bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of temperature and volume fraction on the thermophysical properties of CuO-R134a nano refrigerant and its application in battery thermal management system
Authors: Senthilraja S , Ravichandran P , Gangadevi R
Published: May 2021

The battery temperature is one of the important factor that affects the performance of the battery and lifetime. To overcome these issues, the need and usage of an effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is increased in recent years. The results of BTMS with conventional heat transfer fluids appears in many articles but the very few researchers developed and studied the performance of refrigerant based BTMS. In this research, a novel BTMS is developed and detailed study is conducted to analyze the impact of CuO based refrigerant (R134a) on its performance. Different quantity of CuO nanoparticles mixed with base refrigerant (R134a) and used as a heat transfer fluid. Initially, five different volume proportions (i.e. ɸ – 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05%) of CuO-R134a nano refrigerants are prepared and the thermophysical properties are studied. The test results reveal that the peak thermal conductivity and viscosity of about 1.28 W/mK and 0.00047 Pa-S is obtained for refrigerant with 0.05 vol.% CuO nanoparticle at 325 K and 300 K respectively. The average cell temperature of about 51 °C, 37 °C, 33 °C and 32 °C is observed for battery without cooling system, BTMS with R134a, 0.01% and 0.05% CuO/R134a respectively. From the results of this study, it can be suggested that the CuO- R134a nano refrigerant will be a promising cooling medium in the battery cooling system.
The optimum model determination of porous barriers in high-speed tracks
Authors: Mohebbi Masoud , Safaee Amir M
Published: May 2021

In the railway industry, safety is an essential factor that has been modified by all societies and railroad managers. Against the background of increasing speed of rolling stock, risk factors such as cross wind and train stability have received more extensive attention. In this study, the porous wind barriers that are widely used in this industry have been surveyed. Also, to decrease the harmful effects of crosswind, the work attempts to find an optimum porous barrier design. This numerical simulation was based on a modern computational fluid dynamic in microscopic space model called the Lattice Boltzmann Method. Also, to find the optimum type of barrier design, the Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm had been used. Two aspects of barrier design, including the porosity levels and distance between barriers, have been studied and, finally, a candidate design proposed for the barriers. It was found that porousity levels up to 15% have a positive effect in reducing the lift force coefficient, but beyond that it has a negative effect. On the other hand, increasing the porosity level leads to a decrease in the drag coefficient. The velocity vectors, velocity counter, vorticity, and turbulence intensity of the flow field around the model plotted for the candidate barrier.
Sensor fault–tolerant control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Patan Mehmet Gokberk , Caliskan Fikret
Published: May 2021

This article handles the issue of fault-tolerant control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the existence of sensor faults. A general non-linear model of the quadrotor is presented. Several non-linear Kalman filters namely, the extended Kalman filter, the unscented Kalman filter and the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) are utilized to estimate the states of the quadrotor and to compare the estimation performances. Some flight scenarios are simulated, and the simulation results show that the CKF has the smallest estimation error as expected in theory. Control of the quadrotor heavily depends on the measured values received from sensors. Therefore, the control system requires fault-free sensors. However, small quadrotors and UAVs are mostly equipped with low-cost and low-quality sensors, and hence, they may fail to indicate correct measurement values. If the sensors are faulty, then the control system itself should be actively tolerant to sensor faults. Measurements of these kinds of sensors suffer from bias and external noise due to temperature variations, vibration and other external conditions. Since the bias is one of the very common faults in these sensors, a sensor bias is taken into consideration as a fault and occurs abruptly at a certain time and continues throughout the considered scenarios. By using the residual signals generated by the non-linear filters, sensor faults are detected and isolated. Then, two different methods are proposed for removing the effects of faults and achieving active fault–tolerant control. The effectiveness of the presented two techniques is shown in the simulations.
Amplitudes of characteristic waves and non-reflecting outflow conditions for high-fidelity numerical simulations
Authors: Du Yongle , Cai Jinsheng
Published: May 2021

Non-reflecting boundary conditions are crucial for aeroacoustic simulations to prevent non-physical reflections at boundaries from contaminating the interior acoustic solutions. Various non-reflecting outflow conditions, mainly based on the characteristic theory, have been developed. By using a locally one-dimensional inviscid approximation, the characteristic wave amplitudes are identified as the projection of flow solutions into the eigenspace of the flux Jacobian matrix. When the weighted transverse terms are included, the definitions are essentially changed and produce different levels of non-physical reflections. This study aims to resolve the ambiguity in defining the amplitudes of characteristic waves. A new analysis in the frequency and wave number domain is proposed to identify the characteristic wave amplitudes in multidimensional space, and a second order in terms of the lateral wave number non-reflecting outflow condition that is more physically reasonable is derived. Numerical experiments are carried out to evaluate the performances of these non-reflecting conditions.
A retrospective evaluation of highly active antiretroviral therapy simplification in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Otto Ashley , Pecora Fulco Patricia
Published: May 2021

Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in people living with HIV (PLWH) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) is complicated, requiring renally adjusted nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and daily administration of non-renally eliminated agents. Recent data in PLWH with ESRD on HD demonstrate maintenance of viral suppression (82% with viral loads (VLs) <50 copies/mL) and favorable safety/tolerability profiles after ARV simplification with a fixed dose combination single tablet [elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF)]. Extrapolation of these data to all F/TAF formulations would allow ARV simplification to most PLWH with ESRD receiving HD. The objective of this retrospective study was to identify if ARV-experienced PLWH with ESRD on HD receiving renally adjusted NRTIs may be simplified to once daily ARV formulations without adverse effects while maintaining viral suppression. This single-center retrospective analysis assessed virologic control (3–12 months) and ARV tolerability post-regimen simplification (primarily NRTI once-daily dose adjustment) in PLWH with ESRD on thrice weekly HD receiving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care in an ambulatory clinic. Seventeen PLWH with ESRD on HD were included after documented ARV simplification. At 12 months, 12 patients (71%) remained undetectable (HIV VL <50 copies/mL) with two additional maintaining viral suppression (<200 copies/mL). One patient remained undetectable at month eight but became non-adherent with viral rebound. Two patients did not complete the 6- and 12-month evaluation after documented nonadherence ( N = 1) and an adverse effect (pruritus) ( N = 1). At 12 months, virologic suppression and tolerability resulted after a simplified ARV regimen including once daily F/TAF was initiated in PLWH with ESRD on thrice weekly HD with a reduction in pill burden.
A case series with literature review on adjunctive usage of intravitreal ceftazidime in ocular syphilis with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Lim Yi Wen , Lott Pooi Wah , Mohamad Nor Fadhilah , Begam Iqbal Tajunisah
Published: May 2021

Background: Penicillin is the conventional treatment for all stages of syphilis, including ocular and neurosyphilis, according to the recommendations by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Disease. This case series highlighted three cases of ocular syphilis which showed prompt treatment response as early as 24 h after the adjunctive intravitreal ceftazidime injection. Methods: Case Series. Results: In case 1, there was significant improvement in the vision and vitritis after 24 h of a single intravitreal ceftazidime injection. In case 2, the patient achieved his best vision after a total of three intravitreal injections in his left eye and one in his right eye. In case 3, there was a further resolution of perivascular sheathing and retinal haemorrhages seen 1 week after a single intravitreal ceftazidime injection. Conclusion: The efficacy of intravitreal ceftazidime injection as a local adjunctive therapy in ocular syphilis treatment is noteworthy. It can be considered in cases which show suboptimal or slower treatment response despite early commencement of systemic penicillin to prevent devastating ocular sequelae.
Understanding the positions taken by moderate union confederations and centre-left parties during labour market reforms in Portugal and Spain: Why the configuration of left parties and trade union confederations matters?
Authors: Marques Paulo , Fonseca Dora
Published: May 2021

The insider-outsider politics approach conjectures that moderate unions and centre-left parties safeguard the interests of insiders and neglect outsiders in labour market reforms. This article challenges this hypothesis. By comparing the positions taken by centre-left parties and moderate union confederations during labour market reforms in Portugal and Spain (1975–2019), it shows that while they may indeed protect insiders, they sometimes do the opposite. To explain this, the article argues that more attention must be paid to the configuration of left parties and confederations. In Portugal, where communist and radical left parties were strong, the centre-left was afraid of losing outsiders’ electoral support, and thus it did not follow a pro-insider strategy. This was reinforced by the fact that the centre-left had to face the opposition of a strong class-oriented confederation that was not willing to commit to two-tier reforms. This was not what happened in Spain. The centre-left, supported by a union confederation, undertook a two-tier reform in 1984 because there was a different configuration of left parties and confederations. Notwithstanding, this was not a stable equilibrium because this confederation changed its position over time when it realized the negative consequences of these reforms. Henceforth, their strategy became more pro-outsider.
Nicotinamide improves NAD+ levels to protect against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice
Authors: Xu J , Zhang L , Jiang R , Hu K , Hu D , Liao C , Jiang S , Yang Y , Huang J , Tang L , Li L
Published: May 2021

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes acute liver injury (ALI). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential coenzyme, and NAD+ is oxidized type which synthesized from nicotinamide (NAM). The present study aimed to investigate the role of NAD+ in ALI and protective property of NAM. The mice were subjected to different doses APAP. After 8 hours, the serum activities of alaninetransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the hepatic NAD+ level and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression were determined. Then, the mice were pretreated with NAM (800 mg/kg), the hepatoprotective effects and the key antioxidative molecules were evaluated. Our findings indicated that APAP resulted in remarkable NAD+ depletion in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by NAMPT downregulation, and NAM pretreatment significantly elevated the NAD+ decline due to upregulation of NAMPT. Moreover, the downregulated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its translocation activation after NAM administration were confirmed, which were in accordance with improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Finally, NAM dramatically exhibited hepatoprotective effects by reducing the liver index and necrotic area. This study has suggested that APAP impairs liver NAD+ level and NAM is able to improve hepatic NAD+ to activate antioxidant pathway against APAP-induced ALI.
Plasma osteopontin versus intima media thickness of the common carotid arteries in well-characterised patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wirestam Lina , Saleh Muna , Svensson Christina , Compagno Michele , Zachrisson Helene , Wetterö Jonas , Sjöwall Christopher
Published: May 2021

Objective

The progress of accelerated atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is incompletely understood. Circulating osteopontin (OPN) is increased in autoimmune conditions, e.g. SLE, and its serum concentration was recently reported to associate with subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE, as measured by carotid intima-media thickness. The aim of this study was to investigate whether OPN may be used as a surrogate biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients with different disease phenotypes.

Methods

We recruited 60 well-characterised SLE cases and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The SLE cases were divided into three different disease phenotypes: SLE with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), lupus nephritis, and isolated skin and joint involvement. Plasma OPN was detected by ELISA (Quantikine®, R&D Systems). Common carotid arteries intima media thickness was compared between the studied groups in relation to OPN levels and risk factors for vascular changes. Intima media thickness of common carotid arteries was measured by using a sensitive ultrasound technique (LOGIQ™ E9 ultrasound, GE Healthcare).

Results

OPN levels were significantly higher among the entire SLE group ( n = 60) compared to the healthy controls ( P = 0.03). SLE cases with concomitant APS ( n = 20) showed higher OPN levels than the controls ( P = 0.004), whereas none of the other two subgroups differed significantly from the healthy controls. OPN and intima media thickness were correlated to several traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, as well as to SLE-related factors. Yet, no significant correlation was observed between OPN levels and ultrasound findings of the common carotid arteries.

Conclusions

In line with previous studies, we observed increased OPN levels among SLE patients as compared to matched controls. However, the OPN concentrations did not correlate with intima media thickness of the common carotid arteries. Based on our findings, the use of OPN as a surrogate biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE subjects, regardless of clinical phenotypes, cannot be recommended.
Adult systemic lupus erythematosus in Egypt: The nation-wide spectrum of 3661 patients and world-wide standpoint
Authors: Gheita Tamer A , Noor Rasha Abdel , Abualfadl Esam , Abousehly Osama S , El-Gazzar Iman I , El Shereef Rawhya R , Senara Soha , Abdalla Ahmed M , Khalil Noha M , ElSaman Ahmed M , Tharwat Samar , Nasef Samah I , Mohamed Eman F , Noshy Nermeen , El-Essawi Dina F , Moshrif Abdel Hafeez , Fawzy Rasha M , El-Najjar Amany R , Hammam Nevin , Ismail Faten , ElKhalifa Marwa , Samy Nermeen , Hassan Eman , Abaza Nouran M , ElShebini Emad , Fathi Hanan M , Salem Mohamed N , Abdel-Fattah Yousra H , Saad Ehab , Abd Elazim Mervat I , Eesa Nahla N , El-Bahnasawy Amany S , El-Hammady Dina H , El-Shanawany Amira T , Ibrahim Soha E , Said Emtethal A , El-Saadany Hanan M , Selim Zahraa I , Fawzy Samar M , Raafat Hala A
Published: May 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to present the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatment pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Egyptian patients over the country and compare the findings to large cohorts worldwide. Objectives were extended to focus on the age at onset and gender driven influence on the disease characteristics.

Patients and method

This population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study included 3661 adult SLE patients from Egyptian rheumatology departments across the nation. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were assessed for all patients.

Results

The study included 3661 patients; 3296 females and 365 males (9.03:1) and the median age was 30 years (17–79 years), disease duration 4 years (0–75 years) while the median age at disease onset was 25 years (4–75 years). The overall estimated prevalence of adult SLE in Egypt was 6.1/100,000 population (1.2/100,000 males and 11.3/100,000 females).There were 316 (8.6%) juvenile-onset (Jo-SLE) and 3345 adult-onset (Ao-SLE). Age at onset was highest in South and lowest in Cairo (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

SLE in Egypt had a wide variety of clinical and immunological manifestations, with some similarities with that in other nations and differences within the same country. The clinical characteristics, autoantibodies and comorbidities are comparable between Ao-SLE and Jo-SLE. The frequency of various clinical and immunological manifestations varied between gender. Additional studies are needed to determine the underlying factors contributing to gender and age of onset differences.
Urine β-2-glycoprotein 1 as a biomarker for diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lee Jung Sun , Lee Eun-Ju , Yeom Jeonghun , Oh Ji Seon , Hong Seokchan , Lee Chang-Keun , Yoo Bin , Kim Kyunggon , Kim Yong-Gil
Published: May 2021

Objective

The need for a biomarker with robust sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unmet. Compared with blood samples, urine samples are more easily collected; thus, we aimed to identify such a biomarker based on urinary proteomics which could distinguish patients with SLE from healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

Urine samples were collected from 76 SLE patients who visited rheumatology clinic in 2019 at Asan medical center and from 25 HCs. Urine proteins were analyzed using sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra-mass spectrometry, and the candidate marker was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of the candidate biomarker.

Results

Of 1157 proteins quantified, 153 were differentially expressed in urine samples from HCs. Among them were previously known markers including α-1-acid glycoprotein 1, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, and prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase. Moreover, the amount of β-2 glycoprotein (APOH) was increased in the urine of patients with SLE. The ELISA results also showed the level of urine APOH was higher in patients with SLE than in HCs and patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the level was not different between SLE patients with and without nephritis. The urine APOH had an area under the curve value of 0.946 at a cut-off value of 228.53 ng/mg (sensitivity 91.5%, specificity 92.0%) for the diagnosis of SLE.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the urine APOH level can be an appropriate screening tool in a clinical setting when SLE is suspected.
Combining maintenance therapy with hydroxychloroquine increases LLDAS achievement rates in individuals with stable systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yoshida Mai , Minowa Kentaro , Amano Hirofumi , Asai Yuki , Yamaji Ken , Tamura Naoto
Published: May 2021

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been positioned as an anchor drug for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is evidence supporting the benefits of HCQ; however, the effect of additional HCQ in maintenance therapy remains unclear.

Methods

Thirty patients with SLE who visited Juntendo University Hospital were receiving maintenance therapy before HCQ treatment and were able to complete more than 104 weeks of HCQ treatment were analyzed. Anti-DNA antibody titers, IgG and CH50 levels, the maintenance dose of corticosteroids, the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), and the achievement of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) were evaluated at baseline and at 12, 24, 52, and 104 weeks after HCQ initiation.

Results

We observed improvements in the anti-DNA antibody titers, IgG and CH50 levels, maintenance dose of corticosteroids, and SLEDAI at week 104 relative to baseline. Moreover, the LLDAS achievement rate increased over time from 10% at baseline to 43% and 80% at week 52 and week 104, respectively.

Conclusion

Two years of continuous HCQ treatment led to improvements in SLE disease activity and corticosteroid dose and an increase in LLDAS achievement, thereby demonstrating the significance of the maintenance dose of HCQ for the management of SLE.
Impact of One Versus Two Consecutive Doses of Endothelial Cells (EPCs) and EPCs-Derived Condition Medium on Protecting Myocardium from Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat
Authors: Yeh Jui-Ning , Yang Ruan-Ruan , Wallace Christopher Glenn , Huang Chi-Ruei , Chu Yi-Ching , Yip Hon-Kan , Guo Jun
Published: May 2021

This study tested the impact of single dose and two doses of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and EPCs-derived condition medium (CM) on protecting the left-ventricular myocardium (LVM) from acute ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. In vitro study showed EPCs and CM had comparably higher capacity for enhancement of angiogenesis as compared with the controls (all P < .001). Adult-male SD rats ( n = 36) were equally categorized into groups 1 (sham-operated control), 2 (IR+vehicle), 3 [IR+EPCs/1.2 × 106/intravenous administration at 3 h after IR procedure), 4 (IR+EPCs/1.2 × 106/at 3 h/24 h after IR), 5 (IR+CM/3.0cc/intravenous administration at 3 h after IR), 6 (IR+EPCs/3.0cc/at 3h/24 h after IR), and euthanized by day 3 after IR. The left-ventricular-ejection-fraction, protein and cellular expressions of endothelial-cell markers (CD31/vWF), small vessel number and protein expression of mitochondrial (mitochondrial-cytochrome-C) integrity were highest in group 1, lowest in group 2, significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 3/5/6 and significantly higher in groups 3/6 than in group 5 but they showed no differences in groups3/6, whereas the protein expressions of apoptotic (cleaved-caspase 3/cleaved-PARP), fibrotic (Smad3/TGF-ß), mitochondrial-damaged (cytosolic-cytochrome-C), heart-failed/pressure-overload (BNP), oxidative-stress (p47phox/NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein), and autophagic (LCB3-II/LCB3-I) biomarkers and fibrotic/collagen-deposition areas exhibited an opposite pattern to endothelial-cell markers (all P < .0001). The protein expressions of angiogenesis (VEGF/SDF-1α/CXCR4/HIF-1α) were lowest in group 1, highest in group 4, significantly higher in groups 3/6 than in groups 2/5, significantly higher in group 5 than in group 2, but they showed no difference between groups 3/6 (all P < .0001). These results demonstrate that two consecutive doses of EPC/CM were superior to just one at protecting LVM against IR injury.
Dr JA Gray (1858–1929)–Surgeon to HH The Amir of Afghanistan
Authors: Gray Simon
Published: May 2021

Dr Gray was an assistant medical officer at the Islington Workhouse when he was offered the dangerous but well-paid post as surgeon to the Amir of Afghanistan in August 1888. He arrived in Afghanistan in March 1889 and continued in the post until June 1893. He described his experiences in his book, My Residence at the Court of the Amir.
Memorials to John Snow – Pioneer in anaesthesia and epidemiology
Authors: Snowise Neil G
Published: May 2021

John Snow was an English physician and a founding father of epidemiology, whose name is inextricably linked with tracing the source of the 1854 cholera outbreak in Soho, which killed over 600 people. Despite his recommendation to remove the water pump handle and thus reduce the spread of cholera, his theory of faecal–oral transmission was not widely believed until after his death. Furthermore, he also pioneered substantial achievements in the development of anaesthesia. He studied both chloroform and ether, improving the accuracy of their delivery. In his obstetric practice, he achieved the feat of obtaining satisfactory analgesia with a safer technique and is remembered for administering chloroform to Queen Victoria, during the delivery of her last two children. There are several interesting and unusual memorials to Snow, ranging from replica water pumps, blue plaques and a public house named after him. The most recent new memorial was erected in 2017, in his home town of York, which commemorates his origins and his subsequent contribution to curbing the cholera outbreak. All the memorials commemorate his achievements, which remain relevant today. Public health and epidemiology expertise is required in the current world of the COVID-19 pandemic, where his legacy remains as important as ever.
Women screened for breast cancer are dying from lung cancer: An opportunity to improve lung cancer screening in a mammography population
Authors: Sandler Kim L , Haddad Diane N , Paulson Alexis B , Osterman Travis J , Scott Carolyn C , Poulos Eric A , Deppen Stephen A
Published: May 2021

Objective

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in women, resulting in more deaths than breast, cervical and ovarian cancer combined. Screening for lung cancer has been shown to significantly reduce mortality, with some evidence that women may have a greater benefit. This study demonstrates that a population of women being screened for breast cancer may greatly benefit from screening for lung cancer.

Methods

Data from 18,040 women who were screened for breast cancer in 2015 at two imaging facilities that also performed lung screening were reviewed. A natural language-processing algorithm followed by a manual chart review identified women eligible for lung cancer screening by U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria. A chart review of these eligible women was performed to determine subsequent enrollment in a lung screening program (2016–2019), current screening eligibility, cancer diagnoses and cancer-related outcomes.

Results

Natural language processing identified 685 women undergoing screening mammography who were also potentially eligible for lung screening based on age and smoking history. Manual chart review confirmed 251 were eligible under USPSTF criteria. By June 2019, 63 (25%) had enrolled in lung screening, of which three were diagnosed with screening-detected lung cancer resulting in zero deaths. Of 188 not screened, seven were diagnosed with lung cancer resulting in five deaths by study end. Four women received a diagnosis of breast cancer with no deaths.

Conclusion

Women screened for breast cancer are dying from lung cancer. We must capitalize on reducing barriers to improve screening for lung cancer among high-risk women.
Unlocking inclusive growth by linking micro assets to anchor institutions: The case of skilled overseas migrants and refugees and hospital jobs
Authors: Green Anne , Parke Conrad , Hoole Charlotte , Sevinc Deniz
Published: May 2021

This paper contributes to anchor institution, migrant and refugee integration, skills utilisation and inclusive growth debates. Via a pioneering innovative approach to inclusive urban development linking together physical infrastructure development and neighbourhood management approaches to urban regeneration, it explores the potential for micro assets within communities to be linked to macro assets of large spatially immobile anchor institutions. Through a case study, it draws on experience, and identifies transferable learning points, from a skills-matching element of a large European Union funded project in a superdiverse inner-city deprived neighbourhood in Birmingham, UK. In contrast to the typical emphasis of area-based employment initiatives on people with low skills, the skills-matching initiative focuses specifically on connecting skilled overseas migrants and refugees to skilled and highly skilled jobs in a large local hospital. It underlines the central role of local partnership working and highlights the role of skills utilisation, not merely skills development, in inclusive growth. The evidence suggests that three components underlie success in unlocking and catalysing links between micro assets and a macro asset to realise anchor institution potential: (1) institutional entrepreneurship, which provides the strategic buy-in from the anchor institution; (2) innovative entrepreneurship, which provides the delegated responsibility for implementation; and (3) vision and place leadership, which provides the strategy and resources to build the bridge between the macro asset and the local community to help realise inclusive growth.
Evolution of Open Innovation by Value-based Network Perspective: The Case of Korean Smart Home Industry
Authors: Kim Eungdo , Shin Kwangsoo
Published: May 2021

Smart home to provide various automated services based on the Internet of Things for residents should design a new value of residential space by connecting various services through an integrated platform. However, there are few studies highlighting the value-based network in the smart home industry yet. Therefore, this study finds determinants of a value-based network (rather than an actor-based network) within smart home industries, conducting logistic and negative binomial regressions with survey data of 300 firms in the Korean SHOME industry. This study proposes an evolved innovation system for SHOME industry, based on a value-based innovation system. The results of this study suggest the effects of each value group network and value network on open innovation in SHOME industry and their implications.
Hypnotherapy as an Adjunct to Medical Treatment: Highlighting Effectiveness and Identifying Barriers to Further Integrative Treatment
Authors: Hussain Feryad A.
Published: May 2021

Integrative models of health care have garnered increasing attention over the years and are currently being employed within acute and secondary health care services to support medical treatments in a range of specialities. Clinical hypnosis has a history of working in partnership with medical treatments quite apart from its psychiatric associations. It aims to mobilise the mind–body connection in order to identify and overcome obstacles to managing symptoms of ill health, resulting in overall improved emotional and physical well-being. This article aims to encourage the use of hypnotherapy in physical health care by highlighting the effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to medical treatment and identifying barriers preventing further integrative treatments.
Consumer–Celebrity Parasocial Interaction: A Conditional Process Analysis
Authors: Parmar Yadvinder , Mann Bikram Jit Singh
Published: May 2021

This article aims to empirically examine the mediating impact of consumer’s parasocial interaction on the relationship between celebrity images on the consumer’s purchase intentions. It aims to empirically investigate the moderating role of celebrity liking in the formation of consumer’s parasocial interaction. Four different versions of self-administered questionnaire using different celebrities as a stimulus were developed. Data were collected from 484 respondents. Quota cum judgemental sampling method was used for the study. The findings show that parasocial interaction mediates the relationship between celebrity images and purchase intentions. It also reveals positive moderating effect of celebrity liking. It has significant implications for marketers and academicians.
Purchase Intention for Electric Vehicles Among Young Adults in Thailand
Authors: Brinkmann Daniel , Bhatiasevi Veera
Published: May 2021

In response to environmental problems such as air pollution in cities and climate change in general, passenger car and other motorized vehicle, manufacturers have started to produce new sustainable driving mechanisms. Electric car sales have been increasing in countries such as China, Germany and the United States. However, customers in Thailand seem reluctant to embrace various types of electric vehicles (EVs), including battery EVs, hybrid EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs.

Focusing on Thailand, this study aims to investigate the key factors that influence young-adult consumers’ purchasing intentions regarding EVs. It applies the political, economic, social and technological factors analysis model as a conceptual framework to analyse how governmental subsidies, purchase price, environmental consciousness, and charging infrastructure influence young people to buy EVs. The sample size consists of 195 young adults, most of whom were master’s degree students living in Bangkok. Data collection was conducted by self-administered printed questionnaires.

The result (analysed by ordinary least squares regression) shows that purchase price and environmental consciousness are crucial factors that influence consumers’ purchasing intention. Governmental subsidies and insufficient charging infrastructure do not have a significant relationship with willingness to buy EVs. Vehicle manufacturers need to lower the initial purchase price to make their vehicles more attractive for a younger customer base. Furthermore, government institutions need to promote the positive impact on the environment of new sustainable driving technologies.
Investigating the Dynamics of Exchange Traded Funds Across the Bear and Bull Markets: Evidence from Indian Equity ETFs
Authors: Kaur Prabhdeep , Singh Jaspal , Seth Sidharath
Published: May 2021

The present study attempts to examine the tracking ability of Indian equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) across the bearish and bullish market regimes. Also, ETFs’ sensitivity to their respective underlying indices across the two market conditions is examined so as to gain an insight into the differences in risk exposure under the two regimes using DBM. The results found that the tracking error (TE) of ETFs varies across the two market regimes with it higher during the bullish regime. At the same time, ETFs’ responsiveness to their underlying indices is found to be higher during the bearish market regime, which justifies the existence of lower TE during the bearish regime. NIFTYBEES, KOTAKNIFTY and BANKBEES emerged to be the top three performers in terms of tracking efficiency. Further, NIFTYBEES, BANKBEES and JUNIORBEES are reported to provide significantly positive excess returns during the bullish regime. As such, investors considering investment in equity ETFs can opt for the top performing funds where they also stand a chance to earn excess return (in few cases). Also, it is observed the beta coefficients of ETFs varied significantly from unity. It suggests that the ETFs and their respective underlying indices are not subject to similar systematic risk.
The Dynamics of Cointegration Between Economic Growth and Financial Development in Emerging Asian Economy: Evidence from India
Authors: Tripathy Naliniprava , Mishra Shekhar
Published: May 2021

The present article examines the relationship between economic growth and financial development in the context of Indian economy over the period of 15 years from June 2003 to February 2018. The study employs cointegration test, involving Johansen Juselius Cointegration and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) Bounds test approach to ascertain the long-run relationship between financial development and economic growth. The study further employs fully modified ordinary least squares—OLS—(FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS) and canonical cointegration regression (CCR) models to ascertain the sensitivity and robustness of the estimates derived from ARDL Bounds test approach. The stability of the models employed in the study are further confirmed by rolling window analysis and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) and cumulative sum of squares (CUSUMSQ) tests. The outcome of the article reports the existence of long-run equilibrium relationship between economic growth represented by Index of Industrial Production and Financial Development represented by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Index and BSE Volume of Trade. The article also involves consumer price index as proxy for inflation, exchange rate, ratio of export to import and weighted average call rate as control variable to also examine their impact on the Indian economic growth. The study confirms the existence of Supply Leading Hypothesis, that is, existence of unidirectional causality running from financial development to economic growth in the Indian economic scenario. The outcome of the article indicates the positive and significant influence of development of financial markets represented by stock market on the economic growth.
Book review: Alf Gunvald Nilsen. 2018. Adivasis and the State: Subalternity and Citizenship in India’s Bhil Heartland
Authors: Witsoe Jeffrey
Published: May 2021

Alf Gunvald Nilsen. 2018. Adivasis and the State: Subalternity and Citizenship in India’s Bhil Heartland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Regulatory oversight, mental health and human rights
Authors: Katterl Simon
Published: May 2021

Regulatory oversight is crucial to ensure human rights are protected in closed environments. In Victoria, evidence continues to surface that suggests oversight of the public mental health system is failing consumers. There are, however, several lessons for regulators on how to ensure consumers enjoy equal protection of the law.
Racial and Economic Differences in the Risk of Hyperglycemia in Children Hospitalized With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Savage Beth , Cole Peter D. , Lin Haiqun
Published: May 2021

Background: The underlying mechanism of hyperglycemia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is insulin resistance. Although race and economic status have been linked to increased insulin resistance in children, these have not been explored as predictors of hyperglycemia in children with ALL. The objective of this study was to analyze race and income as predictors of hyperglycemia in a diverse sample of children hospitalized with ALL in the United States in the year 2016. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of 18,077 hospitalizations of White, Black, and Hispanic children under the age of 21 years with ALL contained in a nationally representative database. Multilevel binary logistic regression models were constructed to estimate the relationships between race, median household income, age, sex, and obesity and the odds of hyperglycemia in hospitalized children with ALL. Results: Hyperglycemia occurred during 5.3% of the hospitalizations. Black children were 37% more likely to develop hyperglycemia than White children. The risk for hyperglycemia did not differ between Hispanic and White children. Residing in areas where annual median income was below $54,000 was associated with 1.4-fold increased odds of hyperglycemia, compared to the wealthiest areas. Older children, females, and those diagnosed with obesity were also at increased risk for hyperglycemia. Discussion: An association has been found between treatment-induced hyperglycemia and increased mortality. For this reason, the racial and economic differences in the risk for hyperglycemia identified in this study deserve further consideration.
Prevalence of Reading Difficulties in 9- to 10-Year Old Children in Sweden Born With Cleft Palate
Authors: Weinfeld Justin Parry , Johnels Jakob Åsberg , Persson Christina
Published: May 2021

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of reading difficulties in children born with cleft palate at ages 9 and 10 in Sweden.

Design:

Using a cross-sectional design, a parental questionnaire assessing dyslexia-like reading difficulties (Short Dyslexia Scale, SDS) was administered together with separate questions regarding background data.

Participants:

Families with a child born with overt cleft palate with or without cleft lip in 4 regions of Sweden. A total of 245 families were approached of which 138 families responded. Data from 136 (56%) were complete with information on cleft type and could be analyzed.

Results:

Twenty-two percent (95% CI, 15-30) of the whole study group displayed risk for dyslexic reading difficulties on the SDS corresponding to the 7th to 10th percentiles in the population. Children with cleft palate only had a significantly higher prevalence of reading difficulties (37%) compared to children with unilateral cleft palate (19%) and bilateral cleft palate (10%). The frequency of reading difficulties in participants with comorbidity was 32%. Among a subgroup with reported comorbidity in areas of attention, language, and learning problems, there was a 2.5 times higher risk of reading disability compared to participants without this reported comorbidity.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of reading difficulties in the cleft palate population was higher than in the general population. Results showed that co-occurring difficulties were common in the cleft group and that reading difficulties often appear together with other, co-occurring neurodevelopmental difficulties.
Affective Polarization and Support for the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Armaly Miles T. , Enders Adam M.
Published: May 2021

Support for the U.S. Supreme Court does not appear to be polarized on ideological or partisan lines. However, the form of polarization for which the mass political behavior field has amassed substantial support is affective in nature. We reconsider the hypothesis that polarization does not bear on Court support by examining the role of affective polarization. Using three sources of nationally representative survey data, we consistently find a negative relationship between affective polarization and both diffuse and specific support for the Court. Moreover, neither general nor Court-specific political sophistication mitigates the negative effect of affective polarization; rather, sophistication exacerbates affective polarization’s influence on support. Finally, panel data show that affective polarization precedes negative evaluations of the judiciary, though there is no support for the converse relationship. Evaluations of the Court are not free from the forces of polarization but are influenced by diverging extra-judicial emotional orientations toward in- and out-groups.
Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease: The Neurobiology of Early Psychiatric and Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Hussein Ayan , Guevara Christopher A. , Del Valle Pamela , Gupta Swati , Benson Deanna L. , Huntley George W.
Published: May 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has been recognized for over 200 years by its clinically dominant motor system impairment. There are prominent non-motor symptoms as well, and among these, psychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety and cognitive impairment are common and can appear earlier than motor symptoms. Although the neurobiology underlying these particular PD-associated non-motor symptoms is not completely understood, the identification of PARK genes that contribute to hereditary and sporadic PD has enabled genetic models in animals that, in turn, have fostered ever deepening analyses of cells, synapses, circuits, and behaviors relevant to non-motor psychiatric and cognitive symptoms of human PD. Moreover, while it has long been recognized that inflammation is a prominent component of PD, recent studies demonstrate that brain-immune signaling crosstalk has significant modulatory effects on brain cell and synaptic function in the context of psychiatric symptoms. This review provides a focused update on such progress in understanding the neurobiology of PD-related non-motor psychiatric and cognitive symptoms.
Survivin Promoter-Driven DFF40 Gene Expression Sensitizes Melanoma Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy
Authors: Minaiyan Ghazale , Shafiee Fatemeh , Akbari Vajihe
Published: May 2021

Downregulation of the apoptotic protein DNA fragmentation factor 40 (DFF40) is correlated with poor overall survival in some malignancies, including melanoma. In this study, DFF40 gene expression driven by survivin promoter, a tumor-specific promoter, was used to selectively induce cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. The activity and strength of survivin promoter were examined in B16F10 murine melanoma, and L929 murine normal fibroblast cell lines using enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of expression of DFF40 under the control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) or survivin promoter on viability of cancerous and normal cells was determined by MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay. Apoptosis induction by expression of DFF40 was evaluated using Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Our findings showed high activity of survivin promoter comparable to the control promoter (ie, CMV) in melanoma cells, while survivin activity in normal cells was negligible. Survivin promoter-derived DFF40 gene expression led to selective inhibition of cell viability and induction of apoptosis in cancerous cells. Low and sublethal concentrations of a chemotherapeutic drug, dacarbazine, significantly enhanced the growth inhibitory effect of DFF40 gene therapy. Combination of survivin-driven gene therapy and chemotherapy could be considered as a potential therapeutic treatment for melanoma and possibly other malignancies with similar features.
Flexplace Work and Partnered Fathers’ Time in Housework and Childcare
Authors: Carlson Daniel L. , Petts Richard J. , Pepin Joanna R.
Published: May 2021

Prior studies that show no association between fathers’ work flexibility and their domestic contributions suffer from measurement limitations and/or the lack of nationally representative data. Using data on fathers in different-sex partnerships (n = 1,956) from the 2017–2018 American Time Use Survey Leave Module, we examine three indicators (use, frequency of use and reason for use) of working from home—a work–family benefit is known as flexplace—and consider whether partners’ employment status moderates the association between flexplace and fathers’ time in domestic labor. Fathers who use flexplace benefits report more routine childcare, regardless of the reason for flexplace use or their partners’ employment status. The association between flexplace use and fathers’ housework time is conditional on their partners’ employment status and fathers’ rationale for working from home.
Different types of macular telangiectasia in two eyes of a patient
Authors: Venkatesh Ramesh , Reddy Nikitha Gurram , Pereira Arpitha , Yadav Naresh Kumar , Chhablani Jay
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

To report a case of macular telangiectasia (MacTel) showing the features of type 3 disease in one eye and type 2 disease in the other eye.

Methods:

Descriptive case report

Case description:

A 50-year-old well-controlled diabetic man presented with complaints of distorted vision in the right eye for the past 1 year. His best-corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 20/20, N6. His anterior segment findings were normal. The right eye fundus showed an irregular perifoveal greying and a localised dark patch temporally inside the perifoveal region. Few microaneurysms were seen on clinical examination. No hard exudates were noted. The left eye fundus showed a few microaneurysms with minimal perifoveal greying temporally. Imaging with confocal blue reflectance, fluorescein and optical coherence tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis of MacTel type 3 in the right eye and type 2A stage 2 in the left eye with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in both eyes.

Conclusion:

This case raises the possibility that type 3 disease could be a progressive non-proliferative form of a pre-existing type 2 MacTel disease.