bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Immunochromatographic Technique for Rotavirus Detection: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Greece
Authors: Vontas Alexandros , Hadjicristodoulou Christos , Krikelis Vasilis , Petinaki Efthimia
Published: September 2019

Despite the significant medical advances which have taken place in the last decades, acute diarrhoea cases remain a public health issue of major significance, with gastroenteritis agents being associated with severe symptoms in adults and high morbidity in infants and children. Regarding rotaviruses, while children are the predominant victims of rotavirus infection, adults (often caretakers or parents of these children) may experience the same symptoms of fever, vomiting, and non-bloody diarrhoea. Three different routine schemes for the detection of rotaviruses in archived stool samples were evaluated in terms of diagnostic performance. A total of 640 archived stool samples were included in the study. The samples were screened with three different techniques: a commercial rapid immunochromatographic test, a modified in-house conventional one-step reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screen protocol, and a com­mer­cial one-step real-time PCR kit. Technical aspects and considerations are discussed.
Lipoprotein(a) Levels Are Associated with the Size of Extracranial Arteries in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Jakimovski Dejan , Zivadinov Robert , Pelizzari Laura , Browne Richard W. , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Ramanathan Murali
Published: September 2019

Background: Hyperlipidemia is associated with worse clinical and radiological outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and studies show greater MS extracranial arterial vessel pathology. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lipid profile measures on extracranial arterial vessels in PwMS and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: Non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography was conducted on 104 PwMS and 41 HCs. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and vertebral artery (VA) was measured using a semi-automated edge-detection/contouring method at cervical levels C4-C7. The lipid profile was obtained at the time of the scan. Repeated measures analyses adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index were used. Results: In PwMS, age was associated with CCA CSA (F = 7.65, η2 = 0.083, p = 0.007) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] with VA CSA (F = 13.4, η2 = 0.13, p < 0.001). These associations were not present in HCs. PwMS with Lp(a) ≥30 and ≥50 mg/dL, and within the highest Lp(a) quartile had significantly larger CCA and VA when compared to those with lower Lp(a) threshold values. Total cholesterol and low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not associated with CCA or VA CSA. Conclusions: Lp(a) levels are associated with CSA of major extracranial arterial vessels in PwMS but not in HCs. The clinical and pathological significance of these associations, if any, remains unknown.
Transcranial Magnetic and Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Depression: Basic Mechanisms and Challenges of Two Commonly Used Brain Stimulation Methods in Interventional Psychiatry
Authors: Singh Aditya , Erwin-Grabner Tracy , Goya-Maldonado Roberto , Antal Andrea
Published: September 2019

Noninvasive neuromodulation, including repetitive trans­cranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and direct current stimulation (tDCS), provides researchers and health care professionals with the ability to gain unique insights into brain functions and treat several neurological and psychiatric conditions. Undeniably, the number of published research and clinical papers on this topic is increasing exponentially. In parallel, several methodological and scientific caveats have emerged in the transcranial stimulation field; these include less robust and reliable effects as well as contradictory clinical findings. These inconsistencies are maybe due to the fact that research exploring the relationship between the methodological aspects and clinical efficacy of rTMS and tDCS is far from conclusive. Hence, additional work is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of magnetic stimulation and low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in order to optimize dosing, methodological designs, and safety aspects.
Effects of Bovine Serum Albumin and High pH Pre-Treatment on the Remineralisation of Enamel Subsurface Lesions in vitro
Authors: Fernando James R. , Shen Peiyan , Walker Glenn D. , Yuan Yi , Stanton David P. , Reynolds Coralie , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: September 2019

Accumulated intra-lesion protein such as serum albumin has been speculated to impede remineralisation of carious enamel lesions. The aim of this study was to assess whether intra-lesion bovine serum albumin (BSA) affected subsequent remineralisation of enamel subsurface lesions. Confocal microscopy was used to confirm localisation of BSA in artificial enamel subsurface lesions and its subsequent degradation by a high pH sodium hypochlorite treatment. An in vitro remineralisation experiment tested the effect of intra-lesion BSA, and its degradation by sodium hypochlorite, on remineralisation of subsurface lesions by casein phosphopeptide stabilised amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate. In addition, lesions without BSA were pre-treated with one of 2 high pH solutions (sodium hypochlorite or sodium hydroxide) prior to remineralisation to test whether the high pH pre-treatment influenced remineralisation. Data were obtained on remineralisation using transverse microradiography and were analysed with a one-way ANOVA. Intra-lesion BSA had no significant effect on remineralisation compared with that of control lesions. Pre-treatment of BSA-containing lesions with sodium hypochlorite significantly increased remineralisation. The lesions without BSA that were pre-treated with either sodium hypochlorite or sodium hydroxide also showed the same level of remineralisation as the BSA-containing lesions pre-treated with sodium hypochlorite indicating that the increased remineralisation was pH related. Hence, it was concluded that intra-lesion BSA did not affect remineralisation of artificial enamel subsurface lesions in this model system and that a high pH pre-treatment enhanced remineralisation.
Phase I Study of Intraperitoneal Administration of Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 Plus Cisplatin for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis
Authors: Kobayashi Daisuke , Ishigami Hironori , Kanda Mitsuro , Tanaka Chie , Yamaguchi Hironori , Kitayama Joji , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy is a promising treatment option for gastric cancer (GC) with peritoneal metastasis (PM). Recently, superiority of IP administration of paclitaxel (PTX) combined with S-1 and intravenous PTX over conventional systemic chemotherapy was suggested in a phase III study, although the difference in overall survival did not reach statistical significance in the primary analysis. Thus, attempts to combine IP PTX with other systemic therapies with higher efficacy are warranted. We designed a new regimen combining IP PTX with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP), which is regarded as the standard first-line treatment for metastatic GC in Japan, and subsequently carried out a dose-escalation study. Methods: The combination was a 5-weekly regimen. IP PTX was to be administered on days 1, 8, and 22 with an initial dose of 15 mg/m2 at level 1 and 20 mg/m2 at level 2. S-1 was to be administered orally at a fixed dose of 80 mg/m2 b.i.d. for 21 days followed by a ­14-day rest. Cisplatin was to be administered intravenously at a dose of 60 mg/m2 on day 8. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined as grade 4 leukopenia, grade 3 (G3) febrile neutropenia, G3 thrombocytopenia, and G3 nonhematological toxicity. Results: A total of 9 patients with macroscopic PM were enrolled. No DLTs were observed among the 3 patients at level 1 and 6 patients at level 2. No adverse events or technical problems associated with the IP administration were observed. Consequently, the maximum-tolerated dose was not reached, and the dose for further clinical trials of IP PTX was determined as 20 mg/m2. As for efficacy, peritoneal lavage cytology turned negative after the first course in 4 of 7 patients who had positive cytology before treatment. Conclusion: The present study determined the dose for further clinical trials of IP PTX to be 20 mg/m2, when combined with the 5-weekly SP regimen.
Intra-Dialytic Hemoglobin Changes and Cardiovascular Events: A Cohort Study on Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns in Japan
Authors: Hara Takashi , Kimachi Miho , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi , Akizawa Tadao , Fukuhara Shunichi , Yamamoto Yosuke
Published: September 2019

Background: Ultrafiltration during hemodialysis (HD) causes hemoconcentration. Little is known about the relationships between intra-dialytic changes in hemoglobin concentration and cardiovascular events. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the relationships between intra-dialytic changes in hemoglobin concentration and cardiovascular events among HD patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study was based on the Japanese Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study phases 4 and 5. The predictor was the ratio of post-dialysis hemoglobin concentration to pre-dialysis hemoglobin concentration (post-Hb/pre-Hb) at baseline. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using a Cox model for the association between post-Hb/pre-Hb and MACEs, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: A total of 865 patients were enrolled. During a median follow-up of 2.6 years, 145 (16.8%) patients developed MACEs. Patients were divided into 4 categories according to baseline post-Hb/pre-Hb (<1.0, ≥1.0 to <1.1, ≥1.1 to <1.2, and ≥1.2). The multivariable-adjusted HRs for MACEs were 1.69 (95% CI 1.36–2.10), 1.29 (95% CI 1.10–1.51), and 1.31 (95% CI 1.02–1.68) in patients with post-Hb/pre-Hb ratios of <1.0, ≥1.0 to <1.1, and ≥1.2, respectively, compared with the reference post-Hb/pre-Hb ratio of ≥1.1 to <1.2. Cubic spline analyses revealed a U-shaped association between post-Hb/pre-Hb and MACEs. Conclusion: High and low intra-dialytic changes in hemoglobin concentration are associated with a high risk of MACEs in patients undergoing HD.
Tuberculosis of the Hand with Isolated Hamate Involvement: An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Kishan Hari , Kashyap Abhishek , Kadur Shreesh , Soni Anurag , Sehrawat Sandeep
Published: September 2019

Osteoarticular tuberculosis accounts for 1–5% of all tuberculosis cases, rarely involving the wrist or hand. Wrist and hand tuberculosis usually presents with multiple carpal bone involvement with impaired wrist and hand function. Isolated involvement of the carpal bone, particularly the hamate, is very rare. We report a 12-year-old female child with isolated hamate bone involvement without any limitation of wrist function. The patient was managed conservatively on antitubercular drugs. Such a case has not been reported in the past.
Um canteiro de flores para o túmulo de um revólver
Authors: Alves Cristiane De Mesquita
Published: September 2019

Conto: Um canteiro de flores para o túmulo de um revólver
A sublime alegria dionisíaca em Ópera dos Mortos, de Autran Dourado
Authors: Sá Cláudia Márcia Mafra de
Published: September 2019

Este texto apresenta uma reflexão sobre a intrínseca alegria do trágico conforme a filosofia nietzschiana. Para Nietzsche, o trágico não é fundamentado apenas na tristeza ou na inevitável conotação negativa associada a ele. O trágico, por meio da sobreposição de forças apolíneas e dionisíacas, tem a potência de revelar a alegria em sua forma mais plena, de sobrepujar a dor inerente à vida e a certeza de sua finitude, e de celebrar a existência em sua pujança. O romance Ópera dos mortos, de Autran Dourado, é o objeto de estudos escolhido por exemplificar a alegria do trágico da perspectiva nietzschiana. Ópera dos mortos faz parte da trilogia da Família Honório Cota e conta a história de Rosalina, herdeira única de um clã rural decadente, que tem seus instintos femininos mais íntimos cerceados pela sociedade patriarcal tradicionalista da cidade em que vive. Isolada na casa em ruínas, construída por duas gerações antepassadas e amparada significativamente por uma criada muda, Rosalina se vê, de repente, dividida. Inconscientemente, a protagonista busca harmonizar as características apolíneas legadas a ela pela criação austera dos pais e o inesperado amor dionisíaco, em uma intensa busca pelo sentido da vida em sua imanência e não além dela.
Entre o Real e o Ficcional
Authors: Ribeiro Sileyr Dos Santos
Published: September 2019

O romance Diário da queda, de Michel Laub, foi publicado em 2011 e narra a história de um homem de meia idade que rememora eventos do passado. A obra trata-se de um diálogo em três tempos: entre as memórias do narrador-personagem, do pai e do avô, sobrevivente de Auschwitz. O presente artigo tem como objetivos: a) apontar algumas vertentes da literatura brasileira contemporânea, dialogando com as considerações de Beatriz Resende (2008) e de Karl Eric Schøllhammer (2009); b) problematizar a proliferação das escritas de si na atualidade, partindo-se do conceito de Doubrovsky autoficção, formulado em 1977; c) analisar as relações ético-estéticas presentes na obra Diário da Queda, de Michel Laub, no que tange ao diálogo entre a herança do Genocídio Judeu e a construção do sujeito ficcional; d) discutir o conflito intergeracional presente na obra e suas repercussões na construção da identidade do narrador-personagem.
O diálogo dos derrotados: imagens dos guerrilheiros na obra de B. Kucinski
Authors: Merces Filipe Martins Santos
Published: September 2019

Este artigo investiga de que maneira a obra literária de Bernardo Kucinski formaliza a figura do guerrilheiro que entrou em combate contra a Ditadura Militar Brasileira (1964-1985). Busca-se comparar a visão do autor com a de outros escritores sobre o tema e entender em que medida Kucinski aproxima-se e distancia-se da memória hegemônica que a sociedade civil possui em relação à oposição armada ao regime.
Eu sou tocantinense que nasceu na Bahia
Authors: Cordeiro Amanda Fernandes Teixeira
Published: September 2019

Um dia, a escritora Irma Galhardo resolveu abrir os abraços e os livros para as crianças tocantinenses. E saiu pelos quatro cantos do estado ouvindo histórias para depois registrá-las. Nos seus livros, desfilam a boneca de barro da Ilha do Bananal, o pássaro Mãe da Lua, o Nego d’Água, o Pai da Mata, o pirarucu encantado, a Buiúna e uma séria de outros personagens e aspectos - inclusive históricos - tão conhecidos dos moradores locais. Mas nada disto, ainda, estava registrado em livros, especificamente os infantis, e o desafio era absolutamente necessário e encantador.
Resenha de Pai, Pai, de João Silvério Trevisan
Authors: Primo Gustavo
Published: September 2019

Resenha de Pai, Pai, romance autobiográfico de João Silvério Trevisan, lançado pelo selo editorial Alfaguara em 2017.
É possível conhecer a verdade sobre a tragédia grega? de William Marx
Authors: Lucas Fábio Roberto
Published: September 2019

Trata-se da tradução do artigo "Peut-on connaître la vérité sur la tragédie grecque?", de William Marx, no qual o autor faz uma análise das origens do corpus de tragédias herdadas da Grécia Antiga, particularmente da Atenas do século V e VI a.C.
A máquina trágica de pensar política
Authors: Torrano Jaa
Published: September 2019

A máquina trágica de pensar política
Pequeno Compêndio na tragédia brasileira contemporânea: a eterna navalha em nossa carne
Authors: Enedino Wagner Corsino
Published: September 2019

Pequeno Compêndio na tragédia brasileira contemporânea: a eterna navalha em nossa carne
O trágico na modernidade literária brasileira: apontamentos para o diálogo com obras de Machado de Assis, João Guimarães Rosa e Osman Lins
Authors: Ferraz Antônio Máximo
Published: September 2019

O trágico na modernidade literária brasileira: apontamentos para o diálogo com obras de Machado de Assis, João Guimarães Rosa e Osman Lins
Human Y Chromosome Exerts Pleiotropic Effects on Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis
Authors: Eales James M. , Maan Akhlaq A. , Xu Xiaoguang , Michoel Tom , Hallast Pille , Batini Chiara , Zadik Daniel , Prestes Priscilla R. , Molina Elsa , Denniff Matthew , Schroeder Juliane , Bjorkegren Johan L.M. , Thompson John , Maffia Pasquale , Guzik Tomasz J. , Keavney Bernard , Jobling Mark A. , Samani Nilesh J. , Charchar Fadi J. , Tomaszewski Maciej
Published: September 2019

Objective:

The male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) remains one of the most unexplored regions of the genome. We sought to examine how the genetic variants of the MSY influence male susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results:

Analysis of 129 133 men from UK Biobank revealed that only one of 7 common MSY haplogroups (haplogroup I1) was associated with CAD—carriers of haplogroup I1 had ≈11% increase in risk of CAD when compared with all other haplogroups combined (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04–1.18;
P
=6.8×10
−4
). Targeted MSY sequencing uncovered 235 variants exclusive to this haplogroup. The haplogroup I1–specific variants showed 2.45- and 1.56-fold respective enrichment for promoter and enhancer chromatin states, in cells/tissues relevant to atherosclerosis, when compared with other MSY variants. Gene set enrichment analysis in CAD-relevant tissues showed that haplogroup I1 was associated with changes in pathways responsible for early and late stages of atherosclerosis development including defence against pathogens, immunity, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial respiration, lipids, coagulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
UTY
was the only Y chromosome gene whose blood expression was associated with haplogroup I1. Experimental reduction of
UTY
expression in macrophages led to changes in expression of 59 pathways (28 of which overlapped with those associated with haplogroup I1) and a significant reduction in the immune costimulatory signal.

Conclusions:

Haplogroup I1 is enriched for regulatory chromatin variants in numerous cells of relevance to CAD and increases cardiovascular risk through proatherosclerotic reprogramming of the transcriptome, partly through
UTY
.
Antagonistic role of the microbiome from a Meloidogyne hapla-suppressive soil against species of plant-parasitic nematodes with different life strategies
Authors: Topalović Olivera , Heuer Holger , Reineke Annette , Zinkernagel Jana , Hallmann Johannes
Published: September 2019

In certain soils populations of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) decline. Understanding this effect may open up environmentally friendly management options. We identified such a suppressive soil containing virtually no PPN. Inoculated Meloidogyne hapla declined in this soil more than in a control soil and reproduction on tomato was reduced. The extracted soil microbiome alone decreased root invasion of second-stage juveniles (J2) and progeny as well as the native soil. We tested the antagonistic potential against PPN that differ in life strategies. The microbiome was most suppressive against two populations of M. hapla and one population of Pratylenchus neglectus, and least suppressive against M. incognita and the ectoparasite Hemicycliophora conida. In a split-root system with M. hapla, plant-mediated but not direct effects of the microbiome significantly reduced root invasion of J2, while direct exposure of M. hapla to the microbiome significantly affected reproduction. Overall, both plant-mediated and direct effects of the microbiome were responsible for the soil suppressiveness against M. hapla.
The occurrence and structure of radial sieve tubes in the secondary xylem of Aquilaria and Gyrinops
Authors: Luo Bei , Imai Tomoya , Sugiyama Junji , Marsoem Sri Nugroho , Mulyaningsih Tri , Itoh Takao
Published: September 2019

New observations of radial sieve tubes in the secondary xylem of two genera and four species of agarwood — Aquilaria sinensis, A. crasna, A. malaccensis and Gyrinops versteeghii (Thymelaeaceae) — are presented in this study. The earliest radial sieve tubes in Gyrinops are formed in the secondary xylem adjacent to the pith. The radial sieve tubes originate from the vascular cambium and develop in both uniseriate and multiseriate ray tissue. In addition to sieve plates in lateral and end walls, scattered or clustered minute sieve pores are localized in the lateral wall of radial sieve tubes. There is a direct connection between radial sieve tubes in ray tissue and axial sieve tubes in interxylary phloem strands (IP), such as (i) connection by bending of radial sieve tube strands, (ii) connection of two IP strands by an oblique bridge, and (iii) connection of two IP strands at a right angle. The average number of radial sieve tubes and interxylary phloem was found to be 1.7 per mm3 and 9.1 per mm2 in the secondary xylem. Considering the higher frequency of radial sieve tubes with the increasing thickness of the secondary xylem, the direct connections between radial and axial sieve tubes could play a significant role in assisting the translocation of metabolites in Aquilaria and Gyrinops.
Typification of names in Camellia (Theaceae), III

Authors: ZHAO DONGWEI , PARNELL JOHN A.N. , HODKINSON TREVOR R.
Published: September 2019

Further to our earlier papers of typifying names in Camellia Linnaeus (1753: 698) (Zhao et al. 2017, 2018), six more names, including Calpandria lanceolata Blume (1825: 178), Camellia gauchowensis Chang (1961: 58), C. ptilophylla Chang (1981a: 98), C. salicifolia Champ. (Bentham 1851: 309), Polyspora yunnanensis Hu (1938: 135) and Thea fusiger Gagnepain (1942: 126), are lectotypified here.
Review of leafhopper genus Dwightla McKamey (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Selenocephalini) with description of a new species from Central African Republic
Authors: XU DELIANG , ZHANG YALIN
Published: September 2019

The leafhopper genus Dwightla McKamey (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Selenocephalini) is reviewed with description of a new species, Dwightla lancea sp. nov., from Central African Republic. An updated checklist with distribution and a key to males of this genus from Afrotropical Region are also provided.
Taxonomic study of the genus Nosphistica Meyrick, 1911 (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae) from China, with descriptions of seven new species
Authors: YU SHUAI , WANG SHUXIA
Published: September 2019

Fourteen species of the genus Nosphistica Meyrick, 1911 from China are reviewed, including seven new species: N. abunda sp. nov., N. apiculata sp. nov., N. subrectangula sp. nov., N. elliptica sp. nov., N. fusoidea sp. nov., N. grandiunca sp. nov., and N. albimaculata sp. nov. Nosphistica acriella Park, 2002 is newly recorded from China, and the female of N. metalychna (Meyrick, 1935) is described for the first time. Images of adults and genitalia are provided, along with a key to all the known species in China and a distribution map showing the localities of these species.
A new species and first record of the cicada genus Sinotympana Lee, 2009 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Dundubiini) from Vietnam
Authors: PHAM THAI-HONG , SANBORN ALLEN F. , NGUYEN HUYEN-THI , CONSTANT JEROME
Published: September 2019

The first record of the genus Sinotympana Lee, 2009 from Vietnam is presented. Sinotympana caobangensis sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Phia Oac—Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam is described as new. Photographs of an adult male, illustrations of the male genitalia, a distribution map and biological data for Sinotympana caobangensis sp. nov. are provided.
Why Don’t They Complain? The Social Determinants of Chinese Migrant Workers’ Grievance Behaviors
Authors: Yang Duanyi
Published: September 2019

Using survey data from China, the author examines how migrant workers respond to violations of labor law in their workplaces. The central puzzle is why, given apparent widespread violations, some workers choose not to pursue remedies. Findings show that only 25% of surveyed workers who experience labor law violations interpret their experiences as labor rights violations. The author argues that the social nature of the employment relationship explains some of this gap: Although workers who share local identities with their employers are more likely to work without employment contracts, they are significantly less likely to interpret these conditions as a violation of their labor rights and interests. This article extends the research on grievance behavior by drawing on research from the sociology of law and immigration to understand how these subjective interpretative processes and social identities outside of the workplace influence grievance behaviors.
The Path to Better Health for Black Women: Predicting Self-Care and Exploring Its Mediating Effects on Stress and Health
Authors: Adkins-Jackson Paris B. , Turner-Musa Jocelyn , Chester Charlene
Published: September 2019

Stress leads to poor self-rated health for many black women because of racial and economic discrimination which results in psychological distress and restricted access to resources. Resilience factors such as self-care may be able to buffer the impact of stress; however, the role of self-care in reducing the effect of stress on self-rated health has not been explored. Self-care involves the utilization of self-awareness and agency to seek remedy for imbalance and to sustain equilibrium. Despite anecdotal exploration of these factors, there has not been a systematic investigation of whether self-awareness and agency indeed predict self-care. Subsequently, this study sought to provide evidence that self-awareness and resilience predict self-care, and self-care can mediate the negative relationship between stress and self-rated health. A cross-section of 223 black women living in the United States completed a battery of assessments of self-care, mindfulness, perceived stress, resilience, and self-rated health. Through a series of regression analyses exploring mediating effects, a path emerged. Findings indicate that awareness and resilience do predict self-care, and self-care mediates the negative relationship between stress and health. These analyses suggest that the role of stress on black women’s health can be reduced by the implementation of awareness and resilience.
Speed adaptation and acceleration ripple suppression of treadmill user system using a virtual force moment balance model
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Kaiming , Zhu Yu , Mu Haihua
Published: September 2019

To achieve treadmill speed adaption to the user’s walking speed and reduce treadmill acceleration ripples during walking for enhancing a non-intrusive walking sense, this paper presents a novel strategy to analytically design the acceleration of treadmill by introducing a virtual force and a virtual force moment balance kinetic model. To explicitly handle the treadmill velocity to adapt the user’s walking speed as well as treadmill acceleration ripples, the designed acceleration of treadmill and its derivative are specially selected as the input variables of treadmill controller. Since the user’s relative position and absolute walking speed are all taken into account, the resulting velocity and acceleration ripples of treadmill can be properly updated to improve the sense of reality during the user walking by only tuning the defined design parameters and control parameters. The experiments are conducted and the effective of the proposed strategy is verified by results.
Improved disturbance observer-based control for multivariable processes with time delays based on modified inverse model
Authors: Jin Qibing , Cai Wu , Du Xinghan
Published: September 2019

In this paper, a modified multivariable disturbance observer-based (MDOB) design method is proposed to improve disturbance rejection performance for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) processes with multiple time delays. Two important issues in MDOB control are studied here: computation of the inverse model and design of the filter. First, to reduce the influence of time delays, the nominal process is factorized as a diagonal time delay matrix and a remaining transfer function matrix, and the remaining part is used to design the inverse model in MDOB. Considering the difficulty of matrix inversion, the Nyquist set is used to describe the dynamic of the inverse model, and accordingly, the simplified inverse model is obtained by the curve fitting technique. In addition, to guarantee the properness and stability of the simplified inverse model, a compensator is introduced. Rules for selecting compensator parameters are given. Finally, with the proposed inverse model and compensator, the filter [Formula: see text] is optimized by minimizing the H∞ norm of the disturbance estimation error. The filter constants are determined by fully consider the disturbance rejection performance and robustness of the system. Simulation examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and merits of the proposed method.
Mental Health among Canadian Postsecondary Students: A Mental Health Crisis?
Authors: Wiens Kathryn , Bhattarai Asmita , Dores Ashley , Pedram Pardis , Williams Jeanne V. A. , Bulloch Andrew G. M. , Patten Scott B.
Published: September 2019

Objective:

Recent reports express concerns about a mental health crisis among postsecondary students. These assertions, however, often arise from surveys conducted in postsecondary settings that lack the broader context of a referent group. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the mental health status of postsecondary students 18 to 25 years old from 2011 to 2017 and (2) to compare the mental health status of postsecondary students to nonstudents.

Methods:

Prevalence was estimated for a set of mental health outcomes using seven annual iterations of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2011 to 2017). Logistic regression was used to derive odds ratio estimates comparing mental health status among postsecondary students and nonstudents, adjusting for age and sex. Random effects metaregression and meta-analyses techniques were used to evaluate trends in prevalence and odds ratio estimates over time.

Results:

Over the study period, the prevalence of perceived low mental health, diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders, and past-year mental health consultations increased among female students, whereas binge drinking decreased among male students. With the exception of perceived stress, the odds of experiencing each mental health outcome were lower among postsecondary students compared to nonstudents.

Conclusions:

These findings do not support the idea that postsecondary students have worse mental health than nonstudents of similar age. The perception of a crisis may arise from greater help-seeking behavior, diminishing stigma, or increasing mental health literacy. Regardless, the observance of these trends provide an opportunity to address a previously latent issue.
Can Training Enhance Public Employees’ Public Service Motivation? A Pretest–Posttest Design
Authors: Chen Chung-An , Hsieh Chih-Wei , Chen Don-Yun
Published: September 2019

Recent evidence shows public service motivation (PSM) may be unrelated to one’s consideration of a public service career. In places where civil service examinations prevail, even adverse selection (selecting low-PSM individuals) can occur. This leaves public sector managers with tough questions: “Can we improve new recruits’ PSM? Does training matter?” The present study attempts to answer these questions by using a case of onboard training in Taiwan. We hypothesize that PSM, along with public service–related knowledge and a positive attitude toward public service work, improves after training, and that the improvement hinges on trainees’ satisfaction with training and perceived usefulness of training. Analytical results indicate that knowledge and attitudes are more “trainable” than PSM. Meanwhile, training satisfaction is associated with the growth of public service–related knowledge, while perceived training usefulness relates to a positive attitude toward public service work and PSM. Overall, these findings advance our understanding of the effectiveness of public service training, its determinants, and the implications for public employees’ public service orientations.
Value Capture In Situ: Participation, Evaluation, and Signaling in Kansas City, MO
Authors: Fischer Lauren Ames
Published: September 2019

This paper provides a qualitative examination of the implementation of a value capture–funded streetcar investment in Kansas City, MO. Using semi-structured interviews, I show that the local benefits of value capture financing go beyond revenue-raising. Local officials used value capture to limit the public approval process to residents who supported enhanced transit and to redefine the metrics of a successful transport investment in terms of land development impacts. This strategic, and unexpected, use of value capture underwrites property-led economic development that uses infrastructure investments to signal public-sector priorities, in terms of both geography and populations.
Evidence, values, and funding decisions in Canadian cancer systems
Authors: Peacock Stuart J. , Regier Dean A. , Raymakers Adam J. N. , Chan Kelvin K. W.
Published: September 2019

Expenditure on cancer therapies is rising rapidly in many countries, particularly for cancer drugs. In recent years, this has stimulated a global debate among the public, patients, clinicians, decision-makers, and the pharmaceutical industry on value, affordability, and sustainability propositions relating to cancer therapies. In this article, we discuss some recent developments in evidence-based approaches to priority setting and resource allocation in Canadian cancer systems. These developments include new methods for deliberative public engagement, generating and using real-world evidence, multi-criteria decision analysis, and handling uncertainty with evidence for gene therapies.
Odontogenic Carcinoma With Dentinoid in Long-Term Follow-up With 2 Recurrences
Authors: Mariano Fernanda Viviane , Gondak Rogério Oliveira , Scarini João Figueira , da Silva Eduardo Caetano Albino , Caravina Gisele , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , Almeida Oslei Paes , Altemani Albina , Mosqueda Taylor Adalberto
Published: September 2019

Dentinoid has been mentioned as a frequent component in several types of benign odontogenic tumors; however, there are some other very rare dentinoid-producing odontogenic tumors that have been described, which are not recognized in the current World Health Organization Histological Classification of Odontogenic Tumours. In this context, we report an unusual malignant odontogenic tumor containing dentinoid located in the left maxilla of a 41-year-old man. The lesion was initially diagnosed and treated as a cemento-ossifying fibroma. After 7 years, a tumor was noted at the same location and was diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma. The patient developed a new lesion 2 years later. Histological features included an epithelial proliferation of basaloid and clear cells, some with peripheral palisading, which were scattered both in a fibrous stroma and within an amorphous eosinophilic dentinoid product. Because of doubts about the first 2 diagnoses and the current situation, all histopathological slides were reviewed in our service as a consultation case, and the findings were consistent with the diagnosis of an odontogenic carcinoma with dentinoid. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed and an ultrastructural study by scanning electronic microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis was made to characterize dentinoid material. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient is alive and free of the disease. This case highlights the wide variability regarding cytological evidence of malignancy, and adds a new case of odontogenic carcinoma with dentinoid, which represents a distinct entity with locally aggressive behavior and should be considered be included in a future World Health Organization Histological Classification of Tumours.
Stopping wolves in the wild and legitimizing meat consumption: Effects of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance on animal-related behaviors
Authors: Becker Julia C. , Radke Helena R. M. , Kutlaca Maja
Published: September 2019

In the present research, we applied the dual process model of ideology and prejudice to beliefs and behavioral intentions toward animals. In Study 1 ( N = 126), we demonstrate in a community sample that right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) predicts support for restricting the distribution of wolves and bears in the wild mediated by perceived threat elicited from the animal outgroups. In contrast, social dominance orientation (SDO) had an indirect effect on the legitimization of meat consumption via endorsement of human supremacy beliefs. In Study 2 ( N = 223), we examined the causal direction of the dual process model using an experimental approach. Results show that RWA predicts support for restricting the free movement of a new animal species in the wild only when it is perceived to be threatening for humans. However, SDO predicted perceived legitimacy of meat consumption, regardless of whether the new animal species was characterized as lower or higher in status compared to other animals. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Self-presentation and impressions of personality through text-based online dating profiles: A lens model analysis
Authors: Tong Stephanie Tom , Corriero Elena F , Wibowo Kunto Adi , Makki Taj W , Slatcher Richard B
Published: September 2019

In online dating, the self-authored profile serves as the primary way for daters to introduce themselves to others and to learn more about potential partners. However, few studies have examined the extent to which daters’ self-authored profile content is consistent with the impressions that others actually form. This study applied the Brunswikian lens model (1956) to examine self-presentation and impression formation in the text-based “about me” portion of the online dating profile. Using the meaning extraction method, we analyzed 190 profiles. Consistent with the lexical approach to personality, daters were able to encode aspects of themselves through linguistic self-description (cue validity), and observers were able to decode profile information to form impressions (cue utilization). However, there were few significant associations between a dater’s self-presentation and observers’ judgments (functional achievement). Findings are interpreted in line with previous work examining self-presentation and impressions in online dating profiles.
Principle Assumptions of Regression Analysis: Testing, Techniques, and Statistical Reporting of Imperfect Data Sets
Authors: Flatt Candace , Jacobs Ronald L.
Published: September 2019

The Problem

Journal pages are filled with articles that scarcely mention the assumptions behind the chosen statistical techniques and models. Based on questionable foundations, the ultimate conclusions are intended to shape academia and guide practitioners. Violations of the underlying assumptions can result in biased and misleading forecasts, confidence intervals, and scientific insights.

The Solution

The field of human resource development (HRD) is equipped to present these assumptions clearly and concisely to ensure the integrity of statistical analysis and subsequent conclusions. Testing the principle assumptions of regression analysis is a process. As such, the presentation of this process in a systems framework provides a comprehensive plan with step-by-step guidelines to help determine the optimal statistical model for a particular data set. The goal of this article is to provide practitioners a Regression Development System that can be adapted to organizational performance as well as information that can be used to evaluate the strength of journal articles.

The Stakeholders

Quantitative researchers, practitioners, instructors, and students.
Consequences of Not Conducting Measurement Invariance Tests in Cross-Cultural Studies: A Review of Current Research Practices and Recommendations
Authors: Jeong Shinhee , Lee Yunsoo
Published: September 2019

The Problem

Cross-cultural research has received substantial attention from both academia and practice as it contributes to expand current theory and implements culturally successful human resource strategies. Although the quantity of this type of research has increased, several researchers have raised methodological concerns that the majority of cross-cultural research has simply assumed or ignored measurement invariance.

The Solution

In this article, we first provide the meaning for measurement invariance, discuss why it is important, and then explain stepwise confirmatory factor analysis procedures to test measurement invariance. We also diagnose the current research practice in the field of human resource development (HRD) based on a review of cross-cultural, comparative research published in the major HRD journals. Finally, we demonstrate that the group difference test results that have been found without ensuring measurement invariance can, in fact, be false.

The Stakeholders

This article contributes to the HRD literature and practice in two ways. First, HRD researchers are invited to recognize the importance of sophisticated research methodology, such as measurement invariance, and to examine item bias across different groups so they can make a meaningful and valid comparison. The same attention is advisable to any practitioner who attempts to identify group differences using multinational/cultural data. This article also provides HRD scholars and practitioners with specific multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) procedures to facilitate empirical tests of measurement models across different groups and thus disseminate the methodological advances in the field of HRD. It is our hope that the present article raises awareness, circulates relevant knowledge, and encourages more HRD scholars to think critically about measurement.
Economic production quantity model with variable machining rates and product quality
Authors: AlDurgam Mohammad M , Selim Shokri Z , Al-Shihabi Sameh T , Al-Durgham Lamees
Published: September 2019

The literature has several models that jointly determine the economic production quantity (EPQ) and the rate of production. Very few models define production rate explicitly. In this article, the cutting speed controls the production rate and the proportion nonconforming. Thus, we propose a model that integrates EPQ, machining economics and quality. Even though the objective function of the model is non-convex, we show for realistic values of some technical parameters that a local minimum of the proposed mathematical model is also global. Examples clearly show the effect of the production economics factors on the optimal machining speed and production quantity.
The Buffalo Concussion Bike Test for Concussion Assessment in Adolescents
Authors: Haider Mohammad N. , Johnson Samantha L. , Mannix Rebekah , Macfarlane Alexander J. , Constantino Dylan , Johnson Blair D. , Willer Barry , Leddy John
Published: September 2019

Background:

The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) is a graded exertion test for assessing exercise tolerance after concussion, but its utility is limited for certain populations.

Hypothesis:

We developed the Buffalo Concussion Bike Test (BCBT) and tested its comparability with the BCTT. We hypothesize that heart rate (HR) at symptom exacerbation on the BCBT will be equivalent to the BCTT.

Study Design:

Case-control study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Adolescents with acute concussion (AC) (n = 20; mean age, 15.9 ± 1.1 years; 60% male) presenting to a concussion clinic within 10 days of injury and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 20; mean age, 15.9 ± 1.1 years; 60% male) performed the BCTT at first visit and returned within 3 days to perform the BCBT. Test duration, HR, symptom severity (measured using a visual analog scale), and exertion (measured using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion) were collected during each test.

Results:

Adolescents with AC who were exercise intolerant on the BCTT were also intolerant on the BCBT, with symptom exacerbation occurring at a mean 8.1 ± 2.8 minutes on the BCTT versus 14.6 ± 6.0 minutes on the BCBT ( P < 0.01). Two 1-sided t tests showed that the HR at symptom exacerbation in AC patients (137 ± 28 bpm on BCTT vs 135 ± 25 bpm on BCBT; 95% CI, <0.01-0.03) and at voluntary exhaustion for controls (175 ± 13 bpm on BCTT vs 175 ± 13 bpm on BCBT; 95% CI, 0.03-0.03) on each test were statistically equivalent.

Conclusion:

The HR at symptom exacerbation on BCBT is equivalent to the BCTT for the assessment of exercise tolerance after concussion in adolescents.

Clinical Relevance:

The BCBT can be used in patients with limited mobility or for research interventions that require limited participant motion.
Re-thinking the competition law/labour law interaction: Promoting a fairer labour market
Authors: Lianos Ioannis , Countouris Nicola , De Stefano Valerio
Published: September 2019

The spread of non-standard forms of work, including platform work, has created some friction between labour law and competition law, in particular concerning the collective bargaining of self-employed workers. This article aims to suggest a different, complementary rather than antagonistic, relationship between competition law and labour law. It initially explores the legal construction of the antagonistic relation between labour law and competition law, which is based on the conceptualisation of the two areas of law as separate and isolated legal fields. It explains that such conceptualisation is problematic as it leads to the risk of fundamental conflicts between the two disciplines and some uncertainty as to their respective scope, with the result that the level of labour protection may suffer. This calls for breaking the dichotomy and for ensuring a continuum of protection for various forms of labour, under both labour law and competition law. It thus puts forward concrete suggestions as to the strategies to be followed in order to achieve this goal.
Urogenital infections in patients with diabetes mellitus: Beyond the conventional aspects
Authors: La Vignera Sandro , Condorelli Rosita A , Cannarella Rossella , Giacone Filippo , Mongioi’ Laura M , Cimino Laura , Defeudis Giuseppe , Mazzilli Rossella , Calogero Aldo E
Published: September 2019

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread disease in our country. Urogenital infections, including urinary tract infections, vaginitis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, and male accessory gland infections, show a higher risk of occurrence in patients with DM that non-diabetic subjects. Both non-drug-related and drug-related mechanisms are involved in their pathogenesis. These conditions may impact on glucose control and islets function in DM and more likely develop into adverse complications. A throughout microbial characterization, including the drug-sensitivity test, is required for a proper management. To reduce the risk of recurrence, combined treatment, including antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and fibrinolytic molecules, should be prescribed also to the sexual partner. The choice of the antidiabetic drug to prescribe should take into consideration the presence of urogenital infections. In conclusion, urogenital infections may more likely lead to complication in diabetic than non-diabetic patients, affect fertility and glucose control. Therefore, they need proper management.