bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motion management in particle therapy
Authors: Mori Shinichiro , Knopf Antje‐Christin , Umegaki Kikuo
Published: November 2018

In this review article, we introduced the importance of “motion management” in advanced particle therapy. Several publications have reported that organ motion causes dose distribution disturbances due to interplay and blurring effects. Furthermore, motion can result in target dose miss and unwanted dose to healthy structures around the target. To avoid these problems, motion should be assessed and monitored prior and during treatment. In this review article, we give an overview about clinically available motion monitoring systems. Based on the acquired motion information an adequate motion mitigation technique should be chosen. This article reviews the clinical status of motion mitigation techniques like rescanning, gating and tracking. A limited number of centers have now started the treatment of targets in the thorax and abdomen using scanned particle beams. Therefore, the establishment of guidelines for motion monitoring and motion mitigation will be essential in the coming years.
A spectral method for solving heat and moisture transfer through consolidated porous media
Authors: Gasparin Suelen , Dutykh Denys , Mendes Nathan
Published: November 2018

This work presents an efficient numerical method based on spectral expansions for simulation of heat and moisture diffusive transfers through multilayered porous materials. Traditionally, by using the finite‐difference approach, the problem is discretized in time and space domains (method of lines) to obtain a large system of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which is computationally expensive. To avoid such a cost, this paper proposes a reduced‐order method that is faster and accurate, using a much smaller system of ODEs. To demonstrate the benefits of this approach, three case studies are presented. The first one considers nonlinear heat and moisture transfer through one material layer. The second case, ie, highly nonlinear, imposes a high moisture content gradient, simulating a rain‐like condition, over a two‐layered domain, whereas the last one compares the numerical prediction against experimental data for validation purposes. Results show how the nonlinearities and the interface between materials are easily and naturally treated with the spectral reduced‐order method. Concerning the reliability part, predictions show a good agreement with experimental results, which confirm robustness, calculation efficiency, and high accuracy of the proposed approach for predicting the coupled heat and moisture transfer through porous materials.
Effectiveness of a Total Meal Replacement Program (OPTIFAST Program) on Weight Loss: Results from the OPTIWIN Study
Authors: Ard Jamy D. , Lewis Kristina H. , Rothberg Amy , Auriemma Anthony , Coburn Sally L. , Cohen Sarah S. , Loper Judy , Matarese Laura , Pories Walter J. , Periman Seletha
Published: November 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of the OPTIFAST program (OP), a total meal replacement dietary intervention, compared with a food‐based (FB) dietary plan for weight loss.

Methods

Participants with BMI 30 to 55 kg/m2, age 18 to 70 years old, were randomized to OP or FB dietary and lifestyle interventions for 26 weeks, followed by a weight‐maintenance phase. Outcomes were percent change in body weight (%WL) from baseline to weeks 26 and 52, associated changes in body composition (using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry), and adverse events. Primary analysis used repeated‐measures multivariable linear mixed models to compare outcomes between groups in a modified intention‐to‐treat fashion (mITT).

Results

A total of 273 participants (83% of randomized; 135 OP, 138 FB) made up the mITT population. Mean age was 47.1 ± 11.2 years; 82% were female and 71% non‐Hispanic white. Baseline BMI was 38.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2. At 26 weeks, OP %WL was 12.4% ± 0.6% versus 6.0% ± 0.6% in FB (P < 0.001). At 52 weeks, OP %WL was 10.5% ± 0.6% versus 5.5% ± 0.6% in FB (P < 0.001). Fat mass loss was greater for OP; lean mass loss was proportional to total weight loss. There was no difference in serious adverse event rates between groups.

Conclusions

Compared with an FB approach, OP was more effective with greater sustained weight loss.
Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity Combined with Liraglutide 3.0 mg: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wadden Thomas A. , Walsh Olivia A. , Berkowitz Robert I. , Chao Ariana M. , Alamuddin Naji , Gruber Kathryn , Leonard Sharon , Mugler Kimberly , Bakizada Zayna , Tronieri Jena Shaw
Published: November 2018

Objective

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) covers intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) for obesity. The efficacy, however, of the specific approach has never been evaluated in a randomized trial, as described here. The 1‐year trial also assessed whether the addition to IBT of liraglutide 3.0 mg would significantly increase weight loss and whether the provision of meal replacements would add further benefit.

Methods

A total of 150 adults with obesity were randomly assigned to: IBT (IBT‐alone), providing 21 counseling visits; IBT combined with liraglutide (IBT‐liraglutide); or IBT‐liraglutide combined for 12 weeks with a 1,000‐ to 1,200‐kcal/d meal‐replacement diet (Multicomponent). All participants received weekly IBT visits in month 1, every‐other‐week visits in months 2 to 6, and monthly sessions thereafter.

Results

Ninety‐one percent of participants completed 1 year, at which time mean (± SEM) losses for IBT‐alone, IBT‐liraglutide, and Muticomponent participants were 6.1 ± 1.3%, 11.5 ± 1.3%, and 11.8 ± 1.3% of baseline weight, respectively. Fully 44.0%, 70.0%, and 74.0% of these participants lost ≥ 5% of weight, respectively. The liraglutide‐treated groups were superior to IBT‐alone on both outcomes. Weight loss in all three groups was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate the efficacy of IBT for obesity and the potential benefit of adding pharmacotherapy to this approach.
Communicating in the post‐truth era: Analyses of crisis response strategies of Presidents Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte
Authors: Ismail Natasha Binte Mohamed , Pagulayan Marie Angeline , Francia Carlo Miguel Alfonso , Pang Augustine
Published: November 2018

The rhetoric of then U.S. President‐elect Donald Trump and Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte had triggered a shift in global political discourse (Greene,). This study examines their responses on three similar crises: disrespectful remarks towards women, associations with controversial political figures, and remarks threatening geopolitical relations. Data from prestige publications, Washington Post (U.S.) and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, were analyzed during the acute stage of each crisis. Findings showed that both men employed confusing strategy combinations in their crisis responses. Despite incoherent application and contradictory strategies, they survived threats to their image as evidenced by poll results. New strategies (diversion and logorrhea) and a strategy amplifier (machismo) were uncovered. These strategies tapped on ambiguity and were found to be successfully employed in a post‐truth landscape. This study builds on Benoit's () argument that “any attempt by a president to repair a damaged image … clearly merits scholarly attention” (p. 138).
A commentary on local authority commercialisation strategies
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne
Published: November 2018

As growing numbers of local authorities in England are facing up to funding challenges, many of them are looking to commercialising services to increase revenue and to balance their budgets. This commentary paper outlines the characteristics of commercialisation and the drivers for it, reviews the commercial strategies being introduced by a number of local authorities, and offers some general reflections on commercialisation within local government. Although local authorities have created their own individual commercialisation strategies, a number of general themes can be identified within these strategies. These common themes include the drivers for commercialisation; the vision, aims, and objectives of commercialisation strategies; delivery plans and priorities; measurement; and risk management. In reflecting on local authority commercialisation strategies, the authors highlight the importance of developing both a communications plan and new skills and knowledge bases for employees, and they link their findings to the privatisation of public sector services and to neoliberal models of local service provision.
Overall and cause‐specific mortality in the Sentinel system: A power analysis
Authors: Swain Richard S. , Taylor Lockwood G. , Woodworth Tiffany S. , Fuller Candace C. , Petrone Andrew B. , Menzin Talia J. , Haug Nicole R. , Toh Sengwee , Mosholder Andrew D.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Mortality data within the Sentinel Death Tables remain generally uncharacterized. Assessment of mortality data within Sentinel will help inform its utility for medical product safety studies.

Methods

To determine if Sentinel contains sufficient all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality events to power postmarketing safety studies.

We calculated crude rates of all‐cause mortality and suicide and proportional mortality from suicide from 2004 to 2012 in seven Sentinel data partners. Results were stratified by data partner, sex, age group, and calendar year and compared with national estimates from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research. We performed sample size estimations for all‐cause mortality and 10 leading causes of death.

Results

We observed 479 694 deaths, including 5811 suicides, during 68 million person‐years of follow‐up. Pooled mean death and suicide rates in the data partners were 710 and 8.6 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively (vs 810 and 11.8 nationally). The mean proportional mortality from suicide among the data partners was 1.2%, compared with 1.5% nationally. National trends of decreasing overall mortality and increasing proportional mortality for suicide were reflected within Sentinel. We estimated that detecting hazard ratios of 1.25 and 3 would require 16 442 and 460 exposed patients, respectively, for overall mortality, and 1.3 million and 37 411, respectively, for suicide.

Conclusions

This was the first study to investigate mortality data in the Sentinel death tables. We found that all‐cause mortality appeared well powered for use as a safety outcome and cause‐specific mortality outcomes may be adequately powered in certain circumstances. Further investigation into the quality of the Sentinel death data is needed.
Hierarchical 3D TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Sensitized by Graphene Oxide and ZnxCdyS for High Performance Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Bao Ruiyu , Geng Junfeng , Sullivan James A. , Xia Jianxin , Wang Wenzhong , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Li Hua
Published: November 2018

Photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis are highly promising for applications in the energy and environment sectors. Several photocatalytic devices based on TiO2 nanotubes grown on two‐dimensional (2D) substrate (such as titanium foil) have been developed, but there has been little research on three‐dimensional (3D) TiO2 nanotubes which are expected to offer significantly enlarged surface area and much improved photocatalytic efficiency. Here, a method of building 3D TiO2 nanotube arrays (3D‐TNTAs) on titanium mesh by anodization via controlling the reaction time and electrolyte is reported. It is found that the electrochemically active area of such a titanium mesh is almost 4 times larger than that of the traditional titanium foil. Moreover, through making composites of graphene oxide and ZnxCdyS onto 3D TiO2 nanotubes, hierarchical nanotube arrays (ZnxCdyS/GO/3D‐TNTAs) are made by calcination‐deposition of graphene oxide followed by a facile successive ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR) treatment with ZnxCdyS. Characterization of the ZnxCdyS/GO/3D‐TNTAs indicates that this hierarchical multi‐layered nanostructure has a much improved photoelectrochemical property due to the enlarged surface area and improved electron–hole separation capability, demonstrating the great potential for applications in photoelectrocatalytic devices for environmental technologies.
Effect of puerarin on melanogenesis in human melanocytes and vitiligo mouse models and the underlying mechanism
Authors: Ding Xiaoxia , Mei Enci , Hu Murong , Zhou Chaofeng , Li Xiaobin , Cai Lei , Li Zhiming
Published: November 2018

Puerarin is the major bioactive ingredient derived from the root of thePueraria lobata(Willd.), and its antioxidative stress effects have been demonstrated in several previous studies. Moreover, Puerarin can upregulate melanin synthesis and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) transcription by increasing cAMP level of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Vitiligo is an acquired cutaneous disorder of pigmentation, and the pathogenesis has remained elusive. Current treatment modalities are directed towards achieving repigmentation. In this study, we found that after treating with puerarin at various concentrations of 40 μmol/L, the melanin content of human melanocytes increased significantly and the apparent level of protein and the RNA levels of MITF, tyrosinase (TYR), and tyrosinase‐related protein 1 (TRP‐1) were also increased. Further, puerarin was shown to inhibit phosphorylation and activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) without significantly affecting p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase phosphorylation. These results demonstrated that puerarin stimulated melanogenesis in human melanocytes via inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling pathways, which leads to upregulation of MITF and TYR as well as TRP‐1 subsequently. Additionally, mice vitiligo models with puerarin treatment showed lighter pathological changes. Therefore, we suggested that puerarin might be a potential medicine for vitiligo.
Calycosin attenuates MPTP‐induced Parkinson's disease by suppressing the activation of TLR/NF‐κB and MAPK pathways
Authors: Yang Jing , Jia Mengmeng , Zhang Xiaojian , Wang Peile
Published: November 2018

Parkinson is the second common neurodegenerative disease. The characteristics of Parkinson's disease (PD) are the dopamin neurons loss caused by neuroinflammation responses. C alycosin, an isoflavone phytoestrogen isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, has multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti‐inflammation, anti‐tumor, and neuroprotective effects. However, it is unknown whether calycosin can mitigate PD symptoms. This study aims to explore whether calycosin can alleviate PD symptoms and the underlying mechanisms. PD was induced in mice by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) injection, and calycosin was given intracerebroventricularly to these mice. A cell model of nerve inflammation was established by BV2 microglia cells injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The motor states were evaluated by stepping, whisker, and cylinder experiments. The states of dopaminergic neurons and microglia were detected by immunostainning of tyrosine hydroxylase and cluster of differentiation molecule 11b (CD11b). The expression levels of inflammatory factors were detected by qPCR. Toll‐like receptor (TLR)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were investigated by western blot. We found that calycosin treatment mitigated the behavioral dysfunctions and inflammatory responses in MPTP‐induced PD mice. The TLR/NF‐κB and MAPK pathways in MPTP‐induced PD mice were inhibited by calycosin treatment, which was coincident with experiments in LPS‐induced BV2 cells. Above all, calycosin mitigates PD symptoms through TLR/NF‐κB and MAPK pathways in mice and cell lines.
The effects of solution additives and gas‐phase modifiers on the molecular environment and conformational space of common heme proteins
Authors: Butcher David , Miksovska Jaroslava , Ridgeway Mark E. , Park Melvin A. , Fernandez‐Lima Francisco
Published: November 2018

Rationale

The molecular environment is known to impact the secondary and tertiary structures of biomolecules both in solution and in the gas phase, shifting the equilibrium between different conformational and oligomerization states. However, there is a lack of studies monitoring the impacts of solution additives and gas‐phase modifiers on biomolecules characterized using ion mobility techniques.

Methods

The effect of solution additives and gas‐phase modifiers on the molecular environment of two common heme proteins, bovine cytochrome c and equine myoglobin, is investigated as a function of the time after desolvation (e.g., 100–500 ms) using nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to trapped ion mobility spectrometry with detection by time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Organic compounds used as additives/modifiers (methanol, acetonitrile, acetone) were either added to the aqueous protein solution before ionization or added to the ion mobility bath gas by nebulization.

Results

Changes in the mobility profiles are observed depending on the starting solution composition (i.e., in aqueous solution at neutral pH or in the presence of organic content: methanol, acetone, or acetonitrile) and the protein. In the presence of gas‐phase modifiers (i.e., N2doped with methanol, acetone, or acetonitrile), a shift in the mobility profiles driven by the gas‐modifier mass and size and changes in the relative abundances and number of IMS bands are observed.

Conclusions

We attribute the observed changes in the mobility profiles in the presence of gas‐phase modifiers to a clustering/declustering mechanism by which organic molecules adsorb to the protein ion surface and lower energetic barriers for interconversion between conformational states, thus redefining the free energy landscape and equilibria between conformers. These structural biology experiments open new avenues for manipulation and interrogation of biomolecules in the gas phase with the potential to emulate a large suite of solution conditions, ultimately including conditions that more accurately reflect a variety of intracellular environments.
Effects of soil‐bound water exchange on the recovery of spike water by cryogenic water extraction
Authors: Thielemann Lukas , Gerjets Rowena , Dyckmans Jens
Published: November 2018

Rationale

The effects that alter the isotopic composition of water added to soil samples that have been oven‐dried previously are not fully understood.

Methods

Oven‐dried clay‐rich soil was repeatedly rewetted with two waters of strongly differing isotopic composition. This approach allowed the determination of the amount and the isotopic composition of soil‐bound water that exchanges with spike water after rewetting.

Results

After oven drying, 1.8% and 1.4% water (gravimetric content) exchanged with the added spike water, for δ2H and δ18O values, respectively. The isotopic composition of this soil residual water was depleted by 89.7 mUr and 5.42 mUr relative to the water extracted from field‐fresh soil for H and O, respectively. The cryogenic extraction method was more efficient than oven drying in terms of water removal from soil.

Conclusions

Our results show that the isotopic difference between extractable (mobile) water and non‐extractable (soil‐bound) water explains the isotopic effects observed in spike water experiments. This difference, however, can also lead to a considerable isotopic offset between extractable and total soil water.
Surface modification and characterization of carbon black through oxidation
Authors: Liu Chia Y. , Cheng Wen T.
Published: November 2018

This study focuses on modifying the surface of carbon black (CB) with hydrogen peroxide to raise light absorbance of dispersed CB in water without capping agent. Four kinds of commercial CB, trademarked as M900, M1000, M1100, and Mogul L, respectively, were used as study materials. The ultrasonic bath was utilized to disperse the treated CB in de‐ionic (DI) water in the absence of capping agent. The surface properties of treated CB were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as the light absorbance, stability, and morphology of treated CB particles dispersed in DI water were analyzed by ultraviolet‐visible light absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. As shown in the results, in particular, it was found that the oxygen on the surface of CB could be increased by the treatment of peroxide hydrogen, resulting in stable dispersion without capping agent to sharply increase light absorption value of Mogul L CB in DI water from 38 to 545 g−1 dm2.
Flexible longitudinal linear mixed models for multiple censored responses data
Authors: Lachos Victor H. , A. Matos Larissa , Castro Luis M. , Chen Ming‐Hui
Published: November 2018

In biomedical studies and clinical trials, repeated measures are often subject to some upper and/or lower limits of detection. Hence, the responses are either left or right censored. A complication arises when more than one series of responses is repeatedly collected on each subject at irregular intervals over a period of time and the data exhibit tails heavier than the normal distribution. The multivariate censored linear mixed effect (MLMEC) model is a frequently used tool for a joint analysis of more than one series of longitudinal data. In this context, we develop a robust generalization of the MLMEC based on the scale mixtures of normal distributions. To take into account the autocorrelation existing among irregularly observed measures, a damped exponential correlation structure is considered. For this complex longitudinal structure, we propose an exact estimation procedure to obtain the maximum‐likelihood estimates of the fixed effects and variance components using a stochastic approximation of the EM algorithm. This approach allows us to estimate the parameters of interest easily and quickly as well as to obtain the standard errors of the fixed effects, the predictions of unobservable values of the responses, and the log‐likelihood function as a byproduct. The proposed method is applied to analyze a set of AIDS data and is examined via a simulation study.
Facile One‐Step Synthesis of Polyoxazoline‐Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Venturini Pierre , Fleutot Solenne , Cleymand Franck , Hauet Thomas , Dupin Jean‐Charles , Ghanbaja Jaafar , Martinez Hervé , Robin Jean‐Jacques , Lapinte Vincent
Published: November 2018

Hereby, a facile one step synthesis of polyoxazoline coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles is reported. The functionalization efficiency is demonstrated using several complementary techniques including direct High Resolution‐Transmission Electron Microscopy observations of the polyoxazoline layer. The hybrid nanoparticles have a spinel Fd‐3 m structure, a mean particle size of around 12 nm and a high saturation magnetization of 72 emu/g.
Pyrenylthioureayl Alanine as a Switch‐On Fluorescent Sensor for Hg(II) Ions
Authors: Bag Subhendu Sekhar , De Suranjan
Published: November 2018

Fluorescence sensing of heavy metal ion such as mercury is highly important because of its adverse effects on biological systems and on environment. Toward this end, we report herein a new and novel pyrenylthioureayl alanine amino acid (1,PyTUAla) as an efficient switch‐on fluorescent sensor for sensing of Hg2+ion in semi‐aqueous solvent system (7:3 H2O:ACN). The probe also shows binding interaction with Cu2+ion with an enhancement of emission. In both the cases 1:2 metal‐ligand binding stoichiometry is evident from Job's plot analyses. The detection limit is found to be 93 nM with a very high association (1010 M−1) constant for Hg2+ion. The UV‐visible absorption, IR‐spectroscopic study, NMR titration, and a theoretical calculation supported the probe's binding to Hg2+ion through the coordination with two sulphur atoms of two iminothioureayl moieties of two pyrenylthioureayl alanines.
Ternary Manganese Oxide Composite Electrodes to Harvest Enhanced Capacitive Performances via Successive Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Su Linghao , Ma Chuanli
Published: November 2018

A strategy is proposed to harvest enhanced capacitive performances using successive reaction mechanism in ternary manganese oxide composite electrodes. Manganese oxide composite electrodes in KOH aqueous electrolyte with various weight ratio are studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. The results show that weight ratio in composite electrodes exerts great influence on capacitive behavior and that composite electrodes deliver higher specific capacitance than pure oxide ones. In MnO2/Mn2O3 binary oxide electrodes, 1:1 is the optimal weight ratio. For MnO2/Mn2O3/Mn3O4 ternary oxide electrodes, 1:1:2 electrode displays double capacitance of MnO2/Mn2O3 electrode (1:1), benefiting from the successive reactions due to the variable valence of manganese element in the composite electrode.
Reducing Concentration Polarization and Enhancing the Performance of Flexible Nickel‐Zinc Battery Using Polytetrafluoroethylene as Electrode Additive
Authors: Meng Xianyang , Wang Zhiqian , Di Benedetto Giuseppe , Zunino James L. , Mitra Somenath
Published: November 2018

The fabrication of flexible nickel‐zinc battery using a facile mixing of electroactive components for electrode preparation is presented. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was found to be an effective binding additive by reducing concentration polarization, providing chemical/physical stability and enhancing flexibility. The zinc electrode containing PTFE maintained its original porous morphology even after hundreds of cycles while polymers such as PEO showed morphology change. Each component, as well as the assembled flexible cells, showed desired flexibility and stability even under bending conditions.
Facile Synthesis of γ‐MnOOH Nanorods via a Redox Precipitation Route Using Oxygen and Their Thermal Conversion
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Sheng , Ding Ya , Lv Li‐Rong , Chen Ya‐Tu , Xu De‐Kang , Wang Shu‐Dong
Published: November 2018

A green chemistry approach was successfully fabricated in this work to synthesize γ‐MnOOH nanorods under mild conditions, in which oxygen was used as the green oxidizer and no surfactants or templates were involved. Only the oxygen was bubbled through the solutions of divalent manganese in the presence of NaOH. The morpholgy and structure of γ‐MnOOH were dependent on several cruicial factors, i. e. the amount of glacial acetic acid (HAc), the kind of anions, reaction time, and reaction temperature. To gain mechanistic information on the dependence, the γ‐MnOOH nanorods were characterized by TEM, SEM and XRD. Results showed that γ‐MnOOH nanorods were evolved from Mn3O4 by a redox process. Furthermore, the corresponding β‐MnO2, α‐Mn2O3, Mn3O4 were prepared by calcining γ‐MnOOH nanorods under different temperature and atmosphere. Among them, β‐MnO2 nanorods were most efficient for the catalytic decomposition of O3.
Subjective Unpossessed Reasons
Authors: Logins Artūrs ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2018

A common assumption in contemporary debates about normative reasons is that ‘subjective’ and ‘possessed’ are two names for the same sort of reason. This paper challenges that assumption. Given our cognitive limitations, it is unsurprising that normative reasons that derive from what we know and reasons that we are in a position to use in our deliberation are not always one and the same.
The Italian multiple sclerosis register
Authors:   on behalf of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Register Centers Group, Trojano Maria , Bergamaschi Roberto , Amato Maria Pia , Comi Giancarlo , Ghezzi Angelo , Lepore Vito , Marrosu Maria Giovanna , Mosconi Paola , Patti Francesco , Ponzio Michela , Zaratin Paola , Battaglia Mario Alberto
Published: November 2018

The past decade has seen extraordinary increase in worldwide availability of and access to several large multiple sclerosis (MS) databases and registries. MS registries represent powerful tools to provide meaningful information on the burden, natural history, and long-term safety and effectiveness of treatments. Moreover, patients, physicians, industry, and policy makers have an active interest in real-world observational studies based on register data, as they have the potential to answer the questions that are most relevant to daily treatment decision-making. In 2014, the Italian MS Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian MS clinical centers, promoted and funded the creation of the Italian MS Register, a project in continuity with the existing Italian MS Database Network set up from 2001. Main objective of the Italian MS Register is to create an organized multicenter structure to collect data of all MS patients for better defining the disease epidemiology, improving quality of care, and promoting research projects in high-priority areas. The aim of this article is to present the current framework and network of the Italian MS register, including the methodology used to improve the quality of data collection and to facilitate the exchange of data and the collaboration among national and international groups.
Maternal violence experiences and risk of postpartum depression: A meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Zhang Senmao , Wang Lesan , Yang Tubao , Chen Lizhang , Qiu Xing , Wang Tingting , Chen Letao , Zhao Lijuan , Ye Ziwei , Zheng Zan , Qin Jiabi
Published: November 2018

Background:

Most of original studies indicated maternal violence experiences is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes, to date, but it is not clear that the association of maternal violence experiences and the risk of postpartum depression (PPD). We aimed to assess the association between maternal violence experiences and risk of developing PPD by performing a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Methods:

PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Libraries and Chinese databases were searched through December 2017 to identify studies that assessed the association between violence and PPD. Meta-analysis was conducted by the RevMan software and Stata software. Potential heterogeneity source was explored by subgroup analysis and potential publication bias was assessed by Begg's funnel plots and Egger’s linear regression test.

Results:

Overall, women experiencing any violence events compared with the reference group were at a higher risk of developing PPD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–2.41). Additionally, different types of violence events such as sexual (OR = 1.56; 95%CI: 1.35–1.81), emotional (OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.61–1.89), and physical violence (OR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.36–2.67), as well as domestic (OR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.50–2.80) or childhood violence (OR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.34–1.88) also increased the risk of developing PPD. Relevant heterogeneity moderators have been identified by subgroup analysis. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results.

Conclusions:

Maternal violence experiences are significantly associated with risk of developing PPD. These finding highlight the necessary to protect women from any types of violence and formulate preventive strategies to promote the maternal mental health.
Pluralism in European Private Law
Authors: MAK Vanessa
Published: November 2018

This article takes stock of legal pluralist thinking in European private law. In which ways have existing theories brought forward our understanding of lawmaking in European private law? Central to that debate are the competing rationalities of EU internal market law, on the one hand, and national, juridical systems of private law on the other hand. An analysis of norms, processes, and actors involved in lawmaking in European private law reveals a field that has matured, but that is now at the threshold of a re-evaluation and potentially a transformation in lawmaking from ordered to strong legal pluralism, with a greater role for private regulation.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness System Evaluation Criteria and Performance Metrics: A Review of Contributions of the CDC-Funded Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers
Authors: Qari Shoukat H. , Yusuf Hussain R. , Groseclose Samuel L. , Leinhos Mary R. , Carbone Eric G.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) conducted research from 2008 to 2015 aimed to improve the complex public health emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR) system. This paper summarizes PERRC studies that addressed the development and assessment of criteria for evaluating PHEPR and metrics for measuring their efficiency and effectiveness.

Methods

We reviewed 171 PERRC publications indexed in PubMed between 2009 and 2016. These publications derived from 34 PERRC research projects. We identified publications that addressed the development or assessment of criteria and metrics pertaining to PHEPR systems and describe the evaluation methods used and tools developed, the system domains evaluated, and the metrics developed or assessed.

Results

We identified 29 publications from 12 of the 34 PERRC projects that addressed PHEPR system evaluation criteria and metrics. We grouped each study into 1 of 3 system domains, based on the metrics developed or assessed: (1) organizational characteristics (n = 9), (2) emergency response performance (n = 12), and (3) workforce capacity or capability (n = 8). These studies addressed PHEPR system activities including responses to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2011 tsunami, as well as emergency exercise performance, situational awareness, and workforce willingness to respond. Both PHEPR system process and outcome metrics were developed or assessed by PERRC studies.

Conclusions

PERRC researchers developed and evaluated a range of PHEPR system evaluation criteria and metrics that should be considered by system partners interested in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of their activities. Nonetheless, the monitoring and measurement problem in PHEPR is far from solved. Lack of standard measures that are readily obtained or computed at local levels remains a challenge for the public health preparedness field. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:626-638)
Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use in a central Nepal district: secondary analysis of a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Rathod S. D. , Luitel N. P. , Jordans M. J. D.
Published: November 2018

Background.

As reported from studies conducted in Nepal, between 15% and 57% of adults had ever consumed alcohol and between 1.5% and 25% of adults have alcohol use disorders (AUD). Few studies in Nepal have identified the correlates of consumption or described the help-seeking patterns and stigma among those affected with AUD.

Methods.

Interviewers administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as part of population-based surveys of adults in Chitwan District between 2013 and 2017. We conducted a secondary analysis to identify sociodemographic and health-related correlates of recent alcohol consumption using the χ2 test, to identify correlates of total AUDIT scores among men who drink using negative binomial regression, and to describe the treatment-seeking and stigma beliefs of men with AUD.

Results.

Over half (53.7%, 95% CI 50.4–57.0) of men (n  =  1130) recently consumed alcohol, and there were associations between being a drinker with age, religion, caste, education, occupation and tobacco use. Nearly one in four (23.8%, 95% CI 20.2–27.8%) male drinkers screened positive for AUD, and AUDIT scores were associated with age, caste, marital status, occupation, tobacco use, depression, functional status and suicidal ideation. Few (13.3%, 95% CI 11.7–15.0) women (n  =  2352) recently consumed alcohol, and 5.3% (95% CI 3.0–9.1) of female drinkers screened positive for AUD. Among AUDIT-positive men, 38% spoke to another person about their problems and 80% had internalized stigma.

Conclusions.

This study revealed that nearly one in four men who drink likely have AUD. Higher AUDIT scores were associated with depression, suicidality, dysfunctionality and internalized stigma.
Candidate Entry and Political Polarization: An Experimental Study
Authors: GROßER JENS , PALFREY THOMAS R.
Published: November 2018

We report the results of a laboratory experiment based on a citizen–candidate model with private information about ideal points. Inefficient political polarization is observed in all treatments; that is, citizens with extreme ideal points enter as candidates more often than moderate citizens. Second, less entry occurs, with even greater polarization, when voters have directional information about candidates’ ideal points, using ideological party labels. Nonetheless, this directional information is welfare enhancing because the inefficiency from greater polarization is outweighed by lower entry expenses and better voter information. Third, entry rates are decreasing in group size and the entry cost. These findings are all implied by properties of the unique symmetric Bayesian equilibrium cutpoint pair of the entry game. Quantitatively, we observe too little (too much) entry when the theoretical entry rates are high (low). This general pattern of observed biases in entry rates is implied by logit quantal response equilibrium.
Not all forms of dietary phosphorus are equal: an evaluation of postprandial phosphorus concentrations in the plasma of the cat
Authors: Coltherd Jennifer C. , Staunton Ruth , Colyer Alison , Thomas Gäelle , Gilham Matthew , Logan Darren W. , Butterwick Richard , Watson Phillip
Published: November 2018

Phosphorus is present in diets as naturally occurring P from raw materials or added as an inorganic salt. However, little is known about postprandial kinetics of P absorption in cats. Here, we describe several studies quantifying postprandial kinetics following the ingestion of diets of varying composition. Briefly, cats were fed a meal consisting of 50 % of their metabolic energy requirement in a randomised crossover design. A pre-meal baseline blood sample was taken via cephalic catheter and repeated measurements taken regularly up to 6 h post-meal to assess the whole blood ionised Ca, plasma P and parathyroid hormone concentrations. A diet containing 4·8 g total P/4184 kJ (1000 kcal), 3·5 g P from sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) and Ca:P 0·6 caused a marked increase in plasma P from baseline to a peak of 1·976 (95% CI 1·724, 2·266) mmol/l (P<0·001), whereas a diet containing 3·38 g total P/4184 kJ (1000 kcal), no added inorganic P and Ca:P 1·55 resulted in a postprandial decrease in plasma P (P= 0·008). Subsequent data indicate that added inorganic P salts in the diet above 0·5 g P/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) cause an increase in plasma P in cats, while diets below this do not. The data presented here demonstrate that sources of added inorganic P salts cause a temporary postprandial increase in plasma P in a dose-dependent manner, prolonged in diets with Ca:P <1·0. Dietary P derived from natural food ingredients (e.g. meat or vegetable matter) does not appear to have any effect on postprandial plasma P.
SOCRATES’ HOUSE: A NOTE ON HORACE, ODES 1.29
Authors: McOsker Michael
Published: November 2018

Odes (= Carm.) 1.29, while perhaps ‘not an important poem’ (so Commager), is a jocular address to Horace's philosophically inclined friend Iccius, who is considering joining a military expedition to Arabia; the poet remonstrates playfully with him about seeking wealth while leaving behind his philosophical studies. It ends as follows (vv. 10–16):
quis neget arduispronos relabi posse riuosmontibus et Tiberim reuerticum tu coemptos undique nobilislibros Panaeti Socraticam et domummutare loricis Hiberis,pollicitus meliora, tendis?
HOBBES'S CHANGING ECCLESIOLOGY
Authors: DAY ANDREW KENNETH
Published: November 2018

Readers of Hobbes have sought to account for differences between the arguments of his most influential texts. InDe civeHobbes (tepidly) endorsed apostolic structures of spiritual authority, while inLeviathanhe at last unleashed his vehement anticlericalism. I argue that these disparities do not reflect an identifiable change in Hobbes's ideas or principles over time. Rather, the political context in which Hobbes composed his treatises drastically altered over the course of his writing career, and the Hobbesian theoretical significance of those contextual developments best accounts for some ecclesiological inconsistencies across his oeuvre. There was, throughout the brief and tumultuous period after the regicide during which Hobbes composedLeviathan, no sovereign power in England to whom he should defer, and consequently he acquired certain liberties that subjects in acivitasforgo. Those included the renewal of his right to wage a ‘war of pens’ against High Anglican episcopal power.
Operation Condor on Trial: Justice for Transnational Human Rights Crimes in South America
Authors: Lessa Francesca
Published: November 2018

In May 2016, an Argentine federal court concluded a momentous trial, convicting 15 defendants of illegal kidnappings and torture committed against over 100 victims of Operation Condor, and ofasociación ilícita(‘illicit association’: conspiracy to commit a criminal offence) to perpetrate these violations. Operation Condor was the codename given to a continent-wide covert operation devised in the 1970s by South American regimes to eliminate hundreds of left-wing activists across the region. The Operation Condor verdict of 2016 broke new ground in human rights and transitional justice, for its innovative focus on transnational crimes and for holding state agents accountable for extraterritorial human rights violations. By analysing this pioneering case, the article brings the question of cross-border crimes into academic debate. As borders become more porous, scholars and practitioners can no longer afford to side-line the topic of accountability for transnational crimes.
Post-nasal devoicing and the blurring process
Authors: BEGUŠ GAŠPER
Published: November 2018

This paper addresses one of the most contested issues in phonology: unnatural alternations. First, non-natural phonological processes are subdivided into unmotivated and unnatural. The central topic of the paper is an unnatural process: post-nasal devoicing (PND). I collect thirteen cases of PND and argue that in all reported cases, PND does not derive from a single unnatural sound change (as claimed in some individual accounts of the data), but rather from a combination of three sound changes, each of which is phonetically motivated. I present new evidence showing that the three stages are directly historically attested in the pre-history of Yaghnobi. Based on several discussed cases, I propose a new diachronic model for explaining unnatural phenomena called the Blurring Process and point to its advantages over competing approaches (hypercorrection, perceptual enhancement, and phonetic motivation). The Blurring Process establishes general diachronic conditions for unnatural synchronic processes and can be employed to explain unnatural processes beyond PND. Additionally, I provide a proof establishing the minimal sound changes required for an unmotivated/unnatural alternation to arise. The Blurring Process and Minimal Sound Change Requirement have implications for models of typology within the Channel Bias approach. This paper thus presents a first step toward the ultimate goal of quantifying the influences of Channel Bias on phonological typology.
A cross-linguistic puzzle and its theoretical implications: Norwegianjo, Germandochandja, and an advertisement
Authors: Unger Christoph
Published: November 2018

It has long been recognised that at least some linguistic expressions —such as the connectivesbutin English andmaisin French, and the particlesdochin German andjoin Norwegian— function to affect the audience’s inference or reasoning processes rather than, or in addition to, provide conceptual content. There is a debate, however, whether the inference procedures triggered by these linguistic expressions function primarily to affect the audience’s recognition of the communicator’s arguments or primarily to guide the audience’s comprehension process. I discuss this question with reference to an instructive example from an advertisement in Norwegian. The advertisement is an argumentative text where the modal particlejoachieves subtle argumentational and stylistic effects that differ from those achieved by the corresponding German modal particlesdochorja. I demonstrate how the procedural semantic analyses independently developed by Berthelin & Borthen (submitted) ofjoand Unger (2016a, 2016b, 2016c) ofjaanddochsupport a pragmatic-semantic account of the argumentational effects of these particles. Although the semantics I propose for the respective particles does not directly relate to argumentation, it is specific enough to affect argumentation in predictable ways. The reason for this is that comprehension procedures and argumentation procedures closely interact in processing ostensive stimuli (such as verbal utterances) for optimal relevance.
Land Change Modelling to Inform Strategic Decisions on Forest Cover and CO2 Emissions in Eastern Madagascar
Authors: Hewson Jennifer , Razafimanahaka Julie Hanta , Wright Timothy Max , Mandimbiniaina Rina , Mulligan Mark , Jones Julia PG , Van Soesbergen Arnout , Andriamananjara Andry , Tabor Karyn , Rasolohery Andriambolantsoa , Razakamanarivo Herintsitohaina , Razafindrakoto Mieja , Rianahary Andrisoa , Razafimbelo Tantely , Ranaivoson Ntsoa , Harvey Celia A
Published: November 2018

Decision-makers need readily accessible tools to understand the potential impacts of alternative policies on forest cover and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to develop effective policies to meet national and international targets for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Land change modelling can support policy decisions by demonstrating potential impacts of policies on future deforestation and GHG emissions. We modelled land change to explore the potential impacts of expert-informed scenarios on deforestation and GHG emissions, specifically CO2 emissions, in the Ankeniheny–Zahamena Corridor in eastern Madagascar. We considered four scenarios: business as usual; effective conservation of protected areas; investment in infrastructure; and agricultural intensification. Our results highlight that effective forest conservation could deliver substantial emissions reductions, while infrastructure development will likely cause forest loss in new areas. Agricultural intensification could prevent additional forest loss if it reduced the need to clear more land while improving food security. Our study demonstrates how available land change modelling tools and scenario analyses can inform land-use policies, helping countries reconcile economic development with forest conservation and climate change mitigation commitments.