bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peripheral neuropathy in diabetes: it's not always what it looks like
Authors: Maltese G. , Tan S. V. , Bruno E. , Brackenridge A. , Thomas S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundHereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant neuropathy, associated with deletion of the Peripheral Myelin Protein‐22 (PMP‐22) gene, causing recurrent painless palsies with age of onset between 10 and 30 years old. Only a few cases of Type 2 Diabetes and HNPP have been described and the coexistence of HNPP and Type 1 diabetes has never been reported.Case reportA 54‐year old man with a history of Type 1 diabetes, managed with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), presented with deterioration of long‐standing motor and sensory symptoms, previously attributed to golfer's elbow, diabetic neuropathy and spinal degenerative disease. He had multilevel severe spine degenerative changes and L4/L5 and L5/S1 root impingements with a L4/L5 discectomy performed when he was 25 years old. On physical examination he had normal power and distal hypoaesthesia of the digits and plantar aspect of the feet. Investigations revealed normal full blood count, liver and renal function, electrolytes, vitamin B12 and serum folate. He suffered from primary hypothyroidism and thyroid function tests indicated adequate levothyroxine replacement. Nerve conduction studies revealed a generalized demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy, with more severe involvement of nerves over entrapment sites. Further history that his father suffered from episodes of weakness and numbness was elicited. Genetic analysis revealed one copy of the PMP22 gene at 17p11.2 confirming the diagnosis of HNPP.ConclusionIn people with diabetes the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy should include a careful history, a comprehensive physical examination, blood tests and in some cases nerve conduction studies and genetic testing.
Evaluation of atrial electromechanical functions in dipper and nondipper hypertension patients using left atrial strain P‐wave dispersion and P terminal force
Authors: Tosun Veysel , Korucuk Necmettin , Kılınç Ali Yaşar , Uygun Turgut , Altekin Refik Emre , Güntekin Ünal , Ermiş Cengiz 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveNondippers are known to carry a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dipper and nondipper status of hypertension on left atrial (LA) systolic and diastolic functions using two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE), P‐wave dispersion (PWD), and P terminal force (PTF) in hypertensive patients.MethodsA total of 72 patients and 39 healthy individuals were included in the study. The patients were classified as nondippers if their daytime ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not decrease by at least 10% during the night. Atrial electromechanical delay times, LA strain values were obtained by 2D‐STE with automated software and compared between the groups. PWD and PTF data were calculated on the electrocardiography.ResultsInter‐atrial (dippers: 25.5 ± 3.9, nondippers: 32.2 ± 7.4, P < .001), left‐atrial (dippers: 14.9 ± 3.7, nondippers: 18.2 ± 6.0, P = .016), and right atrial (dippers: 10.5 ± 2.1, nondippers: 14.2 ± 5.2, P < .001) electromechanical delay times were significantly longer in nondippers. LA strain S (dippers: 34.2 [29.7–38.7], nondippers: 27.7 [22.7–32.2], P < .001), LA strain E (dippers: 18.2 [16.6–20.1], nondippers: 14.4 [11.6–16.8], P < .001), and LA strain A (dippers: 15.8 [13.5–17.9], nondippers: 12.7 [9.9–14.5], P < .001) were significantly lower in nondippers. Nondippers also had an increased values of maximum P‐wave duration (dippers: 0.117 [0.10–0.12], nondippers: 0.126 [0.12–0.14], P < .001), PWD (dippers: 0.062 [0.06–0.07], nondippers: 0.069 [0.06–0.08], P = .004), and PTF (dippers: 0.055 ± 0.02, nondippers: 0.066 ± 0.02, P = .02).ConclusionNondipping pattern in hypertensive patients had a worse cardiac remodeling, and impaired mechanical LA function compared with dipping pattern. The PWD and PTF findings support these changes.
Living with a Thousand Cuts: Self‐Cutting, Agency, and Mental Illness among Adolescents
Authors: Csordas Thomas J. , Jenkins Janis H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe phenomenon of self‐cutting has attracted increasing attention in scholarly and popular venues. Most of the literature is written from clinical, historical, or psychometric standpoints, and what has been missing is an ethnographic understanding of self‐cutting as a lived experience. The present discussion begins to fill this gap drawing on data from our project on adolescent psychiatric inpatients in the American Southwest, during which we followed these youths and their families for between one and two years as they moved from the hospital back to their homes or to other treatment facilities. Of the 47 young people (22 females and 25 males) who participated in this project, 27 or 57% had cut themselves at some point. Focusing on illustrations from case studies that highlight their cutting experience, we examine self‐cutting as the cultural and experiential locus of a crisis of agency in the relation between body and world and thus as the enactment of a fundamental human process in the context of individual experience.
Autism and the Proficiency of Social Ineptitude: Probing the Rules of “Appropriate” Behavior
Authors: Belek Ben 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAutistic people typically struggle to abide by social conventions: a constituent element of their social exclusion. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork within a group of autistic university students in England, I show that although participants would continuously work to uncover the underlying principles of social etiquette, they nevertheless remained unsuccessful in putting their acquired knowledge into practice. Consequently, they turned to subtly shaping their social environments in attempts to redefine the terms under which the appropriateness of their actions is evaluated. I conclude by suggesting that social ineptitude consists of contemplative craft and is a meaningful component of all social interaction.
Effect of aligning graphene oxide nanoplatelets using direct current electric field on fracture behaviour of adhesives
Authors: Khoramishad H. , Hosseini Vafa S.M.B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this paper, the effect of aligning graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONPs) using a direct current electric field on fracture behaviour of adhesives was studied experimentally and numerically. Aligning GONPs was modelled by using an analytical model. The fracture behaviour of the adhesive joints reinforced with randomly dispersed and aligned GONPs was studied experimentally by testing double cantilever beam specimens and modelled numerically by using a cohesive zone model that characterized by a compliance‐based method. The aligned GONPs resulted 56% and 42% further improvements in the maximum load and fracture energy of the adhesive joints, respectively, at one‐third nanofiller weight percentage (0.1 wt%) compared with the randomly dispersed GONPs that caused maximum improvements in the maximum load and fracture energy of the adhesive joints at 0.3 wt% nanofillers. The scanning electron microscopy fractography revealed that aligned GONPs promoted crack branching in the adhesive layer and caused the fracture resistance of material to further improve.
Influence of low light intensity on growth and biomass allocation, leaf photosynthesis and canopy radiation interception and use in two forage species of Centrosema (DC.) Benth.
Authors: Guenni Orlando , Romero Eva , Guédez Yajaira , Bravo de Guenni Lelys , Pittermann Jarmila 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSustainable silvopastoral systems rely on the capacity of forage species to withstand shade, competition for soil resources and grazing. On a field‐plot experiment, we studied the effects of artificial shade on the performance of two tropical forage legumes: Centrosema molle (CIAT 15160) and C. macrocarpum (CIAT 5713). Acclimation to shade in these two species was investigated at individual leaf and whole canopies, to explain differences in the efficiency of radiation interception and use, and thus forage yield. Under 30% sunlight, midday leaf net photosynthesis (A) was reduced by 32%–44%, although instantaneous light use efficiency increased up to 44%–140%. Almost 50% increase in leaf specific area was accompanied by 61% in total chlorophyll content. From analysis of the light‐response curves, net photosynthesis at light saturation was only reduced (by 36%) in C. macrocarpum. Efficiency of chloroplast photosystem II (PSII) was unaffected by shade. Canopy structure for light interception was not modified by shade, although conversion into biomass and final yield were significantly reduced (40%–43%) in C. macrocarpum. Results are discussed in terms of factors affecting potential acclimation to shade and the agronomic implications of using both forage legumes in mixed pastures under tree canopies.
An Open, Object‐Based Framework for Generating Anisotropy in Sedimentary Subsurface Models
Authors: Bennett Jeremy P. , Haslauer Claus P. , Ross Martin , Cirpka Olaf A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe spatial distribution of hydraulic properties in the subsurface controls groundwater flow and solute transport. However, many approaches to modeling these distributions do not produce geologically realistic results and/or do not model the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity caused by bedding structures in sedimentary deposits. We have developed a flexible object‐based package for simulating hydraulic properties in the subsurface—the Hydrogeological Virtual Realities (HyVR) simulation package. This implements a hierarchical modeling framework that takes into account geological rules about stratigraphic bounding surfaces and the geometry of specific sedimentary structures to generate realistic aquifer models, including full hydraulic‐conductivity tensors. The HyVR simulation package can create outputs suitable for standard groundwater modeling tools (e.g., MODFLOW), is written in Python, an open‐source programming language, and is openly available at an online repository. This paper presents an overview of the underlying modeling principles and computational methods, as well as an example simulation based on the Macrodispersion Experiment site in Columbus, Mississippi. Our simulation package can currently simulate porous media that mimic geological conceptual models in fluvial depositional environments, and that include fine‐scale heterogeneity in distributed hydraulic parameter fields. The simulation results allow qualitative geological conceptual models to be converted into digital subsurface models that can be used in quantitative numerical flow‐and‐transport simulations, with the aim of improving our understanding of the influence of geological realism on groundwater flow and solute transport.
MULTIPERIOD MATCHING
Authors: Kadam Sangram V. , Kotowski Maciej H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe examine a dynamic, two‐sided, one‐to‐one matching market where agents on both sides interact over a period of time. We define and identify sufficient conditions for the existence of a dynamically stable matching, which may require revisions to initial assignments. A generalization of the deferred acceptance algorithm can identify dynamically stable outcomes in a large class of economies, including cases with intertemporal preference complementarities. We relate our analysis to market unraveling and to common market design applications, including the medical residency match.
Restraining of calcium contamination in near‐net shape alumina ceramics during slip casting
Authors: Drdlik Daniel , Rolecek Jakub , Drdlikova Katarina , Salamon David 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe traditional method for shaping ceramics is by slip casting on gypsum molds; however, its application for near‐net shaping of ceramic components is limited due to contamination by calcium ions. The focus of this study is the modification of the mold to limit Ca2+ contamination and to maintain favorable sucking properties. Cement was added to a standard gypsum mold to suppress its erosion, and a decrease in the sucking rate was observed due to its reduced macroporosity. The highest values of green densities were obtained at gypsum/cement weight ratios of 90/10 and 70/30. The microstructure analysis showed that alumina blocks prepared from the molds containing higher quantities of cement (30 or 50 wt%) were resistant to abnormal grain growth caused by Ca2+ contamination from the gypsum. The gypsum/cement mixtures for making molds for slip casting significantly limit mold erosion due to a lower sucking rate and abnormal grain growth of the slip cast samples because of the decreased diffusivity of Ca2+ ions. Therefore, the present modification of the mold renders the slip casting method more suitable for the near‐net shaping of ceramics.
Preparation of porous Al2O3 ceramics by starch consolidation casting method
Authors: Chen Zhiwei , Xu Guogang , Cui Hongzhi , Zhang Xueying , Zhan Xiaoyuan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPorous alumina ceramics were fabricated by starch consolidation casting using corn starch as a curing agent while their microstructure, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, and corrosion resistance were examined. Results showed that the porous alumina ceramics with the flexural strength of about 44.31MPa, apparent porosity of about 47.67% and pore size distribution in the range of 1‐4 μm could be obtained with 3wt% SiO2 and 3wt% MgO additives. Corrosion resistance results showed mass losses: hot H2SO4 solution and NaOH solution for 10 hours were 0.77% and 2.19%, which showed that these porous alumina ceramics may offer better corrosion resistance in acidic conditions.
Association of CD14 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms with inflammatory microRNAs expression levels in ankylosing spondylitis and polyarthralgia
Authors: Vishwakarma S. K. , Lakkireddy C. , Sravani G. , Sastry B. V. S. , Raju N. , Ahmed S. I. , Khan A. A. , Owaisi N. , Jaisawal A. , Khan M. A. , Khan A. A. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and polyarthralgia (PA) conditions among Indian subjects through genotyping two immune regulatory genes CD14 (−159C>T) and MIF (−173G>C) and find their association with the expression levels of three circulating inflammatory miRNAs. This investigation may provide early genetic cause of these two forms of arthritis and more optimal biological targets to predict early therapeutic outcomes. A total of 140 patients (AS: 70 and PA: 70) and 156 controls were recruited from Indian population. CD14 and MIF genotyping was performed using ARMS–PCR. Expression level of three inflammatory miRNAs (miRNA‐146a, miRNA‐155 and miRNA‐181) was quantified using RT–qPCR. C/T genotype of CD14 gene was found to cause 2.06‐fold risk of developing AS (CI 1.06–5.98, p = .04) as compared to others and G/C genotype in MIF also shown significant variation between AS and control subjects. In PA subjects, CD14 genotypes (C/T) was found to be associated with disease susceptibility and G/C genotype of MIF gene polymorphism showed 4.71‐fold risk of developing PA (CI 2.58–8.62, p = .0001). The study also revealed significant upregulation of miRNA‐155 expression in AS subjects (p = .0001) with more than 1.3‐fold difference between AS and PA as compared to the control subjects. miRNA‐155 had strong association with AS patients with CD14 genotypes (p < .05) than PA and control subjects. This study provides better understanding of the mechanisms and disease susceptibility for MIF and CD14 genetic variants and inflammatory miRNAs networks involved in AS and PA.
Psychotherapy combined with drug therapy in patients with category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Liang Kuixiang , Sun Huijing , Li Lianpeng , Wang Hongcai , Cao Jingyuan 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesTo explore the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with drug therapy in patients with category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.MethodsA total of 156 patients with category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome were randomly divided into two groups: the control group of 78 patients receiving routine medication; and the intervention group of 78 patients receiving psychological intervention therapy combined with routine medications. Treatment courses were for 3 months. The end‐points were the response rate of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, International Index of Erectile Function‐5, Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale, Self‐Rating Depression Scale and expressed prostatic secretion‐white blood cells.ResultsAfter 3 months, the average scores of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index decreased to 10.1 ± 5.0 in the control group compared with 14.1 ± 4.9 in the intervention group; thus, significant differences were observed between the two groups in the study (P < 0.001). The average scores of the International Index of Erectile Function‐5 were improved in the two groups, but compared with the control group, a more marked improvement was detected in the psychological intervention group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). There was significant difference between the two groups in terms of the Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale and Self‐Rating Depression Scale scores (P < 0.001). Expressed prostatic secretion‐white blood cell counts significantly decreased to 4.4 ± 3.5 in the control group compared with 9.8 ± 3.4 in the intervention group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsPsychological intervention therapy can effectively improve the psychological status and sexual function in patients with category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome than the routine medication.
Regulation of B‐lineage cells by caspase 6
Authors: Watanabe Chie , Shu Geraldine L , Giltiay Natalia V , Clark Edward A 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe caspase (Casp) family of proteases regulate both lymphocyte apoptosis and activation. Here, we show that Casp6 regulates early B‐cell development. One‐week‐old Casp6 knockout (Casp6 KO) mice have significantly more splenic B‐cell subsets than wild‐type (WT) mice. Adult Casp6 KO mice have normal levels of total splenic B cells but have increased numbers of B1a B cells and CD43+ “transitional” or splenic red pulp (RP) B cells. These results suggested that Casp6 may function to control B‐cell numbers under nonhomeostatic conditions and during B‐cell development. Consistent with this model, reconstitution of B cells was dysregulated in Casp6 KO mice after sublethal irradiation. Furthermore, bone marrow pro‐B, pre‐B and immature B‐cell numbers were significantly higher in 1‐week‐old Casp6 KO mice than in 1‐week‐old WT mice. Casp6 KO pro‐B cells proliferated more in response to IL‐7 than WT pro‐B cells, suggesting that Casp6 regulates early B‐cell responses to IL‐7. Indeed, adult and aged Casp6 KO mice had elevated numbers of IL‐7αR+Sca1+ precursors of common lymphoid progenitors, suggesting Casp6 may help regulate progenitors of B cells and early B‐lineage cells. Casp6 regulates B‐cell programs both during early development and after antigen stimulation in the periphery.
Potassium sodium niobate (KNN)‐based lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic coatings on steel structure by thermal spray method
Authors: Chen Shuting , Tan Chee Kiang Ivan , Tan Sze Yu , Guo Shifeng , Zhang Lei , Yao Kui 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFor the first time, potassium sodium niobate (KNN)‐based lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic coating with strong piezoelectric response was fabricated on stainless steel substrates by thermal spray process, after introducing NiCrAlY and yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) intermediate layers. A large effective piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 125 pm/V was obtained with the thermal‐sprayed KNN‐based ceramic coating on the steel substrates. The mechanisms of improving the structure and enhancing the properties of the KNN‐based piezoelectric ceramic coatings by introducing the intermediate layers were analyzed. Ultrasonic transducers were designed and fabricated from the KNN‐based coatings directly formed on a steel plate structure, and the feasibility for generation and detection of ultrasonic waves for structural health monitoring using the thermal‐sprayed lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic coating was demonstrated.
CIED malfunction in patients receiving radiation is a rare event that could be detected by remote monitoring
Authors: Bravo‐Jaimes Katia , Samala Vikram , Fernandez Genaro , Moravan Michael J. , Dhakal Sughosh , Shah Abrar H. , Messing Susan , Singh Kyra , Aktas Mehmet K. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionAn increasing number of patients with cardiac devices require radiation therapy for treatment of a variety of cancers. This study aimed to identify the incidence and predictors of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) malfunction in a real‐world population that has received radiation therapy.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 109 adult patients who received radiation therapy at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Radiation Oncology Department, between 2000 and 2015. Sixty patients had pacemakers and 49 had automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Subjects received either high energy (16 MV) and/or low energy (6 MV) photon beams with or without electron beams (6–16 MeV). We included interrogations done from first day of radiation and up to 3 months’ postradiation therapy. Outcomes analyzed were device‐related malfunctions and device‐related clinical events. Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon, and Kruskall‐Wallis tests were used for bivariate analysis. Logistic regression with robust adjustment was used for multivariate analysis.ResultsWe identified six device‐related malfunctions. All events were minor and included partial settings reset leading to loss of historical data, pacing thresholds changes, lead impedance changes, and LV output increase. Two patients had device‐related clinical events, including dyspnea and diaphragmatic‐stimulation. In bivariate analysis, CIED malfunction was associated with CIED duration in situ. In multivariate analysis, there was no significant statistical association between adverse events and beam energy type, CIED location, or dose of radiation delivered to the target.ConclusionsCIED malfunctions are uncommon in real‐world patients and associated with minor clinical events. In our cohort, remote CIED monitoring would have identified all events.
The EU's Democratization Discourse and Questions of European Identification
Authors: Fanoulis Evangelos 
Published: June 2018

AbstractConsidering EU democracy promotion as an integral part of EU foreign policy, this article discusses the link between the EU's democratization discourse and the social construction of European identity. The narrative pays particular attention to whether the difference in power between the EU and less democratic countries affects European identity formation. The empirical explorations deliver the theoretical argument that the EU establishes an aporetic – contrasting but at the same time constitutive – relationship between a democratic European self and what the EU perceives as less democratic others. The difference in power between these two affects the content and intensity of the EU's democratization discourse, while there is no firm evidence that it directly impacts the process of aporetic identification. The discussion closes with suggestions for future research.