bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic flexible job shop scheduling method based on improved gene expression programming
Authors: Zhang Chunjiang , Zhou Yin , Peng Kunkun , Li Xinyu , Lian Kunlei , Zhang Suyan
Published: August 2020

Dynamic scheduling is one of the most important key technologies in production and flexible job shop is widespread. Therefore, this paper considers a dynamic flexible job shop scheduling problem considering setup time and random job arrival. To solve this problem, a dynamic scheduling framework based on the improved gene expression programming algorithm is proposed to construct scheduling rules. In this framework, the variable neighborhood search using four efficient neighborhood structures is combined with gene expression programming algorithm. And, an adaptive method adjusting recombination rate and transposition rate in the evolutionary progress is proposed. The test results on 24 groups of instances with different scales show that the improved gene expression programming performs better than the standard gene expression programming, genetic programming, and scheduling rules.
The Welfare State amid Crime: How Victimization and Perceptions of Insecurity Affect Social Policy Preferences in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Altamirano Melina , Berens Sarah , Ley Sandra
Published: August 2020

Criminal violence is one of the most pressing problems in Latin America and the Caribbean, with profound political consequences. Its effects on social policy preferences, however, remain largely unexplored. This article argues that to understand such effects it is crucial to analyze victimization experiences and perceptions of insecurity as separate phenomena with distinct attitudinal consequences. Heightened perceptions of insecurity are associated with a reduced demand for public welfare provision, as such perceptions reflect a sense of the state’s failure to provide public security. At the same time, acknowledging the mounting costs and needs that direct experience with crime entails, victimization is expected to increase support for social policies, particularly for health services. Survey data from twenty-four Latin American and Caribbean countries for the period 2008–12 show that perceptions of insecurity indeed reduce support for the state’s role in welfare provision, whereas crime victimization strongly increases such preferences.
“Societies under Stress”: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Garland David
Published: August 2020

This introduction to the special issue “Societies under Stress” provides an intellectual context for the four articles that follow. The conferences at which the articles were presented brought together comparative welfare state researchers and scholars who work on crime and punishment to explore the links between social welfare and penal policy, particularly in social settings where neoliberal austerity or rising levels of criminal violence put pressure on these fields of social policy. Participants were drawn from Europe, the United States, and Latin America and represented a variety of social science disciplines and an eclectic mix of research methodologies.
Relationship Between Motor Skills, Balance, and Physical Activity in Children with CHARGE Syndrome
Authors: Perreault Melanie , Haibach-Beach Pamela , Lieberman Lauren , Foster Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Children with CHARGE syndrome often show delays in balance and motor skills due to multisensory impairments. Research also suggests that children with CHARGE syndrome have fewer opportunities to engage in physical activity. However, little research has examined the relationship among all of these variables. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between balance, motor skills, and physical activity.

Methods:

Participants consisted of 37 children with CHARGE syndrome aged 3–16 years who could walk independently. Parents of each child with CHARGE syndrome completed a demographics questionnaire and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children or Adolescents. Their child completed the Mini-BEST balance test and five motor skills (run, jump, slide, kick, and throw) from the Test of Gross Motor Development II.

Results:

Results indicate that anticipatory control had significant positive correlations with all five motor skills, sensory orientation with three motor skills, and reactive postural control and dynamic gait with two motor skills. Running was the only variable that had a significant positive correlation with physical activity.

Discussion:

The findings indicate that balance, especially anticipatory control, plays an important role in fundamental motor skills of children with CHARGE syndrome. There is also a strong connection between physical activity and running competence for this population; however, since this is based on a correlational analysis, the direction of the relationship is unclear.

Implications for practitioners:

Physical education teachers should work with students with CHARGE syndrome on increasing balance and motor skill performance to give them the competence and confidence to engage in physical activity. Moreover, parents can help by engaging in physical activity with their child at an early age and seeking out additional physical activity opportunities for their child outside of the physical education and school setting.
Impact of Health Literacy on Medication Engagement Among Adults With Diabetes in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chima Charles C. , Abdelaziz Aya , Asuzu Chisom , Beech Bettina M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess evidence of a relationship between health literacy and medication engagement (formerly referred to as medication adherence) among adults with diabetes mellitus in the United States.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus from the inception of each database to April 2020. Studies were included if they met all of the following criteria: (1) conducted in the United States, (2) the population of interest was adults ≥18 years with a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, (3) medication engagement was an outcome variable, (4) a direct and not a mediating relationship between health literacy and medication engagement was assessed, (5) a quantifiable measure of association was reported, and (6) a full-text journal article or dissertation was available. Quality of published evidence was graded according to Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists appropriate for the respective study designs identified.

Results

Thirteen articles from 11 unique studies were retained in the review, most of which used a cross-sectional design. Four out of 11 studies found a direct positive association between health literacy and medication engagement. Two of the 4 studies with positive findings had significant methodological shortcomings.

Conclusions

There is some evidence that health literacy is associated with medication engagement among adults with diabetes in the United States. Properly designed and executed longitudinal studies are needed to better elucidate the relationship between health literacy and medication engagement among adults with diabetes.
Technology Integration: The Role of the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in Practice
Authors: Isaacs Diana , Cox Carla , Schwab Kathy , Oser Tamara K. , Rinker Joanne , Mason Mary Jo , Greenwood Deborah A. , Albanese-O’Neill Anastasia
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Technology is rapidly evolving and has become an integral component of diabetes care. People with diabetes and clinicians are harnessing a variety of technologies, including connected blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, automated insulin delivery systems, data-sharing platforms, telehealth, remote monitoring, and smartphone mobile applications to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. Although diabetes technology use is associated with improved outcomes, this is enhanced when the person using it is knowledgeable and actively engaged; simply wearing the device or downloading an app may not automatically translate into health benefits. The diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) has a central role in defining and establishing a technology-enabled practice setting that is efficient and sustainable. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of the DCES in technology implementation and to demonstrate the value of diabetes technology in both the care of the individual and as a tool to support population-level health improvements.

Conclusion

By following the recommendations in this article, DCESs can serve as technology champions in their respective practices and work to reduce therapeutic inertia while improving health outcomes and providing patient-centered care for the populations they serve.
Digital labour: an empty signifier?
Authors: Gandini Alessandro
Published: August 2020

Since the early 2000s, the expression ‘digital labour’ has identified an influential theoretical proposition in the Marxist critique of the political economy of digital media, which sees the leisure-driven, unpaid activities of social media users as unremunerated forms of work contributing to Internet companies’ profits. Over the years, however, this expression has evolved into an umbrella term, used to describe a variety of practices and instances concerning the broader relationship between labour and digital technology – including paid work – often with little or no relation to the original theory. Reflecting on this evolution, this article argues that ‘digital labour’ has become a kind of empty signifier, unable to serve a clearly distinguishable critical or analytical purpose. Focusing on the emergence of platform labour, it shows how ‘digital’ and ‘labour’ have come to be largely inseparable dimensions and discusses the related implications.
The Use of Human Lymphocytes for the In Vitro Estimation of Acute Toxicity of Ten Chemicals from the MEIC List
Authors: Skaanild Mette Tingleff , Clausen Jørgen
Published: August 2020

The acute cytotoxicity of ten chemicals included in the MEIC (multicentre evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity) list has already been estimated in various cell lines, e.g. primary rat hepatocytes, HeLa cells, human hepatoma cells, and 3T3 and mouse fibroma cells. In the present study, primary cultures of human lymphocytes, with or without an S9-mix (microsomes), were used to assay for in vitro toxicity. The cultured cells were initially treated with different concentrations of the respective drugs for 24 hours. Then cellular enzymatic activity was estimated using two assay systems, namely, measurement of cytosolic LDH activity and the mitochondrial (diaphorase) MTT test. Since the biological significance of the assay of LC50 values is dependent upon the slope of the dose-response curves, the results are expressed as LC20, LC50 and LC80 values in μM for the ten drugs.

A Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between the results from the two assays in both cell culture systems (r=1.00 and r=0.99). The LC50 values found in the lymphocyte cultures, both with and without an S9-mix, correlated well with the results previously found using primary cultures of hepatocytes and HeLa cells.
Mercuric Chloride Affects Morphology and Thymidine Incorporation into DNA in Astroglial Cells in Culture
Authors: Rönnbäck Lars , Hansson Elisabeth
Published: August 2020

Primary astroglial cell cultures from neonatal rat cerebral cortex revealed morphological changes when incubated in HgCl2 at various concentrations. After incubation for 30 minutes with 5 x 10-6 HgCl2, most cells changed their form from a flat to a more rounded shape and extended processes. After longer incubations (>60 minutes) or at higher concentrations (≥10-5M), vacuoles appeared in many cells. [3H]-Thymidine incorporation into DNA was slightly increased after acute incubation in 10-9M HgCl2, while decreases were obtained after incubation in the μM range. The results are important due to the functions of astroglia during development and in the mature nervous system.
An in Vitro System for Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and the Effects of Antioxidants
Authors: Brogaard Benedikte , Clausen Jergen
Published: August 2020

Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants. There is a need for a simple in vitro method for evaluation of the effects of oxidative stress and the effects of antioxidants. In the present study, we used primary cultures of human lymphocytes exposed to either paraquat (PQ) or mitomycin C., two prooxidants generating two different types of free-radicals formed either by P450-reductase or by DT-diaphorase, respectively. The toxicity was measured by estimation of DT-diaphorase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and by estimation of the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a function of time and increasing doses of the two prooxidants. The enzyme activities were related to both total DNA content and total protein content of cellular homogenate. All estimations were made by exposing human lymphocytes to increasing concentrations (up to 100μM) of the two prooxidants. However, since cellular death occurred at concentrations above 60μM, only data for exposure to concentrations below 70μM are presented. When the enzyme activities were expressed per cellular unit (i.e. per gram DNA) 30μM mitomycin C induced a 30% increase in DT-diaphorase activity. Similarly, a dose-dependent increase (maximum 100% increase) in DT-diaphorase activity was found after exposure to PQ (up to 60μM). Similar data were obtained when data were related to the total protein. Only a minor increase (11%) in GSH-Px activity was induced by 50μM mitomycin C., whereas 20-70μM PQ induced a 41% increase in GSH-Px activity. Both prooxidants induced more than a doubling in the cellular MDA concentration. These findings demonstrate that both DT-diaphorase and GSH-Px are up-regulated during oxidative stress. However, sensitivity to prooxidant-induced stress seems to depend to some extent on the chemistry of the free-radicals generated. Thus, the single-electron pyridium cations generated by PQ seem to be more toxic than the single-electron semi-quinones generated by mitomycin C. The same cellular system was used to evaluate the effects of antioxidants. Quercetin, a naturally occuring flavone, and selenium (sodium selenite), which is an essential part of glutathione peroxidase, were selected. PQ-induced stress and exposure to 5μg/ml quercetin for 4 hours decreased the MDA level in the medium by 11% and in the cells by 33%. PQ-induced stress and exposure to 160μg/l selenium for 18 hours reduced MDA levels similarly, by 19% in the medium and 14% in the cells. Both antioxidants induced a 50% reduction in GSH-Px activity.
The Coumarin 7-Hydroxylation Microassay in Living Hepatic Cells in Culture
Authors: Donato M. Teresa , Castell José V. , Gómez-Lechón Maria José
Published: August 2020

Coumarin 7-hydroxylation was evaluated in hepatic cells from various species, cultured in 96-well plates. This microassay involved incubating living cultured cells with the substrate, followed by fluorimetric quantification of the product released into the culture supernatant, after hydrolysis of the conjugates of 7-hydroxycoumarin that were formed. Fluorescence was measured directly in the wells by using a microplate fluorescence reader. The major advantages of this technique are its simplicity and automation, the small number of cells required, the reduction in sample handling and assay time, and the possibility of performing repeated assays with the same cell monolayer, since no injury to cells is detectable during the assay. By using this microassay, it was shown that human hepatocytes hydroxylated coumarin at higher rates than did rabbit, dog or rat hepatocytes, and that no appreciable metabolic activity was observed in hepatoma cells (Hep G2 and FaO). In addition, methoxsalen was found to be a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P4502A6 activity in living human hepatocytes.
Alternative Approaches and Tests in Ecotoxicology: A Review of the Present Position and the Prospects for Change, Taking into Account ECVAM's Duties, Topic Selection and Test Criteria
Authors: Walker Colin H.
Published: August 2020

The objectives of this review are to summarise the present position concerning the use of vertebrates in ecotoxicity testing, giving particular attention to tests that cause suffering, and to discuss in some detail, alternatives to them, and the prospects for change. The report has been written with the objectives of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) in mind, and some recommendations for action have been made at the end of the discussion section. The first section of the review describes the present requirements within the European Union for the ecotoxicity testing of industrial chemicals in general, and for pesticides in particular, and the very limited documentation of the tests that are actually carried out. The next four sections describe the many different assays and systems used to evaluate the harmful effects of chemicals on free-living organisms and natural populations, and the extent to which they might be suitable alternatives to vertebrate toxicity tests that cause suffering. Attention is drawn to certain assays and strategies that can already be used as satisfactory alternatives, and thus provide the basis for short-term change. Included here are nondestructive assays on vertebrates which are available for certain types of chemicals, and which provide a direct and relatively uncomplicated approach to the problem. Other approaches are described which still require development, but hold considerable promise in the longer term. The growth of knowledge in the broad field of biochemical toxicology and the development of related technologies should lead to the development of better and more-sophisticated alternatives in the future. In vitro assays employing vertebrate cell systems are of particular interest here. The last section of the review deals with conclusions and recommendations. The recommendations are made with a view to the activities and responsibilities of ECVAM.
Reduction of pericardial effusion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with KRAS, TP53, and MET mutation treated with nivolumab
Authors: Cai Zhihui , Yao Yuan
Published: August 2020

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that is used to treat various advanced cancers, including metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nivolumab treatment has different side effects. For this patient with advanced NSCLC, pericardial effusion was considered to be an immune-related adverse event after immunotherapy. It was characterized by deterioration of symptoms and considered to be pseudo-progression. The pericardial effusion gradually disappeared as nivolumab treatment continued during intensive follow-up monitoring. After chemotherapy and disease progression, the patient was treated with oral targeted therapy based on genes that were detected. After the re-imaging to assess the targeted therapy progress, immunotherapy was used. During immunotherapy, the patient showed increased pericardial effusion, and he underwent one pericardial puncture, in which 200 mL of pericardial effusion was drained. The pericardial effusion after puncture was not diagnosed as malignant by pathology, and the pericardial effusion remained. Shortness of breath continually improved during immunotherapy, and immunotherapy was continued with close observation. After 11 cycles, pericardial effusion had resolved. This case suggested that NSCLC pericardial effusion that was caused by an immune-related adverse event after immunotherapy might be considered to be pseudo-progression.
Prognostic value of the TGFβ1 rs4803455 single nucleotide polymorphism in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ayala de Miguel Pablo , Enguix-Riego María Valle , Cacicedo Jon , Delgado Blas David , Perez Marco , Praena-Fernández Juan Manuel , Quintana Cortés Laura , Borrega García Pablo , del Campo Eleonor Rivin , Lopez Guerra Jose Luis
Published: August 2020

Background:

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the greatest therapeutic challenges of oncology. Potential associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in heat shock protein β1 (HSPB1) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and survival have been investigated.

Methods:

A prospective multicenter study of 94 patients with SCLC treated between 2013 and 2016 was conducted. Clinical, tumour-related, therapeutic, and genetic (9 SNPs of TGFβ1 gene and 5 of HSPB1 gene) variables were analyzed.

Results:

The cohort included 77 men and 17 women with a median age of 61 years. Eighty percent presented with limited stage at diagnosis and received thoracic radiation with a median dose of 45 Gy (twice-daily radiation in 42%). Forty-seven percent received concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and 57% received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). Overall survival (OS) was 34% at 2 years and 16% at 3 years. In multivariate analysis, the rs4803455:CA genotype of the TGFβ1 gene showed a statistically significant association with lower disease-free survival (DFS; hazard ratio [HR] 3.13; confidence interval [CI] 1.19–8.17; p = 0.020) and higher local recurrence (HR 3.80; CI 1.37–10.5; p = 0.048), and a marginal association with lower OS (HR 1.94; CI 0.98–3.83; p = 0.057). A combined analysis showed that patients receiving PCI and carrying the rs4803455:CA genotype had statistically significant lower OS ( p < 0.001) and DFS ( p < 0.001) than patients receiving PCI and carrying the rs4803455:AA genotype.

Conclusions:

Genetic analysis showed the CA genotype of TGFβ1 SNP rs4803455 was associated with worse prognosis in patients with SCLC and could be considered as a potential biomarker.
Algal Lymphadenitis in a Dog Caused by Scenedesmus Species
Authors: Oliveira Ryan D. , Wolking Rebecca M. , Bradway Dan S. , Alexander Trevor L. , Burbick Claire R. , Cerchiaro Ilaria , Eckstrand Chrissy D.
Published: August 2020

A 6-year-old, spayed female Labrador/Weimaraner cross-breed dog that had previously lived in Arizona presented in Montana for an annual examination with an incidentally enlarged popliteal lymph node, which was subsequently biopsied. Histologically, the lymph node was expanded by eosinophil-rich granulomas with both extracellular and intrahistiocytic green algae. These algae had intracytoplasmic, birefringent, and refractile granules; readily formed 2 to 3 mm green colonies on Columbia blood agar medium; and ultrastructurally had a multilayered cell wall and intracytoplasmic chloroplasts. Amplified product from the internal transcribed spacer and D1/D2 regions of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene had high sequence identity to Scenedesmus sp. Despite similar infection in the retropharyngeal lymph node 1 year later, the animal remained otherwise healthy with no clinical signs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of Scenedesmus species infection in a dog and is a differential diagnosis for Coccidioides immitis.
ViTA: A flexible CAD-tool-independent automatic grading platform for two-dimensional CAD drawings
Authors: Younes Rabih , Bairaktarova Diana
Published: August 2020

Grading engineering drawings takes a significant amount of an instructor’s time, especially in large classrooms. In many cases, teaching assistants help with grading, adding levels of inconsistency and unfairness. To help in grading automation of CAD drawings, this paper introduces a novel tool that can completely automate the grading process after students submit their work. The introduced tool, called Virtual Teaching Assistant (ViTA), is a CAD-tool-independent platform that can work with exported drawings originating from different CAD software having different export settings. Using computer vision techniques applied to exported images of the drawings, ViTA can not only recognize whether or not a two-dimensional (2 D) drawing is correct, but also offers the detection of many important orthographic and sectional view mistakes such as mistakes in structural features, outline, hatching, orientation, scale, line thickness, colors, and views. We show ViTA’s accuracy and its relevance in the automated grading of 2 D CAD drawings by evaluating it using 500 student drawings created with three different CAD software.
Anaesthetic considerations for strabismus surgery in children and adults
Authors: Chua Alfred WY , Chua Matthew J , Leung Harry , Kam Peter CA
Published: August 2020

Strabismus correction surgery is the most common eye operation in children. Adults have approximately a 4% lifetime risk of developing strabismus. Current treatment options include pharmacological injection of botulinum toxin or bupivacaine, conventional corrective surgery, adjustable suture surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Repeated surgery is common as each operation has a 60%–80% chance of successful correction. The benefits of early surgical correction in large-angle strabismus in children outweigh the risks of anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is suitable for patients of all age groups, for complicated or repeated surgery, and bilateral eye procedures. Regional ophthalmic block reduces the incidence of oculocardiac reflex and emergence agitation, and provides postoperative analgesia, but requires a cooperative patient as many experience discomfort. Topical anaesthesia has been used in pharmacological injection, minimally invasive surgery, uncomplicated conventional strabismus surgery and some adjustable suture strabismus surgery. Its use, however, is only limited to cooperative adult patients. Prophylactic antiemesis with both ondansetron and dexamethasone is recommended, especially for children. A multimodal analgesia approach, including paracetamol, intravenous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical local anaesthetic and minimal opioid usage, is recommended for postoperative analgesia, while a supplementary regional ophthalmic block is at the discretion of the team.
Older Adults’ Attitudes About Future Mobility Changes and the Usefulness of Mobility Assessment Materials
Authors: West Bethany A. , Bergen Gwen , Moreland Briana
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

To understand older adults’ attitudes about future mobility and usefulness of mobility assessment materials.

Methods:

Data came from a telephone survey of 1,000 older adults aged 60–74 years. After answering baseline questions, respondents received mobility assessment materials, then completed follow-up interviews. Respondents were asked about future mobility challenges. During baseline and follow-up, subjects were asked four questions about their mobility as they aged which measured thinking about mobility, thinking about protecting mobility, confidence in protecting mobility, and motivation to protect mobility. Differences in percent of respondents’ attitudes between baseline and follow-up and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results:

Driving (42%) was the most commonly reported challenge. Significant increases from baseline to follow-up in thinking about mobility (25%), thinking about protecting mobility (39%), and confidence in protecting mobility (29%) were reported.

Discussion:

Brief mobility assessment materials can encourage older adults to consider future mobility. Planning for changes can prolong safe mobility.
Assessing the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Education-Practice-Competence Triad in Intensive Care Units: Content Validity, Feasibility, and Reliability of a New Tool
Authors: Eltaybani Sameh , Igarashi Ayumi , Yamamoto-Mitani Noriko
Published: August 2020

Background:

To date, a comprehensive, psychometrically robust instrument to assess palliative and end-of-life (PEOL) care education, practice, and perceived competence among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses does not exist.

Objective:

To examine content validity and reliability of a proposed instrument to assess the PEOL care education-practice- competence triad among ICU nurses.

Methods:

An international modified e-Delphi and a cross-sectional pilot questionnaire survey. The Delphi involved 23 panelists from 11 countries. The pilot study involved 40 staff nurses and 3 nurse managers from 3 adult ICUs in a randomly selected hospital in Egypt. An instrument was developed and judged for content validity by international panelists, and then pretested in a pilot study, where data were collected at 2 time points using self-administered questionnaires, followed by cognitive interviews. Test-retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and repeatability coefficient (RC).

Results:

The panelists confirmed content validity of the proposed instrument, and staff nurses confirmed its comprehensibility. At the level of the instrument’s total scores, the lowest ICC was .9 (95% confidence interval: .8-.9); and the highest SEM and RC were 4.8 and 13.3, respectively.

Conclusions:

The PEOL Care Index is a comprehensive, comprehensible, content valid, and reliable instrument to assess the PEOL care education-practice-competence triad among ICU nurses. Construct and criterion validities need to be confirmed in future studies. Applicability of the PEOL Care Index in different settings and cultures needs to be examined.
Narratives of Mothers Whose Children Had Been Sexually Abused: Maternal Reactions and Comprehension Regarding Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse
Authors: Sufredini Francieli , Moré Carmen Leontina Ojeda Ocampo , Krenkel Scheila , Crepaldi Maria Aparecida
Published: August 2020

Child and adolescent sexual abuse is considered to be a serious public health concern and a devastating form of violence with serious physical, mental, and behavioral consequences in the short and long term. This qualitative study aimed to identify maternal reactions to the disclosure of sexual violence and explore the comprehension regarding child and adolescent sexual abuse held by the mothers of child victims. Twelve mothers were interviewed, whose children had experienced a situation of sexual abuse and were receiving psychosocial care in a municipality in southern region of Brazil. The collected data were organized and analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory with the Atlas.ti 7.5.7 software. From the analysis of the narratives, three main categories emerged: mothers with positive reactions, mothers with ambivalent reactions, and mothers with negative reactions. Mothers that presented positive reactions believed the report and supported their children, showing a comprehension that sexual abuse can occur in different ways and not only when there is penetration. The participants that had ambivalent reactions oscillated between maintaining or breaking off the relationship with the perpetrator of the violence, expressed initial disbelief regarding the report of the abused child, and had a comprehension that sexual abuse could be a form of affection. Mothers that had a negative reaction to the disclosure of abuse presented a contradictory narrative, minimizing the effects of the violence and placing the victims at fault regarding the abuse suffered. The importance of considering the possible relationships between the maternal comprehensions regarding child and adolescent sexual abuse and the reactions of these mothers during the professional intervention was demonstrated.
Crossing Boundaries and Fetishization: Experiences of Sexual Violence for Trans Women of Color
Authors: Ussher Jane M. , Hawkey Alexandra , Perz Janette , Liamputtong Pranee , Sekar Jessica , Marjadi Brahmaputra , Schmied Virginia , Dune Tinashe , Brook Eloise
Published: August 2020

Transgender (trans) women are at higher risk of sexual violence than cisgender women, with trans women of color reported to be at highest risk. This study examined subjective experiences of sexual violence for 31 trans women of color living in Australia, average age 29 (range 18–54), through in-depth interviews. An additional photovoice activity and follow-up interviews were completed by 19 women. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and feminist intersectionality theory, identifying the following themes. The first theme, “‘A sexually tinged violation of boundaries’: Defining sexual violence,” examined women’s definition of sexual violence, including staring and verbal abuse, nonconsensual touching and sexual assault, in both public and private contexts. The second theme, “‘Crossing people’s boundaries’: Sexual harassment in the public domain,” examined the frequent sexual harassment women experienced in their daily lives. This included the subtheme, “A hostile gaze: Public staring and ‘weird looks’” and “Mockery and transphobic abuse: Verbal abuse is sexual violence.” The third theme, “‘Crossing bodily boundaries’: Experiences of sexual assault,” included the subthemes “‘Unwanted sexual touch’: Groping and forced sex by strangers,” “Danger in relationships: Sexual assault and manipulation,” “Sexual violence in the context of sex work,” and “‘We’re turned into something we’re not’: Fetishization and the sexual other.” The poor health outcomes experienced by many trans women are closely associated with their exposure to sexual violence and the social inequities and transphobia to which they are subjected. Trans women of color may experience additional prejudice and discrimination due to the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, and social class. Our research suggests that understanding these intersectionalities is integral in understanding the sexual violence experiences of trans women of color.
Effect of the uncertainty of multi-cut contour method and friction coefficient on residual stresses of constrained groove pressing process
Authors: Nazari F , Honarpisheh M , Zhao H
Published: August 2020

Constrained groove pressing (CGP) process is a severe plastic deformation (SPD) method that can create ultrafine-grained microstructure in the sheet metals. In this study, residual stresses of the CGP process and the effect of the friction coefficient on the residual stresses were investigated. The residual stresses were measured in two directions using a multi-cut contour method and a mathematical-finite element model was developed to estimate the uncertainty of results of the multi-cut contour method. In order to study the effect of the friction coefficient on the residual stresses, a 3D finite element model was employed and the results of it were validated with the experimental results of the CGP process. According to the results, residual stresses in the first pass of CGP are compressive on the surface and gradually change to tension at the center of the thickness. Investigation of the effect of the first cut on the residual stresses and uncertainty of the second cutting plane showed that the effect of the first cut is only confined to regions near the intersection of the two cuts. Distancing from the intersection of two cuts causes the effect of the first cut to be ineffective on the second cut. Also, evaluation of the effect of friction coefficient on the residual stress illustrated that friction has a direct relationship with the residual stresses.
Hospital Preparedness and Resilience in Public Health Emergencies at District Hospitals and Community Health Centres
Authors: Sharma Sandesh Kumar , Sharma Neeraj
Published: August 2020

Background: Public health emergencies (PHE) caused by natural hazards spread from one particular locality to adjacent geographic areas and then encompass the entire planet in today’s fast global connectivity mode. Each country, including India, has its own set of potential disasters based on the hazards present as well as the unique vulnerabilities of the community and community’s preparedness to respond to particular disasters. Currently, human history is observing a very critical time fighting an invisible enemy—COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we seek to understand the standardised measures of public hospital preparedness and resilience at times of health emergencies, including a pandemic, the most current one being COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study among health officials of district hospitals (DHs) and community health centres (CHCs) of Rajasthan using a semi-structured online questionnaire, with COVID-19 in mind, and sending it to those who had attended a training programme on disaster preparedness in hospitals.

Results: In all, questionnaires were sent to 80 health officials of DHs and CHCs, of which 58 responded, with a response rate of 72.5 per cent. We collected responses on public health emergency preparedness, training-related issues, the capacity to deal with emergencies and prior experience in managing an emergency.

Conclusion: The resilience and preparedness of DHs and CHCs in Rajasthan appear to be limited. From the studies it has been revealed that proper training and education on disasters like the current COVID-19, which is of significant importance for healthcare workers, is limited to only 37.9 per cent of healthcare workers. It also emerges that the staff members whenever required could mark and perform in the triage area, but the Isolation room haven’t got the request facilities and equipped to stabilise a critical patient despite availability of emergency stock of medicine. The stated functional status of DHs and CHCs reveals that the level of emergency preparedness is between low and medium and also varies from hospital to hospital and from CHC to CHC. Hence, it is time to reassess and upgrade emergency preparedness plans, which include mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Federal-, state- and local-level emergency management agencies’ functioning has to be effective and well-coordinated with the local level of operation.
COVID-19: Impact on Health Supply Chain and Lessons to Be Learnt
Authors: Sharma Anu , Gupta Pankaj , Jha Rishabh
Published: August 2020

Before the imposition of the strict lockdowns and the spread of COVID-19, the disruptions in China caused a ripple effect on the global supply chains. Emphasis has been laid on minimisation of costs and timely delivery of essential products.

In India, as the situation worsens due to the outbreak, we have seen disruptions in the logistics supply chain. There are several reasons attributed to the increase in demand and slowing of the supply. There are several workable solutions available to look into this situation. We should work towards promoting Indian markets and amend policies to help the local workforce lessen the interdependencies of imports on other countries. This will help in strengthening the logistics supply chain in India. This will create employment opportunities and increase the GDP growth.
Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Students Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Prasad Singh Jagajeet , Sewda Anshuman , Shiv Dutt Gupta
Published: August 2020

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted everyone, including students. Accurate information about the disease, its spread, preventive measures and government-issued advisories is critical for containing an outbreak. We evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and practices, and the key behavioural determinants of clinical outcomes, among university students. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among IIHMR University students (31 March to 10 April 2020), soon after the nationwide lockdown in India. Through purposive sampling, we enrolled 529 students, who completed a semi-structured questionnaire (44% completion rate). Knowledge level of the participants was assessed using a scoring system, and chi-squared test and t-test were performed to detect significant ( p < 0.05) differences among various groups. Results: More than 70 per cent of students had good knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, mode of transmission and preventive measures, and 66 per cent knew about treatment approaches. Social media (83%) and TV (77%) were their primary sources of information. Most students showed a willingness to follow social distancing and lockdown guidelines; however, only 27 per cent perceived the risk of infection. Nearly all students reported compliance with government health advisories. Conclusions: We evaluated COVID-19 awareness and impacts of various information sources on effective outbreak containment. Improved community engagement activities and effective communication are needed during widespread disease outbreaks.
Public Perceptions of Collaborative Governance in Transportation Policy
Authors: Cain Bruce E. , Gerber Elisabeth R. , Hui Iris
Published: August 2020

Despite the widespread use and extensive studies of collaborative governance in the United States, we still know too little about how the public at large evaluates the formal inclusion of private stakeholders in collaborative decision making. We examine this question by conducting a series of survey experiments about the function, composition, and power of a proposed regional transportation board. The survey results reveal that while our respondents generally favored collaborative governance (i.e., public officials with private stakeholders) over collaborative government (i.e., public officials only), it was largely due to the inclusion of private citizens, not the stakeholder group representatives. This finding is consistent with a populist framework that presumes that interest group influences tend to impede or distort the will of the electoral majority and that favors functionally delimited mandates and limited power for non-elected decision-making bodies. This has important implications for the design and public acceptance of future collaborative government arrangements.
Outcome After Modified Grice-Green Procedure (SAMBB) for Arthritic Acquired Adult Flatfoot
Authors: Mosca Massimiliano , Caravelli Silvio , Vocale Emanuele , Massimi Simone , Fuiano Mario , Grassi Alberto , Ceccarelli Francesco , Zaffagnini Stefano
Published: August 2020

Background:

Adult acquired flatfoot deformity is a well-known and recognized cause of pain and disability. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe radiographic and clinical outcomes of the modified mini bone block distraction subtalar arthrodesis (SAMBB) in adult patients affected by adult flatfoot with subtalar joint osteoarthritis at a midterm mean follow-up.

Methods:

A retrospective review of our database identified patients. Radiological imaging was used to evaluate angular corrections (Meary’s angle [MA], talar coverage angle [TC], and calcaneal pitch angle [CP]) to assess the rate of union and highlight the possible progression of arthritis in nearby joints. Clinical evaluation was performed at the time of surgery and at the final follow-up using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. Sixty-two feet were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 6.2 ± 4.2 years.

Results:

The AOFAS score improved from a mean value of 48.1 ± 6.1 to a postoperative average score of 87.7 ± 5. CP, TC, and MA showed a postoperative improvement to 17.7 ± 2.1, 2.9 ± 0.7, and 0.6 ± 0.6 degrees, respectively, at the final follow-up, and all deformities were corrected. Five complications (8%) were reported: 1 major and 4 minor. No graft reabsorption, sural nerve neuralgia, or donor site morbidity was recorded.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this study is the first report of a modified Grice-Green technique (SAMBB) that is a safe and effective treatment of flatfoot in the adult with subtalar arthritis.

Level of evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Stiffness optimization in nonlinear pantographic structures
Authors: Desmorat Boris , Spagnuolo Mario , Turco Emilio
Published: August 2020

Mechanical metamaterials are microstructured mechanical systems showing an overall macroscopic behaviour that depends mainly on their microgeometry and microconstitutive properties. Moreover, their exotic properties are very often extremely sensitive to small variations of mechanical and geometrical properties in their microstructure. Clearly, the methods of structural optimization, once combined with the techniques used to describe multiscale systems, are expected to determine a dramatic improvement in the quality of newly designed metamaterials. In this paper, we consider, only as a demonstrative example, planar pantographic structures which have proved to be extremely tough in extension, To describe pantographic structure behaviour in an efficient way, it has been proposed to use Piola–Hencky-type Lagrangian models, in which the understanding of the mechanics of involved microdeformation processes allows for the formulation of efficient numerical codes. In this paper, we prove that it is possible, via a suitable choice of the macroscopic shear stiffness, to increase the maximal elongation of pantographic structures, in the standard bias test, before the occurrence of rupture phenomena. The basic tool employed to this aim is a constrained optimization algorithm, which uses the numerical tool, previously developed for determining equilibrium shapes, as a subroutine. Actually, one looks for the shear stiffness distribution, which, given the imposed elongation of the pantographic structure and the force applied to it by the used hard device, minimizes the total elongation energy. The so-optimized shear stiffness distribution does prove able to extend the range of imposed elongations that the specimen can experience while remaining undamaged.
Doing, being and verbalizing: Narratives of queer migrants from Muslim backgrounds in Spain
Authors: Coll-Planas Gerard , García-Romeral Gloria , Martí Plademunt Blai
Published: August 2020

The hegemonic narrative in the West establishes that having same-sex relationships constitutes an identity that must be public. This article analyses how this narrative is reproduced and/or subverted in the discourses of queer migrant people from Muslim backgrounds in Catalonia (Spain). The analysis of 10 interviews reveals a more fluid notion of sexual orientation, an uncomfortableness with the identity categories regarding sexuality, and a stronger distinction between the public and the private boundaries. The informants found themselves in a complex situation that made it impossible for them to completely reproduce or subvert the overlapping normativities of both the origin and host society, compelling them to devise hybrid strategies to live their sexuality. The article closes with a reflection on the implications of the different ways of living sexuality in relation to the theorization of sexual/intimate citizenship and LGBT equality policies, which also reproduce the western hegemonic understanding of sexuality.
Thermophysiological comfort properties of woven fabrics produced from hybrid yarns containing copper wires
Authors: Oner Eren , Seckin Ahmet Cagdas , Coskun Huseyin , Kole Dilara Evsever
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the thermophysiological comfort behavior of fabrics based on copper wire that can be used for electro-textile applications. For this purpose, hybrid folding yarns were produced by twisting cotton/polyester yarn with copper wire. These electrically conductive hybrid yarns were then used to produce upholstery fabrics with different weave types as plain, 2/1 twill and sateen weave in three different density levels as tight, medium and loose. Thermophysiological comfort properties such as air permeability, thermal and water vapor properties of the hybrid fabrics were measured. In addition, the heat transfer properties of the fabrics were investigated with thermal camera videos, and porosity values were determined from microscope images. In this way, the main thermophysiological comfort properties of the basic electro-textile structures were revealed. According to the results obtained, it was found that the use of conductive wire in the fabric structure did not negatively affect the thermophysiological comfort properties of the fabrics, and fabric density was a determining parameter in relation to the thermophysiological comfort properties of the fabrics. The obtained results of this study may be used to improve the design of electro-textile structures taking into account the thermophysiological comfort.