bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specificities of the Skin Morphology in Juvenile Minipigs
Authors: Gauthier Béatrice E. , Penard Laure , Bordier Nicole F. , Briffaux Jean-Paul J. , Ruty Bernard M.
Published: October 2018

The Göttingen minipig is recognized by the scientific community and by health authorities as the animal model of choice to evaluate dermally applied drugs under development. Young adults of approximately 4 months of age are most generally chosen to participate in dermal pharmacology and toxicology studies, and recently, minipigs have been proved to be also suitable for juvenile studies. A complete anatomical cartography of the skin morphology of juvenile male and female minipigs from postnatal day 1 (PND1) to twelve weeks of age was performed measuring the thickness of skin layers for each anatomical location and time point. Overall, the neonatal skin of minipigs (PND1 and PND8) shows prominent cellularity, similar to that seen in human neonates, and the morphology of the skin of older animals is considered similar to that of young adult minipigs. Epidermal thickness varies only minimally over the period; whereas, the dermal and more markedly, the subcutaneous thicknesses increase over time.
Immunosuppression Impact on Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review with Meta‐analysis
Authors: Elghouche Alhasan N. , Pflum Zachary E. , Schmalbach Cecelia E.
Published: October 2018

Objective

The primary objective was to define and quantify the relationship between immunosuppression and prognosis in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Data Sources

Ovid/Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception through June 5, 2017, with cross‐referenced subject headings of squamous cell carcinoma, skin neoplasms, head and neck neoplasms, and prognosis. Additional gray literature was queried.

Review Methods

All prospective, retrospective, and cohort studies in the English literature investigating prognosis in patients with head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma were eligible for inclusion. Meta‐analysis data were pooled using the fixed‐effects model. The main outcome measures were hazard ratios detailing subgroup analysis between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients.

Results

Seventeen studies were eligible for inclusion; 317 of the 2886 patients were immunosuppressed. Meta‐analysis with pooled hazard ratios was performed for all outcome variables with at least 3 reported hazard ratios. Immunosuppression portended a worse prognosis across all outcome variables of interest: locoregional recurrence (2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45‐3.36), disease‐free survival (2.69; 95% CI, 1.60‐4.51), disease‐specific survival (3.61; 95% CI, 2.63‐4.95), and overall survival (2.09; 95% CI, 1.64‐2.67).

Conclusion

This is the largest investigation into the impact of immunosuppression on head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Immunosuppressed patients experience worse recurrence and survival outcomes compared to immunocompetent counterparts. The data support formal inclusion of immunosuppression in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma staging systems.
Perceived Weight Is Affected by Auditory Pitch Not Loudness
Authors: Takashima Midori
Published: October 2018

This study examined whether auditory pitch and loudness affect the perception of object’s weight. Two series experiments showed that the object with High-Pitch sound was perceived as being lighter than the object with Low-Pitch sound and that the perceived weight was not affected by loudness. Because auditory pitch has a relationship to the weight of an object while loudness has a relationship to the distance of a placed object, the perceived weight was affected by auditory pitch not loudness. Given these results, perhaps sound effects may make it easier to carry heavy luggage?
The Hackney Carriage in Cork: Vehicle of a Victorian Irish City 1854–1902
Authors: Toms David
Published: October 2018

Much has been written on the history of the railways and other transport forms in Ireland, from technological, economic, social and labour history viewpoints. However, the history of another important nineteenth-century transport form, the hackney carriage, remains neglected. In this article, it will be argued, using the hackney carriage business in Cork as a case study, that the hackney carriage was an important vehicle (both literal and metaphorical) in facilitating Cork’s development as a modern city with an urban centre surrounded by a suburban hinterland. Further, by examining in detail the workings of the Hackney Carriage Committee of the Cork Corporation, I will argue that the hackney carriage drivers, colloquially referred to as ginglemen or jinglemen, were for the most part a precarious working class who were policed by the Corporation, the Hackney Carriage Committee and the by-law governing their livelihoods. As such, the bye-law and the apparatus that implemented it was a form of liberal governmentality and social control over a portion of Cork’s working class.
Severity and frequency of moral distress among midwives working in birth centers
Authors: Zolala Shahrzad , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Akrami Forouzan
Published: October 2018

Background:

When individuals are aware of the appropriate ethical practice, but lack the ability to do it, they will suffer from moral distress. Moral distress is a frequent phenomenon in clinical practice which can have different effects on the performance of physicians, nurses, and midwives, and therefore patients and health care systems.

Research objective:

The present study aimed to determine the severity and frequency of moral distress in midwives working in birth centers.

Research design:

This study is a descriptive cross-sectional research. Researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather data.

Participants and research context:

A total of 180 midwives working in the labor ward of the public birth centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were included to the study by census.

Ethical considerations:

Official permission for data collecting was obtained from the directors of the birth centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Then, after explaining the objectives of the study and assuring the confidentially of information, verbal consent of the participants was obtained.

Findings:

The total mean ± standard deviation of the severity and frequency of moral distress were 3.85 ± 0.75 and 3.03 ± 0.48, respectively. The highest severity and the lowest frequency of moral distress were obtained for the assistance for abortion and the lowest severity of moral distress was related to the organizational domain. However, the highest frequency of moral distress was related to futile care field. The mean of moral distress severity in the midwives with associate degree was significantly lower than other levels of education. Also, there was a significant relationship between age and moral distress frequency (p = 0.010).

Discussion:

The midwives’ moral distress was relatively high as expected. This finding is consistent with the results of similar studies in intensive care unit nurses.

Conclusion:

After identifying the level and most important factors of moral distress among midwives, the next step is empower them to prevent moral distress, in particular efforts to change structures.
The Re-ethnicisation of Politics in Myanmar and the Making of the Rohingya Ethnicity Paradox
Authors: Hein Patrick
Published: October 2018

In Myanmar, hostilities between the majority Burmese and the minority Rakhine people on one side and the minority Rohingya on the other side have been common, but violence has persisted and even increased during the unstable transition away from an authoritarian regime. Most Burmese citizens appear to be united behind the ruling elites on the Rohingya issue. Why is the violence assumed to be of ethnic origin and whose interests are served by the acceptance of such violent acts as routine events? The article attempts to seek answers by following Brass’s framework on Hindu–Muslim violence in India. Its purpose is to examine which actors, mechanisms and institutional developments have been dominant and significant in the re-ethnicisation of the political landscape in Myanmar and how this has consolidated the formation of a contentious and contested specific Rohingya group identity among many Arakanese Muslims.
Peers Observing Peers: Exploring Cross-Institutional Observations and Dialogues Facilitated by Videoconferencing Software
Authors: West Chad , Clauhs Matthew
Published: October 2018

While observing exemplary in-service teachers is important, researchers suggest there may be benefits to observing peers as well. Much of the peer observation literature is focused on the process of peers observing peers in the same institution. The authors of this study brought together undergraduate music education peers from two separate institutions to observe and discuss music teaching and learning via videoconferencing software. Using qualitative analysis techniques, we identified three emergent themes: (a) technology as a tool for diverse experiences, (b) self-reflection and questioning assumptions, and (c) evolving issues of identity. Participants believed the experience was uniquely valuable when compared with traditional observations of peers within their own institutions. While all participants reported growth in self-awareness and ability to question assumptions, those who were observed developed stronger teacher identities and those who were observing learned vicariously through peers they wished to emulate.
Predicting School Closures in an Era of Austerity: The Case of Chicago
Authors: Weber Rachel , Farmer Stephanie , Donoghue Mary
Published: October 2018

What factors do administrators consider when (dis)investing in public facilities? We model school closure decisions in Chicago from 2003 to 2013 with multinomial logit models that estimate the decision to close or “turnaround” schools as a function of building, student, geographic, political, and neighborhood factors during two mayoral administrations. The results from our specifications validate the “official” rationale for closures and turnarounds: Low test scores are associated with closures and turnarounds under Mayor Daley, and underutilization is associated with closures under Mayor Emanuel. However, our findings also reveal some distance between technical-rational decision making and the realities of capital budgeting under austerity. The race of students and proximity to both the Central Business District and charter schools also predicted closures. This suggests multiple, potentially conflicting, interests that school districts balance to serve the needs of school-age populations and taxpayers and also the potential for burdening already vulnerable populations with the negative effects of disinvestment.
Diet quality and risk of multiple sclerosis in two cohorts of US women
Authors: Rotstein Dalia L , Cortese Marianna , Fung Teresa T , Chitnis Tanuja , Ascherio Alberto , Munger Kassandra L
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To determine the association between measures of overall diet quality (dietary indices/patterns) and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

Over 185,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII) completed semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires every 4 years. There were 480 MS incident cases. Diet quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) index, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) index. Principal component analysis was used to determine major dietary patterns. We calculated the hazard ratio (HR) of MS with Cox multivariate models adjusted for age, latitude of residence at age 15, body mass index at age 18, supplemental vitamin D intake, and cigarette smoking.

Results:

None of the dietary indices, AHEI-2010, aMED, or DASH, at baseline was statistically significantly related to the risk of MS. The principal component analysis identified “Western” and “prudent” dietary patterns, neither of which was associated with MS risk (HR, top vs bottom quintile: Western, 0.81 ( p = 0.31) and prudent, 0.96 ( p = 0.94)). When the analysis was repeated using cumulative average dietary pattern scores, the results were unchanged.

Conclusion:

There was no evidence of an association between overall diet quality and risk of developing MS among women.
The Multiple Sclerosis Care Unit
Authors: Soelberg Sorensen Per , Giovannoni Gavin , Montalban Xavier , Thalheim Christoph , Zaratin Paola , Comi Giancarlo
Published: October 2018

Treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has become increasingly multifaceted and comprises not only a variety of disease-modifying drugs with different mechanism of action but also a wide range of symptomatic therapies. Today, it is not possible for the family physician or even many general neurologists to master the current treatment algorithm, and this calls for the establishment of multidisciplinary MS Care Units. The core of the MS Care Unit would, in addition to MS neurologists and nurses, typically comprise neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and secretaries, and will work together with a group of different specialists on formalized diagnostic workup procedures, protocols for initiation and follow-up of disease-modifying therapies. It is obvious that the terms of performance of different MS Care Units will vary across regions and need to be balanced with clinical practice according to local conditions. Although the main objective for establishment of MS Care Units will be to offer the single MS patient seamless and correct management of the disease to increase patient satisfaction and quality of life, it may even be cost-effective for the society by maintaining the working ability and reducing the costs of home help and custodial care by keeping people with MS resourceful.
BDSM – the antithesis of good Swedish sex?
Authors: Carlström Charlotta
Published: October 2018

In this article, based on ethnographic fieldwork, and interviews with 29 self-defined BDSM practitioners, I explore the incorporation process of BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism) in Swedish society. I argue that the so-called ‘good sexuality’ described by Gayle Rubin (2011) and Don Kulick (2005) is still alive as a normative principle in this context. Drawing on Foucault’s concept ‘biopower’ (1976), I show that to gain acceptance and to fit into a society characterized by ‘good sexuality’, BDSM has to be normalized. This normalization process is closely connected to a middle-class hegemony and results in limitations that in various ways affect the practitioners, as well as impacting the transgressive core of BDSM.
The return of the suppressed: Exploring how emotional suppression reappears as violence and pain among male and female prisoners
Authors: Laws Ben
Published: October 2018

Prisons research is familiar with the idea that prisoners ‘mask’ their feelings. But this behaviour is often characterised as a social defence mechanism, or a product of prison masculinity, rather than a deeply embedded psychosocial strategy forged over time. The term ‘emotional suppression’ is introduced as a way of better exploring the ‘biographical depth' of this behaviour. This article aims to outline why both male ( n = 25) and female prisoners ( n = 25) engage in suppression, by uniting their traumatic life histories with their current lives in prison. One of the most salient findings is the connection between ‘bottling-up’ emotions and an explosive ‘boomerang’ effect—suppressed emotions return through violence towards others and the self. This implies that emotion suppression cannot easily be separated from subsequent discharge. This article suggests the need for ‘integration work’ and a crucial re-orientation of our current understanding of suppression, violence and aggression in prison environments which are often treated as separate entities. Importantly, withholding emotions has been associated with a range of negative health outcomes, and may be especially damaging in the long-term. Prison regimes could do more to encourage therapeutic talk and psychological attunement to reverse the process of emotional numbing.
Ethnographic research: A significant context for engaging young children in dialogues about adults’ writing
Authors: Albon Deborah , Barley Ruth
Published: October 2018

This paper brings together sociocultural theorising about language and literacy learning, as well as work which explores ethical issues associated with young children’s participation in research in order to interrogate unplanned discussions between researchers and young children about research writing. The data discussed were derived from two separate ethnographic research projects conducted in English early childhood settings. We argue that dialogues between child participants and adult researchers are replete with opportunities for learning about researchers’ writing practices and constitute an important ethical research practice in itself. Our key areas of analysis focus on what children can learn about adults’ research writing and what researchers can learn about children as research participants. By positioning such dialogues within broader considerations around ethical research practice and children’s participation, we add to the burgeoning literature in this area.
A Bayesian two-part quantile regression model for count data with excess zeros
Authors: King Clay , Song Joon Jin
Published: October 2018

Quantile regression (QR) allows one to model the effect of covariates across the entire response distribution, rather than only at the mean, but QR methods have been almost exclusively applied to continuous response variables produced by a single data-generating process. Of the few studies that have performed QR on count data, none have accounted for excess zeros from a Bayesian perspective, as does the hurdle model that we propose. In this article, we propose a Bayesian two-part QR model for count data with excess zeros. The proposed model is compared to a frequentist approach via simulation, and its usefulness is displayed on two real datasets. In each application, multiple covariates are found to have differing effects across the response distribution, with special attention given to the nature of those effects in the outermost response distribution quantiles.
Opacity respect, bureaucracy and philanthropy: A response to Nathan
Authors: Carter Ian
Published: October 2018

In ‘Bureaucratic respectful equality’, Christopher Nathan puts forward two challenges for the author’s claim that basic equality can be grounded in a form of ‘opacity respect’ appropriately shown by the state towards citizens. According to the first challenge, this account is less powerful than the author supposed, inasmuch it does not rule out any equalizandum of distributive equality as long as that equality is pursued by individuals rather than by the state. According to the second challenge, the account is, alternatively, so powerful that it threatens absurdity, because it interprets individual egalitarian action as being carried out on behalf of the state and therefore rules out many of the normal, everyday assessments individuals make of each other’s capacities. The article responds to each of these challenges in the light of a clarificatory distinction between two kinds of ‘dualist’ interpretation of basic equality: a ‘state only’ account that requires opacity respect only in relations between the state and citizens, and a ‘twofold’ account that requires individuals to show opacity respect for others’ basic agential capacities and the state to show opacity respect also for certain non-basic agential capacities.
Preclinical Ultrasound-Guided Photoacoustic Imaging of the Placenta in Normal and Pathologic Pregnancy
Authors: Yamaleyeva Liliya M. , Brosnihan K. Bridget , Smith Lane M. , Sun Yao
Published: October 2018

Placental oxygenation varies throughout pregnancy. The detection of early changes in placental oxygenation as pregnancy progresses is important for early identification of preeclampsia or other complications. This invited commentary discusses a recent preclinical study on the application of 3-dimensional photoacoustic imaging (PAI) for assessment of regional variations in placental oxygenation and longitudinal analysis of differences in placental oxygenation throughout normal pregnancy and pregnancy associated with hypertension or placental insufficiency in mice. Three-dimensional PAI more accurately reflects oxygen saturation, hemoglobin concentrations, and changes in oxygen saturation in whole placenta compared to 2-dimensional imaging. These studies suggest that PAI is a sensitive tool to detect different levels of oxygen saturation in the placental and fetal vasculature in pathologic and normal pregnancy in mice.
The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor accurately measures external workload in junior tennis players
Authors: Myers NL , Kibler WB , Axtell AH , Uhl TL
Published: October 2018

This study determined the measurement accuracy of the Sony Smart Tennis Sensor (SSTS) when categorizing hitting volume, shot type, and ball speed, and to determine the average number of shots performed by junior players during practice and match play. Fourteen high school players (16 ± 3 years, 12 males, 2 females) were followed for a period of six weeks. Criterion validity was established by comparing video and observational data to the SSTS data in order to determine the hitting volume, stroke type, and ball speed measurement accuracy of the sensor. Additionally, each player’s hitting volume and stroke type were tracked for six weeks using the SSTS. Strokes were categorized into forehand swings, backhand swings, overhead swings, and total volume. Hitting volume accuracy ranged between 91% and 96% for all forehand, backhand, and overhead swings. All backhand and overhead swings were identified correctly by the SSTS when compared to visual observation. There was a 10% error rate in forehand swing shot identification. Approximately 50%, 30%, and 20% of the total volume of strokes are FHs, BHs, and serves, respectively, regardless of practice or match play. The SSTS is an accurate way of measuring hitting volume in tennis and can be used by coaches to track practice and match volume over time. Monitoring workloads over time can help prepare players for rigorous competition schedules.
South Korea’s collective memory of past human rights abuses
Authors: Carranza Ko Ñusta
Published: October 2018

Embedded in transitional justice processes is an implicit reference to the production of collective memory and history. This article aims to study how memory initiatives become a crucial component of truth-seeking and reparations processes. The article examines South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the creation of collective memory through symbolic reparations of history revision in education. The South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended a set of symbolic reparations to the state, including history rectification reflective of the truth on human rights violations. Using political discourse analysis, this study compares the South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report to the 2016 national history textbook. The article finds that the language of human rights in state sponsored history revisions contests the findings of the truth commission. And in doing so, this analysis argues for the need to reevaluate the government-initiated memory politics even in a democratic state that instituted numerous truth commissions and prosecuted former heads of state.
History and Perspective on DIY Closed Looping
Authors: Lewis Dana
Published: October 2018

People with diabetes have been experimenting and self-modifying diabetes devices and technologies for many decades, in order to achieve the best possible quality of life and improving their long-term outcomes. There are now hundreds of individuals using DIY closed loop systems globally. They work similarly to commercial systems at a basic level, automatically adjusting and controlling insulin dosing, but are different in terms of transparency, access, customization, and usability. The potential downsides to DIY closed looping include varying responses from individual HCPs, who may be concerned about their own liability. However, initial outcomes from this self-selected community (including adult and pediatric populations globally) have been positive. There have now been several studies documenting improvements in A1c, time in range, and other outcomes such as quality-of-life benefits. More studies on quality-of-life improvements and more collaboration between companies and the community are recommended.
Race, Bundled Payment Policy, and Discharge Destination After TKA: The Experience of an Urban Academic Hospital
Authors: Fang Michele , Hume Eric , Ibrahim Said
Published: October 2018

Background:

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) provides good clinical outcomes for the treatment of end-stage osteoarthritis; however, discharge destination after TKA has major implications on postoperative adverse outcomes and readmissions. With the initiation of Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI), it is unclear how racial disparities in discharge destination after TKA will be affected by the new bundled payment for TKA.

Methods:

Bundled Payments for Care Improvement was implemented in July 01, 2014, at the University of Pennsylvania. We compared differences during early implementation (July 1, 2014, to, March 30, 2016) and during late policy implementation (April 1, 2016, to February 28, 2017) in patient characteristics (including race: African American [AA], white, and other race), discharge destination (skilled nursing facility [SNF], inpatient rehabilitation facility, home, home with home health, or other), and outcomes.

Results:

We identified 2276 patients who underwent TKA (43.8% AA, 48.2% white, and 8.0% other race). African American patients were more likely to be discharged to SNF as opposed to home than white patients both during the early BPCI (AA: 53.0%, n = 320; white: 32.4%, n = 210, P < .05) and late BPCI implementation (AA: 44.4%, n = 169, white: 26.9%, n = 120, P < .05), though all races showed trends to decreasing SNF use during the late BPCI implementation.

Discussion:

There were no significant differences in readmissions, length of stay, mortality, or intensive care unit days during early and late implementation of BPCI or when AA patients were compared to white patients.

Conclusion:

We found no significant changes in racial variations in discharge destination and outcomes after elective TKA. Bundled Payments for Care Improvement has encouraged better preoperative preparation of patients and discharge planning; however, payment reforms alone might not be sufficient to address variation in post-op management following elective surgery.
Bite force and cranial bone strain in four species of lizards
Authors: Ross Callum F. , Porro Laura B. , Herrel Anthony , Evans Susan E. , Fagan Michael J.
Published: October 2018

In vivo bone strain data provide direct evidence of strain patterns in the cranium during biting. Compared to mammals, in vivo bone strains in lizard skulls are poorly documented. This paper presents strain data from the skulls of Anolis equestris, Gekko gecko, Iguana iguana and Salvator merianae during transducer biting. Analysis of variance was used to investigate effects of bite force, bite point, diet, cranial morphology and cranial kinesis on strain magnitudes. Within individuals the most consistent determinants of variance in bone strain magnitudes are gage location and bite point, with the importance of bite force varying between individuals. Inter-site variance in strain magnitudes—strain gradient—is present in all individuals, and varies with bite point. Between individuals within species, variance in strain magnitude is driven primarily by variation in bite force, not gage location or bite point, suggesting that inter-individual variation in patterns of strain magnitude is minimal. Between species, variation in strain magnitudes is significantly impacted by bite force and species membership, as well as by interactions between gage location, species, and bite point. Independent of bite force, species differences in cranial strain magnitudes may reflect selection for different cranial morphology in relation to feeding function, but what these performance criteria are is not clear. The relatively low strain magnitudes in Iguana and Uromastyx compared to other lizards may be related to their herbivorous diet. Cranial kinesis and the presence or absence of postorbital and supratemporal bars are not important determinants of inter-specific variation in strain magnitudes.
Altered thermoregulation as a driver of host behaviour in glochidia-parasitised fish
Authors: Horký Pavel , Slavík Ondřej , Douda Karel
Published: October 2018

Parasites alter their host behaviour and vice versa as a result of mutual adaptations in the evolutionary arms race. One of these adaptations involves changes in host thermoregulation, which has the potential to harm the parasite and thereby act as a defence mechanism. We used a model of the brown trout Salmo trutta experimentally parasitised with ectoparasitic larvae called glochidia from the endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera to reveal whether parasitation alters fish behavioural thermoregulation. A study based on radio telemetry temperature sensors was performed during almost one year M. margaritifera parasitic stage. Glochidia infested S. trutta altered its thermoregulation through active searching for habitats with different thermal regimes. General preference for lower temperature of infested fish varied, being sometimes above, sometimes below the temperature preferred by uninfested individuals. Infested fish also preferred different temperatures across localities, while uninfested fish maintained their thermal preference no matter which stream they inhabited. Glochidia further induced the expression of a behavioural syndrome among S. trutta personality traits, suggesting that it might increase the probability that the fish host would occur in the glochidia temperature optimum. Our findings present the first evidence that thermoregulation plays a fundamental role in the relationship of affiliated mussels and their fish hosts. Incorporating thermoregulation issue in the study of this relationship can help to interpret results from previous behavioural studies as well as to optimise management measures related to endangered mussels.
Subspecies differences in thermal acclimation of mitochondrial function and the role of uncoupling proteins in killifish
Authors: Bryant Heather J. , Chung Dillon J. , Schulte Patricia M.
Published: October 2018

Thermal effects on mitochondrial efficiency and ATP production can influence whole-animal thermal tolerance and performance. Thus, organisms may have the capacity to alter mitochondrial processes through acclimation or adaptation to mitigate these effects. One possible mechanism is through the action of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) which can decrease the proton motive force independent of the production of ATP. To test this hypothesis, we examined the mRNA expression patterns of UCP isoforms and characterized the effects of thermal acclimation and putative local thermal adaptation on mitochondrial capacity, proton leak, and P/O ratios in two subspecies of Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Ucp1 was the dominant isoform in liver and was more highly expressed in northern killifish. We found that cold acclimation increased mitochondrial capacity (state III and maximum substrate oxidation capacity), state II membrane potential, proton leak, and P/O ratios in northern, but not southern killifish liver mitochondria. Palmitate-induced mitochondrial uncoupling was detected in northern, but not southern, killifish liver mitochondria, consistent with the differences in mRNA expression between the subspecies. Taken together, our data suggest that mitochondrial function is more plastic in response to thermal acclimation in northern killifish than southern killifish and that UCP1 may play a role in regulating the proton motive force in northern, but not southern killifish in response to thermal acclimation. These data demonstrate the potential for adaptive variation in mitochondrial plasticity in response to cold.
Water pH limits extracellular but not intracellular pH compensation in the CO2 tolerant freshwater fish,Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
Authors: Sackville Michael A. , Shartau Ryan B. , Damsgaard Christian , Hvas Malthe , Phuong Le My , Wang Tobias , Bayley Mark , Huong Do Thi Thanh , Phuong Nguyen Thanh , Brauner Colin J.
Published: October 2018

Preferentially regulating intracellular pH (pHi) confers exceptional CO2 tolerance on fishes, but is often associated with reductions in extracellular pH (pHe) compensation. It is unknown if these reductions are due to intrinsically lower capacities for pHe compensation, hypercarbia-induced reductions in water pH or other factors. To test how water pH affects capacities and strategies for pH compensation, we exposed the CO2 tolerant fish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus to 3 kPa PCO2 for 20 h at ecologically relevant water pH's of 4.5 or 5.8. Brain, heart and liver pHi was preferentially regulated in both treatments. However, blood pHe compensation was severely reduced at water pH 4.5 but not 5.8. This suggests low water pH limits acute pHe but not pHi compensation in fishes preferentially regulating pHi. Hypercarbia-induced reductions in water pH might therefore underlie the unexplained reductions to pHe compensation in fishes preferentially regulating pHi, and may increase selection for preferential pHi regulation.
Features of the waterpipe tobacco industry: A qualitative study of the third International Hookah Fair
Authors: Singh Neil , Jawad Mohammed , Darzi Andrea , Lotfi Tamara , Nakkash Rima , Hawkins Benjamin , Akl Elie A.
Published: October 2018

Background: Little research has been done to uncover the features of the waterpipe tobacco industry, which makes designing effective interventions and policies to counter this growing trend challenging. The objective of this study is to describe the features of the waterpipe industry.

Methods: In 2015, we randomly sampled and conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 representatives of waterpipe companies participating in a trade exhibition in Germany. We used an inductive approach to identify emerging themes.

Results: We interviewed representatives and four themes emerged: industry globalisation, cross-industry overlap, customer-product relationship, and attitude towards policy. The industry was described as transnational, generally decentralized, non-cartelized, with ad hoc relationships between suppliers, distributors and retailers. Ties with the cigarette industry were apparent. The waterpipe industry appeared to be in an early growth phase, encroaching on new markets, and comprising of mainly small family-run businesses. Customer loyalty appears stronger towards the waterpipe apparatus than tobacco. There was a notable absence of trade unionism and evidence of deliberate breaches of tobacco control laws.

Conclusion: The waterpipe industry appears fragmented but is slowly growing into a mature, globalized, and customer-focused industry with ties to the cigarette industry. Now is an ideal window of opportunity to strengthen public health policy towards the waterpipe industry, which should include a specific legislative waterpipe framework.
DataViz: visualization of high-dimensional data in virtual reality
Authors: Feng Eric , Ge Xijin
Published: October 2018

Virtual reality (VR) simulations promote interactivity and immersion, and provide an opportunity that may help researchers gain insights from complex datasets. To explore the utility and potential of VR in graphically rendering large datasets, we have developed an application for immersive, 3-dimensional (3D) scatter plots. Developed using the Unity development environment, DataViz enables the visualization of high-dimensional data with the HTC Vive, a relatively inexpensive and modern virtual reality headset available to the general public. DataViz has the following features: (1) principal component analysis (PCA) of the dataset; (2) graphical rendering of said dataset’s 3D projection onto its first three principal components; and (3) intuitive controls and instructions for using the application. As a use case, we applied DataViz to visualize a single-cell RNA-Seq dataset. DataViz can help gain insights from complex datasets by enabling interaction with high-dimensional data.
Macro Coumarins as Novel Antioxidants
Authors: AL-Duhaidahawi Dunya L. , Al-Majedy Yasameen K. , Ibraheem Hiba H. , H. Kadhum Abdul Amir , Al-Amiery Ahmed A.
Published: October 2018

The present work pointed at the design and synthesis of novel coumarin compounds as antioxidants. The alteration of 4-hydroxycoumarin by several reaction levels was performed to generate destination compounds. Spectroscopic methods like Infrared Spectra FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13CNMR, elemental analysis techniques, melting point, and thin layer chromatography defined the structure of the prepared compounds. The antioxidant activities of individual compounds were tested against stable free radical 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and the results were related to the Gallic acid, ascorbic acid and Trolox as standards. The effects revealed that most of the syntheses presented greater activity as an antioxidant than the standards in different concentration range. The distinguished competence inactivating action was observed for compound 2 (86.3±1%) followed by compounds 3 (85±0.5%) using DPHH method. The antioxidant mode of action of the prepared compounds was also investigated.
Effect of Hindon River Water on Seed Germination of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata), Black Gram (Vigna mungo) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) In-vitro
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Kumari Sangeeta , Kumar Vinay
Published: October 2018

Today quality of river water is an issue of serious concern, nowadays wastewaters from almost all the industries and domestic effluent are discharged untreated in to the rivers and ultimately agriculture fields are being generally irrigated from these polluted water resources loaded with harmful toxic substances which drastically affect the yield. Keeping this in mind, the aim of this study was to analyse Hindon River water for physico-chemical properties (pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total alkalinity, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen(DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Chloride, Sulphate and Heavy Metals (Cr, As, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg , Zn and Ni) to determine its water quality status in term of water quality index (WQI). In this study it is shown that water quality status of Hindon River deteriorated from very poor to unsuitable for drinking and agricultural practices. Additionally its effect on the germination of Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo & Triticum aestivum was investigated by treating with different concentrations 0% 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. It was found that concentration of 25% and 50% has stimulatory effects on germination rate, germination rate, seedling length, seedling vigour index and further increase in concentration beyond 50% showed inhibitory effects even on initial growth of these three plants. There was significant (at p≤0.05) differences in seed germination rate, root length, shoot length, fresh & dry weight and vigour index at different concentration of River water.
Structure Activity Relationship Analysis of Antioxidant Activity of Simple Benzene Carboxylic Acids Group Based on Multiple Linear Regression
Authors: Fadilah Fadilah , Arsianti Ade , Yanuar Arry , Andrajati Retnosari , Indah Paramita Rafika , Hernawati Purwaningsih Ernie
Published: October 2018

A multivariate analysis of the quantitative relationship of antioxidant structure and activity of a series of benzoic acid derivatives based on computational chemical properties was calculated. The parameters were obtained from the optimized structure of ionization pKa and hydrophobic ClogP while the compound activity was obtained from the literature. Analysis of the relationship between antioxidant activity and chemical properties of the compound was performed with the SPSS 21 program. The analysis result gives the best equation model as follows: Log 1 / IC50 = –1.514 + 0,516 log P + 0.087 pKa (n = 10 r = 0,962 SE = 0,301 Fcalc./Ftable = 1,422).
Resonance Raman Spectra of Erythrocytes: Vibron Model
Authors: Vijayasekhar J.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, vibrational spectra (infrared and Raman) of oxygenated and deoxynated functional erythrocytes are calculated using theoretical method “Vibron model” in the one-dimensional [U(2)] framework. The determined vibrational modes by Vibron model are compared with experimental data. It has been observed that results from the theoretical model reveal near to the exact, reliable with the experimental data.
Epidemiology of Diarrhea in Two Major Cities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Milaat Waleed Abdullah , Elassouli Sufian Mohamad
Published: October 2018

The epidemiological pattern of diarrheal diseases, causative agents, and risk factors of their occurrence in two referral hospital of Saudi Arabia was investigated in this study. Stool specimens from 1726 admitted diarrheal cases were examined for parasites, yeast, enteropathogenic bacteria and rotavirus using the ELISA test. Two-fifth of cases were due to rotavirus (RVGE) while 53.1% of cases showed no causative pathogens. Mean age of all cases was 20.2 months and RVGE cases showed a steady rise from the neonatal period onward, reaching a peak between 6-14 months. Males were of higher percentage in diarrheal cases. Mothers of diarrhea cases were mostly house wives with low educational level. Bottle fed children showed higher proportion {53.1 %) of diarrhea than other types of feeding suggesting the feco-oral route of infection and the effect of poor sanitation. A pattern of higher RVGE cases was seen in warmer months in Al-taif and in cooler months in Jeddah. Our findings demonstrated the interaction between host, pathogen and environmental factors m the epidemiology of infectious diarrhea in developing countries and the areas of possible prevention.
The Efficacy of Once-Daily Dose of Phenobarbital in Children with Generalized Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
Authors: Burhany Amril A. , Ismael Sofyan , Pusponegoro Hardiono
Published: October 2018

In spite of its long half life, phenobarbital is still given twice-daily in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy. This study aims to determine if daily dose of phenobarbital given once differs to that given twice daily. Subjects of this unblinded controlled clinical trial were generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy patients ranging in age from 1-15 years. There were 40 study cases and 42 controls. We gave phenobarbital 4-6 mg/kg/day once-daily for study group and twice-daily dose for control group. History, physical and EEG examination and phenobarbital plasma measurements were obtained a t the beginning of the study and four weeks later. The ratio of the second to first phenobarbital plasma concentrations in the study group was 0.99 while in the control group it was 1.02. The proportion of seizure-free patients in the study group increased from 70% at the beginning to 85% at the end of study, and in the control group from 64.3% to 83.3%. Hyperactivity and irritability increased in both groups, and there were no significant differences in mean serum levels, seizures control, hyperactivity and irritability in both groups. Drowsiness was found in 50% of cases, but statistically significant decrease were found in study group. The compliance of the study group (92.5%) was significantly better than that of the control group (71.4%).
Steatocrit Value in New-Born Babies
Authors: Usman Johnwan , Abdullah Irfan , Muhazar Muhazar , Sinuhaji Atan Baas , Sutanto A. H.
Published: October 2018

A prospective study on steatocrit value in full-term or preterm newborn babies of~ 2 days of age in Dr. Pimgadi Hospital, Medan is reported. This study was conducted from December 7, 1992, to February 7, 1993; there were 72 newborn babies (37 males and 35 females). The body weight was> 2500 gin 60 babies and s. 2500 gin 12 babies. The median steatocrit value in babies with body weight of> 2500 g was 9%, and it was 32% in babies less than 2500 g of body weight. The proportion of babies with > 25% steatocrit value was larger in babies less than 2500 g than that in 2500 g by the diet patterns of breast milk, breast milk and milk formula, milk formula. The proportion of babies with < 25% steatocrit value was higher in babies with body weight of< 2500 g than that in babies > 2500 g for those who had either breast milk, breast milk and milk formula or milk formula. There was significant difference (p<0,05) in the steatocrit levels between babies with the body weight of > 2500 g and those who had body weight of ≤ 2500 g.
Response of Preterm Infants of Mothers Who Are Chronic Carriers of Both HBsAg and HBeAg to Pre-52 Containing Hepatitis 8 Vaccine (TGP 943) - A Preliminary Report
Authors: Sutohardjo Abdul Hamid
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to examine the immunogenccity and protective efficacy of a pre-S2 containing hepatitis B vaccine (TGP 943, Takada, Japan) in 9 preterrn infants. A control group of preterm infants were given plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine (Korean Green Cross, Korea). All these preterm infants were born to both HBsAG and HBeAg posistive mothers and born in central General Hospital Sanglah Denpasar from January 3, 1992 to October 30, 1992. The gestational ages were 35-37 weeks and birth weights were 2000-2500 grams. The difference of the anti pre-S2 antibody between two groups of preterm infants was evident at month 6. Anti-HBs antibody response was almost same in the two groups of preterm infants. None in preterm infants in this study became positive for HBsAg during follow-up for at least 6 months. 2 of 8 preterm infants in control group become positive for HBsAg during follow up for a t least 6 months. Our study demonstrated a better anti pre-S2 antibody response and also comparable anti-Hbs antibody response in preterms infants vaccinated with a pre-S2 containing hepatitis  B vaccine, compared with those with conventional plasma-derived vaccine.
Use of Chest X-Ray Examination as a Diagnostic Aid for Detection of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Albar Husein , Tanra Azis , Daud Dasril , Farid M.
Published: October 2018

The advantage of a chest X-ray in the RLD position in 15 children with DHF hospitalized at the paediatric ward of the Ternate General Hospital within the period of May-June-July 1990 and June-July 1991 were evaluated. Besides clinical and laboratory assessment to establish the diagnosis of DHF according to the WHO guidelines (1975), child and a haemaglutination-inhibition test was also done to confirm the diagnosis.

Chest X-rays in the RLD position found a pleural effusion in 11 out of 15 patients with DHF especially in those with dengue shock syndrome. A positive serological test was always associated with the presence of PE (100%), while this could be shown in only 2 patients with negative test results. It may be concluded that the WHO criteria for the clinical diagnosis of DHF may be confirmed not only by the serological test but also by the presence of PE on chest film in the RLD position and therefore this examination may play an important role in establishing a diagnosis of DHF in a regency hospital.