bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level of Physical Activity, Left Ventricular Mass, Hypertension, and Prognosis
Authors: Joseph Gowsini , Marott Jacob Louis , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Johansen Martin Nygård , Saevereid Hans A. , Nielsen Gitte , Schnohr Peter , Prescott Eva , Søgaard Peter , Mogelvang Rasmus
Published: December 2019

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a strong predictor of prognosis in hypertension. Physical activity is associated with higher left ventricular mass but also reduced risk of cardiovascular outcomes. The aims were to explore whether (1) presence of hypertension modifies the association between physical activity and left ventricular mass; (2) the beneficial association between physical activity and prognostic outcome is modified by left ventricular hypertrophy. Randomly selected number of 3078 persons from the general population underwent echocardiogram. Left ventricular mass was indexed to body surface area. Level of physical activity was self-reported: inactivity, light activity, and moderate/high activity. Blood pressure was measured in rest: normal BP (<140/90 mm Hg) and hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg or in pharmacological treatment for hypertension). Presence of hypertension modified the association between physical activity and left ventricular mass index significantly (test for interaction:
P
=0.01): in normal BP, higher levels of physical activity were associated with significantly higher left ventricular mass index (
P
<0.001), but this was not present in hypertension (
P
=0.90). Level of physical activity was associated with reduction in mortality and cardiovascular outcome independent of the presence of LVH (Persons with LVH: light activity HR, 0.77 [0.52–1.15], moderate/high activity HR, 0.61 [0.38–0.97]; test for interaction between LVH and level of physical activity
P
=0.71). In conclusion, persons with normal BP had higher left ventricular mass index at increased levels of physical activity, whereas this association was not present among persons with hypertension. Level of physical activity was associated with better prognosis independent of whether left ventricular hypertrophy was present or not.
Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis Among Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Shahjouei Shima , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Goyal Nitin , Sadighi Alireza , Mowla Ashkan , Wang Ming , Seiffge David J. , Zand Ramin
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

There are scarce data regarding the safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke among patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

Methods—

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature. Data regarding all adult patients pretreated with DOAC who received IVT for acute ischemic stroke were recorded. Meta-analysis was performed by comparing the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in these patients with (1) stroke patients without prior anticoagulation therapy and (2) patients on warfarin with international normalized ratio <1.7. Meta-analyses were further conducted in subgroups as follows: (1) administration of DOAC within 48 hours versus an unknown interval before IVT, (2) consideration of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage outcome according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) versus the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II (ECASS-II) criteria.

Results—

After reviewing 13 392 reports and communicating with certain authors of 12 published studies, a total of 52 823 acute ischemic stroke patients from 6 studies were enrolled in the present meta-analysis: DOACs: 366, warfarin: 2133, and 50 324 patients without prior anticoagulation. We detected no additional risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage following IVT among patients taking DOACs within 48 hours—DOACs-warfarin: NINDS (odds ratio [OR], 0.53 [95% CI, 0.18–1.52]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.28–2.16]); DOACs-no-anticoagulation: NINDS (OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 0.46–3.31]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.33–2.55]). Similarly, no additional risk was detected with no time limit between last DOAC intake—DOACs warfarin: NINDS (OR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.49–1.45]), ECASS-II (OR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.67–1.85]); DOACs-no-anticoagulation: NINDS (OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.43–3.15]), ECASS-II (OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.33–2.41]). There was no evidence of heterogeneity across included studies (
I
2
=0%). We also provided the details of 123 individual cases with or without reversal agents before IVT. There was no significant increase in the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (OR, 1.48 [95% CI, 0.50–4.38]), symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.09–2.55]), or early mortality (OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.11–3.43]) between cohorts who did or did not receive prethrombolysis idarucizumab.

Conclusions—

The results of our study indicated that prior intake of DOAC appears not to increase the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in selected AIS patients treated with IVT.
Development of a Novel Prognostic Model to Predict 6-Month Swallowing Recovery After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lee Woo Hyung , Lim Min Hyuk , Seo Han Gil , Seong Min Yong , Oh Byung-Mo , Kim Sungwan
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

The aim of this study was to explore clinical and radiological prognostic factors for long-term swallowing recovery in patients with poststroke dysphagia and to develop and validate a prognostic model using a machine learning algorithm.

Methods—

Consecutive patients (N=137) with acute ischemic stroke referred for swallowing examinations were retrospectively reviewed. Dysphagia was monitored in the 6 months poststroke period and then analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model for clinical and radiological factors. Bayesian network models were developed using potential prognostic factors to classify patients into those with good (no need for tube feeding or diet modification for 6 months) and poor (tube feeding or diet modification for 6 months) recovery of swallowing function.

Results—

Twenty-four (17.5%) patients showed persistent dysphagia for the first 6 months with a mean duration of 65.6 days. The time duration of poststroke dysphagia significantly differed by tube feeding status, clinical dysphagia scale, sex, severe white matter hyperintensities, and bilateral lesions at the corona radiata, basal ganglia, or internal capsule (CR/BG/IC). Among these factors, tube feeding status (
P
<0.001), bilateral lesions at CR/BG/IC (
P
=0.001), and clinical dysphagia scale (
P
=0.042) were significant prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis using Cox regression models. The tree-augmented network classifier, based on 10 factors (sex, lesions at CR, BG/IC, and insula, laterality, anterolateral territory of the brain stem, bilateral lesions at CR/BG/IC, severe white matter hyperintensities, clinical dysphagia scale, and tube feeding status), performed better than other benchmarking classifiers developed in this study.

Conclusions—

Initial dysphagia severity and bilateral lesions at CR/BG/IC are revealed to be significant prognostic factors for 6-month swallowing recovery. The prediction of 6-month swallowing recovery was feasible based on clinical and radiological factors using the Bayesian network model. We emphasize the importance of bilateral subcortical lesions as prognostic factors that can be utilized to develop prediction models for long-term swallowing recovery.
Reaching “the Southern Wilderness”: Expansion and the Formation of the Lingnan Transportation Network during the Qin and Han Dynasties
Authors: Demandt Michèle H.S.
Published: December 2019

This article will focus on the incorporation of the Lingnan region into the territory of the Qin and Han Empire and will provide a deeper exploration of the role of “transportation networks” in expansionist politics and its effect on local socioeconomics. Through the study of historical and archaeological categories of evidence, the formation of the Lingnan transportation network and the specifics of Qin-Han frontier politics in the south will be discussed. It is argued that expansion and transport building were inspired by the same determinants, and transformed a selection of traffic “hot-spots” into socially-complex urban landscapes.
Subcloud and Cloud-Base Latent Heat Fluxes during Shallow Cumulus Convection
Authors: Lareau Neil P.
Published: December 2019

Doppler and Raman lidar observations of vertical velocity and water vapor mixing ratio are used to probe the physics and statistics of subcloud and cloud-base latent heat fluxes during cumulus convection at the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Oklahoma, United States. The statistical results show that latent heat fluxes increase with height from the surface up to ~0.8Zi (where Zi is the convective boundary layer depth) and then decrease to ~0 at Zi. Peak fluxes aloft exceeding 500 W m−2 are associated with periods of increased cumulus cloud cover and stronger jumps in the mean humidity profile. These entrainment fluxes are much larger than the surface fluxes, indicating substantial drying over the 0–0.8Zi layer accompanied by moistening aloft as the CBL deepens over the diurnal cycle. We also show that the boundary layer humidity budget is approximately closed by computing the flux divergence across the 0–0.8Zi layer. Composite subcloud velocity and water vapor anomalies show that clouds are linked to coherent updraft and moisture plumes. The moisture anomaly is Gaussian, most pronounced above 0.8Zi and systematically wider than the velocity anomaly, which has a narrow central updraft flanked by downdrafts. This size and shape disparity results in downdrafts characterized by a high water vapor mixing ratio and thus a broad joint probability density function (JPDF) of velocity and mixing ratio in the upper CBL. We also show that cloud-base latent heat fluxes can be both positive and negative and that the instantaneous positive fluxes can be very large (~10 000 W m−2). However, since cloud fraction tends to be small, the net impact of these fluxes remains modest.
Direct Variational Assimilation of Radar Reflectivity and Radial Velocity Data: Issues with Nonlinear Reflectivity Operator and Solutions
Authors: Liu Chengsi , Xue Ming , Kong Rong
Published: December 2019

Radar reflectivity (Z) data are either directly assimilated using 3DVar, 4DVar, or ensemble Kalman filter, or indirectly assimilated using, for example, cloud analysis that preretrieves hydrometeors from Z. When directly assimilating radar data variationally, issues related to the highly nonlinear Z operator arise that can cause nonconvergence and bad analyses. To alleviate the issues, treatments are proposed in this study and their performances are examined via observing system simulation experiments. They include the following: 1) When using hydrometeor mixing ratios as control variables (CVq), small background Z can cause extremely large cost function gradient. Lower limits are imposed on the mixing ratios (qLim treatment) or the equivalent reflectivity (ZeLim treatment) in Z observation operator. ZeLim is found to work better than qLim in terms of analysis accuracy and convergence speed. 2) With CVq, the assimilation of radial velocity (Vr) is ineffective when assimilated together with Z data due to the much smaller cost function gradient associated with Vr. A procedure (VrPass) that assimilates Vr data in a separate pass is found very helpful. 3) Using logarithmic hydrometeor mixing ratios as control variables (CVlogq) can also avoid extremely large cost function gradient, and has much faster convergence. However, spurious analysis increments can be created when transforming the analysis increments back to mixing ratios. A background smoothing and a lower limit are applied to the background mixing ratios, and are shown to be effective. Using CVlogq with associated treatments produces better reflectivity analysis that is much closer to the observation without resorting to multiple analysis passes, and the cost function minimization also converges faster. CVlogq is therefore recommended for variational radar data assimilation.
The Organizational Dynamics of Compliance With the UK Modern Slavery Act in the Food and Tobacco Sector
Authors: Monciardini David , Bernaz Nadia , Andhov Alexandra
Published: December 2019

Empirical studies indicate that business compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act is disappointing, but they struggle to make sense of this phenomenon. This article offers a novel framework to understand how business organizations construct the meaning of compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act. Our analysis builds on the endogeneity of law theory developed by Edelman. Empirically, our study is based on the analysis of the modern slavery statements of 10 FTSE 100 (Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index) companies in the food and tobacco sector, backed by interviews with business, civil society, and public officers. We offer a dynamic model that draws attention to the role of compliance professionals in framing ambiguous rules and devising a variety of organizational responses to modern slavery law. Contrary to extant research that tends to praise organizations for going “beyond compliance”, our study underlines the risks of managerialization of modern slavery law, whereby merely symbolic structures come to be associated with legal compliance, even when they are ineffective at tackling modern slavery.
Two Somali Fathers’ Views of Science: What Should My Children Learn in Science?
Authors: Albrecht Nancy , Upadhyay Bhaskar
Published: December 2019

This exploratory qualitative study examines the views of two Somali fathers on science, nature, and content of science that Somali students should be taught, and how science intersects with Somali sociocultural practices. The fathers were interviewed for over a year. We analyzed data inductively using a systematic qualitative process. The findings of the study show that the Somali fathers desired their children to learn science that was useful in Somali lives and connected to their sociocultural experiences. Learning evolution science created resistance and challenges to Somali fathers’ views of scientific evolution and future careers in science-related fields. Because of their deep-rooted Islamic faith, the fathers’ views of scientific evolution created internal resistance and challenges for themselves and for their children. In addition, Somali fathers expressed a greater sense of responsibility to resist the labels that science assigns in the “name of disease diagnosis.” A larger implication of this study might call upon urban school teachers to seek out Somali adults and parents as resources to make science teaching and learning socioculturally more relevant and respectful.
Post-crisis India’s Merchandise Export Growth: What Has Changed?
Authors: Barik Anirudha
Published: December 2019

This article comprehensively examines the growth and pattern of India’s merchandise exports during and following the financial crisis period (2007–08 to 2016–17) using Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics and United Nations Commodity Trade/World Integrated Trade Solution trade data. The entire analysis is based on leading trade indices and indicators and the results confirm that significant change in India’s trading structure is associated with the fast growth of foreign trade. The composition of exports has undergone changes overtime, bearing a strong influence of factor endowments and technology in favour of both human capital intensive and technology intensive sectors. The magnitude of product diversification shows that India’s export basket is poorly diversified but more diversified than BRICS countries except China. India’s export destinations showed a major shift from the developed countries market to the emerging markets in Asia and Africa. However, India holds more increased trade intensity with USA and Hong Kong. Dynamism in labour-intensive manufacturing sector is vital to promote India’s exports of agricultural value-added products and enable more competitive at the world. Also, the development of new markets should be viewed as part of a wider effort to enlarge the India’s foreign trade.

JEL Code: F10, F14, F19
Static and fatigue behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy composites
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhao Xing , Chen Siqi , Wu Zhishen
Published: December 2019

The static, fatigue properties and their damage mechanism of basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer composites are investigated. The stress–life curves and stiffness degradation under long-term cyclic loading were tested for basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer. An advanced fatigue loading equipment combined with in situ scanning electron microscopy was used in the tests to track the damage propagations and analysis the fracture surfaces of all specimens. Results were also compared with those of thermosetting epoxy-based basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites. The results show that the basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer has good interface properties between the fiber and new thermoplastic epoxy, which results in high tensile strength and ductility. Different degradation rates of low- and high-cycle fatigue loads are observed for the basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer composites. Under high fatigue stress levels, a high degradation rate of the fatigue life is found because the dominating damage pattern showed fiber fractures. At low and medium fatigue stress levels, the damage pattern is dominated by matrix cracking and interface debonding, which results in a low degradation rate of the fatigue life. A bilinear phenomenological fatigue model has a higher accuracy for fitting the stress–life data than linear fatigue models. In addition, 80–90% stiffness degradations are observed before failure for all stress levels at a stress ratio of 0.8. Furthermore, compared with thermosetting epoxy-based basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer, the basalt fiber-reinforced thermoplastic epoxy polymer has similar static strength and similar fatigue life at high-stress levels. However, at low-stress levels, the fatigue life of the this polymer is much higher than that of thermosetting one.
Cisplatin related cardiotoxicity – acute and chronic cardiovascular morbidity in a testicular cancer survivor
Authors: Morrow Andrew J , Cameron Alan C , Payne Alexander R , White Jeff , Lang Ninian N
Published: December 2019

Testicular germ cell tumours are the most common malignancy in men aged 20 to 40 years. They are subdivided into seminoma and non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs). Both seminoma and NSGCT occur at about the same rate, however some tumours contain a combination of both. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is used adjuvantly in high-risk stage 1 mixed and NSGCT patients and contributes towards oncological cure in almost all metastatic cases, regardless of histology. However, cardiovascular toxicity is a major concern. In addition to acute endothelial toxicity and associated risk of arterial thrombosis, accelerated atherosclerosis may be the result of chemotherapy-associated latent cardio-metabolic dysfunction. A 45-year-old man began treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for testicular cancer. On day 9, he suffered an anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). There was proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery but otherwise normal coronary arteries. Ten months following chemotherapy, he had another STEMI. There was a fresh obstructive lesion in the previously angiographically normal mid LAD, new diffuse coronary atheroma elsewhere and a deterioration in lipid profile despite statin therapy. Acute and longer-term cardiovascular risks of cisplatin-based chemotherapy may have different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. These issues are of growing relevance in a population of patients expected to have excellent cancer-related outcomes.
The Role of Photograph Aesthetics on Online Review Sites: Effects of Management- versus Traveler-Generated Photos on Tourists’ Decision Making
Authors: Marder Ben , Erz Antonia , Angell Rob , Plangger Kirk
Published: December 2019

Tourists searching for information about destinations on online review sites are concurrently exposed to two different photograph aesthetics, professional (produced by destination managers) and amateur (generated by travelers). While the former is glossy and sharp, the latter is often grainy and overexposed. Although aesthetics are important factors in tourist decision making, the effects of the exposure to both types of photograph aesthetics remain largely unexamined. This research investigates how both types of aesthetics, either singularly or in combination, affect a destination’s visual appeal and tourists’ booking intentions through four controlled experiments (N = 1,282). Our results show that despite the “messy” beauty in amateur aesthetics, photos with professional aesthetics make a depicted destination appear more visually appealing, ultimately driving booking intentions. However, the negative effects of amateur aesthetics are mitigated when (1) viewed by risk-averse tourists, (2) presented alongside positive reviews, and (3) accompanied by a greater number of professional photos.
Testing Self-Report Time-Use Diaries against Objective Instruments in Real Time
Authors: Gershuny Jonathan , Harms Teresa , Doherty Aiden , Thomas Emma , Milton Karen , Kelly Paul , Foster Charlie
Published: December 2019

This study provides a new test of time-use diary methodology, comparing diaries with a pair of objective criterion measures: wearable cameras and accelerometers. A volunteer sample of respondents ( n = 148) completed conventional self-report paper time-use diaries using the standard UK Harmonised European Time Use Study (HETUS) instrument. On the diary day, respondents wore a camera that continuously recorded images of their activities during waking hours (approximately 1,500–2,000 images/day) and also an accelerometer that tracked their physical activity continuously throughout the 24-hour period covered by the diary. Of the initial 148 participants recruited, 131 returned usable diary and camera records, of whom 124 also provided a usable whole-day accelerometer record. The comparison of the diary data with the camera and accelerometer records strongly supports the use of diary methodology at both the aggregate (sample) and individual levels. It provides evidence that time-use data could be used to complement physical activity questionnaires for providing population-level estimates of physical activity. It also implies new opportunities for investigating techniques for calibrating metabolic equivalent of task (MET) attributions to daily activities using large-scale, population-representative time-use diary studies.
Narrative Retribution and Cognitive Processing
Authors: Grizzard Matthew , Fitzgerald Kaitlin , Francemone C. Joseph , Ahn Changhyun , Huang Jialing , Walton Jess , McAllister Cass , Lewis Robert Joel
Published: December 2019

In both narrative theory and evolutionary psychology, equitable-retribution—or the idea that punishments for committing a moral transgression should be equivalent to the transgression itself—is a centerpiece of discussion. This article reports results from a blocked within-subjects experiment that examined speed of cognitive processing and subjective rating of three types of narrative retribution: equitable-retribution; under-retribution, where punishment is absent for a transgression; and over-retribution, where punishment exceeds the severity of the transgression. Results suggest that narrative endings depicting equitable-retribution are processed more quickly and liked more than endings with under-retribution and over-retribution. In addition, liking seems to correspond with enjoyment for equitable-retribution and over-retribution; for under-retribution, liking seems to correspond with appreciation. Discussion focuses on implications for theory and extending the current experimental paradigm.
A steam rising model of steam-assisted gravity drainage production for heavy oil reservoirs
Authors: Nie Ren-Shi , Wang Yi-Min , Kang Yi-Li , Jia Yong-Lu
Published: December 2019

The steam chamber rising process is an essential feature of steam-assisted gravity drainage. The development of a steam chamber and its production capabilities have been the focus of various studies. In this paper, a new analytical model is proposed that mimics the steam chamber development and predicts the oil production rate during the steam chamber rising stage. The steam chamber was assumed to have a circular geometry relative to a plane. The model includes determining the relation between the steam chamber development and the production capability. The daily oil production, steam oil ratio, and rising height of the steam chamber curves influenced by different model parameters were drawn. In addition, the curve sensitivities to different model parameters were thoroughly considered. The findings are as follows: The daily oil production increases with the steam injection rate, the steam quality, and the degree of utilization of a horizontal well. In addition, the steam oil ratio decreases with the steam quality and the degree of utilization of a horizontal well. Finally, the rising height of the steam chamber increases with the steam injection rate and steam quality, but decreases with the horizontal well length. The steam chamber rising rate, the location of the steam chamber interface, the rising time, and the daily oil production at a certain steam injection rate were also predicted. An example application showed that the proposed model is able to predict the oil production rate and describe the steam chamber development during the steam chamber rising stage.
Analysis of regenerated roof and instability support control countermeasures in a steeply dipping working face
Authors: Chi Xiaolou , Yang Ke , Fu Qiang
Published: December 2019

Roof regeneration in coal mining occurs when the remaining bottom slice of thick coal is re-mined. In view of the challenges of roof fall and instability support of a regenerative roof in the mining of steeply dipping coal seams, combined with the geological and engineering conditions of the working face in the Panbei Coal Mine, the mechanism of the instability of the regenerative roof and support is studied, and control countermeasures are proposed. Based on the comprehensive combination of the measurement of the roof structure, physical simulation, numerical simulation, and theoretical analysis, the cementation and compaction degree of the regenerated roof were described. The caving and sliding law of the regenerated roof after bottom slice mining was explored, and the model of support dumping and sliding instability under the roof fall state was established. The results obtained yielded three main findings. Firstly, the compaction degree of the regenerative roof is higher than that of the middle part of the working face, and the compaction degree of the upper part of the working face is the smallest. Secondly, the overburden structure instability of the bottom slice underwent six stages. The fracture of the cantilever beam and the slippage of gangue are the reasons for the enhancement of the acoustic signal at each stage. Finally, the upper part of the stope was identified as the crucial zone in the prevention and control of the support instability. A moving method of metal mesh with pressure and roof scraping was developed, and the support anti-overturning and anti-skid jack was set up to effectively control the stability of the support and roof fall, for safe and efficient mining of a steeply dipping coal seam under a regenerative roof.
Intraglandular Ordinary Lipoma of the Submandibular Gland
Authors: Lee Yong Won , Chung Jihyun
Published: December 2019

Lipomas are the most common soft tissue lesions occurring in the salivary glands but have a very low incidence. Lipomas commonly occur in the parotid gland, and lipomas in the submandibular gland (SMG) are rare. Until recently, ordinary lipomas of the parotid gland and some variants of lipomas of the SMG have been reported. However, few reports of ordinary lipomas occurring within the SMG exist in the literature. We report an extremely rare case of ordinary lipoma within the right SMG of a 65-year-old man. The tumor measured a 2.0 × 1.8 × 2.7 cm, was a well-capsulated homogenous yellow mass, which was composed of mature adipose tissue. A partially mixed area with salivary gland tissue was observed. There has not been much research on lipomatous tumors from the SMG because of their rareness. Most lipomatous tumors in the parotid gland are known as ordinary lipomas, but more research is needed to determine whether they can be applied to the SMG. Thus, this report will be instrumental in the understanding of lipomatous tumors of the SMG.
Mindfulness and Its Association With Varied Types of Motivation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Donald James N. , Bradshaw Emma L. , Ryan Richard M. , Basarkod Geetanjali , Ciarrochi Joseph , Duineveld Jasper J. , Guo Jiesi , Sahdra Baljinder K.
Published: December 2019

Mindfulness has been shown to have varied associations with different forms of motivation, leading to a lack of clarity as to how and when it may foster healthy motivational states. Grounded in self-determination theory, the present study proposes a theoretical model for how mindfulness supports different forms of human motivation, and then tests this via meta-analysis. A systematic review identified 89 relevant studies ( N = 25,176), comprising 104 independent data sets and 200 effect sizes. We used a three-level modeling approach to meta-analyze these data. Across both correlational and intervention studies, we found consistent support for mindfulness predicting more autonomous forms of motivation and, among correlational studies, less controlled motivation and amotivation. We conducted moderation analyses to probe heterogeneity in the effects, including bias within studies. We conclude by highlighting substantive and methodological issues that need to be addressed in future research in this area.
Transnational Competence: A Transformative Tool? A Comparison of German and Irish Political Trade Union Education Programs
Authors: Föhrer Bianca , Erne Roland , Finlay Graham
Published: December 2019

In the literature on cross-border labor action, labor education is seen as an important factor to improving it. This article therefore first reconstructs an innovative pedagogic concept, transformative Transnational Competence, to advance transnational labor education and action. Although initially developed for multinational firms and international organizations, this pedagogical concept is promising for labor, as it also focuses on emotional issues that are central to collective action. Subsequently, we use our reconstructed concept as a yardstick to assess labor education programs of public and private sector unions in Ireland and Germany. Our study shows that all unions face similar difficulties leading to rather little attention to transnational labor education, regardless of the very different labor relations landscapes in which they are operating. Hence, unions’ difficulties in relation to transnational labor education and action cannot be due to distinct national or sectorial factors, such as labor relations systems and different amounts of resources allocated to labor education. Instead, transnational labor education is facing challenges that are common in all cases, notably the tension between utilitarian and emancipatory orientations of union leaders, educators, and members involved in labor education programs.
Relationships between individual characteristics and occupational possibilities for young adults with visual impairments
Authors: Papakonstantinou Doxa
Published: December 2019

Individuals with disabilities highlight the importance of having career options, as these people are more likely to have narrowed occupational possibilities and to be employed in part-time and contingent jobs. This study explores (a) the range of occupational possibilities that according to Holland’s Self- Directed Search (SDS) Questionnaire most closely resemble the personality types of 55 young adults with visual impairments, b) the impact of individual characteristics on occupational possibilities, and c) the differences between sighted adults and adults with visual impairments regarding the SDS Questionnaire scores for the six personality types (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional). The research instrument was the SDS Questionnaire of Holland. The study results showed that the occupational possibilities for young adults with visual impairments relate mostly to social occupations. Individual characteristics also were found to be significant predictors of individual types according to the SDS Questionnaire. In addition, differences emerged from the comparison between adults with visual impairments and sighted adults in regard to the six personality types identified by Holland, based on the normative data. The study revealed that individual characteristics of young adults with visual impairments play an important role in their occupational possibilities.
Effect of puerarin on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Li Jun , Peng Youjian
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the effects of the flavonoid, puerarin, on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

Methods

Human PDLSCs were isolated from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, and the cell surface markers CD146, CD34, CD45, and STRO-1 were identified by immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured, and calcium deposition was detected by alizarin red staining. PCR was then used to detect the distributions of COL-I, OPN, Runx2, and OCN, genes related to osteogenic differentiation.

Results

Staining was positive for cytokines CD146, CD34, CD45, and STRO-1 in the experimental group; staining was also positive for silk protein, but negative for keratin. After 7 days of culture, exposure to puerarin significantly promoted the level of intracellular ALP; increased puerarin concentration led to increased intracellular ALP. Red mineralized nodules appeared upon exposure to puerarin and the number of nodules was concentration-dependent. PCR analysis revealed that COL-I, OPN, Runx2, and OCN expression levels increased as puerarin concentration increased.

Conclusions

Exposure to puerarin can promote proliferation and ALP activity in human PDLSCs, thus promoting both molecular and osteogenic differentiation; these findings may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of periodontal disease with puerarin.
Prognostic value of early glycosylated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels in patients with basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Sun Wentao , Hu Qunliang , Wang Juan , Zheng Ning , Chen Kai , Wang Yanmin , Zhang Shijun , Jiang Rongcai
Published: December 2019

Objective

This study was performed to analyze the relationships of the early glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) level and blood glucose level (BGL) with prognosis in patients with basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage (BGCH).

Methods

In total, 186 patients with BGCH were included in this prospective study. The GHb level, fasting BGL, bleeding volume, degree of consciousness disorder, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score, functional outcome in patients with primary ICH (FUNC) score, ICH grading scale (ICH-GS) score, and neurological impairment were recorded during a 30-day observation period.

Results

The mean BGCH volume was 58.42 mL. The 30-day mortality rate was 22.32%. The ICH-GS score [odds ratio (OR) = 0.815, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.504–0.688, R = 0.624] and bleeding volume (OR = 0.882, 95% CI = 0.785–0.918, R = 0.784) were significant predictors of 30-day mortality. The GHb level (OR = 6.138, R = 0.705) and BGL (OR = 1.055, R = 0.418) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

The GHb level and BGL are strong predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with BGCH and accurately predict the prognosis in these patients.
Transurethral holmium laser resection and transurethral electrocision combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively for treatment of bladder cancer
Authors: Lu Jiawei , Xue Yagang , Shen Feng , Gu Hongxing , Liu Haiyong , Hou Jianhua , Miao Huidong
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of transurethral holmium laser resection (THOLR) and transurethral electrocision (TUR) combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively for treatment of non-muscular invasive bladder cancer.

Methods

A total of 218 consecutive patients who were newly diagnosed with bladder cancer were enrolled in this prospective study from July 2014 to December 2017. The patients were randomly divided into THOLR and TUR groups. All patients received intravesical epirubicin (30 mg dissolved in 5% glucose solution) within 24 hours postoperatively. The operation time, blood loss, rate of obturator reflex, hospitalization time, catheterization time, complications, and recurrence were analyzed.

Results

Operation, hospitalization, and catheterization times were significantly greater in the TUR group than in the THOLR group. The rates of blood loss and intraoperative obturator reflex were also significantly greater in the TUR group. There were no significant differences in complications, recurrence rate survival, or recurrence-free survival between the two groups, with the exception of bladder perforation rate.

Conclusions

THOLR and TUR combined with intravesical epirubicin within 24 hours postoperatively were both safe and effective for treatment of bladder tumor; however, patients who undergo THOLR might experience more rapid recovery.
Biliary self-expandable metallic stent combined with Iodine-125 seeds strand in the treatment of hilar malignant biliary obstruction
Authors: Zhou Chuanguo , Li Hui , Huang Qiang , Wang Jianfeng , Gao Kun
Published: December 2019

Objective

To assess the safety and effectiveness of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) combined with Iodine-125 seeds strand to treat hilar malignant biliary obstruction (MBO).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who had received SEMS with 125I seeds strand (seeds group) or SEMS alone (controls) to treat hilar MBO. Demographic, biochemical, stent patency, overall survival and complications data were extracted and analysed.

Results

A total of 76 patients were included (seeds group, n = 40; controls, n = 36), with a total of 608 seeds deployed in the seeds group (mean, 15.2 ± 4.1 [range, 8–25] seeds per patient). Statistically significant between-group differences were shown in median stent patency time (seeds group, 387.0 ± 27.9 days [95% confidence interval {CI} 332.4, 441.6] versus controls, 121.0 ± 9.1 days [95% CI 103.2, 138.8]) and in median overall survival (seeds group, 177.0 ± 17.9 days [95% CI 141.8, 212.2] versus controls, 123.0 ± 20.4 [95% CI 83.0, 163.0]). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in complication rates.

Conclusion

SEMS combined with 125I seeds strand is safe, feasible, and tolerable in treating patients with hilar MBO, and may be effective in prolonging stent patency time and overall survival.
Incidence of scoliosis among junior high school students in Zhongshan city, Guangdong and the possible importance of decreased miR-30e expression
Authors: Huang Fuli , Liu Yongheng , Wu Junzhe , Yang Junlin , Huang Sizhe , Zhang Zhenshan , Li Dagang , Gao Dawei
Published: December 2019

Objective

We investigated scoliosis incidence among junior high school students in Zhongshan city, Guangdong, China and the expression of miR-30e among those with scoliosis.

Methods

A total 41,258 students were included. From July 2015 to December 2017, all students underwent screening including routine observation of the standing and sitting posture, Adam's forward bend test, dorsal tilt angle measurement, and X-ray examination. Age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess miR-30e expression among students with scoliosis and 200 healthy students.

Results

Overall, 743 students were diagnosed with scoliosis, with an incidence rate of 1.80%. A total 646 (86.9%) students were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, 38 (5.1%) with congenital scoliosis, and 59 (7.9%) with other scoliosis types. Compared with healthy students, height was significantly greater whereas weight and BMI were significantly lower among students with scoliosis, and expression of miR-30e was significantly lower. However, no significant difference was found in height, weight, BMI, and mean Cobb angle between high/low miR-30e groups.

Conclusion

The incidence rate for scoliosis was 1.80%, Compared with healthy students, those with scoliosis were taller, had lower weight and BMI, and miR-30e expression was significantly downregulated.
Review of the pathology underlying benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Yetiser Sertac
Published: December 2019

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is related to free-floating debris/otoliths in the semicircular canal (canalolithiasis) or debris/otoliths attached to the cupula (cupulolithiasis). These debris/otoliths are considered to originally accumulate after detachment from the neuroepithelium of the utricular macula secondary to a type of degeneration. An idiopathic form, which is assumed to occur spontaneously, is diagnosed when the causative pathology is obscure. However, an association between various other systemic or inner ear conditions and BPPV has been reported, indicating the existence of secondary BPPV. This study was performed to present the first review of the pathology underlying BPPV following a complete PubMed/Medline search. In total, 1932 articles published from 1975 to 2018 were reviewed. The articles were classified according to 17 potentially causative factors (aging; migraine; Meniere’s disease; infection; trauma; idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss; sleeping habits; osteoporosis and vitamin D insufficiency; hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus; chronic head and neck pain; vestibule or semicircular canal pathology; pigmentation disorders; estrogen deficiency; neurological disorders; autoimmune, inflammatory, or rheumatologic disorders; familial or genetic predisposition; and allergy). A discussion of the underlying cause of BPPV for each factor is presented.
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of primary motor cortex on cortical sensory deficits and hand dexterity in a patient with stroke: A case study
Authors: Abualait Turki S.
Published: December 2019

Fine motor and manual dexterity deficits are the main causes of significant physical and psychosocial impairments in stroke survivors. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique used to modulate brain activity and improve clinical outcomes. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of dual-hemispheric tDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1) in a patient with stroke exhibiting cortical sensation deficits. A double-blind, sham-controlled, single-case study was conducted. The patient underwent 30 sessions of sham tDCS followed by 30 real-stimulation sessions over both M1 cortices. Each session involved 20 minutes of 2-mA stimulation (current density, 0.08 mA/cm2; total charge density, 0.096 C/cm2). Functional measures were assessed using the Action Research Arm Test, grooved pegboard test, nine-hole peg test, and box and block test at several time points. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired before (t0) and after (t1) stimulation. Slight improvements following sham tDCS were observed. However, following real stimulation, all results at all time points were clinically significant. Higher fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract and regional gray matter density were positively correlated with better recovery of fine motor skills. tDCS intervention induced functional improvement and structural changes in this patient with stroke.
Identification of key genes and pathways in abdominal aortic aneurysm by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Liu Yihai , Wang Xixi , Wang Hongye , Hu Tingting
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To identify key genes associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by integrating a microarray profile and a single-cell RNA-seq dataset.

Methods

The microarray profile of GSE7084 and the single-cell RNA-seq dataset were obtained from the Gene Express Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were chosen using the R package and annotated by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics analysis. The hub genes were identified based on their degrees of interaction in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Expression of hub genes was determined using single-cell RNA-seq analysis.

Results

In total, 507 upregulated and 842 downregulated DEGs were identified and associated with AAA. The upregulated DEGs were enriched into 9 biological processes and 10 biological pathways, which were closely involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AAA. Based on the PPI network, we focused on six hub genes, four of which were novel target genes compared with the known aneurysm gene database. Using single-cell RNA-seq analysis, we explored the four genes expressed in vascular cells of AAA: CANX, CD44, DAXX, and STAT1.

Conclusions

We identified key genes that may provide insight into the mechanism of AAA pathogenesis and progression and that have potential to be therapeutic targets.
Application of computed tomography angiography for evaluating clinical morphology in intracranial aneurysms – monocentric study
Authors: Sui Ru-de , Wang Chun-guo , Han Dong-wei , Zhang Xiu-qing , Li Qing , Xu Chun-fu , Gong Pi-bao
Published: December 2019

Objective

To examine the clinical effect of computed tomography angiography (CTA) on parameters of intracranial aneurysms in different locations and with different sizes using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the standard.

Methods

Patients with intracranial aneurysms who underwent CTA examinations at the same center and received DSA examinations within 3 days were analyzed retrospectively. The morphological parameters of the aneurysms and parent arteries were measured with these two methods.

Results

Mean aneurysm size and parent artery diameter were not different between CTA and DSA. The size of microaneurysms was significantly smaller with DSA than with CTA. The aneurysmal neck width was not different between CTA and DSA. DSA could clearly evaluate the relationship between the aneurysmal neck and the parent artery in all cases. However, CTA had a 90% accuracy rate of visualizing this relationship.

Conclusion

The accuracy rates of evaluating aneurysm size and the aneurysmal neck width and parent artery diameter are similar between CTA and DSA. A DSA examination is essential for evaluating the relationship among microaneurysms, the aneurysmal neck, and the parent artery. CTA is widely applied and more safe in clinical practice, while DSA has a better guiding effect than CTA for some complicated aneurysms.