bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hypospadias patients with undescended testis
Authors: Siregar Abrar Arbhiwa Tanguirsyaf , Dastamuar Shalita , Theodorus Theodorus , Hendry Marta
Published: November 2019

Hypospadias is an anomaly of meatus urethra externus on ventral penis. It caused by incomplete fusion of urethral folds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypospadias with undescended testis in the Department of Surgery Mohammad Hoesin Hospital in Palembang Indonesia. A prevalence study was done in the Medical Records Department of Mohammad Hoesin Hospital from July 2018 to February of 2019. 103 patients met study inclusion criteria. Univariate analysis of the patients’ data was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The study found that hypospadias was most common in the age group of 1 to 5 years old (49.5%) and the most common type of hypospadias was severe hypospadias (68.9%). Furthermore, 7 out of 103 patients (6.8%) were hypospadias patients with undescended testis and the most common types of undescended testis among them were bilateral undescended testis and left undescended testis with 3 patients each (42,85%). Prevalence of hypospadias with undescended testis were 7 people (6,8%).
Container characteristics and dengue hemorrhagic fever incidence
Authors: Wanti Wanti , Yudhastuti Ririh , Notobroto Hari Basuki , Subekti Sri , Agustina Agustina , Ekawati Christine
Published: November 2019

The condition of Kupang City has low rainfall, low rainy days and includes dry areas, but it turns out that Kupang City had always the highest incidence rate in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province and exceed the national average. This study will analyze the relationship of container characteristic to the incidence of DHF in Kupang City. This study was an observational analytic study with a case control design. The study conducted in 25 villages with total sample 500 people of DHF patients and non DHF patients in Kupang City. The research variables are number of container, water height, water volume, water pH, container type, container location, container material, container lid, and container color which were collected by doing direct observation and measuring the object of study. The collected data was processed and analyzed statistically using Independent T test and Chi Square test. The container conditions related to the incidence of DHF were the amount of container, water pH, and type of container. Whereas the container conditions that were not related to the incidence of DHF are water level, water volume, container location, container material, container cover and container color.
Identifying factors in estimation of Body Mass Index : cohesion between environmental factors and physical activity
Authors: Haque Md. Nofayer , Hasan Muhammad Mahady , Rahman Azizur
Published: November 2019

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good indicator of nutritional status in
 a population. It can be considered as an indicator of overall health condition. Beside Genetic aspects the BMI level is affected by different factors, such as socio economic, environmental and physical activity level. This study investigated about the effects of different physical and environmental factors on the BMI level of a sample of 75 adults and fit a suitable ANN based model. The mean BMI was 23.8671±2.89217 kg/m2. The Pearson correlation, independent sample T-test, one-way ANOVA, ANN, regression analysis was used to extract the variables which significantly influenced the BMI.
 The statistical analysis showed that, despite the apparent association of BMI with physical activity level, it is influenced by several factors such as age, distance to bus stop, dieting, daily exercise, marital status, educational level and recreational facilities. It shows that daily exercise, recreational facility, education level has significant impact in estimation of
 Body Mass Index (BMI).
Quality of medical information determine the quality of diagnosis code
Authors: Maryati Warsi , Rahayuningrum Indriyati Oktaviano , Ismayani Ani
Published: November 2019

The accuracy of the diagnosis code has implications for future patient care planning, provision of health services and patient care costs. Therefore,
 this study has analyzed the influence of the quality of medical information on the quality of the diagnosis code which includes the accuracy, consistency, completeness and timeliness in coding the diagnosis of inpatients at
 Dr. Moewardi hospital.This was an observational analytic study with
 a sample of 250 medical records taken using stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed by chi square test. High quality of medical information has a better diagnosis code quality (73.80%) compared to poorly quality of medical information (36.00%). High quality of medical information has a log odds of 1.54 better in the quality of diagnosis code than poorly quality of medical information (b=1.54; 95% CI=0.81-2.27, p<0.001).
Antibiotic prescribing practices of Filipino Dentists
Authors: Sarmiento Melchor A. , Maglutac Jr Mariano T , Yanga-Mabunga Ma. Susan
Published: November 2019

There are reports that dentists overprescribe antibiotics which may contribute to antibiotic resistance. This is an exploratory study on antibiotic prescribing practices of Filipino dentists using an online platform to form a basis for antimicrobial stewardship policy for dentists. A link to an online questionnaire using Survey Monkey was posted in a Closed Group Facebook account of Filipino dentists. Two hundred thirty (230) dentists participated. Data was analyzed by Survey Monkey. Amoxicillin is the first choice of antibiotics(71.18%), andclindamycin is the second (57.27%).
 Most respondents follow the indications for antibiotic therapy, however, some will prescribe antibiotics for conditions without indications. For dental procedures, 88.99% will prescribe for periodontal surgery, 75.45% for endodontic surgery, 68.3% for extraction of a tooth with chronic infection, 87.17% for third molar surgery, 26.7% for routine endodontics, and 23.56% for periodontal treatment without surgery. Not all of the respondents would prescribe for medical conditions that require antibiotic prophylaxis, while 60.36% will prescribe when in doubt in diagnosis, under time pressure (25.68%), and 48.67% considers patient preference. Only 10.48% of the respondents are very familiar with antimicrobial stewardship, while majority (69.74%) have not attended a lecture for antimicrobial stewardship for dentists.There is inappropriate antibiotic prescribing of participants on certain dental diseases, procedures, and medical conditions.
 Most respondents are not very familiar and have not attended a lecture on antimicrobial stewardship for specifically for dentists.
Determinants of the quality of life among pre-elderly and elderly population
Authors: Yunita Jasrida , Nurlisis Nurlisis , Sari Wulan
Published: November 2019

Health problems will appear along with the increasing aging of someone that can reduce the quality of life. Many factors can decreases in quality of life. The purpose of this study was to find the determinants of the quality of life to the pre-elderly and elderly population in the working area of Harapan Raya public health center Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia. The design of the research was cross sectional in the pre-elderly population (45–59 years) and the elderly population (60 years and above). There were 103 respondents participated in this study gathared with consecutive sampling techniques. Quality of life was measured using WHOQOL SF-36 questionnaire. Independent variables were body mass index, physical activity, chronic disease, smoking behavior, employment status, residence status, marital status, education, age, and sex. Data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate with Chi square test, and multivariate with multiple logistic regression. The proportion of subjects with low quality of life was 18.4%. Variables related to bivariate were body mass index, smoking behavior, chronic disease, employment status, and sex. Chronic disease (OR=5.5; 95% CI=1.173–25.674) significantly affected the quality of life after being controlled by sex. The quality of life could be explained by this factor about 17%. It is necessary to manage chronic diseases in the public health center and provide information to the pre-elderly and the elderly through counseling, print and electronic media.
Association Between Occupational, Sport, and Leisure Related Physical Activity and Baroreflex Sensitivity
Authors: Climie Rachel E. , Boutouyrie Pierre , Perier Marie-Cecile , Chaussade Edouard , Plichart Mattieu , Offredo Lucile , Guibout Catherine , van Sloten Thomas T. , Thomas Frederique , Pannier Bruno , Sharman James E. , Laurent Stephane , Jouven Xavier , Empana Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2019

Physical activity (PA) is a preventative behavior for noncommunicable disease. However, little consideration is given as to whether different domains of PA have differing associations with health outcomes. We sought to determine the association between occupational, sport, leisure, and total PA with baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), distinguishing between neural (nBRS) and mechanical (mBRS) BRS. In a cross-sectional analysis of 8649 adults aged 50 to 75 years, resting nBRS (estimated by low-frequency gain, from carotid distension rate and heart rate) and mBRS (carotid stiffness) were measured by high-precision carotid echo-tracking. PA was self-reported using the validated Baecke questionnaire. The associations between PA and nBRS and mBRS were quantified using multivariate linear regression analysis, separately in the working and nonworking population. In working adults (n=5039), occupational PA was associated with worse nBRS (unstandardized β=−0.02; [95% CI, −0.04 to −0.003];
P
=0.022) whereas sport PA was associated with better nBRS (β=0.04; [95% CI, 0.02–0.07];
P
=0.003) and mBRS (β=−0.05; [95% CI, −0.09 to −0.00001];
P
=0.049). Neither leisure PA nor total PA was associated with nBRS or mBRS. In nonworking adults (n=3610), sport PA and total PA were associated with better mBRS (β=−0.08; [95% CI, −0.15 to 0.02];
P
=0.012 and β=−0.05; [95% CI, −0.10 to 0.009];
P
=0.018) but not nBRS. These findings suggest differential associations between domains of PA and BRS and may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the association between occupational PA and cardiovascular disease.
National Rates of Nonadherence to Antihypertensive Medications Among Insured Adults With Hypertension, 2015
Authors: Chang Tiffany E. , Ritchey Matthew D. , Park Soyoun , Chang Anping , Odom Erika C. , Durthaler Jeffrey , Jackson Sandra L. , Loustalot Fleetwood
Published: November 2019

Despite the importance of antihypertensive medication therapy for blood pressure control, no single data system provides estimates of medication nonadherence rates across age groups and health insurance plans types. Using multiple administrative datasets and national survey data, we determined health insurance plan-specific and overall weighted national rates of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications among insured hypertensive US adults in 2015. We used 2015 prescription claims data from Medicare Part D and 3 IBM MarketScan databases (Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare Supplemental) to calculate medication nonadherence rates among hypertensive adults aged ≥18 years with public or private health insurance using the proportion of days covered algorithm. These findings, in combination with National Health Interview Survey findings, were used to project national weighted estimates of nonadherence. We included 23.8 million hypertensive adults who filled 265.8 million prescriptions for antihypertensive medications. Nonadherence differed by health insurance plan type (highest for Medicaid members, 55.4%; lowest for Medicare Part D members, 25.2%). The overall weighted national nonadherence rate was 31.0%, with greater nonadherence among women versus men, younger versus older adults (aged 18–34 years, 58.1%; aged 65–74 years, 24.4%), fixed-dose combination medication nonusers (31.2%) versus users (29.4%), and by pharmacy outlet type (retail only, 30.7%; any mail order, 19.8%). In 2015, almost one-third (≈16.3 million) of insured US adults with diagnosed hypertension were considered nonadherent to their antihypertensive medication regimen, and considerable disparities were evident. Public health and healthcare professionals can use available evidence-based interventions to address nonadherence and improve blood pressure control.
Staging Cardiac Damage in Patients With Hypertension
Authors: Seko Yuta , Kato Takao , Shiba Masayuki , Morita Yusuke , Yamaji Yuhei , Haruna Yoshizumi , Nakane Eisaku , Haruna Tetsuya , Inoko Moriaki
Published: November 2019

Ventricular and extraventricular response to pressure overload may be a common process in aortic stenosis and hypertension. We aimed to evaluate the association of a newly defined staging classification characterizing the extent of cardiac damage, originally developed for aortic stenosis, with long-term outcomes in patients with hypertension. We retrospectively analyzed 1639 patients with hypertension who had undergone both scheduled transthoracic echocardiography and electrocardiography in 2013 in a Japanese hospital, after excluding severe and moderate aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, previous myocardial infarction, or cardiomyopathy. We classified patients according to the presence or absence of cardiac damage as detected on echocardiography as follows: stage 0, no cardiac damage (n=858; 52.3%); stage 1, left ventricular damage (n=358; 21.8%); stage 2, left atrial or mitral valve damage (n=360; 22.0%); or stage 3 and 4, pulmonary vasculature, tricuspid valve, or right ventricular damage (n=63; 3.8%). The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events. Cumulative 3-year incidence of the primary outcome was 15.5% in stage 0, 20.7% in stage 1, 31.8% in stage 2, and 60.6% in stage 3. After adjusting for confounders, the stage was incrementally associated with higher risk of the primary outcome (per 1-stage increase: hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.31–1.61];
P
<0.001). The staging classification characterizing the extent of cardiac damage, originally developed for aortic stenosis, was associated with long-term outcomes in patients with hypertension in a stepwise manner.
Thiazide Use and Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Well-Controlled Blood Pressure
Authors: Tsujimoto Tetsuro , Kajio Hiroshi
Published: November 2019

Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of thiazides in patients with well-controlled and relatively low blood pressure (BP) is lacking. This study aimed to assess whether thiazide use is effective and safe in type 2 diabetic patients with well-controlled BP and whether intensive BP control leads to decreased risk of cardiovascular events depending on thiazide use. We performed an observational cohort study using data from the ACCORD study (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which was a composite end point including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hazard ratios for primary and secondary outcomes with 95% CIs were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. We included 10 011 type 2 diabetic patients. The overall mean follow-up period was 7.7 years, and 1776 patients experienced MACE. Mean systolic BP at baseline in patients taking and not taking thiazides was 137.2 and 135.7 mm Hg, respectively. Thiazide use was associated with increased risk of MACE, particularly stroke (hazard ratio, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.18–1.88]). In addition, thiazide use was significantly associated with higher risks of MACE and stroke in patients receiving intensive BP control but not in those receiving standard BP control. Similar associations were observed in analyses using propensity score matching. Intensive BP control reduced the risks of MACE and stroke in patients not taking thiazides but not in patients taking thiazides. Thiazide use may be harmful in type 2 diabetic patients with relatively low BP.
Fast Automatic Detection of Large Vessel Occlusions on CT Angiography
Authors: Amukotuwa Shalini A. , Straka Matus , Dehkharghani Seena , Bammer Roland
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose—

Accurate and rapid detection of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) is of paramount importance in patients with acute stroke due to the potentially rapid infarction of at-risk tissue and the limited therapeutic window for endovascular clot retrieval. Hence, the optimal threshold of a new, fully automated software-based approach for LVO detection was determined, and its diagnostic performance evaluated in a large cohort study.

Methods—

For this retrospective study, data were pooled from: 2 stroke trials, DEFUSE 2 (n=62; 07/08–09/11) and DEFUSE 3 (n=213; 05/17–05/18); a cohort of endovascular clot retrieval candidates (n=82; August 2, 2014–August 30, 2015) and normals (n=111; June 6, 2017–January 28, 2019) from a single quaternary center; and code stroke patients (n=501; January 1, 2017–December 31, 2018) from a single regional hospital. All CTAs were assessed by the automated algorithm. Consensus reads by 2 neuroradiologists served as the reference standard. ROC analysis was used to assess diagnostic performance of the algorithm for detection of (1) anterior circulation LVOs involving the intracranial internal carotid artery or M1 segment middle cerebral artery (M1-MCA); (2) anterior circulation LVOs and proximal M2 segment MCA (M2-MCA) occlusions; and (3) individual segment occlusions.

Results—

CTAs from 926 patients (median age 70 years, interquartile range: 58-80; 422 females) were analyzed. Three hundred ninety-five patients had an anterior circulation LVO or M2-MCA occlusion (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 14 [median], interquartile range: 9–19). Sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 74%, respectively, for LVO detection, and 95% and 79%, respectively, when M2 occlusions were included. On analysis by occlusion site, sensitivities were 90% (M2-MCA), 97% (M1-MCA), and 97% (intracranial internal carotid artery) with corresponding area-under-the-ROC-curves of 0.874 (M2), 0.962 (M1), and 0.997 (intracranial internal carotid artery).

Conclusions—

Intracranial anterior circulation LVOs and proximal M2 occlusions can be rapidly and reliably detected by an automated detection tool, which may facilitate intra- and inter-instutional workflows and emergent imaging triage in the care of patients with stroke.
The Neural Time Course of Semantic Ambiguity Resolution in Speech Comprehension
Authors: MacGregor Lucy J. , Rodd Jennifer M. , Gilbert Rebecca A. , Hauk Olaf , Sohoglu Ediz , Davis Matthew H.
Published: November 2019

Semantically ambiguous words challenge speech comprehension, particularly when listeners must select a less frequent (subordinate) meaning at disambiguation. Using combined magnetoencephalography (MEG) and EEG, we measured neural responses associated with distinct cognitive operations during semantic ambiguity resolution in spoken sentences: (i) initial activation and selection of meanings in response to an ambiguous word and (ii) sentence reinterpretation in response to subsequent disambiguation to a subordinate meaning. Ambiguous words elicited an increased neural response approximately 400–800 msec after their acoustic offset compared with unambiguous control words in left frontotemporal MEG sensors, corresponding to sources in bilateral frontotemporal brain regions. This response may reflect increased demands on processes by which multiple alternative meanings are activated and maintained until later selection. Disambiguating words heard after an ambiguous word were associated with marginally increased neural activity over bilateral temporal MEG sensors and a central cluster of EEG electrodes, which localized to similar bilateral frontal and left temporal regions. This later neural response may reflect effortful semantic integration or elicitation of prediction errors that guide reinterpretation of previously selected word meanings. Across participants, the amplitude of the ambiguity response showed a marginal positive correlation with comprehension scores, suggesting that sentence comprehension benefits from additional processing around the time of an ambiguous word. Better comprehenders may have increased availability of subordinate meanings, perhaps due to higher quality lexical representations and reflected in a positive correlation between vocabulary size and comprehension success.
A Computational Role for Top–Down Modulation from Frontal Cortex in Infancy
Authors: Jaffe-Dax Sagi , Boldin Alex M. , Daw Nathaniel D. , Emberson Lauren L.
Published: November 2019

Recent findings have shown that full-term infants engage in top–down sensory prediction, and these predictions are impaired as a result of premature birth. Here, we use an associative learning model to uncover the neuroanatomical origins and computational nature of this top–down signal. Infants were exposed to a probabilistic audiovisual association. We find that both groups (full term, preterm) have a comparable stimulus-related response in sensory and frontal lobes and track prediction error in their frontal lobes. However, preterm infants differ from their full-term peers in weaker tracking of prediction error in sensory regions. We infer that top–down signals from the frontal lobe to the sensory regions carry information about prediction error. Using computational learning models and comparing neuroimaging results from full-term and preterm infants, we have uncovered the computational content of top–down signals in young infants when they are engaged in a probabilistic associative learning.
Dihydroartemisinin and its anticancer activity against endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer: involvement of apoptosis, autophagy and transferrin receptor
Authors: Tang T , Xia QJ , Xi MR
Published: November 2019

INTRODUCTION Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a first-line antimalarial drug with relatively low toxicity. DHA has been speculated to possess a broad-spectrum antitumour effect. However, the potential value of DHA for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma or cervical cancer is unclear. METHODS We used human endometrial cancer cells and cervical cancer cells to assess whether DHA alone or when combined with cisplatin would induce cell death. We aimed to elucidate the role of autophagy in DHA-induced cytotoxicity in both endometrial and cervical cancer cells, and explore the impact of DHA treatment on cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy. RESULTS DHA alone or in combination with cisplatin induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Caspase-3 mRNA and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were markedly elevated following DHA treatment either in the presence or absence of cisplatin, suggesting a role of apoptosis in DHA-induced cell death. DHA treatment activated the autophagic pathway, as evidenced by increased monodansylcadaverine-positive staining, elevated microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio, and enhanced p62/sequestosome 1 degradation. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine further enhanced the cytotoxicity of DHA towards tumour cells. mRNA levels of transferrin receptor (TfR) were suppressed upon DHA treatment and knockdown of TfR by RNA interference caused further DHA induction of cancer cell death. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a clinical value for DHA in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer. Our data revealed possible anticancer mechanisms of DHA that involve regulating apoptosis, autophagy pathway and levels of TfR.
A Manifesto for the Scientific Study of Religions or Setting the Parameters for a Scientific Study of Religions In the Modern University
Authors: Wiebe Donald
Published: November 2019

This is a manifesto—setting out the framework for the appropriate study of religious thought and practice in the context of the modern university.
A new genus and species of catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae)
from eastern Indonesia
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , FAHMI FAHMI , WEIGMANN SIMON
Published: November 2019

A new genus and species of catshark is described based on a single specimen collected off Ambon in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. Akheilos suwartanai belongs to the subfamily Schroederichthyinae which differs from the other catsharks in a combination of: similar sized dorsal fins, supraorbital crests present, pseudosiphon present on claspers, broad subocular ridges under eyes, posterior nasal flaps present, tips of rostral cartilage fused into a rostral node. It represents the first record of this subfamily outside of the Americas. Akheilos differs from the other genus in the subfamily, Schroederichthys in a combination of: clasper groove not fused dorsally, ventral lobe of caudal fin produced, more intestinal valve turns, anal fin slightly larger than second dorsal fin, and in colour pattern.
A new species of Polypedates Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from West Bengal State, Eastern India
Authors: PURKAYASTHA JAYADITYA , DAS MADHURIMA , MONDAL KINGSHUK , MITRA SHIBAJEE , CHAUDHURI ANIRBAN , DAS INDRANEIL
Published: November 2019

A new species of frog belonging to the genus Polypedates Tschudi is described from the state of West Bengal, Eastern India. A mid-sized frog, SVL ranges from 47.9–53.6 mm in males and 72.0 mm in the single female. The species is diagnosable in showing the following suite of characters: digits lack webbing, inner and outer metacarpal tubercles present; no dermal fold on forearm; toes webbed, webbing formula I1–1 II0.5–2III1–2IV2–0.5V; an inner metatarsal tubercle present; tibio-tarsal articulation reaches between eye and nostril; and skin on forehead co-ossified to cranium. Additionally, males possess paired vocal sacs. The new species is compared with known species of the genus Polypedates.
Phase Transition-Induced Modulation of Exchange Bias in Fe/BiFeO3 Bilayers
Authors: Wang Liyan , Li Zongguo , Wang Cong , Gong Xue , Wang Changzheng
Published: November 2019

Many of researches indicate that epitaxial BiFeO3 (BFO) films deposited on LaAlO3 (LAO) substrate undergo strain-driven phase transition from a tetragonal-like phase (T-BFO) to a rhombohedral-like phase (R-BFO), and a mixed phase (M-BFO) that
T-BFO coexists with R-BFO forms in the phase transition process. It is necessary to explore how BFO phase transition affects the exchange bias in ferromagnet (FM)/BFO bilayers. In our studies, aforementioned BFO phase transition is accomplished by varying BFO films thickness. Using
5 nm-thick Fe as ferromagnetic layer deposited on 9–354 nm-thick BFO as antiferromagnetic layer, the exchange bias in Fe/BFO bilayers exhibits that Fe/M-BFO bilayers shows smaller exchange bias than Fe/T-BFO and Fe/R-BFO bilayers. We ascribed the effect of the BFO
phase transition on the exchange bias to the domain walls caused by the exchange interaction between T-BFO and R-BFO across their boundaries. Additionally, for the same reason, the coercivity also exhibits the same variation trend as the exchange bias does. Our studies will help
to promote the application of controlling the ferromagnetic magnetization by the electric field.
RGD-Tagged Microbubbles Generated by Versatile Fabrication Protocols for In Vitro Cell Targeting and In Vivo Mouse Imaging of Tumor Vascularization
Authors: Yu Fangfang , Li Jiaping , Yang Yan , Cheng Yueyue , Ni Xianwei , Wei Kaineng , Liu Zhe
Published: November 2019

By using an organic framework to fabricate functional biomaterials, novel design and advanced biomedical applications of polymeric microbubbles for in vivo targeting and disease-oriented imaging of tumor vascularization can be developed. The present study describes novel synthetic
protocols to fabricate RGD (Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic)-tagged αvβ3-targeted ultrasound microbubbles. The microbubbles were synthesized by emulsion polymerization techniques. Two types of microbubbles (MBs-1 and MBs-2) were obtained via biotin-streptavidin conjugation
to poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) microbubbles (MBs-0) obtained by one-step synthesis in reverse order. The size distributions and surface zeta potentials were characterized. The results showed that the sizes of the MBs-2 were larger than that those of the MBs-1, and the MBs-2 showed decreased
charge compared to MBs-1. In cell targeting studies, MBs-2 exhibited relatively stronger targeting affinity for αvβ3 integrins, while MBs-1 showed weaker targeting capability. Furthermore, in vivo mice imaging using MBs-2 for intravenous injection exhibited
an obvious and sustained signal increase, which revealed the accumulative of MBs-2 anchoring in tumor. Hence, MBs-2 have been proven to be a promising candidate for using as ultrasound contrast agents for the early diagnosis of αvβ3-overexpressing malignant tumors,
including breast cancer.
Synthesis and Characterization of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles via Bacterial Mineralization in Steel Slag Comprising Cementitious Materials
Authors: Yi Haihe , Qian Chun-Xiang
Published: November 2019

Bacteria-induced mineralization is a new technique to produce calcium carbonate in steel slag for the preparation of building materials. Calcium carbonate nanoparticles were precipitated as a result of the enzymatic activity of Bacillus mucilaginous subtilis in steel slag. The
crystal structure and morphology of the calcium carbonate precipitate were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), while thermal properties were
studied by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis. The experimental results showed that the microstructure of calcium carbonate precipitate induced by the reproductive enzymes of Bacillus mucilaginous differs from the chemical precipitation in simulated
pore solution of steel slag. Powder XRD patterns confirmed the formation of Bacillus mucilaginous subtilis-induced calcium carbonate with an average particle size of 42.1 nm, while the average particle size of the chemically synthesized calcium carbonate was 59.3 nm. Compared with the
chemical synthesis, we found that the decomposition temperature of calcite by bacterial precipitation was higher than that for the chemically-precipitated calcite. The compressive strength improved with the amount of bacterial content. Bacterial mineralization could accelerate the rate of
carbon sequestration in the mineralization process. The content of calcium carbonate in microbial mineralized steel slag increased obviously. The compressive strength of steel slag mortar with 1.5% bacterial reached up to 51.5 MPa, the compressive strength increased over 50% compared with
the carbonized steel slag mortar. The micron-size calcite by bacterial mineralization resulted in a more compact structure. Our study suggests that microbial mineralization technology is a good method to utilize steel slag for building materials.
Observations of Shoaling Nonlinear Internal Bores across the Central California Inner Shelf
Authors: McSweeney Jacqueline M. , Lerczak James A. , Barth John A. , Becherer Johannes , Colosi John A. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , MacMahan Jamie H. , Moum James N. , Pierce Stephen D. , Waterhouse Amy F.
Published: November 2019

We present observations of shoaling nonlinear internal bores off the coast of central California. The dataset includes 15 moorings deployed during September–October 2017 and cross-shore shipboard surveys. We describe the cross-shore structure and evolution of large-amplitude internal bores as they transit from 9 km (100-m depth) to 1 km offshore (10 m). We observe that two bores arrive each semidiurnal period, both propagating from the southwest; of the total, 72% are tracked to the 10-m isobath. The bore speeds are subtidally modulated, but there is additional bore-to-bore speed variability that is unexplained by the upstream stratification. We quantify temporal and cross-shore variability of the waveguide (the background conditions through which bores propagate) by calculating the linear longwave nonrotating phase speed co and using the nonlinearity coefficient of the Korteweg–de Vries equation α as a metric for stratification. Bore fronts are generally steeper when α is positive and are more rarefied when α is negative, and we observe the bore’s leading edge to rarefy from a steep front when α is positive offshore and negative inshore. High-frequency α fluctuations, such as those nearshore driven by wind relaxations, contribute to bore-to-bore variability of the cross-shore evolution during similar subtidal waveguide conditions. We compare observed bore speeds with co and the rotating group velocities cg, concluding that observed speeds are always faster than cg and are slower than co at depths greater than 32 m and faster than co at depths of less than 32 m. The bores maintain a steady speed while transiting into shallower water, contrary to linear estimates that predict bores to slow.
Two-Dimensional Temperature Measurement in a High-Temperature and High-Pressure Combustor Using Computed Tomography Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (CT-TDLAS) with a Wide-Scanning Laser at 1335–1375 nm
Authors: Wang Zhenzhen , Zhou Wangzheng , Kamimoto Takahiro , Deguchi Yoshihiro , Yan Junjie , Yao Shunchun , Girase Krunal , Jeon Min-Gyu , Kidoguchi Yoshiyuki , Nada Yuzuru
Published: November 2019

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology is a developing method for temperature and species concentration measurements with the features of non-contact, high precision, high sensitivity, etc. The difficulty of two-dimensional (2D) temperature measurement in actual combustors has not yet been solved because of pressure broadening of absorption spectra, optical accessibility, etc. In this study, the combination of computed tomography (CT) and TDLAS with a wide scanning laser at 1335–1375 nm has been applied to a combustor for 2D temperature measurement in high temperature of 300–2000 K and high pressure of 0.1–2.5 MPa condition. An external cavity type laser diode with wide wavelength range scanning at 1335–1375 nm was used to evaluate the broadened H2O absorption spectra due to the high-temperature and high-pressure effect. The spectroscopic database in high temperature of 300–2000 K and high pressure of 0.1–5.0 MPa condition has been revised to improve the accuracy for temperature quantitative analysis. CT reconstruction accuracy was also evaluated in different cases, which presented the consistent temperature distribution between CT reconstruction and assumed distributions. The spatial and temporal distributions of temperature in the high-temperature and high-pressure combustor were measured successfully by CT-TDLAS using the revised spectroscopic database.
The Great Black Hope: An Examination of African American Parent Perspectives at Bass Charter Academy
Authors: Smith Andrea N.
Published: November 2019

Since the conception of education in the United States, schools have been the battlegrounds for equal opportunities among African American students. In an effort to improve educational options and achievement for such students, charter schools have emerged as a popular solution for African American parents. Findings from this study shed light on the experiences of African American parents who enrolled their children in Bass Charter Academy. The level of hope that was evident from the parent narratives centered on nonquantitative measures such as cultural pride and caring environments and mirrored that of pre-Brown schools that served African American students.
International Public Health Laboratory Twinning: An Innovative Approach to Strengthen the National Health Laboratory System in Uganda, 2014-2017
Authors: Mills David , Staley Sherrie , Aisu Steven , Kunde Twila , Kimsey Paul , Lewis Kim
Published: November 2019

International initiatives to strengthen national health laboratory systems in resource-poor countries are often hampered by unfamiliarity with the country’s health laboratory environment and turnover of international partners during the initiative. This study provides an overview of, and lessons learned from, the use of a laboratory long-term partnership approach (ie, “twinning”) to strengthen the national public health laboratory system in an international setting. We focused on the partnering of the Uganda Ministry of Health Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) with the New Mexico State Public Health Laboratory to help the CPHL become Uganda’s national public health reference laboratory (Uganda National Health Laboratory Services [UNHLS] Institute) and leader of its nascent Uganda National Health Laboratory Network (UNHLN). Via twinning, CPHL leadership received training on laboratory leadership and management, quality systems, facility management, and the One Health environmental strategy (ie, that the health of persons is connected to the health of animals and the environment), and drafted a National Health Laboratory Policy, UNHLS Institute business plan, and strategic and operating plans for the UNHLS Institute and UNHLN. The CPHL is now responsible for the UNHLS Institute and coordinates the UNHLN. Lessons learned include (1) twinning establishes stable long-term collaborations and (2) success requires commitment to a formal statement of activities and objectives, as well as clear and regular communication among partners.
Science as Gift, or Knowledge as the Offer That Cannot be Refused: Introducing Russian Science and Technology Studies
Authors: Fuller Steve
Published: November 2019

This article introduces a set of articles written by Russian social epistemologists and science and technology studies scholars based on research conducted in the first major Russian Academy funded project on science and technology studies. Most of the articles take off from Peter Galison’s concept of scientific ‘trading zones’. However, the author develops a theme found in Ilya Kasavin’s article on ‘science as gift’, which is designed to transcend both ‘capitalistic’ and ‘communistic’ conceptions of science. However, the resulting political economy of science as gift – albeit quite recognizable – resembles the practice of extortion in mutual protection rackets; hence, the ‘offer too good to refuse’.﻿
Aberrant ectatic internal carotid artery in the middle ear
Authors: Safdar Adnan , Hughes Joseph P. , Walsh Rory McConn
Published: November 2019

We report the case of a 34-year-old man with pulsatile tinnitus and a reddish mass in the anteroinferior quadrant of the middle ear. Physical examination and imaging were unable to establish a diagnosis, so an exploratory tympanotomy was performed. Exploration revealed the presence of an ectatic aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear. Aberrations of the internal carotid artery in the middle ear are rare. Even so, our case is unusual in that all initial investigations had failed to establish the diagnosis. This case highlights the limitations of modern imaging techniques in certain situations.
Long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer reanimation of the paralyzed face: Three cases
Authors: Leonetti John P. , Zender Chad A. , Vandevender Daryl , Marzo Sam J.
Published: November 2019

We conducted a retrospective case review at our tertiary care academic medical center to assess the long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer to achieve facial reanimation in 3 patients. These patients had undergone wide-field parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Upper facial reanimation was accomplished with a proximal facial nerve–sural nerve graft, and lower facial movement was achieved through proximal facial nerve–long thoracic (serratus muscle) nerve anastomosis. Outcomes were determined by grading postoperative facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann system. All 3 patients were able to close their eyes independent of lower facial movement, and all 3 had achieved House-Brackmann grade III function. We conclude that reanimating the paralyzed face with microvascular free-tissue transfer provides anatomic coverage and mimetic function after wide-field parotidectomy. Synkinesis is reduced by separating upper-and lower-division reanimation.
Management of Pterygoid Venous Plexus Hemorrhage during Resection of a Large Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Review of 27 Cases
Authors: Chang Lin , Zixiang Yi , Zheming Fang , Gongbiao Lin , Zhichun Li , Rong Zhang , Aidong Zhou , Shuzhan Lan
Published: November 2019

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 27 patients who experienced intraoperative bleeding during resection of a large (Fisch type III or IV) juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). Of this group, 16 patients had a type III JNA and 11 had a type IV tumor. The degree of hemorrhaging during excision of these JNAs varied greatly among individual patients. The amount of blood lost ranged from 200 to 5,000 ml (mean: 1,800) in the type III cases and from 700 to 8,000 ml (mean: 2,850) in the type IV cases. In 5 of these cases, both intraoperative observations and imaging data suggested that an important factor in the blood loss was damage to the pterygoid venous plexus (PVP). The PVP communicates with the cavernous sinus, ophthalmic vein, maxillary vein, and facial vein; no valve exists between these veins. In patients with a large JNA, the PVP is usually compressed by or adherent to the tumor. When a PVP is seriously damaged during removal of a JNA, hemorrhaging can be very profuse. Therefore, a suitable surgical approach and appropriate hemostatic procedures should be used to prevent or manage PVP hemorrhage as effectively as possible. We also describe in greater detail 5 typical cases of JNA excision that did (n = 3) and did not (n = 2) involve PVP damage.
Examining key sociodemographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults with cancer: A post hoc analysis of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lau Nancy , Bradford Miranda C , Steineck Angela , Scott Samantha , Bona Kira , Yi-Frazier Joyce P , McCauley Elizabeth , Rosenberg Abby R
Published: November 2019

Background:

The “Promoting Resilience in Stress Management” intervention is a skills-based, early palliative care intervention with demonstrated efficacy in adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Aim:

Utilizing data from a randomized clinical trial of Promoting Resilience in Stress Management versus Usual Care, we examined whether response to Promoting Resilience in Stress Management differed across key sociodemographic characteristics.

Design:

Adolescents and young adults with cancer completed patient-reported outcome measures of resilience, hope, benefit-finding, quality of life, and distress at enrollment and 6 months. Participants were stratified by sex, age, race, and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage based on home address (Area Deprivation Index scores with 8–10 = most disadvantaged). Differences in the magnitude of effect sizes between stratification subgroups were noted using a conservative cutoff of d > 0.5.

Setting/participants:

Participants were 12 to 25 years old, English-speaking, and receiving cancer care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Results:

In total, 92 adolescents and young adults (48 Promoting Resilience in Stress Management, 44 Usual Care) completed baseline measures. They were 43% female, 73% 12 to 17 years old, 64% White, and 24% most disadvantaged. Effect sizes stratified by sex, age, and race were in an expected positive direction and of similar magnitude for the majority of outcomes with some exceptions in magnitude of treatment effect. Those who lived in less disadvantaged neighborhoods benefited more from Promoting Resilience in Stress Management, and those living in most disadvantaged neighborhoods benefited less.

Conclusion:

The “Promoting Resilience in Stress Management” intervention demonstrated a positive effect for the majority of outcomes regardless of sex, age, and race. It may not be as helpful for adolescents and young adults living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Future studies must confirm its generalizability and integrate opportunities for improvement by targeting individual needs.
Intrapartum interventions that affect maternal and neonatal outcomes for vaginal birth after cesarean section
Authors: Wu Shao-Wen , Dian He , Zhang Wei-Yuan
Published: November 2019

Objective

To investigate maternal and neonatal outcomes after different intrapartum interventions for vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) in mainland China.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 143 VBAC cases from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital between January 2015 and November 2016. These cases were divided into two groups on the basis of different intrapartum interventions. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared.

Results

The durations of the first stage and total labor after oxytocin were significantly longer than those before oxytocin use. The proportion of operative vaginal delivery with oxytocin was significantly higher than that without oxytocin (43.9% vs. 11.8%). The times of the first stage, second stage, and total labor with analgesia were significantly longer than those without analgesia (548.4±198.1 vs. 341.8±233.0 minutes, 52.0±38.9 vs. 36.0± 29.1 minutes, and 606.3±212.1 vs. 387.3±233.0 minutes, respectively). Postpartum hemorrhage and operative vaginal delivery occurred significantly more frequently in women with epidural analgesia than in those without epidural analgesia (29.7% vs. 12.3 and 35.1% vs. 16.0%, respectively).

Conclusions

Induction can increase the rate of operative vaginal delivery in VBAC. Oxytocin and epidural analgesia may increase the risk of operative vaginal delivery, and may be associated with a prolonged duration of labor.
Household Debt Accumulation and the Great Recession of the United States: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Kim Yun K.
Published: November 2019

The Great Recession has provided an important intellectual challenge to both post-Keynesian and mainstream economists. In this article we survey some post-Keynesian views on household debt accumulation and the Great Recession of the United States, as well as the Atif Mian and Amir Sufi’s studies, perhaps the most influential and empirically-oriented studies of mainstream economics. We identify and distinguish their policy perspectives, and highlight commonalities and differences between them. By examining both post-Keynesian and Mian and Sufi’s views together, this paper emphasizes that, although there are clear differences between them, a careful examination reveals valuable complementarity which yields a better understanding of household debt accumulation and the Great Recession of the United States.

JEL classification: E21, E32, E52, E62
Preliminary studies on the in vivo performance of various kinds of nanocellulose for biomedical applications
Authors: Ho Hai Van , Makkar Preeti , Padalhin Andrew R , Le Thao Thi Thanh , Lee Sun Young , Jaegyoung Gwon , Lee Byong-Taek
Published: November 2019

Nanocellulose has recently attracted a great deal of attention for numerous biomedical applications due to its superior mechanical properties, high surface area, tailorable surface chemistry, good biocompatibility, renewable nature, and cost-effectiveness. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term in vivo biocompatibility of three kinds of nanocellulose, namely, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), cellulose nanofiber (CNF), and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF). The morphological features of these nanocellulose materials were examined by transmission electron microscopy. In vivo biocompatibility of all nanocellulose materials was investigated using a subcutaneous rat model for 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks of implantation. The average diameters of prepared homogenous CNC, CNF, and TOCNF were ∼6 nm, ∼8 nm, and ∼5 nm respectively, as depicted by micrographs obtained by using transmission electron microscopy. TOCNF showed highest in vitro biocompatibility with respect to CNC and CNF in response to L929 fibroblast cells. In vivo studies revealed that all nanocellulose materials exhibited no foreign body reaction up to two-week post-injection. Subcutaneous implantation at 12 weeks showed lowest inflammation and better tissue repair for TOCNF compared to CNC and CNF. The results suggest that the long-term biocompatibility profile follows the sequence: TOCNF > CNC > CNF.