bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Free Vibration of FGSW Plates Partially Supported by Pasternak Foundation Based on Refined Shear Deformation Theories
Authors: Le Cong Ich , Pham Vu Nam , Nguyen Dinh Kien
Published: April 2020

A refined third-order shear deformation theory (RTSDT), in which the transverse displacement is split into bending and shear parts, is employed to formulate a four-node quadrilateral finite element for free vibration analysis of functionally graded sandwich (FGSW) plates partially supported by a Pasternak foundation. An element based on the refined first-order shear deformation theory (RFSDT) which requires a shear correction factor is also derived for comparison purpose. The plates consist of a fully ceramic core and two functionally graded skin layers with material properties varying in the thickness direction by a power gradation law. The Mori–Tanaka scheme is employed to evaluate the effective moduli. The elements are derived using Lagrangian and Hermitian polynomials to interpolate the in-plane and transverse displacements, respectively. The numerical result reveals that the frequencies obtained by the RTSDT element are slightly higher than the ones using the RFSDT element. It is also shown that the foundation supporting area plays an important role on the vibration of the plates, and the effect of the material distribution on the frequencies is dependent on this parameter. A parametric study is carried out to highlight the effects of the material inhomogeneity, the foundation stiffness parameters, and the foundation supporting area on the frequencies and vibration modes. The influence of the layer thickness and aspect ratios on the frequencies is also examined and highlighted.
Research on Hybrid Feature Selection Method Based on Iterative Approximation Markov Blanket
Authors: Huang Canyi , Li Keding , Du Jianqiang , Nie Bin , Xu Guoliang , Xiong Wangping , Luo Jigen
Published: April 2020

The basic experimental data of traditional Chinese medicine are generally obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The data often show the characteristics of high dimensionality and few samples, and there are many irrelevant features and redundant features in the data, which bring challenges to the in-depth exploration of Chinese medicine material information. A hybrid feature selection method based on iterative approximate Markov blanket (CI_AMB) is proposed in the paper. The method uses the maximum information coefficient to measure the correlation between features and target variables and achieves the purpose of filtering irrelevant features according to the evaluation criteria, firstly. The iterative approximation Markov blanket strategy analyzes the redundancy between features and implements the elimination of redundant features and then selects an effective feature subset finally. Comparative experiments using traditional Chinese medicine material basic experimental data and UCI’s multiple public datasets show that the new method has a better advantage to select a small number of highly explanatory features, compared with Lasso, XGBoost, and the classic approximate Markov blanket method.
Microstructure and Properties of a 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V Heat‐Resistant Steel Produced by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Guo Chun , Liu Suhang , Hu Ruizhang , Liu Chunhui , Chen Feng
Published: April 2020

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology was used to produce samples of a 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V heat‐resistant steel. The phase composition, microstructure, and crystal structure of the investigated material in the as‐cladded state and postcladding heat‐treated (705°C × 1 h) state were analysed by optical emission spectrometry (OES), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The properties of the investigated material in the as‐cladded state and postcladding heat‐treated (705°C × 1 h) state were determined by a microhardness tester, mechanical properties tester, and Charpy impact tester. Through a study of the microstructure and properties, it is found that the investigated material produced by WAAM exhibits good forming quality and excellent metallurgical bonding properties, and no obvious defects are found. The microstructure consists mainly of Bg (granular bainite) and troostite precipitated at the grain boundaries. The results from high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy observations show that the crystal structures of the 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V heat‐resistant steel samples produced by WAAM in the as‐cladded condition have many defects, such as dislocations and martensite‐austenite (M‐A) constituents, and their grain edges are sharp. There is a dramatic decrease in the dislocations in the 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V heat‐resistant steel samples produced by the WAAM condition after the postcladding heat treatment (705°C × 1 h), and the grains become smooth. The distribution of the microhardness in the longitudinal and transverse cross sections of the samples is very uniform. The average longitudinal and transverse microhardness of the samples in the as‐cladded state is 310 HV0.5 and 324 HV0.5, respectively. The average longitudinal and transverse microhardness of the samples after post‐cladding heat treatment is 227 HV0.5 and 229 HV0.5, respectively. The yield strength of the samples without a postcladding heat treatment is 743 MPa, the tensile strength is 951 MPa, the elongation is 10%, and the Charpy impact value at ‐20°C is 15 J. After the postcladding heat treatment, the yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and Charpy impact value of the samples are 611 MPa, 704 MPa, 14.5%, and 70 J, respectively.
Corrigendum to “The Effect of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Biomarkers in Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease”
Authors: Lewis John E. , Atlas Steven E. , Higuera Oscar L. , Fiallo Andrea , Rasul Ammar , Farooqi Ashar , Kromo Olga , Lantigua Laura A. , Tiozzo Eduard , Woolger Judi M. , Goldberg Sharon , Mendez Armando , Rodriguez Allan E. , Konefal Janet
Published: April 2020

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a hydrolyzed polysaccharide, Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Compound (RBAC), on biomarkers in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A 90‐day randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial examined the effect of RBAC on complete blood count, liver enzymes, lipids, oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and growth factors. Twenty‐three adults with NAFLD were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n = 12 RBAC and n = 11 placebo) and consumed 1 gram/day of either compound for 90 days. Subjects were assessed at baseline and 45 and 90 days. No adverse effects were reported. Alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased (−3.1%; SD = 19.9; F[1, 19] = 5.1, p = 0.03) in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Percent monocytes (17.9%; SD = 18.3; F[1, 19] = 5.9, p = 0.02) and percent eosinophils (30.6%; SD = 30.5; F[1, 19] = 12.3, p < 0.01) increased in the RBAC group. IFN‐γ (156%; SD = 131.8; F[1, 19] = 4.2, p = 0.06) and IL‐18 (29.1%; SD = 64; F[1, 19] = 5.3, p = 0.03) increased in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Other improvements were noted for platelets, neutrophils, neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio, γ‐glutamyl transferase, and 4‐hydroxynonenal. RBAC had beneficial effects on several biomarkers that add to the known immunomodulatory activities of RBAC, which may be promising for people with NAFLD. This trial is registered with NCT02568787.
Application of Ficus carica L. and Solanum incanum L. Extracts in Coagulation of Milk: The Case of Traditional Practice in Ab’ala Area, Afar Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Desta Welday , Shumbahri Mohammed , Gebrehiwot Sibhatu
Published: April 2020

People living in and around Ab’ala area of the Afar Regional State, Ethiopia, have a traditional practice of applying Ficus carica leaf and Solanum incanum fruit extracts to milk in order to coagulate it as soon as possible. Thus, to investigate the role of the extracts in the coagulation of milk and their health threats, the milk-clotting activity, phytochemical screening tests, antimicrobial activities by the agar well diffusion method, and heavy metal content by ICP-OES technique were determined. Accordingly, both Ficus carica and Solanum incanum were found to possess phenolics, saponins, and tannins. Likewise, positive tests for flavonoid in Ficus carica and alkaloid in Solanum incanum were observed. However, no terpenoids, glycosides, and oxalates were detected in the plants. Moreover, the crude and concentrated enzyme extracts of the plants exhibited clotting activity. In this regard, the enzyme extracts of Ficus carica were superior with the highest clotting activity of 1.20 U. On the other hand, ethanol and chloroform extracts of the samples showed inhibition zones against all tested microorganisms except their chloroform extract which did not exhibit inhibition against Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger. Likewise, the metals Cr, Cd, Mn, Cu, and Fe were detected in the plant samples, with the Mn content of 3.67±0.10 mg per kg of dry weight of the plant in Ficus carica being the highest. Indeed, the level of the heavy metal contents is considerably lower than those maximum permissible limits set by international standards. On the other hand, no Pb and Zn were detected in the plant samples. Therefore, the higher clotting activity of the enzyme extracts was an indicator that enzymes, rather than other phytochemicals, are the most probable agents responsible for the milk-clotting ability of the plants, resulting in the formation of cheese. Furthermore, the growth inhibition to most of the test microbes is a manifestation that bacterial fermentation is not a means of clotting the milk as bacteria introduced to the milk would be killed by the sample extracts. Moreover, the use of the plants in the coagulation process would not pose health threats as far as oxalate and metal toxicity is concerned.
Tumor-Derived Prostaglandin E2 Promotes p50 NF-κB-Dependent Differentiation of Monocytic MDSCs
Authors: Porta Chiara , Consonni Francesca Maria , Morlacchi Sara , Sangaletti Sabina , Bleve Augusto , Totaro Maria Grazia , Larghi Paola , Rimoldi Monica , Tripodo Claudio , Strauss Laura , Banfi Stefania , Storto Mariangela , Pressiani Tiziana , Rimassa Lorenza , Tartari Silvia , Ippolito Alessandro , Doni Andrea , Soldà Giulia , Duga Stefano , Piccolo Viviana , Ostuni Renato , Natoli Gioacchino , Bronte Vincenzo , Balzac Fiorella , Turco Emilia , Hirsch Emilio , Colombo Mario P. , Sica Antonio
Published: April 2020

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) include immature monocytic (M-MDSC) and granulocytic (PMN-MDSC) cells that share the ability to suppress adaptive immunity and to hinder the effectiveness of anticancer treatments. Of note, in response to IFNγ, M-MDSCs release the tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive molecule nitric oxide (NO), whereas macrophages largely express antitumor properties. Investigating these opposing activities, we found that tumor-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induces nuclear accumulation of p50 NF-κB in M-MDSCs, diverting their response to IFNγ toward NO-mediated immunosuppression and reducing TNFα expression. At the genome level, p50 NF-κB promoted binding of STAT1 to regulatory regions of selected IFNγ-dependent genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2). In agreement, ablation of p50 as well as pharmacologic inhibition of either the PGE2 receptor EP2 or NO production reprogrammed M-MDSCs toward a NOS2low/TNFαhigh phenotype, restoring the in vivo antitumor activity of IFNγ. Our results indicate that inhibition of the PGE2/p50/NO axis prevents MDSC-suppressive functions and restores the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy.

Significance:

Tumor-derived PGE2-mediated induction of nuclear p50 NF-κB epigenetically reprograms the response of monocytic cells to IFNγ toward an immunosuppressive phenotype, thus retrieving the anticancer properties of IFNγ.
Peptidylarginine Deiminase IV Regulates Breast Cancer Stem Cells via a Novel Tumor Cell–Autonomous Suppressor Role
Authors: Moshkovich Nellie , Ochoa Humberto J. , Tang Binwu , Yang Howard H. , Yang Yuan , Huang Jing , Lee Maxwell P. , Wakefield Lalage M.
Published: April 2020

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADI) catalyze posttranslational modification of many target proteins and have been suggested to play a role in carcinogenesis. Citrullination of histones by PADI4 was recently implicated in regulating embryonic stem and hematopoietic progenitor cells. Here, we investigated a possible role for PADI4 in regulating breast cancer stem cells. PADI4 activity limited the number of cancer stem cells (CSC) in multiple breast cancer models in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PADI4 inhibition resulted in a widespread redistribution of histone H3, with increased accumulation around transcriptional start sites. Interestingly, epigenetic effects of PADI4 on the bulk tumor cell population did not explain the CSC phenotype. However, in sorted tumor cell populations, PADI4 downregulated expression of master transcription factors of stemness, NANOG and OCT4, specifically in the cancer stem cell compartment, by reducing the transcriptionally activating H3R17me2a histone mark at those loci; this effect was not seen in the non-stem cells. A gene signature reflecting tumor cell–autonomous PADI4 inhibition was associated with poor outcome in human breast cancer datasets, consistent with a tumor-suppressive role for PADI4 in estrogen receptor–positive tumors. These results contrast with known tumor-promoting effects of PADI4 on the tumor stroma and suggest that the balance between opposing tumor cell–autonomous and stromal effects may determine net outcome. Our findings reveal a novel role for PADI4 as a tumor suppressor in regulating breast cancer stem cells and provide insight into context-specific effects of PADI4 in epigenetic modulation.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate a novel activity of the citrullinating enzyme PADI4 in suppressing breast cancer stem cells through epigenetic repression of stemness master transcription factors NANOG and OCT4.
IRE1α Disruption in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cooperates with Antiangiogenic Therapy by Reversing ER Stress Adaptation and Remodeling the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Harnoss Jonathan M. , Le Thomas Adrien , Reichelt Mike , Guttman Ofer , Wu Thomas D. , Marsters Scot A. , Shemorry Anna , Lawrence David A. , Kan David , Segal Ehud , Merchant Mark , Totpal Klara , Crocker Lisa M. , Mesh Kathryn , Dohse Monika , Solon Margaret , Modrusan Zora , Rudolph Joachim , Koeppen Hartmut , Walter Peter , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: April 2020

Cancer cells exploit the unfolded protein response (UPR) to mitigate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by cellular oncogene activation and a hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). The key UPR sensor IRE1α resides in the ER and deploys a cytoplasmic kinase–endoribonuclease module to activate the transcription factor XBP1s, which facilitates ER-mediated protein folding. Studies of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)—a highly aggressive malignancy with a dismal posttreatment prognosis—implicate XBP1s in promoting tumor vascularization and progression. However, it remains unknown whether IRE1α adapts the ER in TNBC cells and modulates their TME, and whether IRE1α inhibition can enhance antiangiogenic therapy—previously found to be ineffective in patients with TNBC. To gauge IRE1α function, we defined an XBP1s-dependent gene signature, which revealed significant IRE1α pathway activation in multiple solid cancers, including TNBC. IRE1α knockout in TNBC cells markedly reversed substantial ultrastructural expansion of their ER upon growth in vivo. IRE1α disruption also led to significant remodeling of the cellular TME, increasing pericyte numbers while decreasing cancer-associated fibroblasts and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Pharmacologic IRE1α kinase inhibition strongly attenuated growth of cell line–based and patient-derived TNBC xenografts in mice and synergized with anti-VEGFA treatment to cause tumor stasis or regression. Thus, TNBC cells critically rely on IRE1α to adapt their ER to in vivo stress and to adjust the TME to facilitate malignant growth. TNBC reliance on IRE1α is an important vulnerability that can be uniquely exploited in combination with antiangiogenic therapy as a promising new biologic approach to combat this lethal disease.

Significance:

Pharmacologic IRE1α kinase inhibition reverses ultrastructural distension of the ER, normalizes the tumor vasculature, and remodels the cellular TME, attenuating TNBC growth in mice.
Destablilization of TRAF6 by DRAK1 Suppresses Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Park Yuna , Pang Kyoungwha , Park Jinah , Hong Eunji , Lee Jihee , Ooshima Akira , Kim Hae-Suk , Cho Jae Hyun , Han Youngjin , Lee Cheol , Song Yong Sang , Park Kyung-Soon , Yang Kyung-Min , Kim Seong-Jin
Published: April 2020

The adaptor protein TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key mediator in inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling its activity and stability in cancer progression remain unclear. Here we show that death-associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 1 (DRAK1) inhibits the proinflammatory signaling pathway by targeting TRAF6 for degradation, thereby suppressing inflammatory signaling-mediated tumor growth and metastasis in advanced cervical cancer cells. DRAK1 bound directly to the TRAF domain of TRAF6, preventing its autoubiquitination by interfering with homo-oligomerization, eventually leading to autophagy-mediated degradation of TRAF6. Depletion of DRAK1 in cervical cancer cells resulted in markedly increased levels of TRAF6 protein, promoting activation of the IL1β signaling-associated pathway and proinflammatory cytokine production. DRAK1 was specifically underexpressed in metastatic cervical cancers and inversely correlated with TRAF6 expression in mouse xenograft model tumor tissues and human cervical tumor tissues. Collectively, our findings highlight DRAK1 as a novel antagonist of inflammation targeting TRAF6 for degradation that limits inflammatory signaling-mediated progression of advanced cervical cancer.

Significance:

Serine/threonine kinase DRAK1 serves a unique role as a novel negative regulator of the inflammatory signaling mediator TRAF6 in cervical cancer progression.
ЕНДОМЕТРІОЗ: ДОСЯГНЕННЯ ТА ПИТАННЯ В СВІТОВИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯХ
Authors: Khmil S. V. , Pidhaina I. Ya. , Kulyk I. I. , Koblosh N. D.
Published: April 2020

Мета: дослідити проблему ендометріозу в сучасній науковій літературі. Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано 38 джерел наукової літератури, з яких 30 іноземних. Для цього використано бібліосемантичний метод. Результати. Попри наявні статистичні дані поширеності ендометріозу справжню частоту захворюваності визначити складно, оскільки заключний діагноз встановлюють лише при лапароскопії чи лапаротомії з гістологічним висновком. Безперечно, на сьогодні неможливо видалити анатомічний субстрат ендометріозу жодним із методів, крім хірургічного. Консервативне лікування забезпечує зниження проявів симптомів захворювання та покращення функцій репродуктивної системи на деякий період часу. Однак навіть хірургічне лікування не завжди доцільне, оскільки залишає за собою ризик рецидивів захворювання. У більшості випадків негативно впливає на стан оваріального резерву, погіршуючи якість овогенезу. На сьогодні основним завданням для науковців все ж зали­шається знайти точки прикладання між ланками патогенезу та можливою таргетною терапією, яка була б оптимальна для пацієнтки щодо відсутності побічних ефектів, рецидивів захворювання в майбутньому та щодо можливості отримати бажану вагітність. Висновки. Наведено статистичні дані, теорії патогенезу ендометріозу, запропоновано методи діагностики та проведено аналіз ефективності різних методів лікування ендометріозу. Безперечно, попри величезну кількість наявної літератури на сьогодні немає жодного протоколу, міжнародного ґайдлайну, в якому наведено єдині алго­ритми діагностики та лікування ендометріозу. Експерти наголошують лише на індивідуальному підході комплексного вирішення проблеми щодо віку жінки, локалізації та ступеня поширеності процесу, вираженості симптомів, стану фертильності та необхідності відновлення репродуктивної функції, наявності супутньої гінекологічної та соматичної патології, ефективності раніше проведеного лікування. З огляду сучасної вітчизняної та іноземної літератури ендометріоз залишається дискусійним питанням та потребує новітніх підходів до вивчення та вирішення даної проблеми.
Technology in Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action
Authors: McNutt John , Guo Chao , Goldkind Lauri , An Seongho
Published: April 2020

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are major forces shaping our current age. ICT affects many areas of human existence and influences the both human wellbeing and human evil. The nonprofit sector is already heavily involved in technology both as a way to pursue its mission and as an influential factor in the evolution of the sector. This article examines how technology affects the sector and how the sector uses technology in its work.

The article begins with a discussion of how the emerging information society will change the nonprofit sector. The sector that we know is grounded on our experience in the agrarian and industrial periods in the United States and Europe. We then explore how technology evolved in the sector. This is followed by an examination of technology and nonprofit organizational behavior. Technology changes the organizations that make use of its capacities. Next is a discussion of the types of technology that nonprofit organizations use. The final three sections deal with technology and social change, technology in nonprofit settings, and issues and trends. This article provides the reader with a current appreciation of the scholarly and professional literature on ICT in the nonprofit sector.
PLGA Based Nanoparticles for the Monocyte-Mediated Anti-Tumor Drug Delivery System
Authors: Allavena Paola , Palmioli Alessandro , Avigni Roberta , Sironi Marina , La Ferla Barbara , Maeda Akihiro
Published: April 2020

Together with the development of new therapeutic agents, innovation in the delivery system of anti-tumor drugs is required to increase tumor-specificity and avoid unexpected toxicity. To achieve higher efficiency, we combined a live cell-mediated drug delivery system with nanotechnology,
with the aim to prove that blood monocytes can be a cargo to deliver antitumor drugs encapsulated in Polymeric poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid based nanoparticles (PLGA NPs). In this study, we have characterized how isolated purified monocytes efficiently internalize PLGA-NPs and have
imaged in vivo their trafficking upon intravenous injection in tumor-bearing mice. Monocytes carrying PLGA-Cy7 NPs were able to reach the tumor site, with superior efficiency than free PLGA-Cy7 NPs, and the bio-distribution analysis confirmed that tumors were the most reached among
peripheral tissues. We further demonstrate that monocytes carrying Doxorubicin encapsulated PLGA NPs (PLGA-Doxo) induced strong killing of co-cultured tumor cells. Our studies provide proof-of-concept evidence that monocytes can be exploited in approaches of live cell-mediated drug delivery
systems for tumor therapy.
Synergistic Antitumor Efficacy of Magnetohyperthermia and Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Encapsulated Selol in Ehrlich Breast Adenocarcinoma Treatment in Elderly Swiss Mice
Authors: Pinheiro Willie O. , Fascineli Maria L. , Ramos Khellida L. V. , de Andrade Laise R. , Farias Gabriel R. , Neta Maria de S. B. , Corrêa Luis H. , Duarte Eliza C. B. , Damasceno Emanuel A. M. , Magalhães Kelly G. , da Silva Jaqueline R. , Azevedo Ricardo B. , Sousa Marcelo H. , Lacava Zulmira G. M.
Published: April 2020

Nanobiotechnology strategies for cancer treatments are currently being tested with increasing interest, except in elderly groups. It is well established that breast cancer incidence increases with age and that traditional therapies usually generate severe adverse effects, especially
for elderly groups. To investigate if the benefits of nanotechnology could be extended to treating cancer in this group, citrate-coated maghemite nanoparticles (NpCit) were used for magnetohyperthermia (MHT) in combination with the administration of PLGA-Selol nanocapsule (NcSel), a formulation
with antioxidant and antitumor activity. The combined therapies significantly inhibited breast Ehrlich tumor growth and prevented metastases to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs until 45 days after tumor induction, a better result than the group undergoing conventional drug treatment. The levels
of TNF-α, associated with poor prognosis in Ehrlich tumor, were also normalized. Therefore, the results evidenced the potential use of these therapies for future clinical trials in elderly breast cancer patients.
Potential Vorticity Mixing and Rapid Intensification in the Numerically Simulated Supertyphoon Haiyan (2013)
Authors: Tsujino Satoki , Kuo Hung-Chi
Published: April 2020

The inner-core dynamics of Supertyphoon Haiyan (2013) undergoing rapid intensification (RI) are studied with a 2-km-resolution cloud-resolving model simulation. The potential vorticity (PV) field in the simulated storm reveals an elliptical and polygonal-shaped eyewall at the low and middle levels during RI onset. The PV budget analysis confirms the importance of PV mixing at this stage, that is, the asymmetric transport of diabatically generated PV to the storm center from the eyewall and the ejection of PV filaments outside the eyewall. We employ a piecewise PV inversion (PPVI) and an omega equation to interpret the model results in balanced dynamics. The omega equation diagnosis suggests eye dynamical warming is associated with the PV mixing. The PPVI indicates that PV mixing accounts for about 50% of the central pressure fall during RI onset. The decrease of central pressure enhances the boundary layer (BL) inflow. The BL inflow leads to contraction of the radius of the maximum tangential wind (RMW) and the formation of a symmetric convective PV tower inside the RMW. The eye in the later stage of the RI is warmed by the subsidence associated with the convective PV towers. The results suggest that the pressure change associated with PV mixing, the increase of the symmetric BL radial inflow, and the development of a symmetric convective PV tower are the essential collaborating dynamics for RI. An experiment with 500-m resolution shows that the convergence of BL inflow can lead to an updraft magnitude of 20 m s−1and to a convective PV tower with a peak value of 200 PVU (1 PVU = 10−6K kg−1m2s−1).
The Dynamics of Mixed Layer Deepening during Open-Ocean Convection
Authors: Sohail Taimoor , Gayen Bishakhdatta , McC. Hogg Andrew
Published: April 2020

Open-ocean convection is a common phenomenon that regulates mixed layer depth and ocean ventilation in the high-latitude oceans. However, many climate model simulations overestimate mixed layer depth during open-ocean convection, resulting in excessive formation of dense water in some regions. The physical processes controlling transient mixed layer depth during open-ocean convection are examined using two different numerical models: a high-resolution, turbulence-resolving nonhydrostatic model and a large-scale hydrostatic ocean model. An isolated destabilizing buoyancy flux is imposed at the surface of both models and a quasi-equilibrium flow is allowed to develop. Mixed layer depth in the turbulence-resolving and large-scale models closely aligns with existing scaling theories. However, the large-scale model has an anomalously deep mixed layer prior to quasi-equilibrium. This transient mixed layer depth bias is a consequence of the lack of resolved turbulent convection in the model, which delays the onset of baroclinic instability. These findings suggest that in order to reduce mixed layer biases in ocean simulations, parameterizations of the connection between baroclinic instability and convection need to be addressed.
Clinical utility of cardiac troponin measurement in COVID-19 infection
Authors: Gaze David C
Published: April 2020

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease COVID-19, a severe acute respiratory syndrome. COVID-19 is now a global pandemic and public health emergency due to rapid human-to-human transmission. The impact is far-reaching, with enforced social distancing and isolation, detrimental effects on individual physical activity and mental wellbeing, education in the young and economic impact to business. Whilst most COVID-19 patients demonstrate mild-to-moderate symptoms, those with severe disease progression are at a higher risk of mortality. As more is learnt about this novel disease, it is becoming evident that comorbid cardiovascular disease is associated with a greater severity and increased mortality. Many patients positive for COVID-19 demonstrate increased concentrations of cardiac troponin, creating confusion in clinical interpretation. While myocardial infarction is associated with acute infectious respiratory disease, the majority of COVID-19 patients demonstrate stable cTn rather than the dynamically changing values indicative of an acute coronary syndrome. Although full understanding of the mechanism of cTn release in COVID-19 is currently lacking, this mini-review assesses the limited published literature with a view to offering insight to pathophysiological mechanisms and reported treatment regimens.
Coordinate strategy of dual-pulse-width-modulation converter based on direct power control with load power feed-forward
Authors: Fan Bo , Fu Zhumu , Michels Kai , Fu Jiangtao
Published: April 2020

The common dual-pulse-width-modulation converter adopts the independent method to control the rectifier and inverter, which has the defects including direct current voltage fluctuation, slow system response and so on. A coordinate strategy of dual-pulse-width modulation based on direct power control with load power feed-forward is proposed in this paper. The fixed switching frequency method with space vector pulse width modulation is provided to overcome the instability of power devices, caused by the hysteresis comparators in the conventional direct power control. With the analysis on the dynamic performance of load power feed-forward coordination, the principle of load power feed-forward is introduced to control the dual-pulse-width-modulation converter. According to the state variable of the alternating current motor, the load power is estimated to construct the feed-forward channel. The experimental results show that the proposed coordinate control method has rapid response, direct current bus voltage fluctuation minimization, lower capacity and unit power factor.
Recruiting police support volunteers for their professional knowledge and skills: A pilot study
Authors: Leahy Demelza , Pepper Ian , Light Paula
Published: April 2020

Against a backdrop of austerity, the national ‘Citizens in Policing’ programme aims to engage the wider community and support the police service. Research conducted across a single force area identified the level of motivation and barriers to recruiting those with professional knowledge and skills as police support volunteers. This research study identified that there is a significant appetite to volunteer as a specialist utilising professional knowledge and skills; however, there are barriers to applications to volunteer related to time commitments, lack of professional opportunities available, formal recognition and the volunteering opportunity descriptions.
Cognitive apprenticeship and T-shaped instructional design in computational fluid mechanics: Student perspectives on learning
Authors: Pinto Sónia IS , Zvacek Susan M
Published: April 2020

The goal of the present work was to explore student perspectives about a course module designed with cognitivist and constructivist learning theories, the cognitive apprenticeship instructional model, and a T-shaped design, specifically the first module of a Computational Fluid Mechanics curricular unit within a Master of Computational Mechanics program. This module was redesigned accordingly after the professor participated in a faculty development course, Engineering Education Theory and Practice, at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto. Student perspectives on the efficacy of the redesigned course were solicited, along with those from students who had previously taken the course. Students who participated in the revised course module reported higher levels of satisfaction than students from the previous iteration of the course and were more likely to recognize the value of specific instructional activities. This paper describes the revision of the course module and a comparison of the student feedback before and after those revisions.
“It Was Like Sugar-Coated Words”: Revictimization When South Asian Immigrant Women Disclose Domestic Violence
Authors: Aujla Wendy
Published: April 2020

This qualitative study explores South Asian immigrant women’s experiences of domestic violence, their views on help-seeking, and access to informal or formal sources of supports. Drawing from grounded theory approaches, this article focuses on one major theme, revictimization, which provides insights into the mistreatment and experiences of seven women who encountered challenges when disclosing abuse. Through an intersectional lens, this article examines how participants were revictimized and mistreated by people within and outside their own community including service providers who they trusted. Implications to reduce levels of mistrust for community members and service providers working with this specific population in Canada are discussed.
Experimental validation of numerical decambering approach for flow past a rectangular wing
Authors: Roy Aritras , Vinoth Kumar R , Mukherjee Rinku
Published: April 2020

Experimental investigation on two rectangular wings with NACA0012 and NACA4415 profiles is performed at different Reynolds numbers to understand their aerodynamic behaviours at a high α regime. In-house developed numerical code VLM3D is validated using this experimental result in predicting the aerodynamic characteristics of a rectangular wing with cambered and symmetrical wing profile. The sectional coefficient of lift ([Formula: see text]) obtained from the numerical approach is used to study the variation in spanwise lift distribution. The lift and moment characteristics obtained from wind tunnel experiments are plotted, and change in the maximum coefficient of lift ([Formula: see text]) and stall angle ( α stall) are studied for both of the wing sections. A significant addition to the novelty of the present experiments is to provide some comparison of the numerical induced drag coefficient, [Formula: see text] with experimentally fitted model coefficients using least square technique. A novel method is used to examine the aerodynamic hysteresis at high angles of attack. The area included in the lift- Re curve loop is a measure of aerodynamic efficiency, and its variation with angle of attack and wing plan forms is studied.
Direct methanol fuel cell modeling based on the norm optimal iterative learning control
Authors: Shakeri Nastaran , Rahmani Zahra , Ranjbar Noei Abolfazl , Zamani Mohammadreza
Published: April 2020

Direct methanol fuel cells are one of the most promisingly critical fuel cell technologies for portable applications. Due to the strong dependency between actual operating conditions and electrical power, acquiring an explicit model becomes difficult. In this article, the behavioral model of direct methanol fuel cell is proposed with satisfactory accuracy, using only input/output measurement data. First, using the generated data which are tested on the direct methanol fuel cell, the frequency response of the direct methanol fuel cell is estimated as a primary model in lower accuracy. Then, the norm optimal iterative learning control is used to improve the estimated model of the direct methanol fuel cell with a predictive trial information algorithm. Iterative learning control can be used for controlling systems with imprecise models as it is capable of correcting the input control signal in each trial. The proposed algorithm uses not only the past trial information but also the future trials which are predicted. It is found that better performance, as well as much more convergence speed, can be achieved with the predicted future trials. In addition, applying the norm optimal iterative learning control on the proposed procedure, resulted from the solution of a quadratic optimization problem, leads to the optimal selection of the control inputs. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach by practical data.
Ethical conflicts in patient relationships: Experiences of ambulance nursing students
Authors: Bremer Anders , Holmberg Mats
Published: April 2020

Background

Working as an ambulance nurse involves facing ethically problematic situations with multi-dimensional suffering, requiring the ability to create a trustful relationship. This entails a need to be clinically trained in order to identify ethical conflicts.

Aim

To describe ethical conflicts in patient relationships as experienced by ambulance nursing students during clinical studies.

Research design

An exploratory and interpretative design was used to inductively analyse textual data from examinations in clinical placement courses.

Participants

The 69 participants attended a 1-year educational programme for ambulance nurses at a Swedish university.

Ethical considerations

The research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants gave voluntary informed consent for this study.

Findings

The students encountered ethical conflicts in patient relationships when they had inadequate access to the patient’s narrative. Doubts regarding patient autonomy were due to uncertainty regarding the patient’s decision-making ability, which forced students to handle patient autonomy. Conflicting assessments of the patient’s best interest added to the conflicts and also meant a disruption in patient focus. The absence of trustful relationships reinforced the ethical conflicts, together with an inadequacy in meeting different needs, which limited the possibility of providing proper care.

Discussion

Contextual circumstances add complexity to ethical conflicts regarding patient autonomy, dependency and the patient’s best interest. Students felt they were fluctuating between paternalism and letting the patient choose, and were challenged by considerations regarding the patient’s communication and decision-making ability, the views of third parties, and the need for prioritisation.

Conclusion

The essence of the patient relationship is a struggle to preserve autonomy while focusing on the patient’s best interest. Hence, there is a need for education and training that promotes ethical knowledge and ethical reflection focusing on the core nursing and caring values of trust and autonomy, particularly in situations that affect the patient’s decision-making ability.
Political parties and social groups: New perspectives and data on group and policy appeals
Authors: Horn Alexander , Kevins Anthony , Jensen Carsten , van Kersbergen Kees
Published: April 2020

This article contributes to the literature on party appeals to social groups by introducing a new dataset on group and policy appeals in Scandinavia (2009–2015). In addition to coding to what social groups parties appeal, we collected information on what policies parties offer for the groups they mention and what goals and instruments they specify for such policies. The latter advance makes it possible to present new insights on the extent to which group appeals are actually substantial and meaningful. We find that left, centre and right parties appeal to broad demographic categories rather than class. There are almost no appeals to the middle class, although the frequent reference to a category ‘all’ can be interpreted as a functional equivalent for middle-class appeals. Finally, parties clearly still make substantial policy proposals and address concrete policy problems, but with only small differences in such appeals across the left–right spectrum.
How Do Arts Programmes Contribute in International Development? A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Associated Processes
Authors: Ware Vicki-Ann , Dunphy Kim
Published: April 2020

Arts programmes are increasingly utilised to support international development initiatives, supported by a nascent professional literature. This is occurring alongside a strengthening impetus for evidence-based and outcome-focussed development. This systematic review of the literature explored outcomes evidenced in arts-based development initiatives, and processes and artforms utilised to achieve these. From an initial pool of 67, 27 articles that included outcomes supported by data were analysed. Outcomes reported included inspiration of creativity, sharing of new ideas and skills, reconnection to traditional culture, improved social connections, promotion of health messages, healing and recovery from trauma and provision of new economic opportunities.
Choosing independence or affiliation: The case of Portuguese four- and five-star hotels
Authors: Almeida Sofia , Sheppard Valerie , Costa Carlos , Manuel Simões José , Costa Raquel
Published: April 2020

In the increasingly competitive hotel environment, decision-makers must consider the risks and benefits of remaining independent or affiliating with a brand or consortium. This research sought to understand the level of importance associated with a set of motivating factors considered by Portuguese four- and five-hoteliers as it relates to remaining independent or affiliating. The study results suggest that independent hoteliers rank control over decision making and shorter decision making as most important in remaining independent, and increased sales and more aggressive marketing as most important in the decision to affiliate. Affiliated hoteliers rank shorter decision making and absence of fees as most important in remaining independent, and increased sales, brand value, and more aggressive marketing as most important in the decision to affiliate. Interestingly, independence and freedom were considered less important in the decision to remain independent, by all respondents. We apply Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to explain some of the key findings.
Black Young People and Gang Involvement in London
Authors: Pitts John
Published: April 2020

Drawing upon research undertaken by the present author in East, North West and South London and the work of other UK social scientists, this article considers the evidence concerning the involvement of young people of African-Caribbean origin and Mixed Heritage in street gangs and gang crime in London (For the sake of brevity, I will simply refer to these young people as Black, not least because this is how they usually define themselves). It outlines the sometimes acrimonious debate about the relationship between race, crime and street gangs in the United Kingdom in the past three decades, concluding that while many of the claims made about this relationship may be exaggerated or simply untrue, the evidence for the over-representation of Black young people in street gangs in London is compelling. The article then turns to the changing social and economic predicament of some Black young people in the capital since the 1980s and its relationship with their involvement in gang crime. Finally, it considers the role of drugs business in the proliferation of the gang form and ‘gangsta’ culture and the involvement of growing numbers of younger Black people in County Lines drug dealing.
The standardisation of light and photometry – A historical review
Authors: Bertenshaw DR
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the technological challenges and solutions to defining a reproducible standard for light together with its measurement, from the 18th to 21st century. The arrival and subsequent need to quantify gas lighting led to development of improved measurement methods, which in turn demanded more reliable standards of light, evolving from candle and flame standards to incandescence, and eventually the current radiometric definition. The progression is similarly traced from the plethora of early comparative visual photometry methods through to modern semiconductor instrumentation. The problem of heterochromatic photometry is also examined.
Punishment and motivation in a just school community
Authors: Curren Randall
Published: April 2020

This article addresses the ethical and motivational dimensions of punishment in schools, focusing on the idea of a just school community. Lawrence Kohlberg’s account of a just school community is examined and systematically revised to reflect advances in psychology and a more adequate conceptualization of justice. A eudaimonic conception of justice is articulated with respect to five distinct dimensions of a just school community. This is informed by Self-determination Theory (SDT) and an account of the basis of educational authority over minor children. The resulting account of a eudaimonically just school community clarifies the limited value of punishments as motivators and the importance of needs-support to enlisting students’ cooperation. It resists the growing reliance on criminal justice responses to student misconduct and holds that discipline and punishment in schools should be diagnostic, educative, restorative, and community building.
Intensive computer-based phonics training in the educational setting of children with Down syndrome: An explorative study
Authors: Nakeva von Mentzer C , Kalnak N , Jennische M
Published: April 2020

Children with Down syndrome (DS) using intensive computer-based phonics (GraphoGame, GG) were studied. The children’s independence and improvement in phonological processing, letter knowledge, word decoding, and reading strategies were investigated. Seventeen children (5–16 years) with DS participated in a crossover design through 8 weeks (one period), with three test sessions separated by 4 weeks. Children were randomly assigned to GG intervention or regular schooling (RS). All children completed one period and eight children completed two periods. A majority gradually became independent in managing GG. At the group level, very little benefit was found from working with GG. At the individual level, several children with mild to severe intellectual disabilities showed increased decoding of trained words. After one period of GG and RS, an increase in alphabetically decoded words was found. The finding suggests that when individual challenges are considered, computer-based phonics may be beneficial for children with DS in their educational setting.
Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) Flower Extracts Ameliorate Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate Induced Ear Edema in Mice
Authors: Li Dongli , Tang Xiaodan , Liu Chang , Li Huifang , Li Shuzhen , Sun Shili , Zheng Xi , Wu Panpan , Xu Xuetao , Zhang Kun , Ma Hang
Published: April 2020

Published data from in vitro assays support the anti-inflammatory effects of jasmine ( Jasminum grandiflorum Linn.) but limited studies are reported in animal models. Herein, the anti-inflammatory effects of jasmine flower extracts (JFEs) including ethanol extract (JF-EE), petroleum ether extract (JF-PEE), ethyl acetate extract (JF-EAE), and n-butanol extract (JF-BE) were evaluated in a mouse ear edema model. Acute mouse ear skin inflammation was induced by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA; 125 µg/mL) and then treated with JFEs (100 mg/mL) or dexamethasone (DEX; 6.25 mg/mL; as a positive control). Jasmine flower extracts alleviated ear edema by reducing TPA-increased ear thickness and ear weight by 30.8% to 64.1% and 24.0% to 47.1%, respectively, whereas DEX showed comparable activity (by 71.8% and 49.1%, respectively). Their anti-inflammatory effects were supported by data from the immunohistochemical assays. Jasmine flower extracts reduced the inflammatory cells (from 5.5- to 9.5-fold) and the expressions of inflammation related enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 and inhibitor of kappa-B kinase (from 1.9- to 2.8-fold and from 7.1- to 11.0-fold, respectively). Findings from this study showed that JFEs were able to ameliorate TPA-induced mouse skin inflammation. However, future studies on the underlying mechanisms of jasmine flower’s anti-inflammatory effects are warranted.