bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Analysis of a Gene Correlation Network Identifies Critical Regulation of Fibrosis by lncRNAs and TFs in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Fan , Li Pei , Li Feng-sen
Published: June 2020

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most frequent form of irreversible interstitial pneumonia with unknown etiology, is characterized by massive remodeling of lung architecture and followed by progressive loss of lung function. However, the key regulatory genes and the specific signaling pathways involved in the onset and progression of IPF still remain unclear. The present study is aimed at investigating the key role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through the integrated analysis of three gene expression profiles from the GEO dataset (GSE2052, GSE44723, and GSE24206). A total of 8483 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 988 upregulated and 7495 downregulated genes were filtered. Subsequently, following the intersection of these DEGs, 29 overlapping genes were identified and further analyzed using a bioinformatics approach. Furthermore, the protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was used to obtain 18 modules of related genes. The hub genes were identified through hypergeometric testing, which were closely associated with ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, the spliceosome, and the cell cycle. The significant difference was observed in the expression of these key genes, such as lncRNA MALAT1, E2F1, and YBX1, in the peripheral blood of IPF patients when compared with those normal control subjects by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. This study indicated that lncRNA MALAT1, E2F1, and YBX1 may be key regulators for the pathogenesis of IPF.
Women’s Choice to Deliver at Home: Understanding the Psychosocial and Cultural Factors Influencing Birthing Choices for Unskilled Home Delivery among Women in Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Atukunda Esther C. , Mugyenyi Godfrey R. , Obua Celestino , Musiimenta Angella , Agaba Edgar , Najjuma Josephine N. , Ware Norma C. , Matthews Lynn T.
Published: June 2020

Background. Utilization of perinatal services in Uganda remains low, with correspondingly high rates of unskilled home deliveries, which can be life-threatening. We explored psychosocial and cultural factors influencing birthing choices for unskilled home delivery among postpartum women in rural southwestern Uganda. Methods. We conducted in-depth qualitative face-to-face interviews with 30 purposively selected women between December 2018 and March 2019 to include adult women who delivered from their homes and health facility within the past three months. Women were recruited from 10 villages within 20 km from a referral hospital. Using the constructs of the Health Utilization Model (HUM), interview topics were developed. Interviews were conducted and digitally recorded in a private setting by a native speaker to elicit choices and experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. Translated transcripts were generated and coded. Coded data were iteratively reviewed and sorted to derive categories using inductive content analytic approach. Results. Eighteen women (60%) preferred to deliver from home. Women’s referent birth location was largely intentional. Overall, the data suggest women choose home delivery (1) because of their financial dependency and expectation for a “natural” and normal childbirth, affecting their ability and need to seek skilled facility delivery; (2) as a means of controlling their own birth processes; (3) out of dissatisfaction with facility-based care; (4) out of strong belief in fate regarding birth outcomes; (5) because they have access to alternative sources of birthing help within their communities, perceived as “affordable,” “supportive,” and “convenient”; and (6) as a result of existing gender and traditional norms that limit their ability and freedom to make family or health decisions as women. Conclusion. Women’s psychosocial and cultural understandings of pregnancy and child birth, their established traditions, birth expectations, and perceptions of control, need, and quality of maternity care at a particular birthing location influenced their past and future decisions to pursue home delivery. Interventions to address barriers to healthcare utilization through a multipronged approach could help to debunk misconceptions, increase perceived need, and motivate women to seek facility delivery.
A Microservice-Based Big Data Analysis Platform for Online Educational Applications
Authors: Miao Kehua , Li Jie , Hong Wenxing , Chen Mingtao
Published: June 2020

The booming development of data science and big data technology stacks has inspired continuous iterative updates of data science research or working methods. At present, the granularity of the labor division between data science and big data is more refined. Traditional work methods, from work infrastructure environment construction to data modelling and analysis of working methods, will greatly delay work and research efficiency. In this paper, we focus on the purpose of the current friendly collaboration of the data science team to build data science and big data analysis application platform based on microservices architecture for education or nonprofessional research field. In the environment based on microservices that facilitates updating the components of each component, the platform has a personal code experiment environment that integrates JupyterHub based on Spark and HDFS for multiuser use and a visualized modelling tools which follow the modular design of data science engineering based on Greenplum in-database analysis. The entire web service system is developed based on spring boot.
Evaluation of Parametrial Status in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Prospective Study on Diagnostic Accuracy of Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound
Authors: Perniola Giorgia , Fischetti Margherita , Tomao Federica , Di Donato Violante , Palaia Innocenza , Santangelo Giusi , Lecce Francesca , Piccioni Maria Grazia , Muzii Ludovico , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi
Published: June 2020

Objectives: To analyze the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D TV-US) for evaluation of parametrial status in locally advanced cervical cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), using histology as the gold standard. Methods: Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were staged according to FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) criteria. All IB2-IIIB FIGO stage patients were examined by 2D and 3D TV-US and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the diagnosis time (T0) and after NACT. At T0, the US evaluation of parametrial involvement was compared to MRI before treatment. The results of US and MRI examinations of parametrial status after NACT were compared with the histological specimen. Results: We enroled 51 consecutive patients in the study. Before chemotherapy, clinical examination under anaesthesia identified parametrial involvement in 48 patients, ultrasonography in 46 patients, and MRI in 49 patients. The agreement between US and MRI was 94%. The sensitivity of US for parametrial status was 93.8%, with a positive predictive value of 97.8%, using MRI as the standard. The correlation between US and MRI was statistically significant (p = 0). After chemotherapy, histological examination of surgical specimens identified parametrial involvement in 3 patients. Ultrasonography correctly identified those cases with parametrial infiltration, recording a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90.9%, positive predictive value of 50%, and negative predictive value of 100%. The MRI had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 45.5%, positive predictive value of 14.3%, and negative predictive value of 100%, respectively. The concordance in the identification of the presence/absence of infiltration between US and MRI with histology was 90% (p = 0.001) and 61%, respectively, after chemotherapy treatment. Particularly, in defining the degree of infiltration, the agreement between US and MRI with histology was 90 and 58%, respectively. Conclusion: In locally advanced cervical cancer patients, 2D/3D TV-US can be considered accurate in the evaluation of parametrial infiltration to assess the response to NACT. It could be included as a diagnostic method in the preoperative work-up of cervical cancer.
Simulationspatienten im universitären Psychologiestudium: Einführung einer innovativen Methode zur Stärkung praxisorientierter Lehre in klinischer Psychologie und Psychotherapie
Authors: Alpers Georg W. , Steiger-White Frauke
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund: Aufgrund der aktuellen Reform der Ausbildung zum Psychotherapeuten1 kommen auf die universitäre Lehre im Fach Psychologie neue didaktische Herausforderungen zu. Zusätzlich zum allerorts gut etablierten wissenschaftlichen Curriculum werden neue Module zur Vermittlung praktischer Kompetenzen benötigt, um den umfangreichen Anforderungen an eine Approbation entsprechen zu können. Die innovative Methode der Schau­spielpatienten bzw. Simulationspatienten (international auch gebräuchlich: standardisierte Patienten) erscheint besonders gut geeignet, um insbesondere Fertigkeiten der klinisch-psychologischen Gesprächsführung zu trainieren und zu reflektieren. Methoden: Dieses Pilotprojekt zeigt auf, wie Simulationspatienten im Gesprächsführungspraktikum eines universitären Masterstudiengangs eingesetzt werden können. Zudem wurde der didaktische Baustein in drei Kohorten mit n = 156 Studierenden evaluiert, insbesondere auf die Steigerung der selbst wahrgenommenen therapeutischen Kompetenz. Ergebnisse: Es zeigte sich aus Sicht erfahrener Therapeuten, dass sich mit vertretbarem Aufwand sehr realistische Interaktionen mit Patienten abbilden lassen. Die studentischen Bewertungen veranschaulichen, dass die Teilnehmer mit der neuen Lehrmethode sehr zufrieden sind. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich bei den teilnehmenden Studierenden im Prä-Post-Vergleich eine erhöhte the­rapeutische Selbstwirksamkeit. Besonders deutlich zeigte sich dieser Benefit bei den tatsächlich eingeübten Themengebieten. Diskussion: Diese Befunde belegen, dass der Einsatz standardisierter Patienten einen wertvollen Bei­trag zur praxisorientierten Lehre im Psychologiestudium leisten kann.
Low Back Pain and Sacroiliitis on Cross-Sectional Abdominal Imaging for Axial Spondyloarthritis Diagnosis in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Fauny Marine , Cohen Nicolas , Morizot Caroline , Leclerc-Jacob Sophie , Wendling Daniel , Lux Guillaume , Laurent Valérie , Blum Alain , Netter Patrick , Baumann Cédric , Chary-Valckenaere Isabelle , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Loeuille Damien
Published: June 2020

Background: Joint damage is the most frequent extraintestinal manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the value of low back pain (LBP) associated with sacroiliitis on abdominal imaging for the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA) in IBD. Methods: We used a questionnaire assessing rheumatological symptoms for all patients with abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Sacroiliitis was assessed on available CT and MRE. Patients were classified as axial SpA according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria. Results: Fifty-one patients completed the questionnaire and performed both exams. LBP was present in 27 patients (52.9%), and 10 (19.6%) had an inflammatory component. Sacroiliitis was reported in 12 patients (23.5%), and 6 of them suffered from LBP. Among the 20 patients referred to the rheumatologist, 11 patients suffered from LBP. One patient was HLA-B27 positive and presented sacroiliitis. For the last 10 patients, none of them had a sacroiliitis, and 2 patients were negative for HLA-B27. Conclusion: An axial SpA has been diagnosed in 11.8% of IBD patients undergoing cross-sectional imaging, whereas one-fifth had inflammatory LBP, and sacroiliitis was observed in one-quarter of them. To optimize the diagnosis of axial SpA, HLA-B27 testing might be required for patients with both IBD and LBP, but this will require further investigation before its implementation in routine practice.
Oral Processing Behavior of Diana Monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Kane Erin E. , Traff Jordan N. , Daegling David J. , Scott McGraw W.
Published: June 2020

Primates are hypothesized to “fall back” on challenging-to-process foods when preferred foods are less available. Such dietary shifts may be accompanied by changes in oral processing behavior argued to be selectively important. Here, we examine the oral processing behavior of Diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) in the Taï Forest across their dietary breadth, testing relationships among food intake, fruit availability, preference, and oral processing behaviors including those involved in food ingestion and breakdown. We conducted 1,066 focal follows from April 2016 to September 2017 documenting frequencies of incisor, canine, and cheek tooth mastications (i.e., chews) per ingestive action (n = 11,906 feeding events). We used phenological survey and scan sample data collected between 2004 and 2009 to examine dietary preference and food availability. Our analyses show that Diana monkeys processed foods in significantly different ways (H2 = 360.8, p < 0.001), with invertebrates requiring the least oral processing, fruit requiring intermediate amounts, and leaves requiring the most oral processing. There was no relationship between fruit availability and consumption of preferred or nonpreferred fruits (p > 0.05); however, preferred fruits were processed with significantly fewer mastications (i.e., less chewing) than nonpreferred fruits (U = 6,557, p < 0.001). We thus demonstrate that, when preferred foods are scarce, Diana monkeys do not fall back on difficult-to-process foods. Changes in processing profiles occurred throughout the year and not solely when preferred foods were in short supply. Though preferred fruits required less processing than nonpreferred fruits, we found no relationship between fruit preference and fruit availability. Diana monkeys’ lack of readily identifiable fallback foods may be attributable to the relatively high tree diversity and productivity of the Taï Forest. We conclude that Diana monkeys engage in resource switching, consuming a relatively easy-to-process diet year-round.
Blood Molecular Genomic Analysis Predicts the Disease Course of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients: A Validation Study of the Predictive Value of the NETest®
Authors: van Treijen Mark J.C. , van der Zee Dennis , Heeres Birthe C. , Staal Femke C.R. , Vriens Menno R. , Saveur Lisette J. , Verbeek Wieke H.M. , Korse Catharina M. , Maas Monique , Valk Gerlof D. , Tesselaar Margot E.T.
Published: June 2020

Reliable prediction of disease status is a major challenge in managing gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). The aim of the study was to validate the NETest®, a blood molecular genomic analysis, for predicting the course of disease in individual patients compared to chromogranin A (CgA). NETest® score (normal ≤20%) and CgA level (normal <100 µg/L) were measured in 152 GEP-NETs. The median follow-up was 36 (4–56) months. Progression-free survival was blindly assessed (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] version 1.1). Optimal cutoffs (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]), odds ratios, as well as negative and positive predictive values (NPVs/PPVs) were calculated for predicting stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Of the 152 GEP-NETs, 86% were NETest®-positive and 52% CgA-positive. ­NETest® AUC was 0.78 versus CgA 0.73 (p = ns). The optimal cutoffs for predicting SD/PD were 33% for the NETest® and 140 µg/L for CgA. Multivariate analyses identified NETest® as the strongest predictor for PD (odds ratio: 5.7 [score: 34–79%]; 12.6 [score: ≥80%]) compared to CgA (odds ratio: 3.0), tumor grade (odds ratio: 3.1), or liver metastasis (odds ratio: 7.7). The NETest® NPV for SD was 87% at 12 months. The PPV for PD was 47 and 64% (scores 34–79% and ≥80%, respectively). NETest® metrics were comparable in the watchful waiting, treatment, and no evidence of disease (NED) subgroups. For CgA (>140 ng/mL), NPV and PPV were 83 and 52%. CgA could not predict PD in the watchful waiting or NED subgroups. The NETest® reliably predicted SD and was the strongest predictor of PD. CgA had lower utility. The ­NETest® anticipates RECIST-defined disease status up to 1 year before imaging alterations are apparent.
Second-Day Morning Cortisol Levels after Transsphenoidal Surgery Are Accurate Predictors of Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency with Diagnostic Cut-Offs Similar to Those in Non-Stressed Conditions
Authors: Prencipe Nunzia , Parasiliti-Caprino Mirko , Gatti Filippo , Penner Federica , Berton Alessandro Maria , Bona Chiara , Caputo Marina , D'Angelo Valentina , Cappiello Vincenzo , Gasco Valentina , Ghigo Ezio , Zenga Francesco , Grottoli Silvia
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Multiple studies tried to identify cortisol cut-offs after pituitary surgery that could accurately assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function; however, there is no consensus nowadays. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of morning cortisol after transsphenoidal surgery in predicting long-term secondary adrenal insufficiency. Methods: In our tertiary center, we prospectively determined first- and second-day cortisol after transsphenoidal surgery in 92 patients without preoperative adrenal ­insufficiency and not treated with glucocorticoids perioperatively. Definitive diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency was obtained with re-evaluation 3 months after trans­sphenoidal surgery and clinical follow-up of at least 1 year. Results: Ten patients (10.8%) developed long-term postoperative secondary adrenal insufficiency. The ROC curves demonstrated that first-day cortisol had a moderate diagnostic accuracy, while a second-day cortisol ≤9.3 µg/dL (257 nmol/L) showed the best performance in predicting adrenal insufficiency (sensitivity [Se] 88.9%, specificity [Sp] 86.9%, AUC 0.921). Moreover, a second-day cortisol ≤3.2 µg/dL (89 nmol/L) was able to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in 100% of cases (Se 22.2%, Sp 100%) and >14 µg/dL (386 nmol/L) was able to exclude ACTH deficiency (Se 100%, Sp 57.4%). Conclusions: Adrenal function can be carefully studied on the second day after pituitary surgery, using cut-off values that international guidelines suggested for non-stressed conditions. In fact, second-day cortisol levels ≤3.2 μg/dL (89 nmol/L) and >14 μg/dL (386 nmol/L) are diagnostic of secondary adrenal insufficiency and normal function, respectively. We also suggest performing a definitive re-evaluation with an HPA axis stimulation test when second-day cortisol values are between 3.3 and 14 μg/dL (90–386 nmol/L).
Incidence of Acute Ischemic Stroke With Visible Arterial Occlusion
Authors: Duloquin Gauthier , Graber Mathilde , Garnier Lucie , Crespy Valentin , Comby Pierre-Olivier , Baptiste Laura , Mohr Sophie , Delpont Benoit , Guéniat Julien , Blanc-Labarre Christelle , Hervieu-Bègue Marie , Osseby Guy-Victor , Giroud Maurice , Béjot Yannick
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose:

Because of several methodological limitations, previous studies focusing on the prevalence of large vessel occlusion in ischemic stroke (IS) patients provided conflicting results. We evaluated the incidence of IS with a visible arterial occlusion using a comprehensive population-based registry.

Methods:

Patients with acute IS were prospectively identified among residents of Dijon, France, using a population-based registry (2013–2017). All arterial imaging exams were reviewed to assess arterial occlusion. Annual incidence rates of IS (first-ever and recurrent events) and IS with a visible occlusion were calculated.

Results:

One thousand sixty cases of IS were recorded (mean age: 76.0±15.8 years, 53.9% women). Information about arterial imaging was available in 971 (91.6%) of them, and only preexisting dementia was independently associated with having missing information (odds ratio=0.34 [95% CI, 0.18–0.65],
P
=0.001). Among these patients, 284 (29.2%) had a visible arterial occlusion. Occlusion site was the anterior circulation in 226 patients (23.3% of overall patients with available data) and the posterior circulation in 58 patients (6.0%). A proximal occlusion of the anterior circulation was observed in 167 patients (17.2%). The crude annual incidence rate of total IS per 100 000 was 138 (95% CI, 129–146). Corresponding standardized rates were 66 (95% CI, 50–82) to the World Health Organization and 141 (95% CI, 118–164) to the 2013 European populations. The crude annual incidence rate of IS with a visible arterial occlusion per 100 000 was 37 (95% CI, 33–41) and that of IS with a proximal occlusion of the anterior circulation was 22 (95% CI, 18–25). Corresponding standardized rates were 18 (95% CI, 10–26) and 10 (95% CI, 8–13) to the World Health Organization population, and 38 (95% CI, 26–50) and 23 (95% CI, 19–26) to the 2013 European population, respectively.

Conclusions:

These results will be helpful to plan the need for thrombectomy-capable stroke center resources.
‘It was you who taught me that peaceful marches did not work’, Uncivil Disobedience and the Hong Kong Protests
Authors: Richards Jane
Published: June 2020

Hong Kong’s one country, two systems model denies meaningful political equality for citizens. Instead citizens have engaged government in dialogue and have been granted a foothold in politics through protest. However, this equilibrium was upset in 2019 to 2020. Protests took place that were unprecedented in their scale, duration, widespread support and participation. And yet, government refused to engage in any kind of dialogue or deliberative action. This refusal, along with the use of excessive force by police, provoked an unprecedented escalation from civil disobedience to principled uncivil disobedience. This article argues that the escalation of principled uncivil disobedience was not only justified, but satisfied a duty that citizens have to resist injustice. It relies on the legal and political theory of Candice Delmas, arguing that while citizens have a prima facie obligation to obey the law, where law or policy becomes unjust, citizens may have a duty to resist that injustice, even if it means breaking the law. To illustrate this point, one type of principled uncivil disobedience that has become prevalent – graffiti – is used as an analytical lens. Graffiti communicates protestors’ grievances and subverts authority by reclaiming the space. It is allegorical of both the movement and the city; just as the cityscape has been permanently altered by the protests, so too has Hong Kong been changed by this period of unrest.
Regional Variability in Lithic Miniaturization and the Organization of Technology in Late Glacial Southern Africa (~18-11 kcal BP)
Authors: Low Marika , Pargeter Justin
Published: June 2020

Miniaturized stone tools made by controlled fracture are reported from nearly every continent where archaeologists have systematically looked for them. While similarities in technology are acknowledged between regions, few detailed inter-regional comparative studies have been conducted. Our paper addresses this gap, presenting results of a comparative lithic technological study between Klipfonteinrand and Sehonghong – two large rock shelters in southern Africa. Both sites contain Late Glacial (~18-11 kcal BP) lithic assemblages, though they are located in regions with different geologies, climates and environments. Results demonstrate that lithic miniaturization manifests differently in these different regions. Both assemblages provide evidence for small blade production, though key differences exist in terms of the specific technological composition of this evidence, the raw materials selected, the role played by bipolar reduction and the manner in which lithic reduction was organized. Patterned variability of this nature demonstrates that humans deployed miniaturized technologies strategically in relation to local conditions.
Two new species and new records in the alpheid shrimp genera Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 and Deioneus Dworschak, Anker & Abed-Navandi, 2000 in the Atlantic Ocean (Malacostraca: Decapoda)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR
Published: June 2020

The present study deals with two species new to science, as well as several new records in the closely related alpheid shrimp genera Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 and Deioneus Dworschak, Anker & Abed-Navandi, 2000, based on material collected at various localities in the tropical western and eastern Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, Salmoneus inconspicuus sp. nov. is described based on material from the Caribbean coast of Panama, Cuba, French Antilles and (with some doubts) Bermuda. The new species has been previously reported from the eastern Caribbean Sea as S. teres Manning & Chace, 1990, a closely related species so far known only from Ascension Island in the central Atlantic. Salmoneus camaroncito Anker, 2010 is reported from the Caribbean coast of Mexico, for the first time since its original description. Salmoneus carvachoi Anker, 2007 is reported from Colombia and southeastern USA, representing a new record of the species for each of these countries. Salmoneus depressus Anker, 2011 and Salmoneus setosus Manning & Chace, 1990 are reported for the first time from Cuba and Panama, respectively. In addition, these two species, as well as Salmoneus wehrtmanni Anker, 2010, are reported from new localities in Mexico. In the eastern Atlantic, Salmoneus saotomensis sp. nov. is described based on a single specimen from São Tomé Island in the Gulf of Guinea. The new species is characterised by the somewhat enlarged minor cheliped and is compared to all other Atlantic species presenting this feature. Deioneus sandizelli Dworschak, Anker & Abed-Navandi, 2000 is reported from São Tomé Island, for the first second time since its original description based on the Cape Verde type material. The characters separating Deioneus and Salmoneus are reassessed. The new evidence shows that these two genera are distinguished by only one morphological feature known to be variable in at least one non-related alpheid genus. However, in view of the increasing morphological heterogeneity in Salmoneus, it seems more appropriate to retain Deioneus as a valid genus for it may represent a distinct clade that also includes several other species currently placed in Salmoneus.
A new species of Cicinnus Blanchard (Lepidoptera, Mimallonidae, Cicinninae) from the mangrove ecoregions of Brazil
Authors: ST LAURENT RYAN A. , BECKER VITOR O.
Published: June 2020

A new species of Cicinnus from northern coastal Brazil is described and illustrated: C. litoralis sp. n.. The species is known from five males collected in the mangrove ecoregions of the Brazilian states of Pará and Maranhão (the Pará mangrove and Maranhão mangrove ecoregions respectively). This area of Brazil is poorly sampled for Mimallonidae, and the new species represents the first mimallonid considered endemic to these ecoregions. We also provide a discussion regarding the type species of Cicinnus, C. orthane Blanchard, focusing on populations from the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Ethnic Coalitions and the Logic of Political Survival in Authoritarian Regimes
Authors: Beiser-McGrath Janina , Metternich Nils W.
Published: June 2020

Why do authoritarian governments exclude ethnic groups if this jeopardizes their regime survival? We generalize existing arguments that attribute exclusion dynamics to ethnic coalition formation. We argue that a mutual commitment problem, between the ethnic ruling group and potential coalition members, leads to power-balanced ethnic coalitions. However, authoritarian regimes with institutions that mitigate credible commitment problems facilitate the formation of coalitions that are less balanced in power. We test our arguments with a k-adic conditional logit approach, using data on ethnic groups and their power status. We demonstrate that in autocracies, the ruling ethnic group is more likely to form and maintain coalitions that balance population sizes among all coalition members. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the extent to which balancing occurs is conditional on authoritarian regime type.
The Gender Gap in Political Clientelism: Problem-Solving Networks and the Division of Political Work in Argentina
Authors: Daby Mariela
Published: June 2020

The literature on clientelism has recognized the importance of problem-solving networks, but ignored their gendered nature. Contrary to what is often assumed, I argue that female brokers have fewer opportunities to use clientelism for building, enlarging, and sustaining political networks than male brokers. First, I find that female brokers invest heavily in a nonvoting constituency because their work centers on children. The gendered division of political work hence reduces women’s chances of building a following. Second, female brokers are less able to distribute resources beyond their political network, diminishing their chances of enlarging the size of their constituency. Third, female brokers have a harder time punishing those who receive benefits but fail to participate in politics, limiting their ability to recruit new followers. Drawing on two decades of fieldwork in Argentina, this article studies the gender gap in political clientelism and the consequences of the division of political work for political representation. The article shows how these differences in opportunities, over time, translate into a political underrepresentation of female brokers and an impoverished quality of democracy.
Project-based learning: Design of data acquisition module for greenhouse system
Authors: Mohapatra Debashish , Padhee Subhransu , Saxena Surabhi , Patnaik Bhaskar
Published: June 2020

This study provides a project-based learning case study of the design of data acquisition module for the greenhouse system. The project-based learning environment is provided to the final year undergraduate engineering students where the students try to develop a prototype of a greenhouse system equipped with various sensors and actuators. The learning target is to develop a fully functional laboratory prototype of the greenhouse with sensors and actuators and perform data acquisition and data logging operations in the greenhouse. In addition to the development of hardware prototype, the students are encouraged to learn the theory and modeling aspects behind the problem. The result of the project-based learning approach has been encouraging since the students were able to design the working prototype of the greenhouse with basic control functionalities.
Experimental researches on failure and energy absorption of composite laminated thin-walled structures
Authors: Haolei Mou , Jiang Xie , Jun Zou , Zhenyu Feng
Published: June 2020

To research the failure of carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminated specimens, the tensile tests and compressive tests were conducted for [90]16 and [0]16 specimens, and the shear tests were conducted for [±45]4s specimens, and the microscopic failure mechanisms were observed by scanning electron microscopy. To research the failure and energy absorption of different thin-walled structures with different layups, the quasi-static axial crushing tests were conducted for [±45/0/0/90/0]s and [0/90]3s circular tubes, [0/90]3s and [±45]3s square tubes, [0/90]4s and [±45]4s sinusoidal specimens, and the internal failure were further investigated by 3D X-ray scan. Based on the load-displacement curves, the energy absorptions were evaluated and compared according to specific energy absorption and peak crushing force, and the relationships between failure modes and specific energy absorption, peak crushing force were further researched. The results show that the macroscopic failure modes are the collective results of varieties of microscopic failure mechanisms, such as fiber fracture, matrix deformation and cracking, interlamination and intralamination cracks, cracks propagation, etc. The [±45/0/0/90/0]s circular tube shows the transverse shearing failure mode with high specific energy absorption. The [±45]3s square tube and [±45]3s sinusoidal specimen show the local buckling failure mode with low specific energy absorption. The [0/90]4s sinusoidal specimen, [0/90]3s circular tube, and [0/90]3s square tube show the lamina bending failure mode with medium specific energy absorption. The failure mode of thin-walled structure can be changed by reasonable layups design, and the energy absorption can further be improved.
Reading and Leading: Interviews With RBPE Editors About the Past and the Future of the Review
Authors: Coleman Major G.
Published: June 2020

The Review of Black Political Economy has been a leader on issues of race and economics, politics, sociology and area studies. After half a century of shaping minds, critical ideas and arguments, the time has come to look back and ask the editors of the Review what they saw when they were at the helm, and what they see ahead. While all their views are different, common themes emerged: 1. The need to embrace new technologies, 2. Making the Review the first pick for top scholars, 3. Relevancy in the post-civil rights era, and 4. Finance for the 21st century.
Drying kinetics and mechanical properties of low temperature microwave dried cashmere fibers
Authors: Zhan Liuxiang , Yang Yang , Li Wan , Wang Gaojun , Li Yuling , Wang Ni
Published: June 2020

Drying behavior of low temperature microwave vacuum–dried cashmere fibers and the drying rate at different times were investigated with different microwave powers, vacuum degrees and maximum drying temperatures to specify the optimum drying conditions in consideration of performance and drying efficiency in this study. The results show that higher microwave power can reduce the total drying time and significantly increase the drying rate in the initial stage. The degree of vacuum has a negligible effect on the drying behavior, and the influence of the three factors on effective moisture diffusivity is consistent with the drying behavior. Compared with hot-air-dried fibers, the mechanical properties of low temperature microwave-dried cashmere fibers could be significantly improved. In addition, excessive drying as delayed or overheated treatment will damage the fiber. The Page model is the most appropriate to describe the microwave vacuum drying of cashmere fibers.
Concrete Ontology: Comments on Lauer, Little, and Lohse
Authors: Kincaid Harold
Published: June 2020

I share with all the other authors the view that conceptual metaphysics without close ties to science is of minimal value, that this holds for much of current work on social ontology, and that if there is value in social ontology, it has to be in contributing to empirical social science. I do perhaps disagree with all three authors about making any blanket statements concerning either instrumentalism or realism about the social sciences and their ontologies. I argue and try to show instead that if there are fruitful questions of social ontology, they are probably mostly local empirical issues raised by specific pieces of social science. Certain kinds of pluralism and instrumentalism may well make sense in some situations. I illustrate with debates over the need for psychological realism and revealed preference theory in economics.
What eye-tracking tells us about reading-only and reading-while-listening in a first and second language
Authors: Conklin Kathy , Alotaibi Sara , Pellicer-Sánchez Ana , Vilkaitė-Lozdienė Laura
Published: June 2020

Reading-while-listening has been shown to be advantageous in second language learning. However, research to date has not addressed how the addition of auditory input changes reading itself. Identifying how reading differs in reading-while-listening and reading-only might help explain the advantages associated with the former. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of reading patterns with and without audio. To address this, we asked first language (L1) and second language (L2) speakers to read two passages (one in a reading-only mode and another in a reading-while-listening mode) while their eye movements were monitored. In reading-only, L2 readers had more and longer fixations (i.e. slower reading) than L1 readers. In reading-while-listening, eye-movement patterns were very similar in the L1 and L2. In general, neither group of participants fixated the word that they were hearing, although the L2 readers’ eye movements were more aligned to the auditory input. When reading and listening were not aligned, both groups’ eye movements generally preceded the audio. However, L2 readers had more cases where their fixations lagged behind the audio. We consider why reading slightly ahead of the audio could explain some of the benefits attributed to reading-while-listening contexts.
Continuing Professional Development Needs of Community Pharmacists in Qatar: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Al-Sulaiti Fatima , Fares Hebatala , Awaisu Ahmed , Kheir Nadir
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aims to assess the educational needs and professional competencies of community pharmacists in Qatar to inform the development of relevant continuing professional development (CPD) programs.

Methods

A mixed-methods cross-sectional exploratory study targeting community pharmacists was conducted using a questionnaire and an event diary. Descriptive and inferential analyses were utilized to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) version 21 software. For the event diary, thematic content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

Drug information skills and pharmaceutical care process were the most identified topics for inclusion in CPD programs. None of the pharmacists thought that they were competent in core areas of pharmacy practice. Community pharmacists who filled an event diary highlighted the need for development in areas such as communication skills and medication safety.

Conclusion

The identified needs shall help in developing a CPD program that addresses what community pharmacists perceive as educational and professional training needs.
Relationship between maxillary posterior molar roots and the maxillary sinus floor: Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of a western Chinese population
Authors: Pei Jun , Liu Jiyuan , Chen Yafei , Liu Yuanyuan , Liao Xuejuan , Pan Jian
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aimed to assess the positional relationships between the maxillary sinus and the first and second molars in a western Chinese population by using cone-beam computed tomography.

Methods

This study included 212 patients (652 maxillary molars and 1956 roots). Patient demographics (sex and age) and cone-beam computed tomography data regarding the relationship between molar roots and the maxillary sinus were obtained. This relationship was stratified into four types for statistical analysis.

Results

Sex and side did not significantly influence the distance between maxillary molar roots and the maxillary sinus. However, the distance between maxillary molar roots and the maxillary sinus increased with age. The mesiobuccal root of the second molar was nearest to the maxillary sinus. The most common relationship type involved absence of root contact with the sinus border and presence of a maxillary sinus cross-section above the root apex.

Conclusions

Compared with other teeth, the maxillary posterior teeth have a complex anatomical structure and are closely related to the sinus. These findings may serve as reference information for root canal treatment, tooth extraction, dental implant, and other dental clinical procedures among patients in western China.
A retrospective observational study of sarcopenia and outcomes in critically ill patients
Authors: Joyce Patrick R , O’Dempsey Ryan , Kisby Giles , Anstey Christopher
Published: June 2020

Frailty assessment in patients admitted to intensive care is often limited using traditional clinical frailty assessment tools. Opportunistic use of contemporary computed tomography (CT) can provide an objective estimate of low skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) as a proxy for frailty. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of sarcopenia in an Australian intensive care unit (ICU) population and to examine the relationship between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes. We undertook a single centre retrospective study of 1085 adult patients admitted to a single ICU over 12 months. Patients with a contemporary CT scan including the L3 vertebral body were included. Patients were categorised as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic using previously published data. A total of 279 patients with a mean age of 67 years had an eligible CT scan; 163 (58%) were male. Higher 30-day mortality was associated with the use of CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy) during the ICU admission (OR 6.84, P < 0.001) and also associated with lower cross-sectional muscle area (odds ratio (OR) 0.98, P = 0.004). Sarcopenia was found to be highly prevalent in this particular Australian ICU population (68%) and associated with older age (68 versus 55 years, P < 0.001), lower body mass index (27 versus 32 kg m−2, P < 0.001), more comorbidities (3 versus 2, P = 0.009), and longer stays in hospital (279 versus 223 h, P = 0.043). As a continuous predictor, lumbar muscle mass was associated with 30-day mortality with and without adjusting for other covariates.
Comprehensive Approach to Measure the Mobility Energy Productivity of Freight Transport
Authors: Jeong Kyungsoo , Garikapati Venu , Hou Yi , Birky Alicia , Walkowicz Kevin
Published: June 2020

Freight travel accounts for a major share of the energy consumed in the transportation sector in any country, and the United States is no exception. Understanding and modeling freight movement are critical, particularly in the context of capturing the impact of emerging technologies on freight travel and its externalities. The domain of freight modeling and forecasting has been gaining pace in recent years, but advancement in comprehensive freight performance metrics is still lagging. Conventional freight performance metrics such as truck-miles, ton-miles, or value-miles are unidimensional and aggregate in nature, making them unsuitable to accurately capture the impact of emerging transportation trends on the performance or productivity of freight systems. Addressing the research need, this paper presents the “Freight Mobility Energy Productivity” metric to quantify freight productivity of current as well as future freight systems, accounting for various costs associated with freight transport. The proposed metric was implemented using data from the Freight Analysis Framework along with other published sources, and shows intuitive results in quantifying freight productivity. Further, a scenario analysis exercise was conducted to test the capability of the metric in tracking improvements in system-level freight productivity as a result of vehicle electrification. The relative differences in Freight Mobility Energy Productivity scores help identify which zones benefit from the vehicle powertrain technology improvement. The results of the scenario analysis reinforce confidence that the proposed metric can be used as a decision support tool in assessing the productivity of existing as well as future freight trends and technologies.
Crash Testing and Evaluation of Culvert-Mounted Midwest Guardrail System
Authors: Pajouh Mojdeh Asadollahi , Bielenberg Robert W. , Schmidt-Rasmussen Jennifer D. , Faller Ronald K.
Published: June 2020

Concrete box culverts are usually installed under roadways to allow water drainage without affecting the motoring public. Culvert openings can represent a hazard on the roadside when they do not extend outside of the clear zone, and often require safety treatments in the form of roadside barriers. In this study, a modified design of Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) was evaluated for installation on a low-fill culvert with the strong-post attachment using through-bolts and epoxy anchorage through full-scale crash testing. The test installation consisted of MGS with a 31 in. top rail height, supported by W6 × 9 posts, spaced at 37½ in., attached to a low-fill culvert’s top slab with a 12 in. offset from the back of the post to the culvert headwall. Two crash tests were conducted according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) 2016 Test Level 3 impact safety criteria. In test number CMGS-1, a 2,428-lb car impacted the MGS attached to the culvert at a speed of 61.3 mph and at an angle of 25.1°. In test number CMGS-2, a 5,013-lb pickup truck impacted the MGS attached to the culvert at a speed of 62.8 mph and an angle of 25.7°. In both tests, the vehicle was safely redirected and captured. Both tests were deemed acceptable according to TL-3 safety criteria in MASH. Recommendations were made for the safe installation of MGS atop low-fill culverts as well as transitions from the standard MGS to the culvert-mounted MGS.
Augmented Reality for Early Language Learning: A Systematic Review of Augmented Reality Application Design, Instructional Strategies, and Evaluation Outcomes
Authors: Fan Min , Antle Alissa N. , Warren Jillian L.
Published: June 2020

In this article, we present a systematic review of literature on augmented reality (AR) supported for early language learning. We analyzed a total of 53 papers from 2010 to 2019 using qualitative analysis with complementary descriptive quantitative analysis. Our findings revealed three main AR learning activities: word spelling games, word knowledge activities, and location-based word activities. Our findings also uncovered five main design strategies: three-dimensional multimedia content, hands-on interaction with physical learning materials, gamification, spatial mappings, and location-based features. Several combinations of design and instructional strategies tended to be effective: Learning gains were enhanced by using three-dimensional multimedia with advanced organizers (presentation strategy) and/or using location-based content with learners’ self-exploration (discovery strategy); and motivation was enhanced by using game mechanisms with discovery strategy. We suggest that future designers of AR early language applications should move beyond these basic approaches and consider how unique benefits of AR may be applied to support key activities in early language learning while also considering how to support sociotechnical factors such as collaboration between teachers and learners and different learning contexts. We conclude with a discussion of future directions for research in this emerging space.
Temperature simulation and thermal equilibrium analysis of the ball screw feed drive system under various working conditions
Authors: Li Yang , Su Dongxu , Cai Xin , Wu Wenwu , Zhang Jun , Zhao Wanhua
Published: June 2020

As one of the most important part of the machine tool, thermal behaviors of the ball screw feed drive system has great effect on the positioning accuracy and machining accuracy. Finite element method is widely used for simulating the temperature of the ball screw under various working conditions. In this paper, in order to improve the simulation accuracy, the moving heat loads are considered in the finite element model, and the response surface methodology is proposed to optimize the boundary conditions. The correctness and effectiveness of the method are verified by experimental data. In addition, according to the temperature simulation results of the ball screw feed drive system, thermal equilibrium is defined and the factors which have influenced on it are analyzed.