bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Intravenous Phenytoin and Fosphenytoin Loading Doses: Influence of Obesity and Sex
Authors: DasGupta Ryan , Alaniz Cesar , Burghardt Danielle
Published: December 2018

Background: Recommended loading doses (LDs) of phenytoin and fosphenytoin range from 10 to 25 mg/kg. Few studies have examined the LD requirements in male versus female patients and in patients who are obese. Objectives: To examine the influence of obesity and sex on phenytoin LDs. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing free phenytoin or fosphenytoin serum concentrations following LDs in male versus female and nonobese versus obese patients. An equation used for determining LDs in obese patients was evaluated. Results: There were 141 nonobese and 54 obese patients. When adjusted for total body weight, the obese cohort received a smaller LD than the nonobese cohort (17 mg/kg, interquartile range [IQR] = 14.9-20.0, vs 20 mg/kg, IQR = 18.6-20.0, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no difference between the 2 cohorts in the measured free phenytoin concentration following the LD (obese: 1.7 µg/mL [IQR = 1.4-2.0]; nonobese: 1.8 µg/mL [IQR = 1.5-2.1]; P = 0.16). In the obese cohort, men received a significantly lower weight-based phenytoin dose compared with women (15 mg/kg [IQR = 14.0-19.2], vs 19.9 mg/kg [IQR = 15.0-20.0], respectively; P = 0.008). Postload free phenytoin concentrations were similar between the 2 groups (male: 1.6 µg/mL [IQR = 1.2-2.1]; female: 1.7 µg/mL [IQR = 1.4-2.0]; P = 0.24). Conclusion and Relevance: Phenytoin and fosphenytoin LDs of at least 15 mg/kg of actual body weight are more likely to lead to desired free phenytoin concentrations. Obese female patients need a larger weight-based dose than male patients to achieve similar postload phenytoin concentrations.
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors With Atypical Presentations: A Report of 34 Cases
Authors: Al-Ibraheemi Alyaa , Broehm Cory , Tanas Munir R. , Horvai Andrew E. , Rubin Brian P. , Cheah Alison L. , Thway Khin , Fisher Cyril , Bahrami Armita , Folpe Andrew L. , Fritchie Karen J.
Published: December 2018

Objectives. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive round cell sarcoma that arises in the abdominal cavity/pelvis of young males. We sought to expand its clinicopathologic spectrum. Methods. Cases of DSRCT presenting in patients >30 years of age or tumors arising outside of the abdominal cavity/pelvis were retrieved. Results. Thirty-four cases were identified. Sixteen tumors arose at atypical sites (head/neck, intracranial, thigh, axilla/shoulder, inguinal/paratesticular, intraosseous, and uterine corpus). The remaining 18 patients were older than 30 years, and their tumors involved the abdomen or pelvis. The majority of cases showed areas with classic histology, while 6 cases exhibited solid growth and 5 showed macronodular architecture. Cytologic appearance included round cell, rhabdoid, epithelioid, and small cell. Conclusion. DSRCT may arise at nonabdominal locations in both pediatric and adult populations, as well as intra-abdominally in older adults, and these tumors exhibit high rates of metastasis and morbidity.
Management of Extremity Venous Thrombosis in Neonates and Infants: An Experience From a Resource Challenged Setting
Authors: Mousa Ahmed , Zakaria Ossama M. , Hanbal Ibrahim , Nasr Mohammed A. , Sultan Tamer A. , El-Hamid Mohamed Abd , El-Gibaly Amr M. , Al-Arfaj Haytham , Daha Ahmed S. , Buhalim Mohammed A. , Zakaria Mohamed Y. , Metwally Dina E. El , Bosat Bosat E. , Sharabi Alaa , Nienaa Mohamed , Amin Mahsoub M. , Rashed Khaled A.
Published: December 2018

We aimed to evaluate the outcome of different treatment modalities for extremity venous thrombosis (VT) in neonates and infants, highlighting the current debate on their best tool of management. This retrospective study took place over a 9-year period from January 2009 to December 2017. All treated patients were referred to the vascular and pediatric surgery departments from the neonatal intensive care unit. All patients underwent a thorough history-taking as well as general clinical and local examination of the affected limb. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I included those who underwent a conservative treated with the sole administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH), whereas group II included those who were treated with UFH plus warfarin. Sixty-three patients were included in this study. They were 36 males and 27 females. Their age ranged from 3 to 302 days. Forty-one (65%) patients had VT in the upper limb, whereas the remaining 22 (35%) had lower extremity VT. The success rate of the nonsurgical treatment was accomplished in 81% of patients. The remaining 19% underwent limb severing, due to established gangrene. The Kaplan-Meier survival method revealed a highly significant increase in both mean and median survival times in those groups treated with heparin and warfarin compared to heparin-only group ( P < .001). Nonoperative treatment with anticoagulation or observation (ie, wait-and-see policy) alone may be an easily applicable, effective, and a safe modality for management of VT in neonates and infants, especially in developing countries with poor or highly challenged resource settings.
Growth mixture models of adaptive behavior in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Tomaszewski Brianne , Smith DaWalt Leann , Odom Samuel L
Published: December 2018

This study examined growth trajectories of teacher-reported adaptive behavior in a diverse sample of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The participants were 244 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 21 years who were assessed at up to four time points across two and a half years of high school. Demographic variables (age, sex, race, maternal education), phenotypic characteristics (intelligence quotient, autism severity) and school factors (location of the school, school quality) were collected. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify distinct classes of growth trajectories in communication, daily living skills, and socialization domains of adaptive behavior. Two distinct classes were identified for each domain. The first class had moderately low adaptive behavior scores and demonstrated growth of adaptive behavior over time and the second class had low adaptive behavior scores and did not demonstrate change over time. Adolescents within the moderately low adaptive behavior classes were younger at enrollment in the study, had higher IQs, and lower autism symptom severity. Logistic regressions were performed, and aspects of school quality predicted the likelihood of being in the moderately low classes above and beyond autism symptoms.
The ‘lost generation’ of the 2008 crisis: Generational memory and conflict in Spain
Authors: Holleran Max
Published: December 2018

Since the 2008 crisis, youth unemployment in Southern Europe has hindered a return to social and economic stability: in Spain, the young and unemployed are sometimes referred to as a ‘lost generation’. This article investigates how rampant youth unemployment in Spain has darkened expectations for the country’s future inside the European Union (EU) as well as altered views of the past. Using interviews with jobless young people, the article argues that the severity and duration of the 2008 crisis has prompted historical revisionism. Age cohorts often organise around pivotal events and the article shows how young people have questioned the success of democratisation (1980s) and European integration (1990s), causing a growing rift with their parents’ generation. Finally, it explores generational conflict in Spain through three interconnected experiences of unemployment: returning to live with parents, urban to rural migration for a lower cost of living, and emigration to Northern Europe for employment.
Static tension test and the finite element analysis of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cable
Authors: Tao Zhigang , Zhu Zhen , Han Wenshuai , Zhu Chun , Liu Wenfang , Zheng Xiaohui , Yin Xu , He Manchao
Published: December 2018

Compared to the traditional anchor cable, the constant resistance and large deformation anchor cable (constant resistance and large deformation anchor cable) has good applications in many fields of geotechnical engineering. Through the indoor static tension test, this study reveals the variation law of constant resistance, axial strain, the outer diameter of the sleeve, and the thermal effect of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cables during static tension. The ANSYS software was used for the first time to establish the nonlinear thermomechanical coupling analysis model of the finite element structure of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cables for the numerical calculation and analysis of static tension mechanical properties of constant resistance anchor cables. The experimental results that the average elongation of this batch of constant resistance anchor cables is 905 mm with an average elongation rate of 45.2% and an average constant resistance of 650 kN prove that constant resistance anchor cables are characterized by good constant resistance and large deformation, which can meet the requirements of deep soft rock roadway support and advanced landslide monitoring. The numerical simulation results show that the elongation of this type of anchor cables is 902 mm with an elongation rate of 45.1% and a constant resistance of 660 kN, which are basically consistent with the experimental results, indicating that numerical simulation is relatively accurate for testing the mechanical property of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cables, and the combination of the indoor test and numerical simulation provides the reference for engineering practice and design optimization of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cables.
Novel anti-ultraviolet performances of thin films polyurethane containing nano-mixed oxides CeO2-TiO2
Authors: Nhiem Dao Ngoc , Bac Nguyen Quang , Dung Doan Trung , Chuc Pham Ngoc , Chi Nguyen Thi Ha , Lim Duong Thi
Published: December 2018

The nano-mixed oxides CeO2-TiO2 was synthesized by gel combustion method using polyvinyl alcohol as fuel and mixtures of titanium trichloride and cerium(IV) nitrate at a relatively low calcination temperature of 550°C for 2 h. The prepared CeO2-TiO2 nanoparticles with a specific area of 65.70 m2 g−1 were dispersed in polyurethane matrix in different concentration conditions from 0.0 to 1.5 wt% to study ultraviolet durability following HONDA HES D 6501-97 standards. After 400 h of testing in the QUV accelerate weathering tester, the thin film containing 1 wt% CeO2-TiO2 nano-mixed oxides has presented the noticeable capacity for absorbing ultraviolet light by only 6.8 g.u change in specular gloss at 60° and ΔE = 3.66 in color difference.
Role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in pathology of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Acovic Aleksandar , Gazdic Marina , Jovicic Nemanja , Harrell C. Randall , Fellabaum Crissy , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Volarevic Vladislav
Published: December 2018

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) has the most important role in modulation of tryptophan-dependent effects in the gastrointestinal tract, including modulation of intestinal immune response. An increased IDO activity maintains immune tolerance and attenuates ongoing inflammation but allows immune escape and uncontrolled growth of gastrointestinal tumors. Accordingly, IDO represents a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In this review article, we summarize current knowledge about molecular and cellular mechanisms that are involved in IDO-dependent effects. We provide a brief outline of experimental and clinical studies that increased our understanding of how enhanced IDO activity: controls host–microbiota interactions in the gut; regulates detrimental immune response in inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal system; and allows immune escape and uncontrolled growth of gastrointestinal tumors. Additionally, we present future perspectives regarding modulation of IDO activity in the gut as possible new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of inflammatory and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal system.
Current perspectives on the diagnosis and management of functional anorectal disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Nigam Gaurav B. , Limdi Jimmy K. , Vasant Dipesh H.
Published: December 2018

Despite advances in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapies, a significant proportion of patients with quiescent disease experience persistent, debilitating symptoms of faecal incontinence (FI), urgency and defaecatory disorders due to anorectal dysfunction. Such symptoms are often underreported or misdiagnosed and can lead to potentially premature treatment ‘escalation’ and under-utilisation of pelvic floor investigations. In this review article, we consider putative pathophysiological post-inflammatory changes resulting in altered anorectal sensitivity, motility and neuromuscular coordination and how this may drive symptoms in quiescent IBD. Finally, we discuss a pragmatic approach to investigating and managing anorectal dysfunction and highlight areas for future research for this often-neglected group of patients.
Hering Hermeneutics: Supplement to Translation and Commentary of Hering (1899) by Strasburger et al.
Authors: Westheimer Gerald
Published: December 2018

Strasburger et al.’s welcome translation of Hering’s seminal paper, and reminder of what Hering actually said about eye movements and spatial averaging in vernier acuity, is supplemented by references to further trends on how the subject has evolved to the present state of knowledge.
The context of children in Yoruba popular culture
Authors: Omobowale Ayokunle Olumuyiwa , Omobowale Mofeyisara Oluwatoyin , Falase Olugbenga Samuel
Published: December 2018

The Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria describes children as the heritage of the society because children occupy a special place in societal survival and continuity. Children are esteemed and appreciated. Thus, the embedded culture propagates the essentiality of children, the need for proper socialisation and internalisation to make a responsible being ( Omoluabi). Also, children are prioritised above material wealth, and the essentiality of child wellbeing and education is emphasised in aspects of popular culture such as oral poetry, proverbs, local songs and popular music among others. Using extant elements of Yoruba popular culture which have remained dominant, this article contextually examines the value of children among the Yoruba.
Teachers’ Social Networks, College-Going Practices, and the Diffusion of a School-Based Reform Initiative
Authors: Broda Michael , Ekholm Eric , Schneider Barbara , Hutton Amy C.
Published: December 2018

This study examines the association between high school teachers’ collegial networks and their own familiarity with, and practices related to, supporting students’ admission to college. Using survey data collected at two time points from 163 teachers in four mid-Michigan high schools in 2011-2012, this study (a) employs cluster analysis to map collegial networks by school, and (b) uses social network influence modeling to examine how teachers may be influenced by their closest colleagues. Results of the cluster analysis find that all four high schools surveyed show evidence of distinct clustering by subgroups. Results from influence modeling show that while positive in almost all cases, the impact of teachers’ exposure to colleagues is not significantly associated with a change in familiarity or practices related to college-going. However, interaction with program staff from a college-advising program is found to be related to a small positive change in some teacher practices.
Aiding the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder: pattern recognition study of brain biomarkers
Authors: Reinders Antje A. T. S. , Marquand Andre F. , Schlumpf Yolanda R. , Chalavi Sima , Vissia Eline M. , Nijenhuis Ellert R. S. , Dazzan Paola , Jäncke Lutz , Veltman Dick J.
Published: December 2018

Background

A diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID) is controversial and prone to under- and misdiagnosis. From the moment of seeking treatment for symptoms to the time of an accurate diagnosis of DID individuals received an average of four prior other diagnoses and spent 7 years, with reports of up to 12 years, in mental health services.

Aim

To investigate whether data-driven pattern recognition methodologies applied to structural brain images can provide biomarkers to aid DID diagnosis.

Method

Structural brain images of 75 participants were included: 32 female individuals with DID and 43 matched healthy controls. Individuals with DID were recruited from psychiatry and psychotherapy out-patient clinics. Probabilistic pattern classifiers were trained to discriminate cohorts based on measures of brain morphology.

Results

The pattern classifiers were able to accurately discriminate between individuals with DID and healthy controls with high sensitivity (72%) and specificity (74%) on the basis of brain structure. These findings provide evidence for a biological basis for distinguishing between DID-affected and healthy individuals.

Conclusions

We propose a pattern of neuroimaging biomarkers that could be used to inform the identification of individuals with DID from healthy controls at the individual level. This is important and clinically relevant because the DID diagnosis is controversial and individuals with DID are often misdiagnosed. Ultimately, the application of pattern recognition methodologies could prevent unnecessary suffering of individuals with DID because of an earlier accurate diagnosis, which will facilitate faster and targeted interventions.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no competing financial interests.
High field metabolic rates of wild harbour porpoises
Authors: Rojano-Doñate Laia , McDonald Birgitte I. , Wisniewska Danuta M. , Johnson Mark , Teilmann Jonas , Wahlberg Magnus , Højer-Kristensen Jakob , Madsen Peter T.
Published: December 2018

Reliable estimates of field metabolic rates (FMRs) in wild animals are essential for quantifying their ecological roles, as well as for evaluating fitness consequences of anthropogenic disturbances. Yet, standard methods for measuring FMR are difficult to use on free-ranging cetaceans whose FMR may deviate substantially from scaling predictions using terrestrial mammals. Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are among the smallest marine mammals, and yet they live in cold, high-latitude waters where their high surface-to-volume ratio suggests high FMRs to stay warm. However, published FMR estimates of harbour porpoises are contradictory, with some studies claiming high FMRs and others concluding that the energetic requirements of porpoises resemble those of similar-sized terrestrial mammals. Here, we address this controversy using data from a combination of captive and wild porpoises to estimate the FMR of wild porpoises. We show that FMRs of harbour porpoises are up to two times greater than for similar-sized terrestrial mammals, supporting the hypothesis that small, carnivorous marine mammals in cold water have elevated FMRs. Despite the potential cost of thermoregulation in colder water, harbour porpoise FMRs are stable over seasonally changing water temperatures. Varying heat loss seems to be managed via cyclical fluctuations in energy intake, which serve to build up a blubber layer that largely offsets the extra costs of thermoregulation during winter. Such high FMRs are consistent with the recently reported high feeding rates of wild porpoises and highlight concerns about the potential impact of human activities on individual fitness and population dynamics.
Impact of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation during Exercise in Hypertensive Women
Authors: CALDWELL JACOB T. , SUTTERFIELD SHELBI L. , POST HUNTER K. , CRAIG JESSE C. , BAUMFALK DRYDEN R. , COPP STEVEN W. , ADE CARL J.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

the aim of the current investigation was to examine if dietary nitrate supplementation would improve vascular control in hypertensive postmenopausal women (PMW). We tested the hypotheses that acute dietary nitrate supplementation would 1) significantly decrease arterial blood pressure (BP) at rest and during exercise, 2) increase limb blood flow during steady-state (SS) exercise, and 3) improve functional sympatholysis during SS exercise.

Methods

Ten hypertensive PMW underwent a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a nitrate-rich (NR) or nitrate-poor (NP) supplement. Beat-by-beat BP and heart rate were recorded throughout the trial on the nonexercising limb. Forearm blood flow was measured via ultrasonography on the brachial artery of the exercising limb. All patients performed a resting cold pressor test (CPT) (2 min) and then 7 min of submaximal handgrip exercise with a CPT applied during minutes 5–7.

Results

SS systolic (NR, 170 ± 7; NP, 171 ± 37 mm Hg), diastolic (NR, 89 ± 2; NP, 92 ± 2 mm Hg), and mean arterial (NR, 121 ± 4; NP, 123 ± 2 mm Hg) pressures were not different between NP and NR treatment conditions (P > 0.05). During SS exercise, forearm blood flow (NR, 189 ± 8; NP, 218 ± 8 mL·min−1; P = 0.03) in the NR treatment was significantly lower compared with NP. When the CPT was applied during minutes 6–7 of exercise, forearm vascular conductance was reduced by 15% in the NR condition, but only 7% in the NR condition.

Conclusions

In summary, an acute NR supplement improved functional sympatholysis by ~50% versus an NP placebo condition. Improvements in functional sympatholysis may have important implications regarding exercise tolerance in hypertensive PMW.
Economic evaluation plan of a randomised controlled trial of intra-nodular injection of anti-TNF and placebo among patients with early Dupuytren’s disease: Repurposing Anti-TNF for Treating Dupuytren’s Disease (RIDD)
Authors: Png May Ee , Dritsaki Melina , Gray Alastair , Pinedo-Villanueva Rafael , Rivero-Arias Oliver , Nanchahal Jagdeep
Published: December 2018

Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a common fibroproliferative condition of the palmar and digital fascia of the hand; however, there is currently no approved treatment for early stage DD. The objective of this paper is to describe the methods applied to assess the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab injections compared to placebo for controlling the progression of early stage DD in the Repurposing Anti-TNF for Treating Dupuytren’s Disease (RIDD) trial.

Measure of effectiveness and resource use will be obtained from a randomised clinical trial, carried out in three healthcare centres, and recruiting a minimum of 138 patients aged 18 years and above with a diagnosis of early stage DD. Resource use and utility measures (quality-adjusted life years) will be collected at 3, 6, 9, 12 (primary outcome endpoint) and 18 months post-randomisation. A within-trial cost-utility analysis (CUA) will be conducted at 12 months and if the intervention is effective, a decision analytic model will be applied to estimate the lifetime effectiveness and costs. The analysis will be performed from a health system (National Health Service and personal social services) perspective. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to assess the robustness of the results.

RIDD is the first randomised controlled trial with an economic evaluation conducted among patients with early stage DD. The protocol described here records our intent to conduct both a within-trial CUA alongside the RIDD study and a lifetime CUA using decision-analytic modelling.
MESLEK LİSESİ ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN SİBER AYLAKLIK DÜZEYİNİN FARKLI DEĞİŞKENLERE GÖRE İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Gezgin Deniz Mertkan , Kamalı Arslantaş Tuğba , Şumuer Evren
Published: December 2018

Bu çalışmanın amacı, meslek
lisesi öğrencilerinin siber aylaklık düzeylerinin cinsiyet, sınıf, sosyal ağ
hesabı sayısı, derslerde kullanılan cihaz türü ve sosyal ağları kontrol etme
düzeyi açısından incelenmesidir. Çalışmanın katılımcılarını bir meslek
lisesinde, mesleki derslerinde bilgisayara erişimi olan ve derslerinde elektronik
medyayı serbest bir şekilde kullanan 145 meslek lisesi öğrencisi
oluşturmaktadır. Verilerin analizinde bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve tek yönlü
varyans analizinden (ANOVA) yararlanılmıştır. Bulgular incelendiğinde, öğrencilerin
siber aylaklık düzeylerinde cinsiyet ve sınıf değişkenine göre anlamlı bir
farklılık bulunmazken, derslerinde yoğunlukla akıllı telefon kullanan
öğrencilerin siber aylaklık düzeyinin yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca
sosyal medya hesabı sayısı arttıkça öğrencilerin siber aylaklık düzeyinin
arttığı ve derslerinde sosyal medya hesaplarını sıklıkla kontrol eden
öğrencilerin, daha az kontrol edenlere göre yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Bulgular
sonucunda, akıllı telefonların derslerde yoğun olarak kullanıldığı ve
öğrencilerin akıllı telefonlarını sosyal medya uygulamaları ile ilgilenmek için
kullandıkları söylenebilir. Bu durum sonucunda akıllı telefon ve sosyal medya
uygulamalarının kullanımının meslek lisesi öğrencilerinin siber aylaklıkları açısından
anlamlı olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Architect-Designed Houses: From Traditional to Modern, a Changing Paradigm in the Islamic World
Authors: Khan Hasan-Uddin
Published: December 2018

Architect-designed houses for the richer segments of society in the Islamic world are often seen as indulgent excursions into personal expression, and hence are also often given short shrift in academic discourse. Although these houses are the result of individual tastes of a certain group of people – the elite – they are also indicators of collective aspirations and can be models for analysing the development of new housing typologies. By digging into the traditional memory of cities and architectural designs of single residences one can learn about the possibility for high-density living and also produce models of housing not only for the wealthy but also for the poor. The design and image of houses are discussed here through a number of built examples. Despite being located in different regions and areas of Muslim habitation, these houses indicate attempts to synthesize ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ and have produced a new typology that could serve as a paradigm for a way forward for the production of new housing.
Como percecionamos a publicidade? Antecedentes da atitude face à publicidade e implicações na intenção de compra/¿Cómo percibimos la publicidad? Antecedentes de la actitud hacia la publicidad e implicaciones en la intención de compra
Authors: Ribeiro-Cardoso Paulo-José , Vieira Luís-Henrique , Serra-da-Fonseca Manuel-José
Published: December 2018

Este estudo faz uma análise empírica das dimensões que explicam o modo como os consumidores percecionam a publicidade e as consequências desse processo. Através da administração de um questionário foi possível inquirir 220 indivíduos portugueses sobre a publicidade da marca líder de telecomunicações em Portugal. A análise de dados permitiu identificar quatro dimensões que estão presentes na perceção da publicidade: entretenimento, relevância, empatia e repulsa. Concluiu-se que o entretenimento e a relevância (positivamente) e a repulsa (negativamente), permitem predizer a “atitude face à publicidade da marca” e que esta última explica, parcialmente, a “intenção de compra”. Con el presente trabajo pretendemos realizar un análisis empírico de las dimensiones que explican el modo en que los consumidores perciben la publicidad y las consecuencias de este proceso. Mediante la administración de un cuestionario fue posible obtener las respuestas de 220 individuos portugueses sobre la publicidad de la marca líder de telecomunicaciones en Portugal. El análisis de datos permitió identificar cuatro dimensiones que están presentes en la percepción de la publicidad: entretenimiento, relevancia, empatía y rechazo. Concluimos que el entretenimiento y la relevancia (positivamente) y el rechazo (negativamente), permiten predecir la "actitud frente a la publicidad de la marca" y que esta última explica parcialmente la "intención de compra".
Hydrolytic Enzyme Production by Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated from Saudi Hot Springs
Authors: Alrumman Sulaiman , Mostafa Yasser S. Mostafa , Al-Qahtani Shekha , Taha Tarek H. Taha
Published: December 2018

Hydrolytic enzyme production by thermophilic bacteria isolated from hot springs in the southern region of Saudi Arabia was investigated. The physical and chemical properties of the hot springs prove to be an important environment for hydrolytic-enzyme-producing thermophilic bacteria. Eighty-four bacterial isolates were obtained from three hot springs: Al-Majardah, Al-Khubah and Al-Ardah. Screening of the isolates for enzyme production indicated that 78 isolates showed activity for one or more enzymes. Molecular identification and phylogenic analysis of selected promising isolates confirmed the identity of the isolates asBacillus aerius, Bacillus licheniformisandBacillus sonorensis, which have potential to produce the target enzymes α-amylase, protease and lipase, respectively. Optimization of hydrolytic enzyme production by bacterial strains was investigated using kitchen waste as a cheap carbon energy source. Maximum enzyme production was achieved after 72 hours of incubation at the beginning of the stationary phase of growth. Enzyme production was dependent on the initial pH value in the range of pH 7.5-8.5 and an optimal incubation temperature of between 55-60°C. Enzyme production increased gradually in proportion to the kitchen waste concentration; whereas maximum lipase production was gained at 5.0% (w/v) kitchen waste, 7.0% (w/v) of waste was optimal for both α-amylase and protease productivity. The results indicated that hot springs in Saudi Arabia are a substantial source of thermophilic bacteria producing industrially important enzymes using cheap and unexploited waste.
Crypto-Securities Regulation: ICOs, Token Sales and Cryptocurrencies under EU Financial Law
Authors: Hacker Philipp , Thomale Chris
Published: December 2018

Cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and ethereum, have not only risen to public attention as novel means of payments, but also as facilitators of initial coin offerings (ICOs, also called token sales). In these entirely online-mediated offerings, entrepreneurs sell tokens registered on a blockchain in exchange for cryptocoins. Buyers receive tokens that can be understood as cryptographically-secured coupons which embody a bundle of rights and obligations. In July 2017, the SEC released an investigative report that highlighted that such tokens can be subject to the full scope of US securities regulation. It is unclear, however, to what extent EU securities regulation is applicable to ICOs and, particularly, whether issuers have to publish and register a prospectus in order to avoid criminal and civil prospectus liability in the EU. In conceptual terms, this depends on whether tokens are considered “securities” under the EU prospectus regulation regime. Against this background, this paper develops a nuanced approach that distinguishes between three archetypes of tokens: currency, investment, and utility tokens. It analyzes the differential implications of each of these types, and their hybrid forms, for EU securities regulation, and develops policy proposals for their regulation.
Estimating Causal Effects from Nonparanormal Observational Data
Authors: Mahdi Mahmoudi Seyed , Wit Ernst C.
Published: December 2018

One of the basic aims of science is to unravel the chain of cause and effect of particular systems. Especially for large systems, this can be a daunting task. Detailed interventional and randomized data sampling approaches can be used to resolve the causality question, but for many systems, such interventions are impossible or too costly to obtain. Recently, Maathuis et al. (2010), following ideas from Spirtes et al. (2000), introduced a framework to estimate causal effects in large scale Gaussian systems. By describing the causal network as a directed acyclic graph it is a possible to estimate a class of Markov equivalent systems that describe the underlying causal interactions consistently, even for non-Gaussian systems. In these systems, causal effects stop being linear and cannot be described any more by a single coefficient. In this paper, we derive the general functional form of a causal effect in a large subclass of non-Gaussian distributions, called the non-paranormal. We also derive a convenient approximation, which can be used effectively in estimation. We show that the estimate is consistent under certain conditions and we apply the method to an observational gene expression dataset of the Arabidopsis thaliana circadian clock system.
Paul Tillichs Schrift „The Courage to Be“ – ein missverstandener Bestseller
Authors: Schüßler Werner
Published: December 2018

The Courage to Be is Tillich’s best-known work. That this work has retained such popularity perplexes one as a Tillich scholar since this text is anything but easy to understand. This essay offers an analysis of the concepts ‘theism,’ ‘absolute faith,’ and ‘God above God,’ and comes to the conclusion that both proponents of this work as well as its theological critics have misunderstood, and indeed that only because of these misunderstandings could the work have become a bestseller at all.
Zwischen Unausweichlichkeit und Bedeutsamkeit
Authors: Saal Christina
Published: December 2018

With his ontology of anxiety, as developed by Paul Tillich in his well-known work, “The Courage to Be”, he creates, by his own claim, a foundation for dealing with the phenomenon of anxiety in a variety of disciplines, which also serves as a foundation for the well-known American existential psychotherapist Rollo May. However, this does not remain a one-sided influence, but rather an interest in the works of both thinkers with reciprocal interdependencies.
The Ambiguous Impact of Information Related to Fish Sustainability
Authors: Marette Stéphan
Published: December 2018

Fish sustainability raises many questions regarding the impact of both generic information and ecolabels on citizens’ consumption. An experiment was conducted in France to evaluate the impact of different types of information on participants’ WTP for canned fish. For starting the experiment, participants bid for canned tuna and sardines, sold without any quality labels. Explanatory messages on health and sustainability were delivered by balancing positive and negative information, and varying the order of information across subgroups. It is shown that only negative descriptions, including the ones on sustainability, lead to significant reductions in WTP for both tuna and sardines. In the second part of the experiment, participants received a new set of canned tuna, with or without quality labels. We observe a significantly higher WTP for canned tuna sold with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label compared to the WTP for canned tuna sold without any label. This positive premium for such a label indicating the fish sustainability differs from results in the first part of the experiment, in which, for sardines, the only significant message leads to a reduction in WTP, even if sardines are relatively healthy and sustainable.
Crystal structure of (E)-4-((2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)amino)-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione, C11H8F4N4S
Authors: Aouad Mohamed Reda , Messali Mouslim , Rezki Nadjet , Zarrouk Abdelkader , Warad Ismail
Published: December 2018

C11H8F4N4S, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 4.4773(4) Å, b = 4.1089(11) Å, c = 20.1449(16) Å, β = 95.425(4)°, V = 1266.85(18) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0383, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1176, T = 273(2) K.
Changes in hydrological, physical and chemical properties of water in closed/open coastal lakes due to hydrotechnical structures
Authors: Cieśliński Roman
Published: December 2018

The purpose of the study was to determine quantitative and qualitative changes in the waters of Lake Jamno in northern Poland due to the presence of new hydrotechnical structures in its drainage basin, with a special focus on the effects of a new storm barrier. The study consisted primarily of a review of measurement data, historical records and fieldwork prior to the construction (2002–2008) and following the construction of the storm barrier (2015). Fieldwork included hydrographic surveys and water sampling for laboratory analysis. The main and most easily discernible effect of the construction is the change in water quality in Lake Jamno. This is particularly true in the case of key indicators related to seawater, including conductivity, whose values changed from brackish to fresh water.
Meiobenthic assemblage of the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea with emphasis on free-living nematodes
Authors: Al-Sofyani Abdulmohsin , El-Sherbiny Mohsen
Published: December 2018

Spatial variability in the population density of meiofauna and the assemblage of free-living marine nematodes was studied at 20 mangrove sites located along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea. The total abundance of meiofauna varied between the locations and ranged from 119 to 1380 ind. 10 cm−2. A total of seven main taxa were recorded. Nematodes dominated (64.3%) in all sediment samples. They were followed by harpacticoid copepods (13.2%) and polychaetes (12.9%) with significant differences in their density between the locations surveyed (p< 0.001). The Pearson correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between the sand fraction and nematodes, harpacticoid copepods and turbellarians. Twenty-five genera of free-living nematodes belonging to 15 families were recorded in the study area. Microlaimidae were the most abundant family, while Xyalidae, Desomodridae and Chromidoridae were the most diverse families.Microlaimus,HalalaimusandTerschellingiawere the most frequent genera. ANOSIM values obtained for the distribution of different nematode genera in various habitats showed no significant differences. Feeding types of different nematode genera were also documented and the epistrate feeders along with the deposit feeders were found to be the common feeding types in the present study.
Parasitization of monkey goby, Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814) (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae), at localities with different salinity levels
Authors: Kvach Yuriy , Ondračková Markéta , Trichkova Teodora , Drobiniak Oleksandra , Zamorov Veniamin , Jurajda Pavel
Published: December 2018

Parasitism of monkey goby, Neogobius fliviatilis, was assessed at three brackish water localities with different salinity levels (Gulf of Odessa, Khadzibey Estuary, Lake Kytay) and one freshwater site along the Lower Danube River (Vidin). A total of 25 parasite taxa were identified, with minimum parasite richness recorded in the Khadzhibey Estuary (three species) and the maximum along the Lower Danube (11 species). Parasite richness in the mesohaline Gulf of Odessa and oligohaline Lake Kytay was lower, but still relatively high compared to the Khadzibey Estuary. Our study indicates that freshwater populations of monkey goby host richer and more abundant parasite communities than those inhabiting brackish waters with (more or less) stable salinity. Unstable abiotic conditions that probably affected the parasite’s intermediate hosts contributed to the reduction in parasite species in the estuarine zone of the Danube.
Taboo gesticulations as a response to pain
Authors: Jacobs Maarten , van Beest Ilja , Stephens Richard
Published: December 2018

Background and aims

Prior research indicates that swearing increases pain tolerance and decreases pain perception in a cold pressor task. In two experiments, we extend this research by testing whether taboo hand gesticulations have a similar effect.

Methods

Study 1 focused on males and females who, across two trials, submerged an extended middle finger (taboo) and an extended index finger (control) in ice water until discomfort necessitated removal. Study 2 focused exclusively on pain perception in males who, across three trials, submerged their hand, flat, with extended middle finger and with extended index finger, for 45 s each.

Results

In study 1 taboo gesticulation did not increase pain tolerance or reduce pain perception compared with the index finger control condition, as a main effect or as part of an interaction with condition order. While there was a gesture×gender interaction for pain tolerance, this was driven by an increased pain tolerance for the index finger gesture for women but not men. The results of study 2 again showed that taboo gesticulation did not lower pain perception, although it did increase positive affect compared with both non-taboo gesture conditions.

Conclusions

Taken together these results provide only limited evidence that taboo gesticulation alters the experience of pain. These largely null findings further our understanding of swearing as a response to pain, suggesting that the activation of taboo schemas is not sufficient for hypoalgesia to occur.
Effect of Two Organic Chemical Fluids on the Mechanical Properties of an Expansive Clay Soil
Authors: Estabragh A. R. , Afsari E. , Javadi A. A. , Babalar M.
Published: December 2018

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of two organic chemical fluids (glycerol and acetone) on the mechanical behavior of an expansive clay soil. A number of experimental tests, including Atterberg limits, compaction, free swelling, unconfined compressive strength, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and one-dimensional consolidation (loading and unloading) tests, were conducted on specimens of natural soil and soil contaminated with pure glycerol and acetone fluids at different percentages (10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) by weight. The results showed that the effect of pure glycerol on the behavior of the contaminated soil is different from acetone. Glycerol caused a reduction of Atterberg limits, free swelling, unconfined compressive strength, CBR, and optimum water content and an increase in maximum dry unit weight, while acetone showed the opposite effects. These variations of mechanical and physical behavior are a function of the percentage of glycerol or acetone. Furthermore, the results of the loading and unloading tests showed that the compression and swelling indexes are independent of the type of organic chemical fluids used. Results from scanning electron microscopy tests confirmed that the effect of glycerol on the behavior of soil is not the same as acetone.
Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Stress Superposition in Double-Hole Blasts
Authors: Yang Liyun , Ding Chenxi , Yang Renshu , Wang Qingcheng
Published: December 2018

Using an experimental system of digital image correlation based on a high-speed camera which can be applied for blast-induced loading, model experiments of single-hole and double-hole blasts were conducted in polycarbonate specimens, and the evolutionary processes of the full-field strain were studied during blast loading. The results showed that the strain peak at the midpoint between two blastholes in double-hole blasts was 2.4–2.7 times as large as that in single-hole blasts. The stress superposition effect of double-hole blasts was much larger than 2, which is predicted by elastic wave theory. In addition, the superposition of double-hole blast stresses was analyzed by elastic and shock wave theories. These results indicated that when examining the superposition of blast stress waves, the shock wave theory is more in line with the experimental results. Based on the experimental results, there were discussions of the definition of the elastic vibration zone in the traditional blast theory.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Extreme Obesity: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Azouz Vitali , Hill Sarah , Firstenberg Michael
Published: December 2018

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been described as early as 1972 [Hill 1972]. Though a subsequent randomized trial showed no survival benefit over conventional mechanical ventilation [Zapol 1979], protective ventilation strategies and evolving extracorporeal technology improvements have led to a resurgence in the use of ECMO for patients with ARDS. The most recent randomized clinical trial, Conventional Ventilation or ECMO for Severe Adult Respiratory Failure (CESAR), showed a significant mortality reduction in ARDS patients who were treated with ECMO [Peek 2009]. The results of the trial have led some to believe that the widespread adoption of ECMO as a feasible treatment for severe respiratory failure is forthcoming [MacLaren 2012; Del Sorbo 2014]. As the use of ECMO continues to increase, clinicians must be aware of the extremes in patient characteristics for which therapy might be considered reasonable. For example, many studies focus on the limited benefit of advanced therapies, such as ECMO, in the elderly [Salna 2014]. However, there is a paucity of literature on using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) to treat ARDS in patients with extremity obesity [Ull 2015; Belliato 2016; Kadakia 2017]—a population that is often inherently discriminated against with regards to advanced medical and surgical therapies because of the practical challenges of treating someone of great size as well as the inherent social (and professional) biases against such patients. This case demonstrates application of ECMO in a patient with an extreme body mass index (BMI) and confirms the successful use of ECMO in this BMI patient population.
Planeación óptima de redes aéreas de distribución basada en teoría de grafos
Authors: Herrera-Cisneros Esteban Bladimir , Inga-Ortega Esteban Mauricio
Published: December 2018

Este trabajo presenta un modelo para optimizar los recursos utilizados en la planeación de una red de distribución aérea, la cual permite el despliegue de los transformadores considerando su cobertura y su capacidad. Muestra un modelo de enrutamiento de la red de media tensión basado en minimun Steiner tree para encontrar la mejor ruta en una zona georreferenciada. La planeación se realiza sobre un escenario georreferenciado con datos de la plataforma OpenStreetMap, con el fin de que la localización de los transformadores y la topología de la red sean reales. Los valores obtenidos muestran un punto de partida para que las empresas de distribución eléctrica establezcan planes de trabajo para la expansión y planificación de la red eléctrica de distribución, considerando la variabilidad a la que se presenta la demanda.
Az erodálhatósági faktor (EF) alkalmazásának lehetőségei nyírségi talajok példáján
Authors: Négyesi Gábor
Published: December 2018

A talajok szélerózióval szembeni érzékenységének egyik gyakran használt mérőszáma az erodálhatósági faktor, amelynek mérését többféle módszerrel is el lehet végezni. Mivel e mérőszám hazai használhatóságának vizsgálata eddig még nem történt meg, ezért munkánk alapvető célja annak megválaszolása volt, hogy hazai talajok esetében mennyire használható ez az érték, valamint, hogy a vizsgált talajtulajdonságok milyen mértékben és milyen irányban hatnak az EF-index értékének változására. Vizsgáltuk továbbá azt is, hogy az amerikai talajokra kidolgozott, az EF- index becslését lehetővé tevő egyenlet adaptálható-e hazai talajok esetén.

Az EF-index meghatározásához szitarázó gépet, a kapott adatok feldolgozásához, valamint a vizsgált paraméterek közötti kapcsolatok feltárásához statisztikai módszereket használtunk.

A mérések eredményei alapján elmondhatjuk, hogy a vizsgált nyírségi talajminták kb. 50%-a az erősen veszélyeztetett kategóriába tartozik. Az EF értékét legerőteljesebben a talajok mechanikai összetétele, kisebb mértékben pedig a szervesanyag- és CaCO3-tartalma befolyásolta. A kapcsolat minden esetben szignifikáns volt.

Elemzéseinkkel az is kimutatható volt, hogy a vizsgált nyírségi talajok esetében a FRYREAR et al., által kidolgozott egyenlet nem alkalmas arra, hogy kielégítően becsülje a talajokra jellemző EF- index értékét.