bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living With a Smoker and General and Central Adiposity in Middle-Aged and Older Women
Authors: Holahan Charles J. , Holahan Carole K. , Zhen Lichen , Powers Daniel A.
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

We hypothesized that living with a smoker would be positively associated with general and central adiposity among middle-aged and older women.

Design:

Prospective across up to 8 years.

Setting:

Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study.

Sample:

A total of 83 492 women (age 50-79 at baseline).

Measures:

The predictor was living with a smoker at baseline. Outcomes were clinic-assessed obesity and high waist circumference, examined cross-sectionally at baseline and prospectively at year 3 and (for self-reported obesity) year 8.

Analysis:

All analyses used logistic regression and controlled for sociodemographic factors and participants’ current smoking; prospective analyses also adjusted for baseline obesity or high waist circumference.

Results:

Living with a smoker was associated (1) cross-sectionally with obesity (n = 82 692, odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, P < .001) and a high waist circumference (n = 83 241, OR = 1.41, P < .001) and (2) prospectively with obesity (n = 68 753, OR = 1.22, P < .001) and a high waist circumference (n = 68 947, OR = 1.22, P < .001) 3 years later and obesity (n = 38 212, OR = 1.21, P < .001) 8 years later.

Conclusion:

These results document an essentially unrecognized health risk associated with living with a smoker. For practitioners, these findings underscore the need for innovative household-level interventions for families living with a smoker integrating established smoking and obesity prevention efforts.
Horizontal or Vertical? The Effects of Visual Orientation of Categorical Response Options on Survey Responses in Web Surveys
Authors: Hu Jingwei
Published: March 2019

Prior research has studied the impact of horizontal versus vertical orientation of rating scales on survey responses, but not the effects of orientation of categorical options. The present study attempts to fill this gap by investigating the orientation effects of categorical options on response burden and response quality and by studying how the effects of orientation of response categories interact with cognition capacity. The data are drawn from an experiment embedded in the 2013 Internet Survey of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), in which respondents were randomly assigned to a question with either horizontally or vertically aligned response categories. Response burden is measured by response time, and response quality is measured by reliability, primacy effect, and item missing on the question. Horizontal orientation is found to be more burdensome than vertical orientation on the web for HRS respondents, but there is no significant difference between the two orientations on primacy effect and item missing, and the two orientations are equally reliable. The effects of cognition capacity are found to interact with orientation on both response burden and response quality on the web. Compared to vertical orientation, horizontal orientation leads to longer response time but less primacy effect for people with lower cognition capacity versus people with higher cognition capacity. However, the effects of the orientation and cognition capacity do not interact on item missing. Vertical orientation for categorical response options in web surveys is recommended in general, but more caution should be exercised if respondents are elderly and primacy effect is a main concern.
The Influence of Formal and Informal Institutional Voids on Entrepreneurship
Authors: Webb Justin W. , Khoury Theodore A. , Hitt Michael A.
Published: March 2019

Building new space for institutional theory, we propose how the severity of formal and informal institutional voids shapes the productivity of entrepreneurial activities within society. Our theory makes the key assumptions that voids can exist in both formal and informal institutions and that they are capable of hindering entrepreneurial behavior that is favorable to development progress. We extend new theoretical domains by conceptualizing informal institutional voids and proposing how both formal and informal institutional voids and their interaction influence two qualitative outcomes within localities: (1) the unique forms of entrepreneurial activity, and (2) the objectives underlying this entrepreneurial activity.
Collective identity changes in far-right online communities: The role of offline intergroup conflict
Authors: Bliuc Ana-Maria , Betts John , Vergani Matteo , Iqbal Muhammad , Dunn Kevin
Published: March 2019

Despite the increasing citizen engagement with socio-political online communities, little is known about how such communities are affected by significant offline events. Thus, we investigate here the ways in which the collective identity of a far-right online community is affected by offline intergroup conflict. We examine over 14 years of online communication between members of Stormfront Downunder, the Australian sub-forum of the global white supremacist community Stormfront.org . We analyse members’ language use and discourse before and after significant intergroup conflict in 2015, culminating in local racist riots in Sydney, Australia. We found that the riots were associated with significant changes in the collective beliefs of the community (as captured by members’ most salient concerns and group norms), emotions and consensus within the community. Overall, the effects of the local riots were manifest in a reinvigorated sense of purpose for the far-right community with a stronger anti-Muslim agenda.
An operational effectiveness analysis of legacy and future mine countermeasures systems using discrete event simulation
Authors: Beery Paul , Byram Timothy , Gatley Eric , Giammarco Kristin , Williams Richard , Paulo Eugene
Published: March 2019

This paper conducts an operational analysis of legacy and future mine warfare systems using discrete event simulation. The research focuses on a comparative analysis of the MCM-1 Avenger ship, supported by the MH-53E helicopter, and the Littoral Combat Ship, supported by external unmanned systems, in active, defense mine countermeasures operations. The paper develops architectural representations of the functional activities associated with mine countermeasures operations, as well as architectural representations of past, current, and potential future physical entities involved in minehunting and mine neutralization. Those architectural representations are used as the basis for the development of two distinct discrete event simulation models, one corresponding to legacy (MCM-1 Avenger) operations and another corresponding to future (Littoral Combat Ship) operations. The results of the simulation are analyzed using statistical regression. The regression results indicate that the key performance drivers for both the legacy and future systems show considerable overlap, and also suggest that the legacy assets meet or exceed the performance of future assets in several measures of effectiveness. The simulation model for the future assets is reconsidered to develop recommendations regarding alterations to the future force that enable the future force to exceed the operational performance of the legacy force.
Critical care transfer in an English critical care network: Analysis of 1124 transfers delivered by an ad-hoc system
Authors: Grier Scott , Brant Graham , Gould Timothy H , von Vopelius-Feldt Johannes , Thompson Julian
Published: March 2019

Background

Critical care transfers between hospitals are time critical high-risk episodes for unstable patients who often require urgent lifesaving intervention. This study aimed to establish the scale, nature and safety of current transfer practice in the South West Critical Care Network (SWCCN) in England.

Methods

The SWCCN database contains prospectively collected data in accordance with national guidelines. It was interrogated for all adult (>15 years of age) patients from January 2012 to November 2017.

Results

A total of 1124 inter-hospital transfers were recorded, with the majority (935, 83.2%) made for specialist treatment. The transferring team included a doctor in 998 (88.8%) and nurse in 935 (93.7%) transfers. In 204 (18.1%) transfers, delays occurred, with the commonest cause being availability of transport. Critical incidents occurred in 77 (6.9%).

Conclusions

This is the first published data on the transfer activity of a UK adult critical care network. It demonstrates that current ad-hoc provision is not meeting the longstanding expectations of national guidelines in terms of training, clinical experience and timeliness. The authors hope that this study may inform national conversation regarding the development of National Health Service commissioned inter-hospital transfer services for adult patients in England.
Diffraction line profiles of spherical hollow nanocrystals
Authors: Burresi Emiliano , Tapfer Leander
Published: March 2019

An analytical expression of diffraction line profiles of spherical hollow nanocrystals (NCs) is derived. The particular features of the profile lines, enhanced peak tail intensity, are analyzed and discussed as a function of the NC size parameters (outer and inner radius, shell thickness). The explicit formula for the integral breadth, the Fourier particle size, and the Scherrer constants are also obtained and discussed in detail. The diffraction line profiles of hollow CdS NCs of zincblende and wurtzite crystallographic structure are calculated and compared with Debye scattering profiles. The diffraction profiles of both approaches exhibit an enhanced peak tail intensity that can be considered as a fingerprint of the hollow NC structure.
Determining the factors influencing the symptoms related to naviculo-medial cuneiform coalition
Authors: Choi Jun Young , Chun Kyung Ah , Lee Dong Joo , Cho Sung Tan , Suh Jin Soo
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

We aimed to determine the factors that influence the symptoms of naviculo-cuneiform (NC) coalition using radiography and computed tomography (CT).

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and CT findings of 37 NC coalition cases. The existence of a large pit (depth >3 mm), irregular articular surface, joint space narrowing, dorsal bony spur, subchondral sclerosis, multiple subchondral bony cysts, and intra-articular loose body were evaluated on radiographs or CT. The size of the largest subchondral bony cyst was also measured using CT. All cases were divided into two subgroups according to the symptoms. Fisher’s exact test was used to distinguish the factors influencing the symptoms.

Results:

Twenty-three and fourteen feet were enrolled into the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, respectively. The rates of the large pit on either radiograph (47.83 vs. 21.43%) or CT (65.22 vs. 28.57%) were significantly different between both groups ( p = 0.001). The mean size of the largest subchondral bony cyst on CT was also significantly greater in the symptomatic group (4.25 vs. 1.53 mm, p = 0.005).

Conclusion:

A large deep pit and huge subchondral bony cyst on the radiograph or CT can be related to symptoms for the patient with NC coalition. A CT is highly recommended for a more accurate evaluation in patients with NC coalition.
Pain, function, and patient satisfaction after arthroscopic treatment of elbow in a retrospective series with minimum of 5-year follow-up
Authors: Karelson Margit , Launonen Antti P , Jokihaara Jarkko , Havulinna Jouni , Mattila Ville M
Published: March 2019

Background:

The clinical indications for elbow arthroscopic procedures have expanded through last decades. The aim of the study was to assess the functional results and patient satisfaction after arthroscopic treatment of various elbow conditions after a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of a consecutive patient cohort who had undergone unilateral elbow arthroscopy between 2008 and 2010. The main outcomes were Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and a specific patient-reported outcome measure questionnaire after a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Results:

In total, there were 93 patients in the cohort with different diagnoses. Majority of patients were suffering from elbow osteoarthrosis. After the average follow-up of 72 months (range 60–96 months), the response rate was 67%. Eighty two percent of patients were satisfied with the pain relief and locking of the elbow was relieved in 70% of patients. Elbow range of motion (ROM) improved in 80% of the 55 patients who had a limited ROM before the operation. The overall patient satisfaction after elbow arthroscopic treatment was good. There were no differences in median DASH score between patients with or without post-traumatic condition, but the median DASH score for patients who had severe (grade 3) osteoarthrosis before the operation was significantly worse. There were no major complications reported in this cohort.

Conclusions:

Arthroscopic treatment of various elbow conditions was associated with good patient satisfaction and reduced symptoms without major complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Non-invasive massive growing prostheses reduce infection in paediatric cancer patients
Authors: Coathup Melanie Jean , Ahmad Samee , Maempel Julian F , Briggs Timothy WR , Aston William J , Skinner John A , Blunn Gordon W
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

In this study, we asked the question of whether non-invasive (NI) extendible bone tumour implants are as reliable and reduce infection when compared with patients who received a minimally invasive (MI) extendible implant.

Methods:

Forty-two NI extendible bone tumour implants were investigated at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 1–87 months) and 63 MI implants at a mean follow-up of 49 months (range, 1–156 months).

Results:

Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the probability of MI implant survival was 58.8% compared with 78.6% in NI patients. No significant difference between these two patient groups was found. Infection was the main reason for failure in the MI implant group where nine (35%) implants were revised. However, only one (11%) NI implant was revised for infection ( p = 0.042). None of the NI implants failed due to aseptic loosening; however, six (23%) MI implants were revised for aseptic loosening of the intramedullary stem. Four (15%) of the failed MI implants were revised due to full extension and five (56%) of failed NI implants were replaced as the implant had been fully extended where the patient still required growth.

Conclusion:

Where possible, an NI massive prosthesis should be used in this patient group. Our results suggest that MI prostheses should be infrequently used due to the high incidence of infection. Lengthening of NI prostheses is painless, can be carried out in the clinic and is more cost-effective. However, further work is required to increase the amount of growth potential available in these implants.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Grading System for Tears of the Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major
Authors: Erickson Brandon J. , Chalmers Peter N. , Potter Hollis G. , Altchek David W. , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Recent awareness of latissimus dorsi/teres major (LD/TM) injuries has led to an increase in diagnoses. No magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification system specific to the LD/TM exists, nor has tear severity been correlated with ability to return to sport (RTS).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to report a novel MRI classification system for LD/TM tears as well as to correlate tear grade with performance and RTS. We hypothesized that the new MRI classification system would have high intra- and interobserver reliabilities and that players with higher grade tears would require operative management.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All patients with LD/TM tears diagnosed by MRI who were under the care of 2 orthopaedic surgeons were included. On 2 occasions 60 days apart, MRIs were reviewed and graded by 2 authors using a new classification system. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were calculated. Timing from injury to RTS was recorded, and performance upon RTS was analyzed.

Results:

The proposed grading system had excellent intra- and interrater reliabilities (Cohen kappa >0.850). A total of 20 male patients (mean ± SD age, 26 ± 9.3 years) with LD/TM tears were included (80% were baseball pitchers). Of the 16 players treated operatively, 5 were initially treated nonoperatively by an outside physician but could not RTS (all professional baseball pitchers); 2 of these players had grade IIIA tears and 3 of the players had grade IVA tears. Regardless of initial treatment, ultimately 100% of the professional baseball players were able to RTS at a mean of 8.7 ± 3.3 months, although the initial nonoperative management failed for some of these players and they needed surgical intervention. No statistically significant differences were found between pre- versus postoperative performance in those professional players who were treated surgically.

Conclusion:

The proposed MRI-based grading system for LD/TM tears had excellent reliability. This system may allow physicians to better advise patients and all involved health care providers. Consideration should be given to acutely treat grade III and IV tears with operative repair.
Bodily Inertia and the Weaponization of the Sonoran Desert in US Boundary Enforcement: A GIS Modeling of Migration Routes through Arizona’s Altar Valley
Authors: Boyce Geoffrey Alan , Chambers Samuel N. , Launius Sarah
Published: March 2019

Executive Summary

This article conducts geographic information system (GIS) modeling of unauthorized migration routes in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona and finds an increase in the ruggedness of terrain crossed by pedestrian travelers throughout time. The modeling of ruggedness incorporates multiple variables that include slope, vegetation, “jaggedness,” and ground temperature, and provides an alternative to Euclidian distance as a way of measuring and conceptualizing borderlands space.

The data that informs our analysis is derived from comprehensive activity logs maintained by the humanitarian organization No More Deaths from 2012 to 2015, including 4,847 unique entries documenting the use of 27,439 gallons of clean drinking water at 512 distinct geotagged cache sites located along known pedestrian migration routes. The shift in migration routes toward more difficult terrain within this one high-traffic corridor reveals the ongoing impacts of the US Border Patrol’s strategy of “Prevention Through Deterrence.” In short, the pressures of enforcement on migration routes combine with everyday interference with humanitarian relief (No More Deaths and Coalición de Derechos Humanos 2018) to maximize the physiological harm experienced by unauthorized migrants. Among other outcomes, this explains both the persistence of mortality of unauthorized migrants and an increase in the rate of mortality over time (Martínez et al. 2014). The article concludes with several policy recommendations for US Customs and Border Protection that include making interference and vandalism of humanitarian aid a fireable offense; the formation of a border-wide agency tasked with search-and-rescue and emergency medical response, whose mission and operations are restrained by a clear firewall between itself and those of law enforcement; and ending Prevention Through Deterrence as a nationwide strategy.
Evaluation of a simple tool to assess the results of Ponseti treatment for use by clubfoot therapists: a diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Smythe Tracey , Mudariki Debra , Gova Maxman , Foster Allen , Lavy Christopher
Published: March 2019

Background

We aimed to develop and evaluate a tool for clubfoot therapists in low resource settings to assess the results of Ponseti treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus, or clubfoot, in children of walking age.

Method

A literature review and a Delphi process based on the opinions of 35 Ponseti trainers in Africa were used to develop the Assessing Clubfoot Treatment (ACT) tool and score. We followed up children with clubfoot from a cohort treated between 2011 and 2013, in 2017. A full clinical assessment was conducted to decide if treatment was successful or if further treatment was required. The ACT score was then calculated for each child. Inter‐observer variation for the ACT tool was assessed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated for the ACT score compared to full clinical assessment (gold standard). Predictors of a successful outcome were explored.

Results

The follow up rate was 31.2% (68 children). The ACT tool consisted of 4 questions; each scored from 0 to 3, giving a total from 0 to 12 where 12 is the ideal result. The 4 questions included one physical assessment and three parent reported outcome measures. It took 5 min to administer and had excellent inter‐observer agreement.

An ACT score of 8 or less demonstrated 79% sensitivity and 100% specificity in identifying children that required further intervention, with a positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 90%. Children who completed two or more years of bracing were four times more likely to achieve an ACT score of 9 or more compared to those who did not (OR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.31–12.65, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The ACT tool is simple to administer, had excellent observer agreement, and good sensitivity and specificity in identifying children who need further intervention. The score can be used to identify those children who definitely need referral and further treatment (score 8 or less) and those with a definite successful outcome (score 11 or more), however further discrimination is needed to decide how to manage children with a borderline ACT score of 9 or 10.

Level of evidence

Level II, Diagnostic Study.
Linking women experiencing incarceration to community-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis care: protocol of a pilot trial
Authors: Ramsey Susan E. , Ames Evan G. , Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren , Teitelman Anne M. , Clarke Jennifer , Kaplan Clair
Published: March 2019

Background

Women experiencing incarceration (WEI) engage in high rates of sex- and drug-related behavior that places them at risk for HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an efficacious means of reducing HIV acquisition. There is a general lack of knowledge regarding PrEP among women at elevated risk, and only a small percentage of at-risk women are currently engaged in PrEP care. The period of incarceration represents an opportunity to identify at-risk women, initiate PrEP during incarceration, and establish linkage to community-based PrEP care upon release from incarceration. Further, post-release is a time period that is particularly risky, and there are numerous barriers, including substance use, that may impede linkage to community-based care in the absence of intervention. The current protocol describes plans for the development and pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention to promote PrEP uptake during incarceration and facilitate linkage to community-based PrEP care post-release.

Methods/design

The motivational interviewing-navigation (MI-NAV) study intervention is being developed, refined, and tested over three phases within the framework of the social ecological model. All phases of the study are being conducted at a women’s correctional facility and community-based PrEP provider located in the Northeastern region of the United States. Phase 1 consists of individual qualitative interviews to be conducted with key stakeholders (n = 6–10) from the community-based PrEP care site and (n = 6–10) from the women’s correctional facility, as well as with (n = 18–30) WEI. Recruitment for Phase 1 was initiated in November 2017. In Phase 2, MI-NAV will be piloted with a small cohort (n = 8–12) of WEI and will be refined based upon participant feedback. During Phase 3, a pilot RCT of MI-NAV and a standard of care condition will be conducted with 80 WEI. RCT participants will complete baseline and follow-up assessments 1, 3, and 6 months post-release. The primary study outcome is linkage to community-based PrEP care, verified via medical records.

Discussion

This study will develop and evaluate a psychosocial intervention (MI-NAV) to promote PrEP uptake and facilitate linkage to community-based PrEP care among women at-risk for HIV. It is expected that, as a result of this project, the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of MI-NAV will be determined. If found to be efficacious, this intervention has the potential to reduce HIV acquisition in a high-need, underserved community.

Clinical trial registrationNCT03281343
Comparison of administration of clopidogrel with aspirin versus aspirin alone in prevention of secondary stroke after transient ischemic attack
Authors: Khazaei Mojtaba , Ghasemian Fateme , Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Taheri Mohammad , Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh
Published: March 2019

Background

Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke are at risk of strokes. One of the precautionary measures to reduce risk of stroke in these patients is administration of antiplatelet drugs.

Methods

The aim of this study was comparison of clopidogrel with aspirin versus aspirin alone in prevention of stroke following TIA or acute minor stroke. This clinical trial study was carried out in Farshchian Hospital, Hamadan, Iran in 2018. Fifty‐four patients with TIA, isolated visual attacks, and minor stroke were randomly assigned to receive aspirin 80 mg/day or aspirin 80 mg/day and clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 3 months.

Results

After this period, patients were examined for occurrence of myocardial stroke, hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke and drug complications. Ischemic stroke or TIA occurred in 5 (18.5%) patients in clopidogrel–aspirin group and 10 patients (37.1%) in aspirin group (P = 0.12).

Conclusion

The study suggests a trend toward superiority of administration of clopidogrel with aspirin versus aspirin alone in protection against secondary stroke. Studies in larger cohorts of patients are needed to verify these results.
Correction to: Hypoxic condition enhances chondrogenesis in synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Bae Hyun Cheol , Park Hee Jung , Wang Sun Young , Yang Ha Ru , Lee Myung Chul , Han Hyuk-Soo
Published: March 2019

The original article [1] contains errors in the Acknowledgements and Funding sections of the Declarations.
How to Make a Queer: The Erotics of Begging; or, Down and Out in the Great Depression
Authors: Parker Robert Dale
Published: March 2019

Across the fiction and poetry of the Great Depression, when the focus turns to men on the down and out, unable to find work and not knowing where they will find their next meal or place to sleep, a series of representative scenes reappears from one now often-forgotten story, novel, and poem to another. Collectively such scenes, recurring across the literature of the 1930s, offer something like a cousinly alternative, on a far smaller scale, to the 1930s ascendency of documentary and the 1920s and 1930s movement for a proletarian literature. Stories of begging for money or food, for example, took a variety of forms, and they also took on erotic connotations. This article reads the erotics of begging in little-known literature from the Great Depression, especially Tom Kromer’s Waiting for Nothing (1935), and argues that when a man on the down and out “makes” a queer, in effect also queering himself, he queers as well the masses of down-and-out unemployed men whose unloosed gender stirred up a national anxiety about precarious masculinity.
The zebrafish orthologue of the human hepatocerebral disease geneMPV17plays pleiotropic roles in mitochondria
Authors: Martorano Laura , Peron Margherita , Laquatra Claudio , Lidron Elisa , Facchinello Nicola , Meneghetti Giacomo , Tiso Natascia , Rasola Andrea , Ghezzi Daniele , Argenton Francesco
Published: March 2019

Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (MDS) are a group of rare autosomal recessive disorders with early onset and no cure available. MDS are caused by mutations in nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance, and characterized by both a strong reduction of mtDNA content and severe mitochondrial defects in affected tissues. Mutations in MPV17, a nuclear gene encoding a mitochondrial inner membrane protein, have been associated with hepatocerebral forms of MDS. Zebrafish mpv17 null mutant lacks the guanine-based reflective skin cells named iridophores and represents a promising model to clarify the role of Mpv17. In our work, we have characterized the mitochondrial phenotype of mpv17−/− larvae and found early and severe ultrastructural alterations in liver mitochondria as well as a significant impairment of the respiratory chain leading to activation of the mitochondrial quality control. Our results provide evidences for zebrafish Mpv17 being essential for maintaining mitochondrial structure and functionality while its effect on mtDNA copy number seems to be subordinate. Considering that a role in nucleotides availability had already been postulated for MPV17, that embryos blocked in pyrimidine synthesis do phenocopy mpv17−/− KO and that mpv17−/− KO have an impaired Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase activity, we provided mpv17 mutants with the pyrimidine precursor orotic acid (OA). The treatment with OA, an easily available food supplement, significantly increased both iridophores number and mtDNA content of mpv17−/− mutants, thus linking the loss of Mpv17 to pyrimidine de novo synthesis and opening a new simple therapeutic approach for MPV17-related MDS.
Chewing or not? Intraoral food processing in a salamandrid newt
Authors: Heiss Egon , Schwarz Daniel , Konow Nicolai
Published: March 2019

Food processing refers to any form of food mechanical breakdown prior to swallowing. Variations of this behaviour are found within all major gnathostome groups. Chewing is by far the most commonly used intraoral processing mechanism and involves rhythmic mandibular jaw and hyobranchial (tongue) movements. Chewing occurs in chondrichthyans (sharks and rays), actinopterygians (ray-finned fishes), dipnoi (lungfishes) as well as amniotes and involves similarities in the patterns of muscle activity and movement of the feeding apparatus. It has been suggested that amniote chewing, which involves the interaction of movements of the mandibular jaw and the muscular tongue, has evolved as part of the tetrapod land invasion. However, little is known about food processing mechanisms in lissamphibians, which might have retained many ancestral tetrapod features. Here, we identify a processing mechanism in the salamandrid newt, Triturus carnifex, which after prey capture displays cyclic head bobbing in concert with rhythmic jaw and tongue movements. We use high-speed fluoroscopy, anatomical reconstructions and analyses of stomach content to show that newts, although not using their mandibular jaws, deploy a derived processing mechanism where prey items are rasped rhythmically against the dentition on the mouth-roof, driven by a loop-motion of the tongue. We then compare patterns and coordination of jaw and tongue movements across gnathostomes to conclude that food processing in this newt species shares traits with processing mechanisms in fish as well as amniotes. This discovery casts salamanders as promising models for reconstructing the evolution of intraoral processing mechanisms at the fish-tetrapod split.
Regression dilution in energy management patterns
Authors: Halsey Lewis G. , Perna Andrea
Published: March 2019

Analysis of some experimental biology data involves linear regression and interpretation of the resulting slope value. Usually the x-axis measurements include noise. Noise in the x-variable can create regression dilution, and many biologists are not aware of the implications – regression dilution results in an underestimation of the true slope value. This is particularly problematic when the slope value is diagnostic. For example, energy management strategies of animals can be determined from the regression slope estimate of mean energy expenditure against resting energy expenditure. Typically, energy expenditure is represented by a proxy such as heart rate, which adds substantive measurement error. With simulations and analysis of empirical data, we explore the possible effect of regression dilution on interpretations of energy management strategies. We conclude that unless r2 is very high, there is a good possibility that regression dilution will affect qualitative interpretation. We recommend some ways to contend with regression dilution, including the application of alternative available regression approaches under certain circumstances.
Cancer in Kenya: types and infection-attributable. Data from two National referral hospitals
Authors: Macharia Lucy Wanjiku , Mureithi Marianne Wanjiru , Anzala Omu
Published: March 2019

Background:Cancer in Africa is an emerging health problem. In Kenya it ranks third as a cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 31% of the total cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa is attributable to infectious agents. Information on cancer burden is scanty in Kenya and this study aimed to provide comprehensive hospital based data to inform policies.

Method:A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) from 2008 to 2012.  Data was obtained from the patients files and the study was approved by the KNH/University of Nairobi and MTRH Ethics and Research Committees.  

Results: In KNH, the top five cancers were: cervical (62, 12.4%), breast (59, 11.8%), colorectal (31, 6.2%), chronic leukemia (27, 5.4%) and stomach cancer 26 (5.2%). Some 154 (30.8%) of these cancers were associated with infectious agents, while an estimated 138 (27.6%) were attributable to infections. Cancers of the cervix (62, 12.4%), stomach (26, 5.2%) and nasopharynx (17, 3.4%) were the commonest infection-associated cancers. In MTRH, the five common types of cancers were Kaposi’s sarcoma (93, 18.6%), breast (77, 15.4%), cervical (41, 8.2%), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (37, 7.4%) and colorectal, chronic leukemia and esophageal cancer all with 27 (5.4%). Some 241 (48.2%) of these cancers were associated with infectious agents, while an estimated 222 (44.4%) were attributable to infections. Kaposi’s sarcoma (93, 18.6%), cancer of the cervix (41, 8.2%) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (37, 7.4%) were the commonest infection-associated cancers.

Conclusion:Our results suggest that30.8% and 48.2% of the total cancer cases sampled in KNH and MTRH respectively were associated with infectious agents, while 27.6% and 44.4% were attributable to infections in the two hospitals respectively. Reducing the burden of infection-attributable cancers can translate to a reduction of the overall cancer burden.
Larvicidal, adulticidal, and oviposition-deterrent activity of Piper betle L. essential oil to Aedes aegypti
Authors: Martianasari Riesna , Hamid Penny Humaidah
Published: March 2019

Background and Aim: Aedes aegypti is a primary vector of many arthropod-borne diseases. One of the diseases, dengue fever, is an endemic disease in Indonesia causing high mortalities for decades. There are no preventive and specific treatments for dengue so far. Therefore, prevention of this disease largely depends on the mosquito control. Since resistance to chemical insecticides occurred worldwide, the study on alternate and new mosquito insecticides are mandatory. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of essential oil from P. betle L. in the larval and adult stages, as well as its influence on oviposition activity of A. aegypti mosquito. Materials and Methods: P. betle efficacy was evaluated in various stages of A. aegypti development. For the larvicidal activity, larvae instar III stage was used. Adulticidal assay in this experiment was performed using newly emerged A. aegypti. For oviposition assay, mated A. aegypti was tested for their responses to P. betle-treated and non-treated ovitraps. Results: P. betle L. - adulticide activity was effective with a concentration of 2.5 μl/ml, caused 100% mortality within 15-30 min. Larvicide activity was observed after 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-treatment with LC50183, 92.7, and 59.8 ppm and LC90> 637, 525, and 434.7 ppm, respectively. Oviposition activity index was −0.917 in 1000 ppm. In addition, the eggs number of A. aegypti oviposition with 100 ppm of essential oil P. betle L. was 5 times lower than the control. Conclusion: This study demonstrated clearly that essential oil derived from P. betle L. potentially acts as alternate bioinsecticide to control A. aegypti population. The application can be varied or combined in different stages of mosquito development.
Public Transport to the Airport and Its Influence on Handling Process
Authors: Stojić Slobodan , Pazdro Vladimir , Vokáč Roman
Published: March 2019

The paper focuses on several possibilities of the mass public transport to the airport, including analyses of the expected impact on the various airport processes. Within the article, three main transportation system types will be described and compared. Firstly, the problem regarding current bus transfer system to the Václav Havel airport Prague will be analyzed. According to the analysis results the focus now turns to the description of the potential influence of the introduction of the new transfer systems, including the impact on the airport security and passport control process, and other procedures, which include some kind of a queuing process. This airport was chosen as the biggest airport in the Czech Republic, which in today and future business environment could expect problems related to the public transport of the passengers to and from the airport. Besides the description of the current structure, the paper tries to elaborate issues such as calculation of the queue waiting times and to propose a new system, more suitable for the given conditions. Results of the research include various calculations, such dependence of a modal split and intervals of the waiting times within a check-in process.
Caesalpinia sappan L. Ethanolic Extract Decrease Intracellular ROS Level and Senescence of 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Hanif Naufa , Hermawan Adam , Meiyanto Edy
Published: March 2019

Highly and uncontrolled cell proliferation on cancer cells may boost ROS level intracellular accumulation up significantly. Sappan heartwood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) have been known to have cytotoxicity effect toward several cancer cells. This research was conducted to develop Caesalpinia sappan L. heartwood ethanolic extract (CSE) as chemopreventive agent which can be used as cancer therapy, looked from antioxidant and anti-senescence activity toward 4T1 breast cancer cell. CSE was obtained through maceration using ethanol 70% as solvent. Cytotoxicity activity of CSE was done by using MTT assay with IC50 as parameter. This IC50 was used as basic to the next assay, ROS assay by using DCFDA staining flowcytometry to look ROS level intracellular of CSE toward 4T1 cell and senescence assay by using senescence associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) assay with % cell senescence as their parameter. CSE toxic to 4T1 cell that proved from IC50 value of 25 µg/mL. Single treatment of CSE on concentration 12,5; 25; and 37.5 µg/mL able to suppress ROS level intracellular. If compared with untreated cell, single treatment of CSE on concentration 6 and 12 µg/mL showed % cell senescence not significantly different. Based on this result, CSE is cytotoxic, has antioxidant and antisenescence activity, so it has great potential to developed as chemoprevention agent on cancer therapy.Keywords : Caesalpinia sappan L., 4T1 breast cancer line, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), anti-senescence
Formation of Eco-friendly Silver Nanoparticle Microalgae using Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Kusumaningrum Hermin Pancasakti , Zainuri Muhammad , Widianingsih Widianingsih , Haryanti Wahyu Dewi Utari , Marhaendrajaya Indras , Mahendrajaya Robertus Triaji
Published: March 2019

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using organism have spurred great interest as a antimicrobial and biomedical agents. Green microalgae have advantages as they are easily available, grow rapidly and producing varieties metabolites. Synthesized of AgNPs from  microalgae C. vulgaris offer environmentally antimicrobial agent. The objectives of the study is producing AgNPs microalgae using C. vulgaris as eco-friendly antimicrobial agent. The research methods was conducted by synthesizing silver nanoparticle microalgae using C. vulgaris following by characterization under UV–visible spectroscopy,  transmission electron microscopy  (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The research result showed AgNPs C. vulgaris microalgae were produced with and without agitation treatment under different condition. The synthesized AgNPs C. vulgaris exhibited a maximum absorption at 312 nm and 398 nm, and EDX analysis had determined that abundance chemical elements presented in a sample were carbon  and silver.  The TEM analysis revealed that they are spherical form. The spot of EDX analysis showed the presence of silver atoms. The SEM analysis shows the spherical shaped with some silver particle inside of the cell. These resut indicated that formation of silver nanoparticle microalgae using C. vulgaris has been succesfully obtained under the treatment.
ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBER INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY IN CENTRAL JAVA INDONESIA USING SPATIAL-POISSON REGRESSION
Authors: Prahutama Alan , Warsito Budi , Mukid Moch. Abdul
Published: March 2019

Maternal and infant mortality are one of the most dangerous problems of the community since it can profoundly affect the number and composition of the population. Currently, the government has been taking heed on the attempt of reducing the number of maternal and newborn mortality in Central Java which requires data and information entirely. Poisson regression is a nonlinear regression that is often used to model the relationship between response variables in the form of discrete data with predictor variables in the form of discrete or continuous data. In space analysis, GWPR is one of method in space modeling which can model regional-based regression. It is based on some factors including the number of health facilities, the number of medical personnel, the percentage of deliveries performed with non-medical assistance; the average age of a woman's first marriage; the average education level of married women; average amount of per capita household expenditure; percentage of village status; the average rate of exclusive breastfeeding; percentage of households that have clean water and the percentage of poor people. Based on the analysis, it is revealed that the determinants of maternal and infant mortality in Central Java using Poisson and GWPR models, among others are the number of health facilities, the number of medical personnel, the average number of per capita household expenditure and the percentage of the poor. In the maternal and infant mortality model, the AIC value of GWPR model produces better modeling than Poisson regression. Keywords: Maternal and Infant mortality, Poisson, GWPR
Work-Related Fatigue Factors among Hospital Nurses: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: ALAHMADI Bader , Alharbi Manal
Published: March 2019

Background: Due to the demanding nature of nurses’ work and the current shortage of nurses, hospital nurses often find themselves working extra shifts, extended hours, and taking on more responsibilities. However, this added pressure on the body and mind results in fatigue which adversely affects nurses' health status as well as their ability to provide optimal health care procedures. Preventing fatigue and reducing its adverse consequences requires comprehensive awareness about its diverse contributing factors.Purpose: Examine factors that influence fatigue among nurses employed in a hospital setting.Methods: An integrative review to assess the quality of the research evidence, to find minor and major gaps in current research and the main issues in the area of the research and finally to bridge the research gaps. This integrative review identified a total of 12 relevant research studies from Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and a manual search were used in this review. Data were reviewed in May 2017, using an integrative review then interpreted, analyzed and synthesized to identify key contributing factors that influence fatigue among hospital nurses.Results: The 12 studies in this review revealed that significant factors such as organizational factors, nursing work characteristics, psychosocial factors as well as individual characteristics and demand influence nurse fatigue. Work shifts, specifically night- shifts and extended work shifts without sufficient inter-shift recovery were linked to higher levels of fatigue.Conclusion: This review identified the significant associations between work schedules, work environments, demographics and fatigue among nurses in hospital settings located in various countries all around the world.Impact: Increased physical and psychological job demands combined with the lack of social support at work leads to a heightened degree of job dissatisfaction, which results in acute and chronic fatigue. Findings from this study may help healthcare organizations and policymaker to introduce strategies that mitigate fatigue among nurses in hospital settings.
Rancang Bangun Alat Sadap Elektrik untuk Tanaman Karet
Authors: Setiawan Joga Dharma , Purwiantoro Arman , Haryadi Gunawan Dwi , Munadi Munadi , Ariyanto Mochammad
Published: March 2019

Karet merupakan komoditas perkebunan yang sangat penting  peranannya di Indonesia. Sekitar 3,2 juta hektar total luas lahan kebun karet yang dimiliki oleh Indonesia. Proses penyadapan pohon karet hingga saat ini masih menggunakan alat sadap karet manual dengan menggunakan tenaga manusia. Dalam  penelitian ini alat sadap karet elektrik dirancang sebagai inisiasi pengembangan untuk penyadapan tanaman karet umur 6 sampai 10 tahun. Pembuatan alat sadap karet elektrik menyesuaikan alat sadap karet manual dan ketersediaan komponen yang ada di pasaran dengan tujuann mempermudah produksi dalam jumlah besar. Pembuatan alat sadap karet elektrik bertujuan untuk mempermudah petani dalam melakukan pekerjaannya serta dapat meningkatkan produksi karet dari pohon karet. Dengan kecepatan putar  pisau 130 RPM diharapkan mampu menghasilkan latex atau getah karet yang lebih banyak dari alat sadap karet manual. Dari hasil pengujian awal pisau sadap elektrik mempunyai waktu mengiris yang lebih lama yaitu antara 15 – 17 detik sedangkan waktu mengiris menggunakan pisau manual membutuhkan waktu 7 – 8 detik. Untuk itu perlu modifikasi dan pengembangan lanjutan untuk meningkatkan kinerja petani dalam menggunakan pisau sadap elektrik.
Kinerja Sistem Kotak Pendingin Peltier Tenaga Surya Untuk Penyimpanan Sayur dan Buah
Authors: Manik Terang UHS Ginting , Sitorus Tulus Burhanuddin , Sembiring Ferry
Published: March 2019

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kinerja sistem kotak pendingin peltier yang memanfaatkan tenaga surya untuk penyimpanan sayuran dan buah. Keuntungan dari sistem pendingin peltier adalah tidak mengkonsumsi listrik dan ramah lingkungan. Komponen termoelektrik digabungkan dengan heat sink dimana kipas kecil ditempatkan di luar dan kipas yang lainnya ditempatkan di dalam kotak pendingin. Data pengukuran distribusi temperatur dari sistem pendingin peltier kemudian dianalisis untuk mendapatkan performansinya. Pengujian dilakukan di ruang terbuka yang mengalami paparan radiasi matahari. Proses pengukuran kondisi cuaca dilakukan menggunakan alat pengukur cuaca. Untuk merekam distribusi temperatur pada setiap komponen sistem pendingin peltier digunakan termokopel yang terhubung ke data akuisisi. Hasil eksperimen menunjukkan bahwa temperatur minimum yang dapat dicapai pada objek yang didinginkan yaitu sayuran dan buah-buahan adalah 17.324°C. Temperatur rata-rata sayuran dan buah-buahan selama pengujian berkisar 22oC. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa kotak pendingin peltier dapat digunakan untuk menjaga kesegaran sayuran dan buah-buahan. Nilai COP maksimum dari sistem pendingin peltier yang diuji adalah 0,0670 dan nilai COP minimum adalah 0,0428.