bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permeability experiments with overburden pressure of coal measure reservoirs and numerical analysis of its stress sensitivity: A case study of Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Zhou Dan , Li Kunjie , Wang Haichao , Jin Yi , Ru Zhongliang , Xu Xiaokai , Wu Caifang , Jian Kuo
Published: August 2020

The commingled exploitation of coal measure reservoirs has become the main trend in the development of coalbed methane (CBM) in the central and southern Qinshui Basin. In fact, the porosity and permeability (P&P) of coal measure reservoirs and the evolution of their stress sensitivity are a focus of the basic theory of commingling exploitation. In this study, the coal measure reservoirs in this area are taken as the research object, and the P&P characteristics and stress sensitivity of coal measure reservoirs under different overburden pressure conditions were investigated by P&P experiments on coal, sandstone, and mudstone. The results show that the P&P decreases as a negative exponential function with the increase in effective stress, and the initial porosity and initial permeability of coal are both significantly higher than those of mudstone and sandstone. Besides, the permeability stress sensitivity coefficients of coal, mudstone, and sandstone all decline with a wavy trend with the increase in effective stress. Coal is more sensitive to stress than mudstone and sandstone in the medium and low pressure stages (Pc<5 MPa), while their stress sensitivities tend to become equal in the medium and high pressure stages (Pc>5 MPa). Since the type of coal rich in organic matter is soft rock, it is more susceptible to damage and deformation in the medium and low pressure state (Pc<5 MPa). In contrast, sandstone and mudstone contain more brittle minerals such as cuttings, quartz, and clay minerals, which are, in general, more resistant to deformation, and are less sensitive than coal at the medium and low pressure stages. Finally, a stress sensitivity model based on the Langmuir equation was proposed in this study. With the aid of the model, the stress sensitivities of porosity and permeability of coal, sandstone, and mudstone were analyzed accurately.
Formation mechanism of authigenic chlorite in tight sandstone and its influence on tight oil adsorption, Triassic Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Zhou Qianshan , Lv Chengfu , Li Chao , Chen Guojun , Ma Xiaofeng , Li Chengze
Published: August 2020

In this study, the formation mechanism of authigenic chlorite in tight reservoirs and its influence on the adsorption capacity to tight oil have been analyzed. The occurrence states of chlorite and the formation mechanism have been analyzed by thin section (TS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) measurements. Due to the alteration of volcanic rock fragments, the mudstone pressurized water, and the dissolution of early chlorite, the material source has been provided for the formation of chlorite. The formation time of chlorite with different occurrence states is in the following order: grain-coating chlorite → pore-lining chlorite → pore-lining chlorite in dissolved pores → rosette chlorite. Authigenic chlorite developed in the reservoirs has influenced the change of the reservoir quality in two respects. On the one hand, authigenic chlorite can protect the residual pores, improve the anti-compaction capacity of the reservoir, and provide certain inter-crystalline space. On the other hand, it can hinder pore space and inhibit throat, resulting in a decrease in the connectivity of pores and the increase in the heterogeneity of the reservoir. Tight oil absorbed by the chlorite is mainly in the form of the thin film and aggregates. Through in situ testing of environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), the adsorption capacity of chlorite with different occurrence states to tight oil, being in the following order: rosette chlorite > pore-lining chlorite > pore-lining chlorite in dissolved pores > grain-coating chlorite. Furthermore, the controlling factors on reservoir quality, the content of chlorite and content of Fe and K have been investigated, and the adsorption capacity of different chlorite types has been studied, which can provide guidance for analysis of the control factors on the difference in adsorption capacity of different occurrence states of chlorite to tight oil in tight reservoirs.
Efficacy of a Brief Self-management Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial from India
Authors: Abraham Anisha Mary , Sudhir Paulomi M , Philip Mariamma , Bantwal Ganapathi
Published: August 2020

Background:

Diabetes mellitus places a considerable burden on the individual and the family with respect to lifestyle changes. There is a paucity of systematic studies in India examining the efficacy of self-management programs for diabetes. The study examined the impact of a brief self-management intervention (SMI) on primary outcome of HbA1c and secondary outcomes of quality of life (QOL), self-care, perceived barriers to self-care (BSC), perceptions regarding illness and mood in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and materials:

Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated to either a 4-session SMI or treatment as usual (TAU) and were assessed on HbA1c levels, QOL, self-care, BSC, illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression at baseline, postintervention , and at three-month postintervention follow-up.

Results:

Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant improvement in the SMI group from baseline to follow-up on HbA1c (P = 0.001), impact of diabetes on QOL (P = 0.006), self-care with respect to diet and exercise (Ps = 0.001), perceived barriers in adherence to diet, exercise, (P = 0.001), medication (P < 0.01), glucose testing (P = 0.04), general BSC (P = 0.001), total barriers (P = 0.001), illness perceptions-timeline or chronicity of illness (P = 0.002), personal control over illness, (P = 0.001), belief in effectiveness of treatment (P = 0.002), understanding of one’s illness (P = 0.001), and emotional representations regarding illness (P =0.001), depression, (P = 0.001), and anxiety (P = 0.001). In the SMI group, large effect sizes were obtained at the postintervention assessment and the three-month follow-up on most outcome measures.

Conclusions:

Brief psychological intervention is efficacious in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Dismantling the advertising city: Subvertising and the urban commons to come
Authors: Dekeyser Thomas
Published: August 2020

Subvertising, a portmanteau for ‘subverting advertising’, is the illicit practice of intervening into urban advertising space, from graffiti scribbles and removed adverts, to full-blown billboard takeovers and digitally hacked adverts. In this article, I draw from 24 months of ethnography with subvertisers to suggest that a particular ideal of public space, that of a ‘regime of order’, is folded into the hegemonic spatial management of urban communication by advertising actors. This ‘regime’ relies on separating worlds from common use, that is, on what Giorgio Agamben has phrased ‘consecration’. As an operation with capacities for ‘profanation’, subvertising makes visible the ‘natural’ appearance of this urban regime, and enacts highly temporary placeholder forms for the communicative commons to come. Contributing to debates on the geographies of public space and publicness, subvertisers show that the possibility of common use does not emerge from property rights, shared value-systems or a pre-determined scope of usage. Instead, common use emerges from the deactivation of the very notions of rights, laws, identity and ends. Here I trace subvertisers’ insistence on taking seriously the charge of openness, incompatibility, contestation, excess and the dysfunctional in urban expression as sources of inspiration and (self-)transformation.
Inflammatory risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia in patients with severe influenza
Authors: Zhai Tianshu , Wu Xiaojing , Zhang Nannan , Huang Xu , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: August 2020

Objective

Inflammation and viral infections can induce significant changes in lipid metabolism. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) often occurs secondary to obesity, which is an independent risk factor for influenza virus infection. However, the inflammatory risk factors contributing to HTG in patients with severe influenza have yet to be elucidated.

Materials and methods

Plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected from 33 patients with severe influenza (n = 26 control patients with normal serum triglyceride levels and n = 7 HTG patients with serum triglycerides >2.3 mM). Levels of 45 putative inflammatory risk factors were quantitated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results

Plasma levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, hepatocyte growth factor, stem cell factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor A were significantly higher in HTG patients compared with control patients. BALF samples from HTG patients contained significantly higher levels of IL-1RA and lower levels of IFN-γ-inducible protein-10.

Conclusion

HTG in patients with severe influenza is associated with alterations in several inflammatory risk factors. Our results provide new insights that may enable more effective clinical management of severe influenza combined with HCT.
Relationships between excessive gestational weight gain and energy and macronutrient intake in pregnant women
Authors: Rugină Cosmin , Mărginean Cristina Oana , Meliţ Lorena Elena , Giga Dana Valentina , Modi Viviana , Mărginean Claudiu
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to compare energy and macronutrient intake, birth weight, and anthropometric parameters (mid-upper arm circumference or tricipital skin-fold thickness) between women who had adequate and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy.

Methods

We studied 115 pregnant women and divided them according to GWG into two groups: adequate GWG (n = 49) and excessive GWG (n = 66). We assessed the medical history, clinical examinations, and dietary habits through a detailed 7-day dietary recall using myfitnesspal software.

Results

Weight, body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and tricipital skin-fold thickness were significantly higher at the time of delivery in women with excessive GWG compared with those with adequate GWG. A lipid-based diet was a risk factor for excessive GWG (relative risk: 1.488, 95% confidence interval: 1.112–1.991), whereas a protein-based diet was a protective factor (relative risk: 0.6723, 95% confidence interval: 0.4431–1.020). We found no significant relationship between a carbohydrate-based diet and GWG. The total energy intake was significantly higher in the excessive GWG group than in the adequate GWG group.

Conclusions

Mainly a lipid-based diet in pregnant women might represent a risk factor for excessive GWG. However, a protein-based diet is a protective factor for excessive GWG.
Acacia honey from different altitudes: total phenols and flavonoids, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra, and anticancer activity
Authors: Mohammed Moammed Elimam Ahamed , Shati Ali A , Alfaifi Mohammad Y , Elbehairi Serag Eldin I , Alshehri Mohammed Ali , Alhag Sadeq K , Suleiman Mohamed H A , Ghramh Hamed A , Ibrahim Akram , Alshehri Ali M , Al-Mosa Amal Ahmed Ali , ALaerjani Wed Mohammed Ali
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate Acacia honey from different altitudes regarding total phenols and flavonoids, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra and anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines.

Methods

Anticancer activity was investigated using sulforhodamine B cytotoxicity assays in the following human cancer cell lines: HCT116 (colon); MCF7 (breast), and HepG2 (liver). Total phenols and flavonoids were measured using spectrophotometric methods and LIF was used to differentiate between low and high-altitude honey.

Results

The LIF spectra differed between low and high-altitude Acacia honey. High altitude Acacia honey was characterized by significantly lower total phenol content (81.47 ± 1.25 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/100 g) and increased total flavonoids (10.63 ± 0.53 mg quercetin equivalent [QE]/100 g) versus low altitude Acacia honey (91.33 ± 0.96 mg GAE/100 g and 8.78 ± 0.23 mg QE/100 g, respectively). Low altitude Acacia honey displayed increased IC50 values against HCT116 and MCF7 cells (264.17 ± 10.5 and 482.65 ± 20.3 µg/ml, respectively) versus high altitude Acacia honey (117.99 ± 12.7 and 189.82 ± 15.8 µg/ml, respectively).

Conclusions

High altitude Acacia honey had significantly more effective anticancer activity against HCT116 and MCF7 cells compared with low altitude honey.
Codes of Ethics, Disciplinary Codes, and the Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Frameworks: Evidence from a Survey of Civil Servants in Poland
Authors: Meyer-Sahling Jan-Hinrik , Mikkelsen Kim Sass
Published: August 2020

What is the effect of disciplinary codes and codes of ethics on containing corruption in the civil service? We assess whether both tools are effective and whether they interact to reinforce each other. Using a unique survey of central government civil servants from Poland, we find that, where applied in practice, disciplinary and ethics codes reinforce each other to contain kickbacks as one form of corruption in the civil service. By contrast, disciplinary codes and codes of ethics on their own are not strongly associated with kickbacks in central government ministries. The paper concludes that anti-corruption tools work most effectively when managers have multiple consistently implemented tools at their disposal.
Applying an Ecological Framework to Factors Associated With Non-Spousal Sexual Assault Among Women in Canada
Authors: Du Mont Janice , Hill Cassandra , Kosa S. Daisy , Johnson Holly
Published: August 2020

An ecological framework is useful for understanding how individual, relationship, community, and societal level factors can affect women’s vulnerability to sexual assault. However, most studies have focused on examining individual and relationship factors only, due to measurement challenges and a lack of data at the societal level. The purpose of this study was to use data from a nationally representative victimization survey to identify salient predictors of sexual assaults not committed by common-law or marital partners among women across all levels of the ecological framework. Out of 16,738 female respondents, 1.9% ( n = 319) experienced one or more incidents of non-spousal sexual assault in the 12 months preceding the survey. Logistic regression modeling indicated that at the individual level, statistically significant factors associated with non-spousal sexual assault included age, Indigenous status, marital status, mental disability, education, main activity, and homelessness or precarious housing. Relationship level predictors of non-spousal sexual assault were a history of child sexual abuse and witnessing violence between parents. Community level predictors were a weak sense of belonging in the local community, low likelihood that neighbors would contact police if they witnessed family violence in the respondents’ home, and high likelihood that neighbors would contact police if they witnessed other criminal behavior. Societal level factors were perceptions that local police do a poor job promptly responding to calls, perceptions that local police do a poor job treating people fairly, and having experienced discrimination in the previous 5 years. The results demonstrated that community and societal level factors are critical components of an ecological framework and are important to understanding and addressing the many factors which are independently associated with vulnerability to sexual assault.
A Time to Lead: Changes in Relational Team Leadership Processes over Time
Authors: Horila Tessa , Siitonen Marko
Published: August 2020

This study analyzes how team members perceive changes in relational leadership processes over time. Interview data from three virtual teams ( N = 18) were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings illustrate how ideals of well-functioning leadership and teamwork communication can differ both between and within teams at different times. Team members may perceive benefits of the passage of time in teamwork, including experienced closeness, adjustment, and clarification of practices, as well as challenges such as rigidity and historical baggage. Organizations and teams may experience a shift in the ideals of leadership, but adapting to and adopting new forms of leadership over time may not be unproblematic. The findings also highlight how relational leadership is neither stable nor linear in its development. Overall, the study contributes to leadership and team research by increasing understanding of the relational construction of leadership among naturally occurring teams and by challenging assumptions about how leadership and time are perceived by team members. The implications of studying subjective time in connection with relational leadership are discussed.
Impact of graphene oxide on epoxy resin characteristics
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Soleimani Hassan , Hosseini Seyednooroldin , Mohammadian Erfan
Published: August 2020

The incorporation of a small part of graphene oxide (GO) offers an appropriate fire retardant for thermally conductive epoxy (EP) resin composites, which is verified by the upper limiting oxygen index of 24.5% and other standard flame-retardant tests. The smoke production rate, total smoke production (TSP), and the smoke density of EP composites were reduced with additional GO. The increased efficiency of fire resistance and smoke suppression is primarily due to the formation of physical barrier and compactness of the developed GO char layers, serving as an effective barrier layer that increases the fire resistance, and the thermal steadiness of the char layers derives from the effect of GO inclusion. The barrier impact of GO and the limited mobility of polymer chains are crucial factors in increasing thermal stability and reduction of generating dangerous carbon monoxide during burns. The thermal stability increased and the peak heat release rate, total heat release, TSP, and the largest smoke density value reduced to 52.5%, 43.6%, 33.9%, and 44.2%, correspondingly, compared with pure EP. The tensile strength and elongation at break of EP composites were enhanced by 23% and 8.4% compared with pure EP, respectively.
The impact of Grindr advertising on attendance and HIV testing by men who have sex with men at a sexual health clinic in northern Sydney
Authors: Ubrihien Ashley , Stone Andrew C , Byth Karen , Davies Stephen C
Published: August 2020

Grindr is a geolocation smartphone application popular among men who have sex with men (MSM) to find sexual partners. We conducted a study to assess if attendance and HIV testing amongst MSM increased due to advertisements on Grindr that promoted our service. We measured clinic website hits by users clicking through from Grindr; we counted self-reported registrations that nominated referral from Grindr; and we compared new patient attendances and HIV tests in MSM with heterosexual men, for the 18 months preceding the intervention and the 18 months of the intervention. During the intervention the clinic’s website received 11,799 unique hits from Grindr users. The average monthly rate of attendances by new MSM increased 70.3% from 19.0 to 32.3, compared with a 5.5% increase among new heterosexual men from 45.6 to 48.1. The average monthly rate of HIV tests among MSM increased 43.6% from 47.0 to 67.6, compared with a 3.9% increase amongst heterosexual men from 40.0 to 41.6. The MSM:heterosexual men rate ratio for new patient attendances changed from 0.42 to 0.67 ( p < 0.001, adjusted for possible underlying time trends in each period), and for HIV tests this rate ratio changed from 1.18 to 1.63 ( p < 0.001, adjusted for possible underlying time trends in each period). The effects of the intervention did not significantly change over the course of the 18-month intervention. This study suggests that advertising on Grindr was effective and durable as a means of increasing attendance and HIV testing rates among MSM in northern Sydney.
Development of a Culturally Valid Instrument Examining HPV Knowledge and Beliefs of Lakota Women on the Pine Ridge Reservation
Authors: Bowker Dawn , Gee Julie , Huttlinger Kathleen
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The aim of this article is to describe the modification of an instrument to secure cultural validity using cognitive interviewing to adequately examine and address health issues in a diverse population.

Method

Cultural experts ( n = 8) on the Lakota reservation were identified to provide input on cultural items of an instrument. Two rounds of cognitive interviewing ensued with each expert. The instrument items ( n = 40) were reviewed and revised as indicated.

Results

The results of this project were twofold; a culturally valid instrument was developed, and a process was delineated to ensure cultural validity. Content validity was supported by the 100% consensus among the Lakota cultural experts on every item.

Discussion

This article describes how cognitive interviewing was applied for instrument modification to obtain cultural validity resulting in a relevant instrument which may useful to researchers when working with diverse populations that have unique needs.
Investigating the Impacts of Acculturation Stress on Migrant Care Workers in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Adebayo Bola , Nichols Pam , Albrecht Matthew A. , Brijnath Bianca , Heslop Karen
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Migrant care workers are a growing portion of the aged care workforce in high-income countries. This study investigated the impacts of acculturation stress on the well-being of migrant care workers.

Method:

A cross-sectional national survey was conducted among migrant care workers ( n = 272) across five Australian states and one territory using the Riverside Acculturation Stress Inventory (RASI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21).

Results:

Acculturation stress was high ( M = 38.4; SD = 14.1; 38.9% scored ≥40 out of 75), but respondents scored in the normal to mild ranges (85% to 93%) on the DASS 21 scale. Enrolled and registered nurses had the highest acculturation stress levels when compared with other occupational roles. Ethnicity, F(4, 254) = 11.0, p < .001; occupational roles, F(3, 254) = 3.0, p = .03; and self-reported English proficiency, F(1, 254) = 4.17, p = .04, were statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Addressing acculturation stress may improve job satisfaction and retention among migrant care workers.
Reflections on Refugees During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gage Brennan
Published: August 2020

As the world faces a growing refugee crisis, adult learning professionals must consider the implications of their work within the context of an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
A study on the optimal design and the performance evaluation of electromagnetic energy harvesting device for the rolling stock application
Authors: Kim Jaehoon
Published: August 2020

An electromagnetic energy harvesting device was studied based on the design parameters of an energy harvesting device for the power source of wireless sensors node on the rolling stock. The characteristics of the generated power by the energy harvesting device were tested using the laboratory equipment and a rolling stock (a high-speed train). First, a cantilever beam energy harvesting device, which allows for easy adjustment of the length according to the frequency and the power according to the cantilever beam materials, was researched. In addition, the new design for a practical resonant energy harvesting device for the railroad system was performed. To realize the performance of the practical resonant energy harvesting device, the generated power characteristics of the energy harvesting device were tested according to the moving displacement, the number of coil turns, and the initial coil displacement between the coil and magnet. The evaluation of the performance of the manufactured resonant energy harvesting device for the railroad system, which the parameters were determined based on the test results, was conducted under real driving conditions in the high-speed train, which was traveling at 300 km/h. Finally, this study analyzed whether the power generated could be applied to the wireless sensor nodes for the railroad system.
The Relational Context of School Engagement and Associations With Youth Behaviors
Authors: Cooley Morgan E. , Mihalec-Adkins Brittany P. , Womack Bethany
Published: August 2020

Youth in foster care face many academic risks, including diminished engagement in school and behavior problems that further threaten learning and academic achievement. However, school engagement is responsive to contextual change, leaving many opportunities to intervene upon school engagement and boost overall functioning. The present study examines the mediating and moderating potential of aspects within the relational context of school engagement and academically threatening behaviors, using a national sample of adolescent foster youth. Findings indicate that greater school engagement and more positive perceptions of relationships with both peers and foster parents were associated with lower self-reported internalizing, and lower self- and caregiver-reported externalizing behaviors. Peer relationships moderated the association between school engagement and youth-reported externalizing, and foster parent–youth relationships moderated the association between school engagement and youth-reported internalizing. Furthermore, peer relationships mediated the association between school engagement and internalizing, but not externalizing behaviors, while relationships with foster parents mediated associations between school engagement and both self- and caregiver reports of both internalizing and externalizing. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Political Inequality in the Digital World: The Puzzle of Asian American Political Participation Online
Authors: Chan Nathan K.
Published: August 2020

This paper adds to existing literature by reassessing the racial participation gap after placing online activity within the repertoire of minorities’ political actions. Even though Asian Americans are the most resourced in terms of Internet access, I theorize about how individual and structural-level impediments uniquely disadvantage this group from participating in politics online—widening overall participation disparities. Using data from the 2016 National Asian American Survey, I find that while the racial participation gap is similar for Latina/os and African Americans compared to whites, regardless of the activity’s platform either offline or online, disparities magnify solely for Asian Americans when considering digital modes of political behavior. The paper ends by noting how the Internet may contribute to rather than solve issues of political inequality across race and discusses distortions in which political voices are heard or muted offline and online.
Giardia Is Often Overlooked on Histopathologic Examination: A High-Volume, Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Shen Minqian (Jasmine) , Voltaggio Lysandra , Robertson Scott
Published: August 2020

Aims. Giardia

is sometimes missed by the pathologist, and we sought to determine how often this occurs at our institution—a large tertiary care center with a subspecialty gastrointestinal pathology service and what certain clinical and histologic clues can be used to flag cases with a higher likelihood of infection, targeting them for greater scrutiny.

Methods and Results

We identified a set of patients who tested positive for Giardia with a stool-based test, and who also received a small bowel biopsy at a similar time-point. These biopsies were retrospectively reviewed for Giardia, finding 8 positive cases. The organism was prospectively detected in 4 cases (50%) but overlooked in the remaining 4 cases (50%). Three of the 4 cases missed cases showed only rare organisms. The detected cases tended to more frequently have prominent lymphoid aggregates (3 detected cases, 0 overlooked cases) and intraepithelial lymphocytosis (3 detected cases, 0 overlooked cases). Certain clinical and histologic clues can be used to flag cases with a higher likelihood of infection. Specifically, we found abnormalities of the mucosa (active inflammation, intraepithelial lymphocytosis, villous expansion, prominent lymphoid aggregates) in each case, and 4 of 8 cases were from immunocompromised patients. Finally, 2 of 8 cases were terminal ileum biopsies.

Conclusions

Biopsies with a histologic abnormality or those from immunocompromised patients should receive greater attention. Routinely looking for Giardia at that terminal ileum is necessary.
Psychometric Properties of a Semistructured Interview to Assess Limited Prosocial Emotions
Authors: Walker Toni M. , Frick Paul J. , Matlasz Tatiana M. , Robertson Emily L. , Mikolajewski Amy J. , Mitchell Colter , Lopez-Duran Nestor , Monk Christopher , Hyde Luke W.
Published: August 2020

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits have recently been added to the diagnostic criteria of Conduct Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth edition and of conduct–dissocial and oppositional defiant disorders in the International Classification of Disease–Eleventh edition as the limited prosocial emotions specifier. This change necessitates the assessment of these traits with validated measures in both research and clinical contexts. The current study sought to validate a semi-structured diagnostic interview method, the Michigan Limited Prosocial Emotion Addendum (M-LPE) to the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children–Present and Lifetime Version, of assessing CU traits based on a recently developed clinician rating system (Clinical Assessment of Prosocial Emotions, Version 1.1) in a sample of at-risk youth. Results supported the interrater reliability of the M-LPE with moderate agreement and high reliability between raters. The M-LPE demonstrated convergent and incremental validity with CU traits and various measures of antisocial behavior. The results provide preliminary evidence for the use of a semi-structured interview assessment of CU traits in research contexts and build the foundation for further validation.
Connecting Mayors: The Content and Formation of Twitter Information Networks
Authors: Wukich Clayton
Published: August 2020

Politicians interact with each other in polarized and partisan ways when they correspond on social media. Meanwhile, local governments share more substantive information about their service delivery efforts. Mayors operate in both spaces simultaneously (i.e., politics and administration), yet little has been reported about how they balance these positions online. This article examines (1) the extent to which mayors who govern the 100 largest U.S. cities form ties with each other, (2) the messages they create, and (3) the factors that influence their associations. Content analysis identifies common message types, including favorable presentation, symbolic acts, and political positioning statements. Results from quadratic assignment procedure indicate mayors form ties with high-profile counterparts from the same political party who represent larger cities and possess more followers (i.e., more popular accounts). The findings suggest tie formation has less to do with the exchange of best practices—as in policy networks—and more to do with self-promotion and political marketing to constituents at home.
Reliability and validity of the French adaptation of the Family Relationship Index–short form in patients’ with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Montalescot Lucile , Speyer Elodie , Legrand Karine , Ayav Carole , Combe Christian , Stengel Bénédicte , Untas Aurélie
Published: August 2020

The Family Relationship Index (FRI) measures family cohesion, expressiveness and conflict. This study aimed to investigate its reliability and validity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on 1657 patients and on subgroups according to socio-demographics and medical variables. Two items with poor saturation were excluded. The indexes indicated an acceptable fit. Reliability was especially weak for expressiveness. Our results provide partial support for the use of the French-version of the FRI in patients with advanced CKD. The family relationship index should be used with caution, especially in certain subgroups and for the expressiveness subscale.
Retention of televised advertising in L2: An experiment with Chinese–English bilinguals
Authors: Özdinç Özlem
Published: August 2020

Aim:

This paper examines bilinguals’ retention of a television (TV) advertisement in their second language (L2) to test whether L2 competence, liking for the advertisement, and involvement with the advertised product cause a change in L2 retention.

Methodology:

An experiment exposed 304 Chinese–English bilinguals to audio-visual advertisements that were technically (e.g. similar executions) and linguistically alike (e.g. discourse with similar ratios of ‘content words-to-grammatical lexicon’) in their native language (L1; control) and L2 (treatment).

Data and analysis:

Content analysis of four unstructured items operationalised L2 advertisment memory by ranking retention scores from 0 to 4. We performed t-tests (with Cohen’s d) and F-tests to compare retention across the levels of independent variables.

Findings:

L2 proficiency did not facilitate meaning-deduction from within context, but the length of bilinguals’ residence did, indicating that subjects linguistically adapt to their L2 environment in time. Content features (e.g. message clarity) increased liking for the L2 advertisment while execution (e.g. music) increased L2 advertisement memory. Involvement with the advertised product did not affect L2 retention.

Originality:

Print stimuli use has limited the utility of earlier findings from research on advertising to bilinguals for exercising one language skill (i.e. L2 reading). The use of audio-visual stimuli to exercise concurrently L2 listening and reading skills have been rare despite the increased consumption of TV advertisements through online video-sharing platforms.

Implications:

When designing audio-visual inputs for bilinguals, ‘what’ (i.e. content) hardly matters in relative to ‘how’ (i.e. execution) unless bilinguals orient themselves to the natural contexts of their L2 settings. Firms in bilingual markets can optimise their communicative (e.g. belief reinforcement or creating awareness) and behavioural objectives (e.g. sales) by provoking the peripheral processing of their straightforward messages using appeals (e.g. music, emotional, and animated visuals) for longer retention among their non-native-speaker targets.
Effects of home environment on childhood asthma and allergies in subtropical South China
Authors: Zhang Shujuan , Wu Zhuoyu , Jiang Haozhi , Ou Cuiyun
Published: August 2020

Association between home environment and childhood asthma and allergies among preschool children in subtropical South China is unclear. We investigated doctor-diagnosed asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis (AR) in preschool children due to the exposure to indoor dampness and residential environment. One thousand nine hundred forty-six children (3–6 years) from 22 kindergartens in Foshan participated in this study in May 2016. Associations between home environment and childhood asthma, eczema and AR were analysed by using multivariate logistic regression model in terms of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed childhood asthma, eczema and AR in Foshan was respectively 4.6%, 34.8% and 15.5%, respectively. Family member's atopy significantly increased the risk of developing asthma, eczema and AR, and the ORs were respectively 2.663 (95% CI: 1.716–4.132), 1.810 (95%CI: 1.461–2.243) and 4.194 (95%CI: 3.218–5.467). The high humidity in children's room was a significant risk to preschool children's eczema and AR. The surrounding environment was significantly associated with childhood eczema. Our study indicates that controlling the indoor dampness and allowing less natural ventilation if living near artery or industrial area are needed to reduce the risk of childhood eczema and AR in South China.
Multiple conformance to hybrid-automata-modelled requirements for detecting indoor temperature anomalies
Authors: Yang Zhengguo , Aoki Toshiaki , Tan Yasuo
Published: August 2020

Detections of different thermal problems resort to approaches that utilize different indices, respectively. From an engineering viewpoint, they are neither flexible in detecting multiple thermal problems nor flexible in dealing with new concerned thermal problems. This article proposes a multiple-conformance approach to requirements that modelled by hybrid automata for flexibly detecting temperature anomalies. Temperature anomalies could lead to thermal problems, i.e., thermal discomfort as well as serious health problems. This approach extended a conventional conformance approach. The flexibility of the proposal is reflected in two aspects. First, it is an integrated approach that can deal with multiple thermal problems at different states of hybrid automata. Second, we can devise conformance relations concerning new thermal problems, and add them to the multiple-conformance approach. Experimental results show the feasibility and high performance of our proposal in detecting indoor temperature anomalies comprehensively.
Numerical study of hydrogen addition on the performance and emission characteristics of compressed natural gas spark-ignition engine using response surface methodology and multi-objective desirability approach
Authors: Boodaghi Homayoun , Etghani Mir Majid , Sedighi Korosh
Published: August 2020

Today, the demand for higher output efficiencies, lower fuel consumption, and ever reduced emissions has been rising. Due to its availability, one promising alternative is the applying of hydrogen in internal combustion engines. In this study, the initial efforts concentrated on combine relationships of input and output parameters of hydrogen compressed natural gas spark-ignition engine. The quadratic regression models were conducted for all six responses: torque, carbon monoxide, brake-specific fuel consumption, methane, nitrogen oxides, and total hydrocarbon through response surface methodology and tested for adequacy by analysis of variance. The multi-objective desirability approach employed for the optimization of input variables, namely, the hydrogen compressed natural gas ratio, excess air ratio ( λ), and ignition timing ( θi). Also, two factors, that is, manifold absolute pressure and engine speed, were fixed at 105 kPa and 1600 r/min, respectively. Results indicate that the optimal independent input factors are equal to λ of 1.178, hydrogen compressed natural gas ratio of 25.98%, and θi of 18 °CA before top dead center. Also, the optimal combination of responses is as follows: brake-specific fuel consumption of 219.334 g/kWh, the torque of 395 N m, 30.189 g/kWh for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide equal to 5.093 g/kWh, total hydrocarbon of 0.633 g/kWh, and 0.572 g/kWh for methane. This study provided the significance of response surface methodology as an attractive technique for investigators for modeling. In this regard, the response surface methodology modeling and multi-objective desirability approach can be utilized to predict the emission and performance characteristics of the hydrogen compressed natural gas engines minutely.
Augmented drawn construction symbols: A method for ad hoc robotic fabrication
Authors: Pedersen Jens , Neythalath Narendrakrishnan , Hesslink Jay , Søndergaard Asbjørn , Reinhardt Dagmar
Published: August 2020

The global construction industry is one the least productive sectors over a 30-year period, which arguably could be related to virtually no implementation of digital and automation technologies within the construction industry. Construction processes arguably consist of expensive manual labor or manual operation of mechanized processes, where hand-drawn markings on work-objects or partly build structures are used to inform and steer the construction process or allows for ad hoc adjustments of elements. As such, the use of on-object, hand-drawn information is considered integral to the modus operandi of a plurality of construction trades, where timber construction and carpentry are of special interest. In contrast, emerging methods of digital production in timber construction implicitly or explicitly seek to eliminate the interpretive component to the construction work, imposing a top-down paradigm of file-to-factory execution. While such systems offer a performance increase compared to manual labor, it is notoriously sensitive to construction tolerances and requires a high level of specialism to be operated, which could alienate craft-educated workers. This research argues that developing methods for digital production compatible with on-site human interpretation and adaptation can help overcome these challenges. In addition, these methods offer the opportunity to increase the robustness and versatility of digital fabrication in the context of the construction site. The article reports on a new method titled “augmented drawn construction symbols” that through a visual communication system converts on-object hand-drawn markings to CAD drawings and sends them to a robotic system. The process is demonstrated on a full-scale prototypical robot setup.
miRNA-9 Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Regulating NRSF/EGFR
Authors: Wang Kangning , Xu Kai , Leng Xuefeng , Han Yongtao , Fang Qiang
Published: August 2020

Background:

To investigate the mechanism of microRNA9 in inhibiting proliferation and migration of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells via neuron-restricted silencing factor/epidermal growth factor receptor.

Material and Methods:

Detection of microRNA9, neuron-restricted silencing factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor expression levels in lung cancer patients’ tissues and lung cancer cells by Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Detection of cell proliferation by colony formation assay and cell counting kit-8 assay. Detection of cell migration by wound-healing assay and Transwell assay. And detection of the regulatory effect between neuron-restricted silencing factor and epidermal growth factor receptor by Luciferase reporter gene system. Subcutaneous implantation mouse models of NCI-H520 cells were constructed to detect cell proliferation in vivo, and Kaplan–Meier method calculated patient survival.

Results:

The expression of microRNA9 and epidermal growth factor receptor was higher in lung cancer tissues than in normal lung tissues, while the expression of neuron-restricted silencing factor was lower in lung cancer tissues than in normal lung tissues. MicroRNA9 higher expression was strongly related to tumor size, and TNM stage and predicted showed reduced overall survival in patients with lung cancer. Further loss of function and enhancement experiments revealed that inhibition of microRNA9 could significantly inhibit lung squamous carcinoma cell proliferation and migration. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that microRNA9 could bind to NRSF messenger RNA and inhibit its expression, neuron-restricted silencing factor overexpression also exerted inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, Luciferase reporter assay showed that neuron-restricted silencing factor downregulate epidermal growth factor receptor expression levels by binding to epidermal growth factor receptor promoter regions, and Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the levels of microRNA9 in lung cancer tissues were correlated with neuron-restricted silencing factor and epidermal growth factor receptor. Combined microRNA9 with neuron-restricted silencing factor or epidermal growth factor receptor to predict the prognosis of patients with lung cancer may be more accurate.

Conclusion:

MicroRNA9 inhibits proliferation and migration of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells by inhibiting neuron-restricted silencing factor/epidermal growth factor receptor axis. MicroRNA9 can be a new prognostic marker and therapeutic target for lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Dynamic superframe adaptation using group-based media access control for handling traffic heterogeneity in wireless body area networks
Authors: Zia Yousaf , Bashir Fasial , Qureshi Kashif Naseer
Published: August 2020

Wireless body area network is a promising technology that brings healthcare to a new level of personalization. The applications of wireless body area network are not limited to healthcare monitoring applications but vastly used in entertainment applications. The applications are emerging at a fast pace and attract the attention of researchers. IEEE 802.15.6 provides a communication standard which specifies the physical layer and media access control layer operations for wireless body area networks. A fixed superframe structure is used for handling of heterogeneous traffics of wireless body area networks through pre-defined user priorities. This leads to inefficient use of superframe time duration because of fixed time phases for different types of data traffic. In this article, a novel group-based classification of traffic is introduced to avoid contention and inefficient use of superframe duration. A group-based media access control is developed to adjust the superframe duration according to high priority traffic whereas the rest of the traffic is controlled using node-based buffering. The experimental results showed that the proposed media access control outperformed adaptive beaconing medium access control and priority media access control, in terms of stability period, delay, throughput, transmission loss, and residual energy.
Examining the Multiple Sites of Meaning in a Participant Photography Project With Black Male College Students
Authors: Allen Quaylan
Published: August 2020

Participant photography is a visual method that has been widely used in research to elevate the voices of historically marginalized populations. Although much has been written about the nature of the visual method, including its benefits and challenges, less is known about how meaning is made of the visual images as they move throughout the research process. To this end, this article draws upon data and the methodological notes from a research study examining Black masculinities and employs a critical visual methodology to examine the different sites of meaning-making in a participant photography research project with Black college men. First, the participant reflections on the visual methodology will be used to examine the image production process, which includes the men’s decisions regarding photographic tools and their image-making strategies. Then, select images from the project and the corresponding narratives will be shared and situated within the social context in which they were produced. Finally, this article will discuss practical and ethical considerations regarding the circulation and audiencing of the project images and conclude with a discussion of the lessons learned in using a critical visual methodology to explore how meaning is made in a participant photography project with Black men.