6, 8, and 10 Hz, the resonance frequency (Fres), frequency dependence (Fdep4‐24), and area under the reactance curve (AX). Pairwise comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to determine the most relevant FOT variables.

Results and Conclusions

The FOT outcomes best able to discern between health and disease were Fres (P < 0.0001) in cystic fibrosis, Fres (P < 0.0001) in asthma and Xrs8 (P < 0.0001) in children born preterm. These findings suggest the utility of specific FOT outcomes is dependent on the respiratory disease being assessed. It is hoped that a disease‐specific approach to interpreting FOT data can help further refine the FOT technique to aid in the diagnosis of children with pediatric respiratory disease.
Investigation of the crucial factors affecting accurate measurement of strontium isotope ratios by total evaporation thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Song , Wang Jun , Lu Hai , Fang Xiang , Song Panshu , Ren Tongxiang
Published: March 2019

Rationale

An absolute method that does not require calibration is very important in several areas of isotope analysis due to the shortage of suitable certified reference materials (CRMs). As total evaporation thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TE‐TIMS) theoretically overcomes mass fractionation through integrating the ion currents till the sample on the filament is completely exhausted, it could be an absolute method that does not require the use of CRMs for calibration. However, the lack of reliable method verification and reasonable uncertainty evaluation restricts its extensive application, and these effects need to be quantitatively evaluated.

Methods

A series of different amounts of strontium reference material SRM987 was deposited on both single and triple tantalum filament sources, and analyzed by TE‐TIMS. The work function of the tantalum filament loaded with the sample was measured by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the change in ion transmission efficiency, we terminated the total evaporation process manually after running for a certain period of time, and recorded the ion beam intensity before and after this operation.

Results

The TE results obtained with the triple filament source agreed well with the reference values of SRM987, while the TE results obtained with the single filament source changed significantly with the amount of sample loading. The crucial effect factors on TE‐TIMS, including ionization temperature fluctuation, variation of ion transmission efficiency and ion loss before data acquisition, were quantitatively assessed. These factors were used to correct the single filament TE results and the measurement uncertainty was quantitatively evaluated.

Conclusions

The reliability of strontium isotopic ratio measurement with triple filament TE‐TIMS was verified. The mathematical model for correction of each crucial effect factor was successfully established, thus providing a feasible way for the correction of single filament TE‐TIMS results.
Identification of N‐terminal protein processing sites by chemical labeling mass spectrometry
Authors: Misal Santosh A. , Li Sujun , Tang Haixu , Radivojac Predrag , Reilly James P.
Published: March 2019

Rationale

Proteins undergo post‐translational modifications and proteolytic processing that can affect their biological function. Processing often involves the loss of single residues. Cleavage of signal peptides from the N‐terminus is commonly associated with translocation. Recent reports have suggested that other processing sites also exist.

Methods

The secreted proteins from S. aureus N315 were precipitated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and amidinated with S‐methyl thioacetimidate (SMTA). Amidinated proteins were digested with trypsin and analyzed with a high‐resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Results

Sixteen examples of Staphylococcus aureus secretory proteins that lose an N‐terminal signal peptide during their export were identified using this amidination approach. The N‐termini of proteins with and without methionine were identified. Unanticipated protein cleavages due to sortase and an unknown protease were also uncovered.

Conclusions

A simple N‐terminal amidination based mass spectrometry approach is described that facilitates identification of the N‐terminus of a mature protein and the discovery of unexpected processing sites.
Toward a more humane genetics education: Learning about the social and quantitative complexities of human genetic variation research could reduce racial bias in adolescent and adult populations
Authors: Donovan Brian M. , Semmens Rob , Keck Phillip , Brimhall Elizabeth , Busch K. C. , Weindling Monica , Duncan Alex , Stuhlsatz Molly , Bracey Zoë Buck , Bloom Mark , Kowalski Susan , Salazar Brae
Published: March 2019

When people are exposed to information that leads them to overestimate the actual amount of genetic difference between racial groups, it can augment their racial biases. However, there is apparently no research that explores if the reverse is possible. Does teaching adolescents scientifically accurate information about genetic variation within and between US census races reduce their racial biases? We randomized 8th and 9th grade students (n = 166) into separate classrooms to learn for an entire week either about the topics of (a) human genetic variation or (b) climate variation. In a cross‐over randomized trial with clustering, we demonstrate that when students learn about genetic variation within and between racial groups it significantly changes their perceptions of human genetic variation, thereby causing a significant decrease in their scores on instruments assessing cognitive forms of prejudice. We then replicate these findings in two computer‐based randomized controlled trials, one with adults (n = 176) and another with biology students (n = 721, 9th–12th graders). These results indicate that teaching about human variation in the domain of genetics has potentially powerful effects on social cognition during adolescence. In turn, we argue that learning about the social and quantitative complexities of human genetic variation research could prepare students to become informed participants in a society where human genetics is invoked as a rationale in sociopolitical debates.
Ultrafine Metallic Nickel Domains and Reduced Molybdenum States Improve Oxygen Evolution Reaction of NiFeMo Electrocatalysts
Authors: Moon Byeong Cheul , Choi Won Ho , Kim Keon‐Han , Park Dong Gyu , Choi Jae Won , Kang Jeung Ku
Published: March 2019

An electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential in the realization of renewable energy conversion technologies, but its large overpotential, slow charge transfer, and degradation of surface reaction sites are yet to be overcome. Here, it is found that the metallic nickel domains and high‐valence reduced molybdenum ions of NiFeMo electrocatalysts grown on a 3D conductive and porous electrode without using binders enable ultrahigh performance in OER. High resolution‐transmission electron microscope and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analyses show that metallic nickel domains with Ni–Ni bonds are generated on the catalyst surface via a dry synthesis using nitrogen plasma. Also, Mo K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy reveals that Mo6+ ions are reduced into high‐valence modulating Mo4+ ions. With the metallic nickel domains facilitating the adsorption of oxygen intermediates to low‐coordinated Ni0 and the Mo4+ pulling their electrons, the catalyst exhibits about 60‐fold higher activity than a Mo‐free NiFe catalyst, while giving about threefold faster charge transfer along with longer stability over 100 h and repeated 100 cycles compared to a bare NiFeMo catalyst. Additionally, these metallic domains and high‐valence modulating metal ions are exhibited to give high Faradaic efficiency over 95%.
Development of “CLAN” Nanomedicine for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics
Authors: Xu Cong‐Fei , Iqbal Shoaib , Shen Song , Luo Ying‐Li , Yang Xianzhu , Wang Jun
Published: March 2019

Nucleic acid‐based macromolecules have paved new avenues for the development of therapeutic interventions against a spectrum of diseases; however, their clinical translation is limited by successful delivery to the target site and cells. Therefore, numerous systems have been developed to overcome delivery challenges to nucleic acids. From the viewpoint of clinical translation, it is highly desirable to develop systems with clinically validated materials and controllability in synthesis. With this in mind, a cationic lipid assisted PEG‐b‐PLA nanoparticle (CLAN) is designed that is capable of protecting nucleic acids via encapsulation inside the aqueous core, and delivers them to target cells, while maintaining or improving nucleic acid function. The system is formulated from clinically validated components (PEG‐b‐PLA and its derivatives) and can be scaled‐up for large scale manufacturing, offering potential for its future use in clinical applications. Here, the development and working mechanisms of CLANs, the ways to improve its delivery efficacy, and its application in various disease treatments are summarized. Finally, a prospective for the further development of CLAN is also discussed.
Effective Lifetime Approaching 1 ms in High‐Resistivity p‐Type Kerfless Multi‐Crystalline Wafers
Authors: Hofstetter Jasmin , Fraser Ray , Jonczyk Ralf , Ersen Ali , Sanderson Laureen , Linton John , Lorenz Adam
Published: March 2019

Kerfless p‐type wafers of varying resistivity are grown with Direct Wafer® technology with precise control of dosing the boron concentration in the melt. Bulk resistivity values at very low boron concentration corresponding to >100 Ω‐cm are achieved. Select wafers are processed into lifetime samples and effective electron lifetimes of up to 847 μs are measured, corresponding to an estimated bulk lifetime above 1 ms. In contrast to ingot‐based wafers, a very tight resistivity distribution can be achieved during continuous growth using Direct Wafer technology at virtually any desired target resistivity, without variations caused by zone refining. Thus, a Direct Wafer product can be customized for a given solar cell architecture by growing each individual wafers at the optimum bulk resistivity and wafer thickness. Efficiency parity with high‐performance cast multi‐crystalline wafers has already been demonstrated on a passivated emitter and rear cell production line at 20.5% efficiency.
New truths begin as heresies: First thoughts on system dynamics and global modelling
Authors: Lane David C.
Published: March 2019

Starting from an example of biosphere modelling, the paper considers the contribution of system dynamics to global modelling. The different purposes of modelling approaches are first considered. These are then related to a specific example—which is then seen to derive from the founding works in this area: “World Dynamics” and “The Limits To Growth.” The response to those publications is considered, both the contemporary reactions to them and the myths that have grown up around them. The paper discusses the general cultural acceptance of the perspective offered by these books and the continuing—and decidedly mixed—significance of these works to the field of system dynamics.
Waqf, perpetual charity, in a general system theory of tawhidi metascience
Authors: Choudhury Masudul A. , Pratiwi Ari , Hoque Muhammad N.
Published: March 2019

This article is premised on the intercausal socioeconomic embedded model of ethical design of perpetual charity in Islam called waqf. Such a model is formalized according to the theory of unity of knowledge in the light of the Primal Ontology of Divine Oneness called Tawhid in the Qur'an. Tawhid is argued to be the only foundational Law of Islam respecting “everything.” The implications of such an epistemic treatment in respect of waqf as an example of the whole class of charities in Islam is shown to be unlike the dissociative and human opinionated nature of what has now come to be known as “shari'ah‐compliance.” The Islamic shortfall of “shari'ah‐compliance” and its segmentation as opposed to organically unified synergy between the socioeconomic and moral/ethical variables of the objective criterion called the Well‐being Function have deprived the entire study of the present days' Islamic economics, finance, and banking from its true epistemological core of Tawhid as Law. To restore this true foundation in Islamic thought, a theory of metascience of Tawhid is presented. Waqf in Malaysia is studied as an example from the perspective of Tawhidi unity of knowledge, contrary to its existing dissociative presence in the ethically exogenous socioeconomic treatment under “shari'ah‐compliance.”
Oxidative stress and neuromodulatory effects of deltamethrin and its combination with insect repellents in rats
Authors: Anitha Magesh , Anitha Roy , Vijayaraghavan Rajagopal , Senthil Kumar Sivanesan , Ezhilarasan Devaraj
Published: March 2019

Deltamethrin (DEL) and other synthetic repellents like N,N‐diethyl benzamide (DEB), N,N‐diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA), and N,N‐diethyl meta toluamide (DEET) are widely used due their high efficacy against mosquitoes. We evaluated the safe dose on exposure to insecticide and insect repellent individually and in combination in Wistar rats. Rats were administrated with individual chemicals DEL, DEB, DEPA, and DEET and in combination of DEL along DEB, DEPA, and DEET. The reduced glutathione and its detoxifying enzymes were significantly increased in DEL treated rats. Serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline were increased in DEL alone and its combination groups. Histopathology revealed that DEL and along with other insect repellants can cause lung toxicities. This study suggests that DEL in combination with other insect repellents showed antagonistic effect against oxidative stress, and there was no significant toxicological effect in the combination groups. The insect repellents with DEL cause less toxic effect and is safe for use.
Validation of competing‐risks model in screening for pre‐eclampsia in twin pregnancy by maternal factors
Authors: Benkő Z. , Chaveeva P. , de Paco Matallana C. , Zingler E. , Wright A. , Wright D. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To examine the predictive performance of the competing‐risks model in screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) by maternal demographic characteristics and medical history in twin pregnancy, in a training dataset used for development of the model and a validation dataset.

Methods

The data for this study were derived from two prospective non‐intervention multicenter screening studies for PE in twin pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. The first study of 2219 women, which was reported previously, was used to develop the competing‐risks model for prediction of PE and is therefore considered to be the training set. The validation study comprised 2999 women. Patient‐specific risks of delivery with PE at < 34 (early), < 37 (preterm) and < 41 + 3 (all) weeks' gestation were calculated using the competing‐risks model and the performance of screening for PE in the training and validation datasets was assessed. We examined the predictive performance of the model by, first, its ability to discriminate between the PE and no‐PE groups using the area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC) and, second, calibration, which assesses agreement between the predicted risk and observed incidence of PE.

Results

The incidence of early PE, preterm PE and all PE in the training and validation datasets was similar (1.8% vs 1.4%, 5.6% vs 5.6% and 7.7% vs 7.2%, respectively) and this was substantially higher than in our previous studies in singleton pregnancies. The training and validation datasets had similar AUCs for early PE (0.670 (95% CI, 0.593–0.747) vs 0.677 (95% CI, 0.594–0.760)), preterm PE (0.666 (95% CI, (0.617–0.715) vs 0.652 (95% CI, 0.609–0.694)) and all PE (0.656 (95% CI, 0.615–0.697) vs 0.644 (95% CI, 0.606–0.682)). Calibration plots of the predictive performance of the competing‐risks model demonstrated that, in both the training and validation datasets, the observed incidence of PE was lower than the predicted one and such overestimation of risk was particularly marked for early PE.

Conclusions

Discrimination and calibration of the competing‐risks model for PE in a validation dataset are consistent with those in the training dataset. However, the model needs to be adjusted to correct the observed overestimation of risk for early PE. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Gasartabhängigkeit von Pirani‐Vakuummetern
Authors: Volkmer Reinhard
Published: March 2019

Gas type dependence of Pirani vacuum meters

It is commonly known that thermal conductivity vacuum meters (Pirani gauges) show a significant gas type dependency. Nevertheless, the measurable difference between nitrogen and oxygen or air as their mixture frequently remain undisclosed. This article pays special attention to the consequences for correct interpretation of Pirani measurements when using alternating gases. Furthermore, it is shown that sufficiently accurate measurement of a specific gas is possible after easy adjustment of the gauge by the user.
Natural convection effects on heat and mass transfer of slip flow of time-dependent Prandtl fluid
Authors: Hamid Muhammad , Zubair Tamour , Usman Muhammad , Khan Zafar Hayat , Wang Wei
Published: March 2019

We proposed a mathematical model for an incompressible, viscous, natural convection, and stagnation point slip flow of MHD Prandtl fluid over an infinite plate. The governing flow equations are constructed using the Prandtl rheological model. In account of physical relevance, we investigated the Soret and Dufour effects on the flow field. The complex natured flow equations are transformed to a set of PDEs using a suitable similarity variables. The non-dimensionalized ruling problem together with physical boundary conditions is numerically analyzed via Crank-Nicolson scheme. The velocity, temperature and concentration of the diffusing species distributions are enhanced for higher values of unsteadiness parameter. It is noted that velocity is slightly decreasing for higher values of Reynolds number while smaller values of Re providing more dominant effects on the velocity, temperature and concentration of the diffusing species profiles and enhanced heat and mass transfer rates is noticed. The physical behavior of reduced Nusselt and Sherwood numbers, friction factor, for distinct values of emerging parameters is examined and representative set of graphs are presented.

Highlights Flow model is presented for MHD Prandtl fluid flow over an infinite plate. Mathematical model is performed for unsteady flow with Soret and Dufour effects. The proposed model is solved via crank Nicolson finite difference scheme. Simulations are performed for skin friction, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.
Salvage and Extracapsular Implantation for Penile Prosthesis Infection or Extrusion
Authors: Shaeer Osama , Shaeer Kamal , Soliman AbdelRahman Islam Fathy
Published: March 2019

Introduction

When a penile prosthesis is implanted, a fibrous tissue capsule gradually forms around it. In case of penile prosthesis infection, salvage and immediate reimplantation into the same capsule that envelops the infected prosthesis is a trial to avoid the difficulty and shortening encountered with explantation and delayed reimplantation.

Aim

We propose that, on salvage, the infected prosthesis be explanted, the capsule washed out and then abandoned, and the replacement prosthesis implanted in the extracapsular sinusoidal space, between the capsule and tunica albuginea. This aims at decreasing contact between the replacement implant and the pyogenic membrane in the capsule.

Methods

This study was performed in a tertiary implantation center, involving 20 prospective cases referred with either an infected implant or pump erosion. Through a penoscrotal incision, lateral corporotomies were performed by superficial cuts, in a trial to identify the extracapsular sinusoidal space before opening the capsule. The capsule was then opened. All components of the implant were explanted, and the capsules were washed out. The extracapsular space within the corpora cavernosa was developed between the capsule and the tunica albuginea by sharp dissection initially, then bluntly dilated with a Hegar dilator. A malleable penile prosthesis was implanted in the extracapsular space bilaterally.

Main Outcome Measures

The reinfection rate was evaluated though 7–38 months after surgery.

Results

We were able to identify and dilate the extracapsular space in 18 of 20 cases. Reinfection occurred in 1 case (1 of 18, 5.6%). Development of the extracapsular space added approximately 10 minutes to the operative time.

Clinical Implication

If salvage of an infected penile implant can be delayed until capsule maturation, extracapsular implantation may decrease the reinfection rate.

Strength & Limitations

The limitations are the lack of a control group of intra-capsular classic salvage and the relatively limited sample number.

Conclusion

On penile prosthesis salvage surgery, whether for infection or extrusion, implantation of the replacement prosthesis in the extracapsular sinusoidal tissue is associated with low infection rates, because it bypasses the capsule, which may still harbor bacterial contamination despite the wash-out.
Independent Timor-Leste
Authors: Kammen Douglas
Published: March 2019

This Element explores the primary modes by which rulers have exercised power and shaped political relations in Timor-Leste across four distinct periods. The contrast between coercion under colonial rule and consent expressed through the 1999 referendum on independence exerted a powerful influence on scholarship on Timor-Leste's politics and future. Since the restoration of independence in 2002, however, politics in Timor-Leste are best understood in terms of powerful economic constraints during the first Fretilin government (2002–06), and thereafter, thanks to revenue from the country's petroleum reserves, a ruling strategy based on a wide range of inducements (rather than genuine consent).
Community paramedicine: A systematic review of program descriptions and training
Authors: Chan Joyce , Griffith Lauren E. , Costa Andrew P. , Leyenaar Matthew S. , Agarwal Gina
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study is to identify the types of community paramedicine programs and the training for each.

Methods

A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, grey literature, and bibliographies followed a search strategy using common community paramedicine terms. All studies published in English up to January 22, 2018, were captured. Screening and extraction were completed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess studies’ methodological quality (full methodology on PROSPERO: CRD42017051774).

Results

From 3,004 papers, there were 64 papers identified (58 unique community paramedicine programs). Of the papers with an appraisable study design (40.6%), the median MMAT score was 3 of 4 criteria met, suggesting moderate quality. Programs most often served frequent 911 callers (48.3%) and individuals at risk for emergency department admission, readmission, or hospitalization (41.4%); and 70.7% of programs were preventive home visits. Common services provided were home assessment (29.5%), medication management (39.7%), and referral and/or transport to community services (37.9%); and 77.6% of programs involved interprofessional collaboration. Community paramedicine training was described by 57% of programs and expanded upon traditional paramedicine training and emphasized technical skills. Study heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.

Conclusion

Community paramedicine programs and training were diverse and allowed community paramedics to address a spectrum of population health and social needs. Training was poorly described. Enabling more programs to assess and report on program and training outcomes would support community paramedicine growth and the development of formalized training or education frameworks.
Corallite increase in the Late Ordovician coralAgetolites, and its taxonomic implication
Authors: Sun Ning , Elias Robert J. , Lee Dong-Jin
Published: March 2019

Agetolitesis a problematic Late Ordovician genus possessing traits of both tabulate and rugose corals. The presence of numerous mural pores has often been considered to indicate a relation to tabulates, although an affinity to rugosans has also been proposed, based mainly on well-developed septa that alternate in length. To further consider the taxonomic position ofAgetolites, growth characteristics of coralla representing three species from the Xiazhen Formation in South China are documented and assessed, focusing on modes of corallite increase. Three major modes of increase are recognized. By far the most common mode involves the development of an offset from a connective mural pore, without a clear relationship to a particular parent corallite. This mode of increase is usually associated with corner pores, but in one case occurs at a wall pore. The lateral mode of increase, which is relatively uncommon, is a typical feature in corallites along the boundary of intergrowths with stromatoporoids. The axial mode of increase is rare, occurring during rejuvenation of a damaged corallite or during regeneration following termination of a corallite. The mode of corallite increase that is characteristic ofAgetolites, involving a connective mural pore and occurring without evidence of a particular parent, supports the interpretation that this genus is not a rugosan or a typical favositid tabulate. Mural pores are unknown in rugosans, and offsets arise from distinct parent corallites in favositids. The Ordovician genusLichenaria, considered a representative of the most primitive stock of tabulate corals, shows the closest similarities with types of increase inAgetolites. Certain aspects of lateral and axial increase inAgetolitesare comparable to features in a few more genera of Ordovician tabulates, further supporting a tabulate affinity. The phylogenetic relation ofAgetolitesto those and other tabulate genera, however, remains unresolved.
Differential semantic processing in patients with schizophrenia versus bipolar disorder: an N400 study
Authors: Raucher-Chéné D. , Terrien S. , Gobin P. , Gierski F. , Caillies S. , Kaladjian A. , Besche-Richard C.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

Both bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are associated with language and thought symptoms that probably reflect a semantic memory-related impairment. We conducted a preliminary study to explore the nature of semantic processing in these disorders, using event-related potentials (ERPs).

Methods:

Twelve patients with BD, 10 patients with SZ and a matched group of 21 healthy controls (HC) underwent EEG recording while they heard sentences containing homophones or control words and performed a semantic ambiguity resolution task on congruent or incongruent targets.

Results:

Mean N400 amplitude differed between groups for homophones. Patients with SZ made more resolution errors than HC and exhibited a greater N400 congruity effect in ambiguous conditions than BD. In BD, the opposite N400 congruity effect was observed in ambiguous conditions.

Conclusion:

Results indicated differences in semantic processing between BD and SZ. Further studies with larger populations are needed in order to develop neurophysiological markers of these disorders.

Significant Outcomes

In ambiguous conditions, patients with SZ exhibited a greater N400 difference between congruent and incongruent conditions than patients with BD.

In ambiguous conditions, patients with SZ exhibited greater N400 amplitude in incongruent conditions than in congruent ones, whereas patients with BD exhibited the opposite N400 congruity effect.

Ambiguity resolution results suggest that patients with SZ have difficulty considering the context, while patients with BD overactivate the dominant meaning of homophones and have difficulty inhibiting it.
Information Provision, Voter Coordination, and Electoral Accountability: Evidence from Mexican Social Networks
Authors: ARIAS ERIC , BALÁN PABLO , LARREGUY HORACIO , MARSHALL JOHN , QUERUBÍN PABLO
Published: March 2019

How do social networks moderate the way political information influences electoral accountability? We propose a simple model in which incumbent malfeasance revelations can facilitate coordination around less malfeasant challenger parties in highly connected voter networks, even when voters update favorably about incumbent party malfeasance. We provide evidence from Mexico of this mechanism by leveraging a field experiment in a context where the provision of incumbent malfeasance information increased support for incumbent parties, despite voters continuing to believe that challengers were less malfeasant than incumbents. Combining this experiment with detailed family network data, we show that—consistent with the model—the increase in incumbent party vote share due to information provision was counteracted by coordination around less malfeasant challengers in precincts with greater network connectedness. Individual-level data further demonstrate that networks facilitated explicit and tacit coordination among voters. These findings suggest that networks can help voters coordinate around information to help remove poorly performing politicians.
An Old Practitioner Still in Search of the métier d'historien Response to Peer Vries, “The Prospects of Global History: Personal Reflections of an Old Believer”
Authors: Antunes Cátia
Published: March 2019

Peer Vries's eloquent review essay “The Prospects of Global History: Personal Reflections of an Old Believer” sees the chance to review The Prospect of Global History as an opportunity to champion Global History as a discipline and voice his concerns regarding what, in his view, have become possible abuses or deviancies in the practice of the discipline. His long-standing status as one of the founding fathers of the discipline and of its consecrated Journal of Global History places him in a position of undisputable authority as an old believer, while his far-reaching knowledge of current debates in Global and World History and his poignant views, reflected in the review essay, are trademarks of his work.