bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SS-SWT and SI-CNN: An Atrial Fibrillation Detection Framework for Time-Frequency ECG Signal
Authors: Zhang Hongpo , He Renke , Dai Honghua , Xu Mingliang , Wang Zongmin
Published: May 2020

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality from stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and cerebral thrombosis. Effective and rapid detection of atrial fibrillation is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality in patients. Screening atrial fibrillation quickly and efficiently remains a challenging task. In this paper, we propose SS-SWT and SI-CNN: an atrial fibrillation detection framework for the time-frequency ECG signal. First, specific-scale stationary wavelet transform (SS-SWT) is used to decompose a 5-s ECG signal into 8 scales. We select specific scales of coefficients as valid time-frequency features and abandon the other coefficients. The selected coefficients are fed to the scale-independent convolutional neural network (SI-CNN) as a two-dimensional (2D) matrix. In SI-CNN, a convolution kernel specifically for the time-frequency characteristics of ECG signals is designed. During the convolution process, the independence between each scale of coefficient is preserved, and the time domain and the frequency domain characteristics of the ECG signal are effectively extracted, and finally the atrial fibrillation signal is quickly and accurately identified. In this study, experiments are performed using the MIT-BIH AFDB data in 5-s data segments. We achieve 99.03% sensitivity, 99.35% specificity, and 99.23% overall accuracy. The SS-SWT and SI-CNN we propose simplify the feature extraction step, effectively extracts the features of ECG, and reduces the feature redundancy that may be caused by wavelet transform. The results shows that the method can effectively detect atrial fibrillation signals and has potential in clinical application.
Real-Time Interpretation Model of Reservoir Characteristics While Underbalanced Drilling Based on UKF
Authors: He Miao , Zhang Yihang , Xu Mingbiao , Li Jun , Song Jianjian
Published: May 2020

This study presents a novel interpretation model for reservoir characteristics while underbalanced drilling (UBD), by incorporating an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) algorithm in a three-phase variable mass flow model of oil, gas, and liquid. In the model, the measurement parameters are simplified to bottomhole pressure and liquid outlet flow, for decreasing the amount of the computation and time. By taking into account real-time measurements, the permeability and reservoir pressure along the well can be continuously updated. Three cases including single-parameter and double-parameter estimations have been simulated, and the performance is tested against the extended Kalman filter (EKF). The results show that single-parameter estimation of reservoir permeability or pressure achieves superior performance. The filtered values of bottomhole pressure and outlet flow trace the measured values in real time. When a new section of a reservoir is opened, the estimated reservoir permeability or pressure can always be quickly and accurately returned to its true value. However, it is not possible for the double-parameter estimation to obtain good results; its interpretation accuracy is low. UKF is superior to EKF in both estimation accuracy and convergence speed, which further illustrates the superiority and accuracy of the novel interpretation model based on UKF. Benefits from this model are seen in accurate bottomhole pressure and reservoir characteristic predictions, which are of major importance for safety and economic reasons during UBD and follow-up completion operations.
Comparative Evaluation of the In Vitro Anthelminthic Effects of the Leaves, Stem, and Seeds of Carica papaya (Linn) Using the Pheretima posthuma Model
Authors: Goku Phoebe Esinam , Orman Emmanuel , Quartey Anna Naa Kwarley , Ansong George Twum , Asare-Gyan Elsam Baffour
Published: May 2020

This study was conducted to comparatively assess the anthelminthic activity of leaves, stem bark, and seeds of Carica papaya, in order to identify which of the plant parts possess the highest anthelminthic activity. Three concentrations of ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of the plant parts (1 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, and 5 mg/ml) were prepared and tested against Pheretima posthuma using albendazole as the positive control and 0.9% normal saline solution as the negative control. Preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, and reducing sugars of glycosides present in all the crude extracts of Carica papaya. Tannins were observed only in extracts of the leaves, while fixed oils were only present in the extracts of the seeds. The results of the anthelminthic activity testing indicated that all crude extracts prepared were more effective than albendazole in reducing paralysis time (p < 0.0001) and death time (p < 0.0001). It was further shown that the extracts from the seeds (SE and SHE) were more effective than the extracts from the stem bark and leaves both in reducing paralysis and death times. Fractionation of SE provided a fraction, SEB, which was more effective than SE both in reducing paralysis and death times (p < 0.0001) and was established to contain fixed oils. The outcome of the current study has provided a scientific justification for the preference of the seeds of Carica papaya for the treatment of helminth infections and has shown that the fixed oils present in the seeds could be responsible for such activity.
Detection of Promoter DNA Methylation in Urine and Plasma Aids the Detection of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Liu Bin , Ricarte Filho Julio , Mallisetty Apurva , Villani Cassandra , Kottorou Anastasia , Rodgers Kristen , Chen Chen , Ito Tomoaki , Holmes Kyla , Gastala Nicole , Valyi-Nagy Klara , David Odile , Gaba Ron C. , Ascoli Christian , Pasquinelli Mary , Feldman Lawrence E. , Massad Malek G. , Wang Tza-Huei , Jusue-Torres Ignacio , Benedetti Enrico , Winn Robert A. , Brock Malcolm V. , Herman James G. , Hulbert Alicia
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Low-dose CT screening can reduce lung cancer–related mortality. However, CT screening has an FDR of nearly 96%. We sought to assess whether urine samples can be a source for DNA methylation–based detection of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Experimental Design:

This nested case–control study of subjects with suspicious nodules on CT imaging obtained plasma and urine samples preoperatively. Cases (n = 74) had pathologic confirmation of NSCLC. Controls (n = 27) had a noncancer diagnosis. We detected promoter methylation in plasma and urine samples using methylation on beads and quantitative methylation–specific real-time PCR for cancer-specific genes (CDO1, TAC1, HOXA7, HOXA9, SOX17, and ZFP42).

Results:

DNA methylation at cancer-specific loci was detected in both plasma and urine, and was more frequent in patients with cancer compared with controls for all six genes in plasma and in CDO1, TAC1, HOXA9, and SOX17 in urine. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that methylation detection in each one of six genes in plasma and CDO1, TAC1, HOXA9, and SOX17 in urine were significantly associated with the diagnosis of NSCLC, independent of age, race, and smoking pack-years. When methylation was detected for three or more genes in both plasma and urine, the sensitivity and specificity for lung cancer diagnosis were 73% and 92%, respectively.

Conclusions:

DNA methylation–based biomarkers in plasma and urine could be useful as an adjunct to CT screening to guide decision-making regarding further invasive procedures in patients with pulmonary nodules.
A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Trial of Atorvastatin versus Rosuvastatin in the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury, Worsened Renal Function at 30 Days, and Clinical Events After Acute Coronary Angiography: the PRATO-ACS-2 Study
Authors: Toso Anna , Leoncini Mario , Maioli Mauro , Tropeano Francesco , Villani Simona , Bellandi Francesco
Published: May 2020

Background/Aims: Both high-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin have been shown to reduce contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence and improve clinical outcomes in high-risk coronary patients undergoing angiographic procedures. However, there is a lack of head-to-head comparative studies on the effects of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin administered upon hospital admission in statin-naive patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: In this open-label, noninferiority study, we compared changes in renal function in 709 NSTE-ACS patients randomized to atorvastatin (80 mg upon admission followed by 40 mg/day) or rosuvastatin (40 mg upon admission followed by 20 mg/day). The primary end point was AKI (increase in serum creatinine ≥0.5 mg/dL or ≥25% above baseline within 72 h). Worsening renal function (WRF) (decrease of ≥25% in the glomerular filtration rate from baseline to 30 days), 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events, and 12-month myocardial infarction (MI) or death were also evaluated. Results: The AKI incidence was similar in the 2 groups (i.e., 8.2% with rosuvastatin and 7.6% with atorvastatin; absolute risk difference = 0.54; 90% CI –3.9 to 2.8), satisfying the noninferiority criteria. WRF occurred in 53 (7.5%) patients, 19 (34%) of whom had developed AKI. The rates of WRF and adverse events at 30 days and at 12 months did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Both AKI and WRF were found to be closely associated with the 12-month cardiovascular outcome irrespectively of statin choice. Conclusions: High-dose rosuvastatin or atorvastatin started upon hospital admission led to similar rates of AKI, 30-day renal function changes, and 12-month death or MI in NSTE-ACS patients who underwent an early invasive strategy (clinical trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; unique identifier: NCT01870804).
Effectiveness and Safety of Bronchial Thermoplasty in the Treatment of Severe Asthma with Smoking History: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Otoshi Ryota , Baba Tomohisa , Aiko Naoto , Tabata Erina , Sadoyama Shinko , Nakagawa Hiroaki , Sekine Akimasa , Komatsu Shigeru , Hagiwara Eri , Ogura Takashi
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) improves asthma-related quality of life and decreases the number of asthma exacerbations. However, the effectiveness of BT in the treatment of severe asthma with smoking history is unclear because previous studies have excluded patients with smoking history of more than 10 pack-years. Objective: The aim of the study was to clarify the effectiveness and safety of BT for severe asthma with smoking history. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who received BT and compared its effectiveness and safety with and without smoking history. Results: Seven patients were assigned to the smoking group and 9 to the nonsmoking group. Before BT, despite Global Initiative for Asthma step 4 or 5 treatment including oral corticosteroids (OCS) or monoclonal antibody drugs, most patients in both groups had asthma-related symptoms every day (85.7 vs. 77.8%; p = 0.475) and frequent asthma exacerbations. After BT, in the smoking group, 3 patients could discontinue or reduce OCS and all 3 patients treated with monoclonal antibody drugs could discontinue them. In the smoking group, 6 patients (85.7%) experienced a reduction in the rate of symptoms, of which 3 patients (42.9%) had a disappearance of symptoms, similar to the nonsmoking group. BT was effective in 5 patients (83.3%) in the smoking group and 6 patients (75.0%) in the nonsmoking group. There were no severe complications. Conclusions: BT was found to be effective and safe for treatment of severe asthma with smoking history. Our results suggest that BT may be a therapeutic option for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap.
Insular Decision Criteria in Clinical Practice: Analysis of Decision-Making in Oncology
Authors: Iseli Thomas , Fischer Galina Farina , Panje Cédric Michael , Glatzer Markus , Hundsberger Thomas , Rothermundt Christian , Schmidt Barbara , Sirén Charlotta , Plasswilm Ludwig , Putora Paul Martin
Published: May 2020

Background: Medical decision-making is complex and involves a variety of decision criteria, many of which are universally recognised. However, decision-making analyses have demonstrated that certain decision criteria are not used uniformly among clinicians. Aim: We describe decision criteria, which for various contexts are only used by a minority of decision makers. For these, we introduce and define the term “insular criteria”. Methods: 19 studies analysing clinical decision-making based on decision trees were included in our study. All studies were screened for decision-making criteria that were mentioned by less than three local decision makers in studies involving 8–26 participants. Results: 14 out of the 19 included studies reported insular criteria. We identified 42 individual insular criteria. They could be intuitively allocated to seven major groups, these were: comorbidities, treatment, patients’ characteristics/preferences, caretaker, scores, laboratory and tumour properties/staging. Conclusion: Insular criteria are commonly used in clinical decision-making, yet, the individual decision makers may not be aware of them. With this analysis, we demonstrate the existence of insular criteria and their variety. In daily practice and clinical studies, awareness of insular criteria is important.
China’s Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Model for Epidemic Preparedness and Management
Authors: AlTakarli Nourah S.
Published: May 2020

Background: As we live in an interconnected globalized world, people and the diseases they carry can be easily transmitted to any place in a matter of hours. SARS-CoV-2 began like all new viruses with an ordinary moment when a cluster of patients admitted to a hospital with pneumonia turned out to have a new strain of coronavirus. The virus’s high transmissibility made the epidemic in China turn into a global pandemic with an ongoing daily reporting of new cases and deaths. However, as fast as viruses spread, the detection of pandemics and taking early measures has become much easier due to the advancement of science in today’s world. The early responses and measures adopted by China, such as early reporting and situation monitoring, large-scale surveillance, and preparation of medical facilities and supplies, were all successful in reducing the epidemic in China generally and in the epicenter Wuhan specifically. The purpose of this review is to focus on the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Chinese government to stop COVID-19 spreading by comparing the country’s response to SARS and CO­VID-19 outbreaks, which will provide an example for the communities, health managers, and leaders of countries to follow on how to prepare, detect, and respond to potential outbreaks. Method: For this article, epidemic preparedness and management strategies under comparison were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) frameworks and guidelines. Other data related to COVID-19 and reported cases were taken from more than 25 official public health organization reports and relevant articles using various databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct). Results: Working on developing resilient systems against infectious diseases should be one of the top priorities of any country. China embraced resilience in its battle against COVID-19 and proved its capability to cope with the outbreak crisis. Despite succeeding in altering the course of the outbreak, healthcare experts warned about possible epidemic recurrence and stressed the need for caution as the pandemic is still ongoing and most of the infected cases are presenting with only mild symptoms.
Classification of RRIM clone series using artificial neural network
Authors: Ama Ismail Faridatul , Madzhi Nina Korlina , Ezan Abdullah Noor , Hashim Hadzli
Published: May 2020

This paper presents comparative investigation on the classification of rubber latex clone series using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based on optical sensing technique. Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) introduced the rubber breeding program known as RRIM clone series in order to increase the yield of latex production and the rubber wood to meet the requirement for export and import in upstream sector. Due to the large numbers of clones launched with different characteristics and properties, this bring difficulty such as lack of information regarding to the identification on cloning. Therefore, this work developed an optical based sensing system for classification of the selected RRIM 2000 and 3000 clone series based. Near Infrared Sensors was used as sensing element in order to measure the latex from the top surface and photodiode which received the reflected light from the sensor via reflectance index in term of voltage. The raw obtained data was then used as input parameter for ANN tool which supervised by scaled gradient back propagation and the performance was optimized at 25 neurons with 74.4% accuracy. By using ANN the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for each clones are measured.  RRIM 3001 shows the highest sensitivity, 94.1% while RRIM 2002 shows the highest specificity of 99.1% accuracy, 93.1%. As a result, the system could differentiate RRIM 2002 more compare to other clones.
Ten‐Year Trends in Enrollment of Women and Minorities in Pivotal Trials Supporting Recent US Food and Drug Administration Approval of Novel Cardiometabolic Drugs
Authors: Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Shahid Izza , Siddiqi Tariq Jamal , Khan Safi U. , Warraich Haider J. , Greene Stephen J. , Butler Javed , Michos Erin D.
Published: May 2020

Background

In 1993, the US Food and Drug Administration established guidelines to increase diversity by sex and race/ethnicity of participants in clinical trials supporting novel drug approvals. In this study we investigated the 10‐year trends of participation of women and minorities in pivotal trials supporting approval of new molecular entities in cardiometabolic drugs from January 2008 to December 2017.

Methods and Results

A list of new molecular entities was abstracted from publicly available data at
Drugs@Fda
. Sex and race/ethnicity data were collected from trial publications. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relation between drug approval year and proportion of women and minorities enrolled. Thirty‐five novel cardiovascular (n=24) and diabetes mellitus (n=11) drugs were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration during the study period. The median number of participants supporting each drug was 5930 (interquartile range, 3175–10 942). Women represented 36% (n=108 052) of trial participants (n=296 163). Women were underrepresented compared with their proportion of the disease population in trials of coronary heart disease (participation‐to‐prevalence ratio, 0.52), heart failure (participation‐to‐prevalence ratio, 0.58), and acute coronary syndrome (participation‐to‐prevalence ratio, 0.68). Among trial participants, 81% were white, 4% black, 12% Asian, and 11% Hispanic/Latino. There was no significant association between enrollment of women (
P
=0.29) or underrepresented minorities (
P
=0.45) with the drug approval year.

Conclusions

Over the past decade (2008–2017), women and minorities, particularly blacks, have continued to be inadequately represented in pivotal cardiometabolic clinical trials that support US Food and Drug Administration approval of new molecular entities. This may have major implications in determining efficacy of such therapies in these groups, and may impair generalizability of trial results to routine clinical practice.
Cross-Viewing in Berlin and Chicago: Nelisiwe Xaba’sFremde Tänze
Authors: Manning Susan
Published: May 2020

Viewing Nelisiwe Xaba’s Fremde Tänze (2014) in Berlin and Chicago revealed differing levels of meaning in the work. In Berlin the work exposed and parodied the white gaze of the black female dancer, while in Chicago the work vivified the gap between the responses of black and white spectators. The reception of Fremde Tänze in the two cities demonstrates the workings of “cross-viewing,” the moments when spectators from distinct social locations watch one another watching.
The Sieve
Authors: Meredith Cox Aimee
Published: May 2020

Nelisiwe Xaba’s Fremde Tänze prompts a consideration of the relationship between witness and performer. The metaphor of the sieve expresses the expansiveness of time and space, as well as the eradication of boundaries between bodies, and between bodies and material and psychic space.
(Re)Presenting Calais’s Camp: In the Heart of The Jungle with the Good Chance Theatre
Authors: Tyrrell Áine Josephine
Published: May 2020

The Jungle transformed San Francisco’s Curran Theatre from a bastion of old-world opulence into a turbulent refugee camp in Calais, France. But what are the politics of bringing stories of police brutality, meddling from “white savior” volunteers, deaths of loved ones, and the EU asylum system to the mainstage? When does relaying testimony become an appropriation of trauma?
Biasing the Perception of Spoken Words with Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
Authors: Kösem Anne , Bosker Hans Rutger , Jensen Ole , Hagoort Peter , Riecke Lars
Published: May 2020

Recent neuroimaging evidence suggests that the frequency of entrained oscillations in auditory cortices influences the perceived duration of speech segments, impacting word perception [Kösem, A., Bosker, H. R., Takashima, A., Meyer, A., Jensen, O., & Hagoort, P. Neural entrainment determines the words we hear. Current Biology, 28, 2867–2875, 2018]. We further tested the causal influence of neural entrainment frequency during speech processing, by manipulating entrainment with continuous transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at distinct oscillatory frequencies (3 and 5.5 Hz) above the auditory cortices. Dutch participants listened to speech and were asked to report their percept of a target Dutch word, which contained a vowel with an ambiguous duration. Target words were presented either in isolation (first experiment) or at the end of spoken sentences (second experiment). We predicted that the tACS frequency would influence neural entrainment and therewith how speech is perceptually sampled, leading to a perceptual overestimation or underestimation of the vowel's duration. Whereas results from Experiment 1 did not confirm this prediction, results from Experiment 2 suggested a small effect of tACS frequency on target word perception: Faster tACS leads to more long-vowel word percepts, in line with the previous neuroimaging findings. Importantly, the difference in word perception induced by the different tACS frequencies was significantly larger in Experiment 1 versus Experiment 2, suggesting that the impact of tACS is dependent on the sensory context. tACS may have a stronger effect on spoken word perception when the words are presented in continuous speech as compared to when they are isolated, potentially because prior (stimulus-induced) entrainment of brain oscillations might be a prerequisite for tACS to be effective.
Shapley Homology: Topological Analysis of Sample Influence for Neural Networks
Authors: Zhang Kaixuan , Wang Qinglong , Liu Xue , Giles C. Lee
Published: May 2020

Data samples collected for training machine learning models are typically assumed to be independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.). Recent research has demonstrated that this assumption can be problematic as it simplifies the manifold of structured data. This has motivated different research areas such as data poisoning, model improvement, and explanation of machine learning models. In this work, we study the influence of a sample on determining the intrinsic topological features of its underlying manifold. We propose the Shapley homology framework, which provides a quantitative metric for the influence of a sample of the homology of a simplicial complex. Our proposed framework consists of two main parts: homology analysis, where we compute the Betti number of the target topological space, and Shapley value calculation, where we decompose the topological features of a complex built from data points to individual points. By interpreting the influence as a probability measure, we further define an entropy that reflects the complexity of the data manifold. Furthermore, we provide a preliminary discussion of the connection of the Shapley homology to the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension. Empirical studies show that when the zero-dimensional Shapley homology is used on neighboring graphs, samples with higher influence scores have a greater impact on the accuracy of neural networks that determine graph connectivity and on several regular grammars whose higher entropy values imply greater difficulty in being learned.
Social and Labour Standards in the OECD Guidelines
Authors: Buchholtz Gabriele
Published: May 2020

We have witnessed fundamental changes both domestically and internationally due to globalisation and free trade. Multinational enterprises (‘MNEs’) are at the forefront of these changes. While states in the Global North have benefited broadly from the opportunities offered by free international trade, developing countries in the southern hemisphere have often suffered from the negative impacts of globalisation, notably, serious violations of human rights and working conditions. In order to avoid these adverse side effects, increasing international attention has been devoted to the human rights obligations of corporations over the last 30 years. Particularly useful are the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises – the only instrument of corporate responsibility formally adopted by governments with a built-in grievance mechanism. As this analysis will show, these Guidelines can have a measurable impact – beyond the traditional categories of soft law and binding state law. In this article, possibilities for innovative national regulatory practice will be considered and light will be shed on the technique of ‘social linkage’, particularly on public procurement law with its unique mechanisms for social considerations. All these mechanisms lead to more coherence in international law and can be used to strengthen the impact of the OECD Guidelines.
THE NIGHT JOURNEY AND ASCENSION OF MUHAMMAD IN TAFSIR AL-TA BARI
Authors: Khetia Vinay
Published: May 2020

This study conducts a literary analysis of the traditions and comments of al-Tabari with regards to Muhammad’s Night Journey and Ascension is undertaken within the context of al-Tabari’s exegesis of Qur’ān, 17:1. The linguistic particularities of the verse reveal notions of divine agency in the Qur’ān of which the Night Journey is one instance; manifesting the hand of God in the life of Muhammad. The hadith traditions therein as presented by al-Tabari are examined both linguistically and thematically. It becomes apparent, in the case of al-Tabari the Night Journey and Ascension of Muhammad marked a key turning point in his status as a Prophet; requiring a fantastical opening of Muhammad’s chest. Motifs of angelic surgery and the removal of “black spots” from the heart of Muhammad shed further light upon the dogmatic debates surrounding the question of infallibility (al-‘ismah) or immunity from sin as an indicator of Muhammad’s Prophethood. Al-Tabari also, presents traditions rich with imaginative apocalyptic and eschatological motifs which infuse the story of Muhammad’s heavenly journey with extra-historical implications. Al-Tabari concludes his exposition with an insistence on the physicality of Muhammad’s ascension, demonstrating the tension between literalism and symbolism in Qur’ānic exegesis and the hadith tradition.
Double Denominational Belonging among Youths in Nigeria: Implications on Christianity
Authors: Okwuosa Lawrence N. , Uroko Favour C. , Mokwenye Michael , Agbo Uchechukwu Monica , Ekwueme Stella Chinweudo
Published: May 2020

Christendom is fragmented in many denominations with different religious beliefs and histories that make them distinct and different from one another. In Nigeria the mainline denominations are Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Assemblies of God churches with the many multi-faceted Pentecostal churches gradually making serious in road into the religious arena. This is a qualitative research. Oral interviews were conducted by the researcher and research assistants to generate data. The data so collected was then analyzed through the phenomenological method to arrive at results. The population of the study is Christian Nigerian Youths who belong to double denominations. Furthermore, using the snowball sampling technique, youths who belong to double denominations were located (34 males and 34 females from each establishment representing the various states). 340 respondents were interviewed in all. Pentecostal churches are not so distinct in their faith beliefs as the other main churches. Because of their rich spirited liturgical celebrations, scripturally and prosperity appealing messages, penchant for healing, miracles and casting out of demons and lose hierarchical structures, young people are easily drawn to them. Young Christians while not denouncing their membership of mainline Christian churches have joined the different Pentecostal groups that dot every nook and crony of the society. The paper addresses this phenomenon and its impact on Christianity by using library findings and oral interviews.
“Can We Have More Hand-Drums?” Preschool Children’s Musical Play in a Program Exploring Diverse Languages
Authors: ACKER Aleksandra
Published: May 2020

This paper explores the role of play in a research project that documented and elucidated responses to a culturally diverse music program of five preschool-aged children in a child-care centre in Melbourne, Australia. The study was conducted over a period of nine weeks. The music program was conducted playfully, concentrating not only on the musical features and premeditated pedagogical devices, but on children’s contribution to the content and arrangements of the music sessions. The methodology employed in the study was conceptually rooted in the socio-cultural framework. The researcher took into consideration that learning is purported in a social environment and changes in character within a variety of social contexts. The social aspects of play were well-captured in the large number of Learning Stories that were written about and with the children. The Learning Story method of gathering, analysing and planning from data was employed as this socio-cultural approach encompassed contextual factors and celebrated children’s active role in the process of learning within and beyond the music program. The analysis of Learning Stories revealed that children’s learning is more profound when there are opportunities for play, on their own terms; this consideration is strongly recommended for future research projects.
9. Languages at Work
Authors: Kohl Katrin , Black Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Chapter 9 looks at the role languages play in working contexts. It examines how increasing your linguistic flexibility and learning languages extend your communicative and cultural range in ways you can deploy for career purposes; and how glimpses of careers in which people use foreign languages tell us something about what makes languages valuable personally, culturally, professionally and financially – sometimes all at once.
On the Propagation of Satellite Precipitation Estimation Errors: From Passive Microwave to Infrared Estimates
Authors: Upadhyaya Shruti A. , Kirstetter Pierre-Emmanuel , Gourley Jonathan J. , Kuligowski Robert J.
Published: May 2020

The launch of NOAA’s latest generation of geostationary satellites known as the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Series has opened new opportunities in quantifying precipitation rates. Recent efforts have strived to utilize these data to improve space-based precipitation retrievals. The overall objective of the present work is to carry out a detailed error budget analysis of the improved Self-Calibrating Multivariate Precipitation Retrieval (SCaMPR) algorithm for GOES-R and the passive microwave (MW) combined (MWCOMB) precipitation dataset used to calibrate it with an aim to provide insights regarding strengths and weaknesses of these products. This study systematically analyzes the errors across different climate regions and also as a function of different precipitation types over the conterminous United States. The reference precipitation dataset is Ground-Validation Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (GV-MRMS). Overall, MWCOMB reveals smaller errors as compared to SCaMPR. However, the analysis indicated that that the major portion of error in SCaMPR is propagated from the MWCOMB calibration data. The major challenge starts with poor detection from MWCOMB, which propagates in SCaMPR. In particular, MWCOMB misses 90% of cool stratiform precipitation and the overall detection score is around 40%. The ability of the algorithms to quantify precipitation amounts for the Warm Stratiform, Cool Stratiform, and Tropical/Stratiform Mix categories is poor compared to the Convective and Tropical/Convective Mix categories with additional challenges in complex terrain regions. Further analysis showed strong similarities in systematic and random error models with both products. This suggests that the potential of high-resolution GOES-R observations remains underutilized in SCaMPR due to the errors from the calibrator MWCOMB.
How Do Low-Income People Form Survival Networks? Routine Organizations as Brokers
Authors: Small Mario L. , Gose Leah E.
Published: May 2020

While supportive social ties help to buffer against the consequences of poverty, few researchers have examined how people form such ties. New ties are often formed in routine organizations such as businesses, churches, and childcare centers, which, beyond being places to work, shop, or receive services, are institutionally governed spaces of social interaction. Based on the notion of organizational brokerage, we introduce a perspective that specifies when routine organizations contribute to tie formation and use it to reexamine data from existing qualitative studies of such organizations among the poor. We argue that successful brokerage will depend on the degree to which an organization’s institutional norms render interaction among participants frequent, long-lasting, focused on others, and centered on joint tasks; and that the ensuing networks may differ from other supportive ties in the sense of belonging they may cultivate, the form of generalized exchange they may engender, and the organizational connections they may create.
Of Morals and Markets: Social Exchange and Poverty in Contemporary Urban Mexico
Authors: González de la Rocha Mercedes
Published: May 2020

Based on longitudinal ethnographic research in Guadalajara, Mexico, from the 1980s to present, I argue that there has been a significant change in the availability of mutual help or support networks for the economically disadvantaged. As time and income have become increasingly scarce, people who used to find support in reciprocal social relationships now find that support-givers are in no position to provide assistance for free. Now, people experiencing scarcity find that they must pay for help formerly available through social relations. In other words, care within the family, in contexts of urban poverty, is becoming a commodity. A paradox arises for those who have fewer resources: they are excluded by the market economy, and by resorting to mercantilist values to survive, they are violating moral principles and norms that exclude them even more from social exchange.
Outcomes of Routine Coronary Angiography in Asymptomatic Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease Prior to Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Mohamed Tahir I. , Baqal Omar J. , Binzaid Abdulaziz A. , Belhaj Karim , Ahmad Janti T. Haj , AlHennawi Hussam T. , Ishkare Maen H. , Alashqar Mais , Alruwaili Nadiah , Al-Sergani Hani , Dahdouh Ziad
Published: May 2020

We report the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis and explore the best revascularization strategies prior to kidney transplantation. This is a retrospective single-center study, which included all patients who were candidates for kidney transplantation and underwent coronary angiography between 2003 and 2018. All included patients underwent coronary angiography without noninvasive testing and were asymptomatic cardiac-wise. Out of the 368 patients with ESRD, 45% had coronary vessel disease, 17% had 3-vessel disease, 11% had 2-vessel disease, 5.2% had significant left main artery narrowing, and 17% had single-vessel disease. Patients with 3-vessel disease had the worst survival rate at 5 and 10 years. The patients with significant 3-vessel disease or left main artery involvement underwent revascularization; 19% underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 5% had stenting of the coronary arteries, and 4.7% were on maximal medical therapy. The patients who underwent stenting had a better survival than those on medical therapy, but the difference was not significant ( P = .445). Our findings reflect a high prevalence of CAD in patients with ESKD. There is a need for further studies to evaluate benefits of cardiovascular screening in this patient population.
Post-Chemotherapy Titer Status and Need for Revaccination After Treatment for Childhood Cancer
Authors: Zhang Lindy , Thornton Clifton P. , Ruble Kathy , Cooper Stacy L.
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To evaluate the strategy of checking vaccine titers after completion of chemotherapy. Study Design. Retrospective review of pediatric oncology patients who completed chemotherapy. Demographics, post-chemotherapy titers, and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) were analyzed. Results. Ninety patients met inclusion criteria, and 87% of patients had at least one titer checked. Comparing patients <7 years and those ≥7 years at diagnosis, there was no difference in incidence of negative titers except mumps; those <7 years old were more likely to have negative titers (58% vs 20%, P = .003). Comparing those <13 years old to ≥13 years old, there was no difference in negative titers except mumps (45% vs 19%, P = .02) and tetanus (44% vs 0%, P = .002). No patient maintained all protective titers after completion of chemotherapy. Time to ALC recovery was not predictive of positive titers. Conclusion. Checking titers after chemotherapy is not recommended. Providers should assume loss of immunity.
Book review: Jennifer N. Fish, Domestic Workers of the World Unite!: A Global Movement for Dignity and Human Rights
Authors: Panda Biswambhar
Published: May 2020

Jennifer N. Fish, Domestic Workers of the World Unite!: A Global Movement for Dignity and Human Rights. New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications and Vistaar, 2018, 290 pp., ₹895 (hardback). ISBN: 978-93-528-0556-3.
Learning Inequality in Francophone Africa: School Quality and the Educational Achievement of Rich and Poor Children
Authors: Gruijters Rob J. , Behrman Julia A.
Published: May 2020

Influential reports about the “learning crisis” in the global South generally pay insufficient attention to social inequalities in learning. In this study, we explore the association between family socioeconomic status and learning outcomes in 10 francophone African countries using data from the Programme for the Analysis of Education Systems, a standardized assessment of pupils’ mathematics and reading competence at the end of primary school. We start by showing that learning outcomes among grade 6 pupils are both poor and highly stratified. We then develop and test a conceptual framework that highlights three mechanisms through which family socioeconomic status might contribute to learning: (1) educational resources at home, (2) health and well-being, and (3) differences in school quality. We find that most of the effect of family background on learning outcomes operates through school quality, which results from a combination of the unequal distribution of resources (such as teachers and textbooks) across schools and high socioeconomic segregation between schools. On the basis of these results, we suggest that most countries in the region could improve equity as well as overall performance by “raising the floor” in school quality.
On Frontiers and Fronts: Bandits, Partisans, and Manchuria’s Borders, 1900–1949
Authors: Pulford Ed
Published: May 2020

The region sometimes known as Manchuria entered 1900 as a frontier of blurred boundaries. Inter-polity borders between the Qing and Russian empires, and between both empires and Korea, had been drawn in earlier centuries, but no power center exerted full control. Multiple populations—Manchu, Korean, Han Chinese, Russian, and also Japanese for a time—lived among one another. This changed by mid-century as borders hardened under new rationalist-Westphalian states, the PRC, USSR, and DPRK. Yet, as this article argues in a revisionist, multi-perspectival account, the Manchurian frontier had a long afterlife in the politics and culture of the PRC and its avowedly modern socialist neighbors. Historical and anthropological insights at the local level reveal how ubiquitous Manchurian frontier “bandits” were supplanted by Chinese, Russian, and Korean “partisans” during the 1920s–1940s revolutionary conflicts. As guerrilla fighters drew on romanticizations of noble, masculine bandit-heroes, the socialist causes—and ultimately states—they fought for became embedded in both the Manchurian wilderness and local imagination.
Aerosolized Particle Reduction: A Novel Cadaveric Model and a Negative Airway Pressure Respirator (NAPR) System to Protect Health Care Workers From COVID‐19
Authors: Khoury Tawfiq , Lavergne Pascal , Chitguppi Chandala , Rabinowitz Mindy , Nyquist Gurston , Rosen Marc , Evans James
Published: May 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to identify escape of small‐particle aerosols from a variety of masks using simulated breathing conditions. This study also aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a negative‐pressure environment around the face in preventing the escape of small aerosolized particles.

Study Design

This study is an evaluation study with specific methodology described below.

Setting

This study was performed in our institution’s fresh tissue laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

A fixed cadaver head was placed in a controlled environment with a black background, and small‐particle aerosols were created using joss incense sticks (mass‐median aerosol diameter of 0.28 µ). Smoke was passed through the cadaver head, and images were taken with a high‐resolution camera in a standardized manner. Digital image processing was used to calculate relative amounts of small‐particle escape from a variety of masks, including a standard surgical mask, a modified Ambu mask, and our negative airway pressure respirator (NAPR).

Results

Significant amounts of aerosolized particles escaped during the trials with no mask, a standard surgical mask, and the NAPR without suction. When suction was applied to the NAPR, creating a negative‐pressure system, no particle escape was noted.

Conclusion

We present a new and effective method for the study of small‐particle aerosols as a step toward better understanding the spread of these particles and the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. We also present the concept of an NAPR to better protect health care workers from aerosols generated from the upper and lower airways.
Timing of Tracheotomy in Intubated Patients With COVID‐19
Authors: Delides Alexander , Maragoudakis Pavlos , Nikolopoulos Thomas
Published: May 2020

Timing of elective tracheotomy in the intensive care unit for intubated patients with COVID‐19 is still unclear. Recent recommendations and guidelines describe the surgical steps to achieve maximum protection of the involved medical staff and propose a delay of the procedure, so the viral load is decreased. Most authors of these recommendations agree that tracheotomy should be performed after at least 14 days from intubation, but data on this subject are still lacking. We discuss the issue of timing for such a procedure in regard to viral load and propose that the decision should be predominately based on its calculation.
Management of Adult Inpatient Otolaryngologic Consultations During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Proposed Tier‐Based Triage System
Authors: Hussaini Adnan S. , Clark Christine M. , Patel Atur A. , Russo Mark E. , Chia Stanley H. , Davidson Bruce J. , Malekzadeh Sonya
Published: May 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has placed tremendous strain on health care systems, leading to unprecedented challenges and obstacles in the delivery of patient care. Otolaryngologists are frequently called on for inpatient consultations for an array of pathologies, ranging from chronic benign conditions to acutely life‐threatening processes. Professional otolaryngologic societies across the world have proposed limiting patient care to time‐sensitive and urgent matters; however, limited literature is available to describe how this transient change in philosophy may translate to clinical practice. Here we present a structured algorithm that allows for rapid triage of otolaryngologic consults during the ongoing pandemic, in efforts to minimize infectious spread and protect clinicians while preserving high‐quality patient care. Considerations for managing these consults are presented, with a commentary on practical and ethical considerations.
A critical literature analysis of the Orientation and Mobility paradigm
Authors: Blake Katrina
Published: May 2020

Orientation and Mobility is a specialist field of knowledge, skills, and understandings specific to people with visual impairment. Blending traditional and developmental disability-specific eruditions, Orientation and Mobility focuses on the sensory, spatial, perceptual, and environmental concepts and skills for people with visual impairment. Linked to well-being, social participation, employment, and self-determination, Orientation and Mobility, therefore, is the cornerstone of equity and access for people with visual impairment. Despite this, there is little explicit discussion about the dominant discourses prevalent within the professional field of Orientation and Mobility. Drawing on theories of paradigms and grand narratives, a critical review of the dominant discourse on Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching was undertaken. The aim of this critical literature review was to identify ‘if and how’ the privileging of important intellectual traditions guides the professional field of Orientation and Mobility. Results confirmed that there is a consistent philosophical world view underlying much of the activity in Orientation and Mobility research. This paradigm of Orientation and Mobility professional attitudes, perspectives, and interests impedes a shared commitment to studying and improving the fundamentals of Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching. An important finding of this review was the effect that gaps in research and literature have on the future profession and perception of Orientation and Mobility. Alternative discourses to the traditional Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching are considered and discussed in terms of the longevity and growth of the Orientation and Mobility professional field.