bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Authors: Cacho-Díaz Bernardo , Lorenzana-Mendoza Nydia A. , Salmerón-Moreno Karen , Reyes-Soto Gervith , Castillo-Rangel Carlos , Corona-Cedillo Roberto , Escobar-Ceballos Salvador , Garza-Salazar Jaime G. de la
Published: May 2019

Rationale:

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been associated with the use of several medications, including chemotherapeutic agents.

Patient concerns:

A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the ovary, after sixth-line treatment with topotecan, at the beginning of the fourth cycle, she was admitted to the emergency room for presenting tonic-clonic seizures, visual disturbance, and hypertension. A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer; due to disease progression, treatment with paclitaxel and gemcitabine was started, 1 month after the last dose of chemotherapy, she was admitted to the emergency room for suffering severe headache, altered mental status, tonic-clonic seizures, and hypertension. A 60-year-old patient diagnosed with breast cancer on the left side, underwent second-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine, carboplatin, and bevacizumab, and 1 month after the last dose of chemotherapy, she was also admitted to the emergency room due to altered mental status, vomiting, tonic-clonic seizures, and hypertension.

Diagnosis:

They were diagnosed as PRES based on physical examination, laboratory findings, and imaging techniques that revealed diffuse lesions and edema within the parieto-occipital regions.

Interventions:

They received support treatment with blood pressure (BP) control, seizures were controlled with a single anti-epileptic agent, and chemotherapeutic agents from the onset of PRES to its resolution were discontinued.

Outcomes:

All these patients improved after medical treatment was started.

Lessons:

Medical personnel and therapeutic establishments need to be made aware about this chemotherapy-induced neurologic complication.
An Empirical Investigation of Alleged Mediumistic Writing
Authors: Paraná Denise , Rocha Alexandre Caroli , Freire Elizabeth Schmitt , Lotufo Neto Francisco , Moreira-Almeida Alexander
Published: May 2019

The scientific study of mediumship can contribute to the understanding of the mind-brain relationship. This study investigated a letter written by the influential Brazilian “medium” Chico Xavier, whose authorship was attributed to a deceased person. We identified the letter's pieces of information that were objectively verifiable, and we analyzed their accuracy based on documents and on interviews with the deceased's relatives, and the likelihood of Xavier's access to the information via ordinary means. All the 29 items of verifiable information conveyed on the letter were rated as “clear and precise fit.” The information conveyed was highly specific (e.g., names, dates, and specific events). Fourteen items (48.3%) conveyed information that was also very private. We concluded that ordinary explanations for accuracy of the information (i.e., fraud, chance, information leakage, and cold reading) were highly unlikely. We recommend further research on the phenomenon of mediumistic writing, particularly experimental controlled studies with exceptionally gifted mediums.
Facilitators and Barriers to Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychological Therapy for Substance Use
Authors: Thong Ivan Shin Kai , Ulph Fiona , Barrowclough Christine , Gregg Lynsey
Published: May 2019

Research involving substance users with psychosis has high refusal and attrition rates. Understanding participants' experiences of research participation is therefore important. Twenty-two cannabis users with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were recruited. They were involved in a randomized controlled trial exploring the effectiveness of motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioral therapy. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and their responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified facilitators such as therapeutic benefit, knowledge about medical conditions, awareness of own drug habits, helping others, confidentiality, rapport with researchers, desiring social contact, and views of significant others. Barriers identified were cognitive challenge, amount of assessments, duration, and discussions about the past. Based on these insights, we recommend informing participants about clinical equipoise, confidentiality, and demands of the study; minimizing demands on participants; acknowledging participants' efforts; involving potential participants' significant others during recruitment; advertising research as an opportunity to help; and training researchers in building rapport.
Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing a Short-Term Transdiagnostic Mental Health Treatment for Homeless Persons
Authors: Youn Soo Jeong , Sauer-Zavala Shannon , Patrick Kaylie A. , Ahles Emily M. , Aguilar Silvan Yesenia , Greig Astrea , Marques Luana , Shtasel Derri L.
Published: May 2019

Despite the significant mental health needs and comorbidity in homeless individuals, there is a “science-practice gap” between the available evidence-based treatments (EBTs) and their lack of use in community health centers servicing homeless populations. To address this gap, it is imperative to evaluate and attend to the contextual factors that influence the implementation process of EBTs before their integration into routine care. The study aims to evaluate the barriers and facilitators to implementing a transdiagnostic EBT in a community health center serving homeless individuals. The results of the thematic analyses (7 focus groups, 67 participants) yielded 8 themes for barriers and 10 themes for facilitators to implementation. The findings of the current study highlight common tensions faced by community programs and clinicians when working toward integrating EBTs across different types of populations, and those unique to homeless persons. Results can inform subsequent strategies used in implementing EBTs.
Effect of a New Model-Based Reconstruction Algorithm for Evaluating Early Peripheral Lung Cancer With Submillisievert Chest Computed Tomography
Authors: Yongjun Jia , Bingying Zhai , Taiping He , Yong Yu , Nan Yu , Haifeng Duan , Chuangbo Yang , Xirong Zhang
Published: May 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare a new model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm with either spatial and density resolution balance (MBIRSTND) or spatial resolution preference (MBIRRP20) with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) in evaluating early small peripheral lung cancer (SPLC) with submillisievert chest computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Low-contrast and spatial resolutions were assessed in a phantom and with 30 pathologically confirmed SPLC patients. Images were reconstructed using 40% ASIR, MBIRSTND, and MBIRRP20. Computed tomography value and image noise were measured by placing the regions of interest on back muscle and subcutaneous fat at 3 levels. Two radiologists used a 4-point scale (1, worst, and 4, best) to rate subjective image quality in 3 aspects: image noise, nodule imaging signs, and nodule internal clarity.

Results

The phantom study revealed an improved detectability of low-contrast targets and small objects for MBIRSTND and MBIRRP20 compared with ASIR. The effective dose for patient scans was 0.88 ± 0.83 mSv. There was no significant difference in CT value between the 3 reconstructions (P > 0.05), but MBIRSTND and MBIRRP20 significantly reduced image noise compared with ASIR (P < 0.05): 15.69 ± 1.83 HU and 29.97 ± 3.84 HU versus 51.06 ± 11.02 HU in the back muscle, and 15.96 ± 3.07 HU and 27.37 ± 3.88 HU versus 38.04 ± 8.87 HU in subcutaneous fat, respectively. Among the 3 reconstructions, MBIRSTND was the best in reducing image noise and identifying the internal compositions of cancer nodules, and MBIRRP20 was the best in analyzing the internal and external signs of pulmonary nodules.

Conclusions

Submillisievert chest CT reconstructed with MBIRSTND and MBIRRP20 provides superior images for the detailed analyses of SPLC compared with ASIR.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Provides Evidence of Abnormal Myocardial Strain and Primary Cardiomyopathy in Marfan syndrome
Authors: Winther Simon , Williams Lynne K. , Keir Michelle , Connelly Kim A. , Bradley Timothy J. , Rakowski Harry , Crean Andrew M.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal-dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. The condition is a connective tissue disease that frequently involves the cardiovascular system. The existence of a primary cardiomyopathy in Marfan syndrome, however, is controversial. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction with both transthoracic echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a cohort of Marfan syndrome patients and to investigate patterns of myocardial strain across the cohort.

Methods

We used an institutional database to identify all patients with a firm diagnosis of Marfan syndrome based on Ghent criteria. Inclusion required left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to have been measured by both CMR and transthoracic echocardiography within 12 months of each other. Normal LVEF was defined as a value of >55% when measured by CMR. Velocity vector imaging was used to measure left ventricular longitudinal strain patterns by application of feature tracking to cine magnetic resonance images. Results were compared with data from 20 age-matched control subjects.

Results

Sixty-nine Marfan syndrome patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 35.4 ± 15.0 years, and 56.5% were male. The mean LVEF was 59.0% ± 7.0% by CMR and 59.1% ± 5.8% by echo. One-fifth of Marfan syndrome patients (15/69; 21.7%) had reduced function with LVEF ≤55% by CMR, but only 5 of these were identified by echo. Furthermore, echo identified 5 Marfan syndrome patients as having reduced LVEF in the presence of a normal LVEF by CMR. Some Marfan syndrome patients had abnormal longitudinal strain patterns even with LVEF within the reference range.

Conclusions

These data provide support for a primary cardiomyopathy in some Marfan syndrome patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is more sensitive than echo for identifying cases with mild systolic dysfunction. Strain analysis may be more sensitive than simple LVEF assessment for identifying at-risk individuals.
Computed Tomography–Colonography With Intravenous Contrast Medium and Urographic Phase for the Evaluation of Pelvic Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of Intestinal and Urinary Tract
Authors: Coppola Francesca , Paradisi Roberto , Zanardi Sara , Papadopoulos Dimitris , Gramenzi Annagiulia , Valerio Domenico , Pierotti Luisa , Zannoni Letizia , Seracchioli Renato , Golfieri Rita
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a specific protocol of computed tomography–colonography with intravenous contrast medium and urographic phase, which combined simultaneously the study of the intestinal and urinary tract, in the preoperative evaluation of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) of anterior and posterior pelvic compartments.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 73 women who underwent 74 computed tomography–colonography with intravenous contrast medium and urographic phase examinations for strong clinical suspicion of DIE. All the women had surgical confirmation.

Results

Computed tomography–colonography with intravenous contrast medium and urographic phase in detecting DIE rectosigmoid involvement had a sensitivity of 82.3% and a specificity of 66.7%, while in detecting DIE urinary tract involvement had a sensitivity of 45.9% and a specificity of 78.4%.

Conclusions

Computed tomography–colonography with intravenous contrast medium and urographic phase is a useful technique for the preoperative planning of selected women with DIE, in particular, for the detection of sigmoid colon and bladder lesions especially when performed with a dose reduction protocol.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Portal Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Iliescu Laura , Toma Letitia , Mercan-Stanciu Adriana , Grumeza Mihaela , Ioanitescu Simona
Published: May 2019

Portal vein thrombosis is a frequently encountered complication in hepatology and hematology. In patients with liver cirrhosis, it can occur in the natural history of the disease due to clotting disorders or associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. The development of a malignant thrombus is a contraindication to several therapeutic procedures in liver cancer, such as liver resection or transplantation or transarterial chemoembolization; therefore, patients need to be attentively evaluated. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a relatively new noninvasive imagistic investigation with proven accuracy in focal liver lesions. Its use in differentiating malignant and nonmalignant portal vein thrombosis is still controversial. This article revises the characteristics of portal vein thrombosis on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in order to determine its accuracy in the diagnosis of malignant portal vein thrombosis.
Clinical Application of a Specific Simulation Software for 3-Dimensional Orbital Volume Modeling for Orbital Wall Reconstruction
Authors: Kim Min Ji , Jeong Woo Shik , Kim Yun Hwan , Kim Hannah , Cho Hyunchul , Kim Youngjun , Choi Jong-Woo
Published: May 2019

In this study, we developed a new 3-dimensional (3D) preoperative planning software and investigated its effectiveness by measuring orbital volume change. Fifty-six patients who underwent unilateral orbital wall reconstruction between December 2015 and February 2018 in our institute were recruited. We developed an orbit-specific automatic 3D modeling software (Osteopore CMF 3D) that can automatically detect orbital fracture site, process mirroring, measure volume, and then produce a customized orbital implant. Using preoperative and postoperative 3D computed tomography, orbital volume was measured and compared between Osteopore CMF 3D and the widely used Mimics. Intraclass correlation coefficient between Osteopore CMF 3D and Mimics showed 90.6% concordance for preoperative injured site orbital volume and 86.7% concordance for postoperative orbital volume, both being statistically significant (preoperative intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.906 [confidence interval {CI}, 0.840–0.945; P < 0.000]; postoperative intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.867 [CI, 0.773–0.922; P < 0.000]). For uninjured sites, the 2 software packages showed 76.6% preoperative concordance and 83.9% postoperative concordance, both being statistically significant (preoperative intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.766 [CI, 0.600–0.863; P < 0.000]; postoperative intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.839 [CI, 0.725–0.905; P < 0.000]). This study introduces our newly developed 3D surgical planning software specialized for orbital wall reconstruction and demonstrates its performance to be comparable with that of a widely used software.
Cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic kidney cancer: what do we do now?
Authors: Kokorovic Andrea , Rendon Ricardo A.
Published: May 2019

Purpose of review

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has traditionally been treated with a combination of targeted systemic therapy and cytoreductive nephrectomy. This approach has recently become a topic of debate, because of new randomized data suggesting a lack of survival benefit for cytoreductive nephrectomy. We review the literature relevant to cytoreductive nephrectomy in the modern era of targeted and immune systemic therapy, and discuss the ongoing role of surgery for treatment of patients with mRCC.

Recent findings

Randomized trials in the cytokine era of systemic therapy for mRCC demonstrated a survival benefit to cytoreductive nephrectomy, which led to its widespread adoption. There is overwhelming support in favor of cytoreductive nephrectomy from large studies using retrospective data in the targeted therapy era. A recent randomized control trial (CARMENA) failed to show superiority of cytoreductive nephrectomy in combination with sunitinib, versus sunitinib alone with respect to overall survival. The trial had major limitations including selection of many poor-risk patients, which we know do not benefit from surgery. The results of CARMENA should lead to the abandonment of cytoreductive nephrectomy in poor-risk and many intermediate-risk patients with mRCC. However, there is a knowledge gap with respect to the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with good risk disease, and we argue that these patients should be strongly considered for cytoreductive nephrectomy.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy continues to play an important role in the multidisciplinary management of mRCC; however, diligent patient selection is crucial, as only patients with good risk features are likely to derive benefit from surgery.
Genetic diversity by ISSR of two endemic quillworts (Isoetes L.) species from Amazon Iron Rocky Outcrops, Isoetes cangae e I. serracarajensis
Authors: Santos Mirella Pupo , da Silva Rabelo Araújo João Victor , Vinícius de Sant’anna Lopes Arthur , Vettorazzi Julio Cesar Fiorio , da Fonseca Rodrigo Nunes , Calderón Emiliano Nicolas , Boechat Marcela Santana Bastos , Arêdes Fernanda Abreu Santana , Pereira Messias Gonzaga , Campos Naiara Viana , Santos Fernando Marino Gomes dos , Fernandes Taís Nogueira , Martins Rodrigo Lemes , de Assis Esteves Francisco
Published: May 2019

Two lycophytes endemic species have been recently described at the State of Pará, in the Amazon forest located in the North of Brazil. Genetic diversity and population structure of Isoetes cangae and I. serracarajensis were investigated through ISSR molecular markers. These analyses aim to establish strategies for future attempts for species conservation. From sixteen primers, 115 gel bands were identified from which 87% were polymorphic. A high level of polymorphic loci (81,74 % e 68,48 %) and a high Shannon index for intra populational genetic diversity was observed for each species (Sh=0.376 e 0.289) I. cangae and I. serracarajensis, respectively. The largest genetic diversity of both species relies in their own populations. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between population areas (GST) was higher in I. serracarajensis (0.5440) than in I. cangae (0.2250). Gene flow was high between I. cangae populations (1.7142) and very low in I. serracarajensis (0.4190). Principal Component Analysis (PCoA) showed that individual plants were allocated into species-specific and population groups. Overall, the results further show that I. serracarajensis (0.5440) and I. cangae are two species with considerable genetic variation. These results should be considered for effective conservation strategies of both species.
Determination of heat transfer coefficient in a T-shaped cavity by means of solving the inverse heat conduction problem
Authors: Frąckowiak Andrzej , Spura David , Gampe Uwe , Ciałkowski Michał
Published: May 2019

Purpose

T-shaped cavities occur by design in many technical applications. An example of such a stator cavity is the side space between the guide vane carriers and the outer casing of a steam turbine. Thermal conditions inside it have a significant impact on the deformation of the turbine casing. In order to improve its prediction, the purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology to gain better knowledge of the local heat transfer at the cavity boundaries based on experimental results.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the heat transfer coefficient distribution inside a model cavity with the help of a scaled generic test rig, an inverse heat conduction problem is posed and a method for solving such type of problems in the form of linear combinations of Trefftz functions is presented.

Findings

The results of the calculations are compared with another inverse method using first-order gradient optimization technique as well as with estimated values obtained with an analytic two-dimensional thermal network model, and they show an excellent agreement. The calculation procedure is proved to be numerically stable for different degrees of complexity of the sought boundary conditions.

Originality/value

This paper provides a universal and robust methodology for the fast direct determination of an arbitrary distribution of heat transfer coefficients based on material temperature measurements spread over the confining wall.
Do culture and governance structure influence extent of corporate risk disclosure?
Authors: Agyei-Mensah Ben Kwame , Buertey Samuel
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between culture, corporate governance (CG) variables and corporate risk reporting practices of listed companies in Nigeria and South Africa, two large African economies at the south of the Sahara.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses 500 firm-year observations for the period of 2013–2017 for firms listed on the Lagos and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined. This was followed by regression analysis, which constitutes the main data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that power distance is negatively associated with the corporate risk disclosure (CRD). This implies that organizations where power distance is high are characterized by lower CRD and vice versa. From the analysis, two factors, namely, institutional ownership and profitability, were found to explain sample firms’ risk disclosure practices as they are positively and statistically related to CRD.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to measure the influence of culture and CG on CRD in Sub-Sahara Africa. Understanding the drivers for firms to disclose risk-related information may assist regulators and standards setters in promoting both the spread and the improvement of such disclosures through the issuance of CG codes and reporting guidelines.
The democratization of intangible luxury
Authors: Ramadan Zahy
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The notion of luxury has changed due to the democratization and the fast adoption pace of intangible luxury service providers embedding voice-controlled assistants. In particular, Amazon’s Echo Look is expected to further democratize luxury services and consumer experience; indeed, this camera-based device acts as a personal consultant as it provides fashion advices based on the pictures of its users. Nonetheless, as the Echo Look proliferates the market, concerns around its potential disruption to the marketplace alongside usage-related issues, such as privacy, will arise. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted an exploratory approach using elite interviewing. The sample included 17 experts in the fields of digital marketing, fashion consulting, information technology security and retailing.

Findings

The study pioneers the discussion on how interactive voice-activated assistant (IVA) devices can potentially outweigh concerns around safety and privacy through providing luxury-like personalized services. To that end, the Echo Look device was taken as the key example based on the unique features and benefits it provides to its users, namely, in being perceived as a personal fashion consultant.

Originality/value

The literature on intangible luxury based on IVA devices is still nascent. This study fills a considerable gap in the literature related to retailers’ technological innovations aimed at democratizing luxury-like personalized experiences.
Probing the role of psychosocial career mechanisms in the harmonious work passion-career satisfaction link
Authors: Coetzee Melinde , Bester Marais Salemon
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the association of harmonious work passion with career satisfaction, while probing the mediating role of employees’ psychological career resources and career preoccupations as important psychosocial career mechanisms in this association.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a cross-sectional quantitative study comprising a sample of (n= 550) employees in various South African organisations.

Findings

The current study found that individuals’ career preferences, career drivers, career harmonisers and career adaptation preoccupations are dynamic mechanisms that regulate the link between harmonious passion and career satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study is located in South Africa and was cross-sectional in design. Generalisation to other occupational contexts and establishing cause-effect relations were not possible.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of harmonious work passion as an additional positive psychological construct in understanding the psychosocial motivational career mechanisms that drive employees’ career satisfaction. The mediating role of certain psychological career resources (i.e. flexible career preferences, career drivers and career harmonisers) and career adaptation preoccupations in the link between employees’ harmonious passion and career satisfaction need to be considered in career management support practices.

Social implications

This paper demonstrates the growing need to better understand the psychosocial mechanisms that influence employees’ career satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study contributed new insights that extend theory and research on the harmonious work passion phenomenon in relation to important career constructs in the work-career context by means of self-determination theory.
The role of job crafting and knowledge sharing on the effect of transformational leadership on innovative work behavior
Authors: Afsar Bilal , Masood Mariam , Umrani Waheed Ali
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on an employee’s innovative work behavior through job crafting. In addition, the study explores the moderating effect of knowledge sharing behavior in the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative and cross-sectional approach was used to collect data. Data were collected from 325 subordinates and 126 supervisors working in the hotel industry. Subordinates were asked to rate transformational leadership style of their respective supervisors and their own job crafting and knowledge sharing behaviors. Supervisors were asked to rate innovative work behavior of their respective subordinates.

Findings

The results showed that job crafting behaviors (increasing structural job resources, increasing social resources and increasing job challenges) mediated the effect of transformational leadership on an employee’s innovative work behavior. Moreover, knowledge sharing moderated the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.

Practical implications

Organizations may reap the benefits of an innovative workforce by selecting, nurturing and developing transformational leaders who facilitate employees to proactively craft a challenging and resourceful work environment.

Originality/value

This is the first study to test the mediating effect of job crafting behaviors on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior.
The evolution of the English street gang
Authors: Pitts John
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider what the author might call the evolution of the evolutionary argument about gangs and, while acknowledging its explanatory power, suggests that gangs may develop in very different ways depending on the available opportunities, pre-existing forms of criminality in the areas in which gangs emerge and global change.

Design/methodology/approach

It is based on a review of the relevant literature and interviews with purposive samples of research, criminal justice and social welfare professionals and young people involved in or affected by gang crime. Findings were triangulated with data held by the police and other public authorities.

Findings

The term “street gang” includes a wide variety of groupings all of which are involved in some form of crime but with differential levels of organisation and commitment to purely instrumental goals. Gangs may form but not necessarily evolve. Gangs appear to develop in very different ways depending on the available opportunities, pre-existing forms of criminality in the areas in which they emerge and global changes in drugs markets.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper consists in its interrogation of the concept of “gang evolution” and its discussion of the variety of forms and evolutionary trajectories of gangs.
Psychology perspectives on community vengeance as a terrorist motivator: a review
Authors: Bowman Grieve Lorraine , Palasinski Marek , Shortland Neil
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of vengeance as a terrorist motivator.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a community psychological perspective to examine vengeance in a number of forms. First covering “blood vengeance”, it then examines vigilantism and death squads as functional examples of vengeful entities, as well as the morality of vengeance and the impact of propaganda on vengeance as a terrorist motivator. Finally, both group processes and individual factors relating to the promotion and use of vengeance in terrorism are covered.

Findings

Vengeance can be conceptualised in a number of ways: as a predisposing factor to individual involvement, a factor that contributes to keeping the movement “bound” together (but which can also negatively affect the group’s strategic logic), a factor in the escalation of violent activity through vigilantism, retribution and retaliation which can result in a perpetuation of a cycle of violence, and as a moral mandate that is ideologically rationalised and justified, with perceptions of righteousness and obligation inherent to it.

Research limitations/implications

The presented research is limited by the scarcely available data.

Practical implications

Efforts should be made to defuse vengeful motivations by tapping into collective identities of communities and incorporating multicultural values.

Social implications

Policy makers should be wary of scoring populist scores by ridiculing out-group/religious elements as that creates potential for vengeful terror attacks.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights by renewing the neglected perspective of vengeance in terrorism research.
Forward plane‐wave electromagnetic model in three dimensions using hybrid finite volume–integral equation scheme
Authors: Bello Musa A. , Guo Rongwen , Liu Jianxin
Published: May 2019

We present a concept of the hybrid finite volume–integral equation technique for solving Maxwell's equation in a quasi‐static form. The divergence correction was incorporated to improve the convergence and stability of the governing linear system equations which pose a challenge on the discretization of the curl–curl Helmholtz equation. A staggered finite volume approach is applied for discretizing the system of equations on a structured mesh and solved in a secondary field technique. The bi‐conjugate gradient stabilizer was utilized with block incomplete lower‐upper factorization preconditioner to solve the system of equation. To obtain the electric and magnetic fields at the receivers, we use the integral Green tensor scheme. We verify the strength of our hybrid technique with benchmark models relative to other numerical algorithms. Importantly, from the tested models, our scheme was in close agreement with the semi‐analytical solution. It also revealed that the use of a quasi‐analytical boundary condition helps to minimize the runtime for the linear system equation. Furthermore, the integral Green tensor approach to compute at the receivers demonstrates better accuracy compared with the conventional interpolation method. This adopted technique can be applied efficiently to the inversion procedure.
It's about quality
Authors: Butts Jeffrey A. , Pfaff John
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

The youth justice system in the United States has always depended on nongovernmental organizations to provide some of the services, supports, and sanctions for youth after juvenile court adjudication. As the use of state‐operated youth confinement declined in recent years, primarily as a result of falling rates of serious juvenile crime, the relative importance of private facilities increased. The number of juveniles held in privately operated secure confinement facilities is now larger than the number confined in state institutions.

Policy Implications

Should policy makers be concerned about a gradual shift from public to private secure facilities? Certainly, some private facilities are poorly managed, neglectful, and even abusive, but the same has always been true for some public facilities. Effective policy and practice should be focused on the quality of interventions rather than on their financial auspices. Quality youth justice systems (a) limit the use of confinement to cases where it is objectively necessary, (b) ensure the health and safety of all confined youth, (c) provide effective treatments and developmentally appropriate programming, and (d) continually monitor and evaluate their effectiveness. These goals apply to all forms of secure confinement regardless of financing or organizational configuration.
A Randomized Trial of Combined tDCS Over Right Inferior Frontal Cortex and Cognitive Bias Modification: Null Effects on Drinking and Alcohol Approach Bias
Authors: Claus Eric D. , Klimaj Stefan D. , Chavez Roberta , Martinez Amber D. , Clark Vincent P.
Published: May 2019

Background

Deriving novel treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is of critical importance, as existing treatments are only modestly effective for reducing drinking. Two promising strategies for treating AUDs include cognitive bias modification (CBM) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). While each strategy has shown positive results in reducing drinking or alcohol‐related constructs (e.g., craving), initial tests of the combination of CBM and tDCS have shown mixed results. The present study investigated the degree to which combining CBM and tDCS (2.0 mA anodal current over F10) could reduce alcohol approach biases and alcohol consumption.

Methods

Seventy‐nine at‐risk drinkers were randomized to 1 of 4 conditions in a 2 × 2 factorial design: verum CBM/verum tDCS, verum CBM/sham tDCS, sham CBM/verum tDCS, or sham CBM/sham tDCS. Participants completed a baseline assessment of alcohol approach bias and drinking quantity/frequency (i.e., drinks per drinking day [DDD] and percent heavy drinking days [PHDD]), 4 sessions of combined CBM and tDCS, and follow‐up assessments of approach bias and alcohol consumption.

Results

Results indicated that while participants did demonstrate significant alcohol approach biases at baseline, neither CBM, tDCS, nor the interaction reduced the bias at the follow‐up. In addition, there was evidence of a trend toward reducing DDD from baseline to the 1‐week/1‐month follow‐ups, but there was no significant effect of the intervention on either DDD or PHDD.

Conclusions

These results partially replicated null results presented in similar CBM/tDCS trials and suggest that this combination, at least with anodal stimulation over dorsolateral or inferior frontal sites, may have limited utility to reduce drinking.
Improved Detection of Epigenomic Marks with Mixed-Effects Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Baldoni Pedro L. , Rashid Naim U. , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: May 2019

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a technique to detect genomic regions containing protein-DNA interaction, such as transcription factor binding sites or regions containing histone modifications. One goal of the analysis of ChIP-seq experiments is to identify genomic loci enriched for sequencing reads pertaining to DNA bound to the factor of interest. The accurate identification of such regions aids in the understanding of epigenomic marks and gene regulatory mechanisms. Given the reduction of massively parallel sequencing costs, methods to detect consensus regions of enrichment across multiple samples are of interest. Here, we present a statistical model to detect broad consensus regions of enrichment from ChIP-seq technical or biological replicates through a class of zero-inflated mixed-effects hidden Markov models. We show that the proposed model outperforms existing methods for consensus peak calling in common epigenomic marks by accounting for the excess zeros and sample-specific biases. We apply our method to data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements and Roadmap Epigenomics projects and also from an extensive simulation study.
Atlantic Forest topsoil nutrients can be resistant to disturbance and forest clearing
Authors: Safar Nathália Vieira Hissa , Magnago Luiz Fernando Silva , Rolim Samir Gonçalves , Schaefer Carlos Ernesto Gonçalves Reynauld
Published: May 2019

Human impacts can affect the soil properties through erosion and leaching, the ecosystem functions and, consequently, the capacity of a forest to regenerate. Here, we determine the effects of forest disturbance and succession on selected soil chemical properties using two different approaches, before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) and space‐for‐time (SFT) substitution, and the threatened Atlantic Forest biome as model. We assessed with BACI the long‐term (37‐year) effects of clear cutting on soil properties by comparing data from two topsoil surveys (1978–2017) divided into two treatments: a preserved old growth forest (control) and an adjacent forest that was experimentally cleared with full tree removal (clear‐cut). We examined with SFT the relationship between stand age and soil properties using soil data from three old growth and 13 s growth forests ranging from 7 to 33 years. We found no significant differences between treatments for any soil property or significant changes in phosphorus, potassium, and calcium + magnesium over time. In contrast, pH increased and aluminum decreased in both areas. No relation was found between forest age and most of soil properties, with the exception of potassium which returned to old growth forest levels after 20 years of natural succession, and pH. BACI indicated that deforestation of old growth forest caused no significant effects on soil chemical properties after 37 years of regeneration. SFT demonstrated that soil properties did not change significantly during forest regeneration on formerly disturbed lands. Our findings indicate that natural nutrient‐depleted lowland forests were overall resistant to deforestation followed by passive regeneration at landscape scale.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Beyond type 2 diabetes: sodium glucose co‐transporter‐inhibition in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Biester Torben , Kordonouri Olga , Danne Thomas
Published: May 2019

Use of sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors are a well‐established therapeutic option in type 2 diabetes (T2D) with a variety of proven therapeutic benefits. They have become a pillar of current treatment guidelines. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), initial exploratory studies have shown benefits in glycemic control, weight control, and cardiovascular risk parameters, leading to trials aiming for regulatory submission with several agents. Results from four 1‐year trials, which included a total of 3052 patients, are now available, demonstrating promising findings that target the unmet needs of patients with T1D with a novel insulin‐independent adjunct therapy. However, these positive effects must be balanced against the risks associated with this class of drugs. Specifically, current T1D studies have shown an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which, in some cases, presented with only slightly elevated glucose levels. While this complication may be clinically manageable once detected, the metabolic shift towards ketogenesis associated with this class of agents mandates appropriate patient selection. Currently, there are no validated tools for DKA risk assessment. Although the experience gained in studies and off‐label use provides some indication for appropriate patient selection, this would have to be evaluated closely in the event that these drugs would receive regulatory approval. Risk mitigation includes training in ketone measurement (preferably as blood β‐hydroxybutyrate testing), teaching the concept of euglycemic DKA, and providing a clear treatment algorithm to avoid progression of ketosis to full‐blown DKA. Because similar unmet needs also exist in pediatric population studies, risk mitigation in youth should be initiated as well to allow an evidence‐based, risk‐benefit assessment in this vulnerable population.
Plasma C‐type lectin‐like receptor 2 as a predictor of death and vascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Wu X. , Zhang W. , Li H. , You S. , Shi J. , Zhang C. , Shi R. , Huang Z. , Cao Y. , Zhang X.
Published: May 2019

Background and purpose

C‐type lectin‐like receptor 2 (CLEC‐2) has prominent involvement in platelet activation, which is increased in coronary heart disease and acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and is associated with stroke progression and stroke prognosis. Here, the aim was to examine the prognostic value of CLEC‐2 in death and vascular event recurrence in AIS patients.

Methods

In all, 352 patients with AIS were studied prospectively. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Death for all vascular events and a combination of death and vascular diseases (recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, hospitalized and treated angina, hospitalized and treated peripheral arterial disease) were recorded.

Results

During 1 year of follow‐up, 46 patients (14.2%) experienced death or combined end‐points (23 death and 46 combined end‐points). Plasma CLEC‐2 (pCLEC‐2) was significantly associated with an increased risk of death and combined events of death and vascular diseases after adjusting for age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Each 1 SD higher log‐transformed pCLEC‐2 was associated with a 4.27‐fold (hazard ratio 4.27, 95% confidence interval 1.71–10.65) increased risk for death and a 2.42‐fold increased risk for combined end‐points (hazard ratio 2.42, 95% confidence interval 1.52–3.86). The optimal cut‐off point of pCLEC‐2 for predicting death was 184.38 pg/ml.

Conclusions

Higher pCLEC‐2 levels at admission were associated with increased risk of death and combined events of death and vascular diseases in patients with AIS, which indicated that pCLEC‐2 is an important prognostic factor for AIS.
Improving tumour budding evaluation in colon cancer by extending the assessment area in colectomy specimens
Authors: Martinez‐Ciarpaglini Carolina , Fernandez‐Sellers Carlos , Tarazona Noelia , Roselló Susana , Huerta Marisol , Roda Desamparados , Mongort Cristina , Ferrández Antonio , Navarro Samuel , Cervantes Andres
Published: May 2019

Aims

It is recommended that tumour budding in colon cancer be counted on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections in a hotspot area of 0.785 mm2 with a ×20 microscope objective. However, tumour buds may be difficult to visualise on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections, and counting in such a limited area may result in overestimation in cases with focal budding. The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of various factors to improving tumour budding risk stratification: increasing the number of fields counted, using cytokeratin immunostaining, and recording proliferation, the apoptotic index and the emperipoletic index in tumour buds.

Methods and results

We created an exploratory series composed of 172 cases of colon cancer in all stages, and we analysed the survival probability in a second cohort of 158 stage I–II patients. According to our results, counting of budding in 10 fields was the only factor that was significantly correlated with disease‐free survival probability in stage I–II patients [hazard ratio (HR) for high versus low grade of 7.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.54–27.92, P = 0.01; HR for intermediate versus low grade of 3.02, 95% CI 1.54–26.72, P = 0.04). Emperipolesis was frequently observed in tumour buds, whereas the mitotic index and the apoptotic index were extremely low. Although cytokeratin immunostaining increased interobserver concordance, it did not improve the accuracy of tumour budding grading.

Conclusions

According to our results, counting in 10 fields significantly enhanced the budding grade risk stratification in colon cancer patients, and cytokeratin immunostaining could be reserved as a complementary technique for challenging cases with an inflammatory infiltrate and/or striking fibrosis.
Opportunities to improve influenza vaccination rates in general medical inpatients
Authors: Zaman Farzana Y. , Nagalingam Vathy , Wong Chloe , Khu Yin Li , Teng Hui Wen G. , Janardan Jyotsna , Ritchie Edward , Cheng Allen C. , Aung Ar Kar
Published: May 2019

Influenza vaccination is an important preventative health measure. A significant proportion of general medical inpatients meets indications for annual inactivated influenza vaccination (IIV), as recommended by the Australian National Immunisation Programme. This study explores opportunities to provide IIV to eligible general medical inpatients and associated barriers.
Fitness advantages of the biased use of paired laterally symmetrical penises in an insect
Authors: Kamimura Yoshitaka , Yang Chin‐Cheng Scotty , Lee Chow‐Yang
Published: May 2019

The evolution of laterality, that is the biased use of laterally paired, morphologically symmetrical organs, has attracted the interest of researchers from a variety of disciplines. It is, however, difficult to quantify the fitness benefits of laterality because many organs, such as human hands, possess multimodal functions. Males of the earwig Labidura riparia (Insecta: Dermaptera: Labiduridae) have morphologically similar laterally paired penises, only one of which is used for inseminating the female during a single copulation bout, and thus provide a rare opportunity to address how selection pressure may shape the evolution of population‐level laterality. Our population studies revealed that in 10 populations, located at 2.23–43.3° north, the right penis is predominantly used for copulating (88.6%). A damaged penis was found in 23% of rare left‐handers, suggesting that the left penis can function as a spare when the right one is damaged. By pairing L. riparia females with surgically manipulated males, we found that males forced to use the right penis outperformed left‐handed males in copulation (the probability of establishing genital coupling during the 1‐hr observation period: odds ratio [OR] of 3.50) and insemination (probability of transferring a detectable amount of sperm: OR of 2.94). This right‐handed advantage may be due to the coiled morphology of the sperm storage organ with a right‐facing opening. Thus, female genital morphology may play a significant role in the evolution of handedness and may have acted as a driving force to reduce penis number in related taxa.
Abiotic genetic adaptation in the Fagaceae
Authors: Müller M. , Gailing O.
Published: May 2019

Fagaceae can be found in tropical and temperate regions and contain species of major ecological and economic importance. In times of global climate change, tree populations need to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions. The predicted warmer and drier conditions will potentially result in locally maladapted populations. There is evidence that major genera of the Fagaceae are already negatively affected by climate change‐related factors such as drought and associated biotic stressors. Therefore, knowledge of the mechanisms underlying adaptation is of great interest. In this review, we summarise current literature related to genetic adaptation to abiotic environmental conditions. We begin with an overview of genetic diversity in Fagaceae species and then summarise current knowledge related to drought stress tolerance, bud burst timing and frost tolerance in the Fagaceae. Finally, we discuss the role of hybridisation, epigenetics and phenotypic plasticity in adaptation.