bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CANDIDO EM ANGOLA: DUAS FORMAÇÕES
Authors: Soares Francisco Manuel Antunes
Published: December 2019

Este breve ensaio visa comparar as obras Formação da literatura brasileira, de Antonio Candido, e A formação da literatura angolana, de Mário António (Angola). A conclusão evidente é a de que o primeiro serviu de modelo metodológico para o segundo. A hipótese menos evidente é a de que essa coincidência revela, não só a influência de Candido num país onde não tem sido estudada, mas também a fidelidade de M. António à sua formação inicial, comum à dos companheiros da Mensagem de Luanda.
A FUNÇÃO DA TEORIA E CRÍTICA LITERÁRIA EM AMBIENTES DE ENSINO: A CONTRIBUIÇÃO DE ANTONIO CANDIDO
Authors: Rosa Daniele Dos Santos
Published: December 2019

Diante da importante contribuição de Antonio Candido para os estudos teóricos e críticos acerca da Literatura Brasileira, este artigo busca reler algumas de suas obras centrais a fim de perceber nelas, a partir de seu princípio analítico, uma proposta sólida para a formação e a atuação de professores de Literatura. Ao problematizarmos a função da teoria crítica e literária em ambientes de ensino e formação docente, verificou-se como o desenvolvimento teórico realizado por Candido contribui muito para a prática de ensino da Literatura, pois possibilita o aprofundamento nas camadas textuais e de significado das obras, tão necessário para a efetiva aproximação às obras de arte literária.
PERSUASION E TRADIÇÃO: A QUESTÃO DA AUTORIA FEMININA
Authors: Tavares Débora , Dias Nara Luiza Do Amaral
Published: December 2019

Pensar os desdobramentos sociais do texto e o caráter emancipatório da literatura foi uma das maiores contribuições de Antonio Candido para a teoria literária —brasileira e mundial. Aplicando técnicas de análise propostas pelo crítico, o artigo investiga a formação de uma tradição feminina vinculada ao surgimento do romance. Para isso, foi analisada obra Persuasion, de Jane Austen. Em sua estrutura interna, a narrativa traz uma discussão sobre o lugar da mulher num contexto editorial de monopólio masculino; nela, a voz da escritora, que enfrentou o desafio da autoria, perpassa a fala da heroína, refletindo sobre as relações entre gênero e o controle da produção de informação e arte.
Long Working Hours and the Prevalence of Masked and Sustained Hypertension
Authors: Trudel Xavier , Brisson Chantal , Gilbert-Ouimet Mahée , Vézina Michel , Talbot Denis , Milot Alain
Published: December 2019

Previous studies on the effect of long working hours on blood pressure have shown inconsistent results. Mixed findings could be attributable to limitations related to blood pressure measurement and the lack of consideration of masked hypertension. The objective was to determine whether individuals who work long hours have a higher prevalence of masked and sustained hypertension. Data were collected at 3-time points over 5 years from 3547 white-collar workers. Long working hours were self-reported, and blood pressure was measured using Spacelabs 90207. Workplace clinic blood pressure was defined as the mean of the first 3readings taken at rest at the workplace. Ambulatory blood pressure was defined as the mean of the next readings recorded every 15 minutes during daytime working hours. Masked hypertension was defined as clinic blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg and ambulatory blood pressure ≥135/85 mm Hg. Sustained hypertension was defined as clinic blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg and ambulatory blood pressure ≥135/85 mm Hg or being treated hypertension. Long working hours were associated with the prevalence of masked hypertension (prevalence ratio
49+
=1.70 [95% CI, 1.09–2.64]), after adjustment for sociodemographics, lifestyle-related risk factors, diabetes mellitus, family history of cardiovascular disease, and job strain. The association with sustained hypertension was of a comparable magnitude (prevalence ratio
49+
=1.66 [95% CI, 1.15–2.50]). Results suggest that long working hours are an independent risk factor for masked and sustained hypertension. Workplace strategies targeting long working hours could be effective in reducing the clinical and public health burden of hypertension.
International Law, Domestic Violence, and the Intersection with Nonhuman Animal Abuse
Authors: Swemmer Sheena
Published: December 2019

This article acknowledges the void in international law around the general protection of all nonhuman animals and suggests that the framework currently set out in inter- national law requires development. It will be argued that the idea of protecting certain vulnerable animals within international law be adopted and the definition of “vulnerability” be viewed in a less anthropocentric way to include groups of animals who experience vulnerability in different ways, such as companion animals who are victims of violence in the home. It will be suggested that due to the nature of domestic violence and its effects on numerous victims (women, children, and companion animals), inter- national domestic violence law must be developed to include all possible victims of domestic violence in the home who include both children and companion animals.
The Normative Gap in International Organizations Law
Authors: Klabbers Jan
Published: December 2019

This article aims to inventorize, discuss and analyze the normative output of the WHO, and aims to do so not in terms of ‘binding’ versus ‘non-binding’ instruments or ‘hard’ law versus ‘soft’ law, but in terms of the epistemic authority exercised by and through the WHO. This broader focus allows for a discussion not just of treaties and resolutions, but also of the normative effect of training courses produced by the WHO, or such documents as the World Health Reports. In the background resides the idea that there is a disjuncture between the authority exercised by international organizations, and the tools lawyers have readily available to evaluate such authority: the normative gap of the title. The article enjoins lawyers broaden their repertoire, as precisely lawyers would be well-equipped to address epistemic authority.
Internet Trolling in ‘Networked’ Authoritarianism
Authors: Yildiz Erkan , Smets Kevin
Published: December 2019

Social media are usually associated with democratic political changes in authoritarian countries. However, authoritarian regimes have also learned to control the use of social media platforms. Among the ways of controlling social media, Internet trolling has emerged as an important part of social media networks and strategies. After the Gezi protests in 2013, Turkey has employed trolls to spread official views and counter government critics on social media, and pro-government users have become much more active. The government’s Twitter network has been built, primarily, on so-called ‘Ak trolls’. These have gained more impact in political circumstances, and with the help of state of emergency rules after the coup attempt on 15 July 2016, they have reached a level in which they influence Turkish social, political and Twitter spheres both directly and indirectly. This paper focuses on the tweets of regime supporters and ‘Ak trolls’ in order to explore the characteristics of posts in July 2016, during the days leading up to the coup attempt and in the post-coup period. Our work contributes to existing knowledge of trolls and the social media networks of authoritarian regimes by providing information on their behavior in times of acute conflict and crisis like the coup attempt.
“Even Three-Year-Old Children Know That the Source of Enlightenment is not Religion but Science”
Authors: Krämer Hans Martin
Published: December 2019

When Japanese Buddhists faced the challenge of materialistic natural sciences in the last decades of the nineteenth century, their responses were not uniform. Some advocated a unity of science and religion in the sense that Buddhism was thought to be substantially compatible with the findings of modern natural science, while others argued for a separation of domains, salvaging for religion a sphere of life that would remain unaffected by modern rationalist forms of critique. Yet, both sides already argued from within a logic of the secular/non-secular, thus showing that, next to political demands, the challenges posed by modern science were an important catalyst for the emergence of expressions of secularity in modern Japan. This article attempts to make sense of the diverse Buddhist self-articulations vis-à-vis modern science by differentiating chronologically, by sect, and by addressee, thus seeking out patterns to explain the contemporaneity of opposing positions within Japanese Buddhism.
The Testimony of Women in the Qurʾan
Authors: Halil Huseyin
Published: December 2019

In recent years, as debates over Islamic legal interpretations have moved to the forefront, especially in places where the expanded application of Islamic law is on the agenda, the issue of women’s testimony has received particular attention. Most jurists arrived at the opinion that women were less trustworthy and less appropriate as legal witnesses than their male counterparts, and so have distinguished between male and female testimony in terms of sex. In this paper I will examine the relationship between ‘gender’ and ‘testimony’ with regard to this sex-based distinction, and as such I will explain why women are no less discerning than men as witnesses in some cases. My purpose is not, and cannot be, to engage in an original interpretation of the law or to sit in judgement on how others have understood the rules of their religion. Rather, I approach the topic of testimony, women, and gender as a student of the history of Islamic law. I argue that the Qurʾan deals with women in an egalitarian and non-discriminatory fashion in terms of testimony and legal affairs, through reference to certain verses, such as al-Nūr (Q 24:6) and al-Nisā’ (Q 4:15). While Ẓāhirisim, including Ibn Ḥazm, and Izzet Derveze follow this egalitarian approach, the four legal schools of the Ḥanafī, Shāfiʿī, Mālikī, and Ḥanbalī do not, and instead claim that women’s testimony cannot be accepted in some circumstances, such as cases of ḥadd, qadhf (slander), and qiṣāṣ (retaliation).
The Concepts of Sakinah, Mawaddah and Rahmah as Foundation for Marital Happiness According to the Holy Qurʾan: An Analysis Based on Ayat 21, Surah al-Rum (Konsep Sakinah, Mawaddah dan Rahmah Sebagai Asas Kebahagiaan Rumahtangga Menurut al-Qurʾan: Suatu Analisis Berdasarkan Ayat 21, Surah al-Rum)
Authors: Siti Zubaidah Ismail , Muhamad Zahiri Awang Mat
Published: December 2019

As a foundational practice of the Muslim community, one of the objectives of marriage is to procreate and establish a family unit. Therefore, a husband and wife should aspire to foster a relationship as an act of worship towards Allah (swt). As such, there are many important elements which help to establish the institution of marriage in accordance with Islamic principles. By examining the content of the Holy Qurʾan, several terminologies referring to these elements can be found in various surahs. The more specific concepts mentioned are ‘sakinah’ (tranquility), ‘mawaddah’ (love), and ‘rahmah’ (mercy), all of which can be found mentioned in ayat 21 of Surah al-Rum. This article examines traditional and contemporary Qurʾanic commentaries with regards to this ayat, utilizing hermeneutical and comparative approaches to ascertain the guidelines for both husbands and wives towards nurturing an Islamically ideal marriage.
Counter Argumentation against the Theory of Discrediting Hadith as Linguistic Evidence while Accepting the Authenticity of Anomalous Qiraʾat and Unknown Poetry (أوهام نظرية رفض الاحتجاج بالأحاديث النبوية الصحيحة بقبول القراءات الشاذة والشعر المجهول في الاحتجاج اللغوي)
Authors: Yaacob Solehah binti
Published: December 2019

Linguistic argumentation is defined by Arab grammarians to mean a formulation of grammatical rules from primary sources using anomaly, consensus, measurement, an argumentation based on circumstances and other rules. The anomaly sources are considered the most authentic references which are the holy Quran, Hadith al-Nabawi and Arabic poetry. This research aims to highlight the different views of Arab grammarians in devising the grammatical rules of the hadith. The authenticity of the Quran is indisputable as its verses are reliable and consistent. However, is there a difference between reliable reading and anomalous reading? Why are grammatical rules which are derived from anomalous Qiraʾat accepted, while the linguistic argumentations resulting from Hadith al-Nabawi are refuted? Why it is accepted in unknown poetry? And why are the argumentation from Quran and Arab poetry not merited and taken as evidence in linguistic argumentation? These questions are answered thoroughly by presenting the evidences and arguments from scholars in the field. An analytical study is being used as an approach to discuss the topic.
The Timor Sea Conciliation and Treaty: Timor-Leste’s Perspective
Authors: Exposto Elizabeth
Published: December 2019

The delimitation of maritime boundaries between Timor-Leste and Australia was a historic process initiated under the compulsory conciliation mechanism in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The resulting Treaty between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Australia Establishing their Maritime Boundaries in the Timor Sea (‘Timor Sea Treaty’) reflects a remarkable achievement for the young nation of Timor-Leste in securing its sovereign maritime rights. This contribution examines the historical context which led to the Timor Sea Treaty, the challenges faced during the negotiation process, and the significance of the Timor Sea Treaty to the renewed relationship between the two countries.
Slavery and Its Obligations Erga Omnes
Authors: Allain Jean
Published: December 2019

This study explores the obligations of international law as they relate to slavery. In so doing, it recognises that recent developments of the law of slavery has brought to life existing treaty and customary international law obligations. The totality of these obligations is considered, with special emphasis given to slavery’s obligations erga omnes. That emphasis reveals both the failure of nearly half of all States to effectively incorporate the prohibition of slavery into their domestic legal order; and the underlying communal interest which necessitates all States cooperate in addressing wholesale reintroduction of the slave trade by Daesh / ISIS.
New fossil Odonata from the Upper Jurassic of Bavaria with a new fossil calibration point for Zygoptera

Authors: BECHLY GÜNTER
Published: December 2019

Three new taxa of odonates are described from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen limestone from Eichstätt and Painten in Bavaria (Germany), including the first two genuine Zygoptera (Andrephlebia buergeri gen. et sp. nov. in fam. inc. sed. and Jurahemiphlebia haeckeli gen. et sp. nov. in Hemiphlebiidae) and a new taxon of Stenophlebioptera (Reschiostenophlebia koschnyi gen. et sp. nov. in Stenophlebiidae). With an age of about 152 million years, the holotype of Jurahemiphlebia from the Painten locality represents the oldest fossil record and thus a new calibration point for crown group Zygoptera, Lestoidea, and Hemiphlebiidae, and the oldest record for any living odonate family. Furthermore, the first relatively complete specimen of the dragonfly Prohemeroscopus kuehnapfeli (Prohemeroscopidae) is described, which was previously known only from a pair of isolated hind wings. A revised diagnosis is provided for the species and genus.
New species of Archisargus from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou of Northeastern China (Diptera: Brachycera: Archisargidae)

Authors: FENG CUIPING , WANG FENGYAN , SHIH CHUNGKUN , REN DONG , WANG YONGJIE
Published: December 2019

Archisargidae, an extinct family of the suborder Brachycera, are traditionally attributed to the infraorder Stratiomyomorpha (Oberprieler & Yeates, 2012). The type genus, Archisargus Rohdendorf, 1938, is a small group including only four species from two well-known localities, the Karatau Formation of Kazakhstan and the Jiulongshan Formation of China. Rohdendorf (1938) erected the genus based on the species Archisargus pulcher from the Karatau Formation of Kazakhstan, and assigned it to Stratiomyidae. Hennig (1954) questioned Rohdendorf’s assignment and pointed out that the characters of the Stratiomyidae were absent, but he didn’t propose an appropriate placement for this genus. Rohdendorf (1962) reconsidered the systematic position of the genus and established the new family Archisargidae based on the genus. In fact, the description of the Archisargus was not informative due to the incomplete preservation of the type specimen (only Sc and R were mentioned) (Rohdendorf, 1938). Mostovski (1997) re-described the type specimen of Archisargus pulcher, clarified the status of the genus, and described a second species, Archisargus maximus, which was also from Karatau, Kazakhstan. A decade later, Zhang et al. (2007) described two older species from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. The Daohugou locality is well-known for its diverse fossil insects, representing an important diversification center of insects during the Mesozoic Era (Ren et al., 2009; Wang et al., 2010, 2012; Gao et al., 2012; Gu et al., 2012; Meng et al., 2017; Ren et al., 2019). Herein, we describe a new species, Archisargus aequinervus sp. nov., from this locality. Additionally, a key to species of the genus is provided.
Improving Seasonal Precipitation Forecasts for Agriculture in the Orinoquía Region of Colombia
Authors: Fernandes Katia , Muñoz Angel G. , Ramirez-Villegas Julian , Agudelo Diego , Llanos-Herrera Lizeth , Esquivel Alejandra , Rodriguez-Espinoza Jeferson , Prager Steven D.
Published: December 2019

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is used to improve the skill of seasonal forecasts in the Orinoquía region, where over 40% of Colombian rice is produced. Seasonal precipitation and frequency of wet days are predicted, as rice yields simulated by a calibrated crop model are better correlated with wet-day frequency than with precipitation amounts in June–August (JJA). Prediction of the frequency of wet days, using as predictors variables from the NCEP Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), results in a forecast with higher skill than models predicting seasonal precipitation amounts. Using wet-day frequency as an alternative climate variable reveals that the distribution of daily rainfall is both more relevant for rice yield variability and more skillfully predicted than seasonal precipitation amounts. Forecast skill can also be improved by using the Climate Hazards Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) merged satellite–station JJA precipitation as the predictand in a CCA model, especially if the predictor is CFSv2 vertically integrated meridional moisture flux (VQ). The probabilistic hindcast derived from the CCA model using CHIRPS as the predictand can successfully discriminate above-normal, normal, and below-normal terciles of over 80% of the stations in the region. This is particularly relevant for stations that, due to discontinuity in their time series, are not included in station-only CCA models but are still in need of probabilistic seasonal forecasts. Finally, CFSv2 VQ performs better than precipitation as the predictor in CCA, which we attribute to CFSv2 being more internally consistent in regards to sea surface temperature (SST)-forced VQ variability than to SST-forced precipitation variability in the Orinoquía region.
In-house age-specific reference ranges for free light chains measured on the SPAPlus® analyser
Authors: Campbell Lauren , Simpson Dawn , Shields Adrian , Ferry Berne , Ramasamy Karthik , Sadler Ross
Published: December 2019

Background

The measurement of monoclonal free light chains is being increasingly utilized since the introduction of serum-based assays. It is important for laboratories to determine their own reference ranges in order to reflect the local population. The aim of this study was to determine if age-adjusted reference ranges for serum free light chains would have implications for demand management of further laboratory investigations including immunofixation.

Methods

After certain exclusions, 4293 samples from individuals seen in primary care across Oxfordshire between 2014 and 2016 were identified for analysis of patient characteristics, serum free light chain results and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Results

We found age to be an independent variable when considering serum free light chain concentrations, ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The reference ranges derived from our data differ markedly from the original Binding Site ranges. When the age-specific ranges are retrospectively applied to our population, there is a 38% decrease in follow-up testing with no loss of specificity.

Conclusion

We feel confident implementing new age-specific serum free light chain reference ranges in our laboratory. We have developed a simple algorithm for evaluating serum free light chains based on age and estimated glomerular filtration rate. We encourage laboratories to establish their own local reference ranges using large cohorts and their chosen serum free light chain assay platform.
Healthcare utilization, psychiatric medication and risk of rehospitalization in suicide-attempting patients with common mental disorders
Authors: Niederkrotenthaler Thomas , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor , Thurner Stefan , Endel Gottfried , Klimek Peter
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Common mental disorders are strong risk factors for suicide attempt. We compared common mental disorder patients with and without suicide attempt regarding health care utilization and psychiatric medication, assessed gender differences and identified how psychotropic medication of attempters is associated with subsequent rehospitalization.

Methods:

We used administrative claims data of 22,276 common mental disorder patients with inpatient care in Lower Austria between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2011. Suicide attempters (cases, n = 615) and non-attempters (controls, n = 21,661) were compared regarding specific healthcare utilization by calculating mean differences of time-dependent contact probabilities and psychiatric medication (i.e. prescribed defined daily doses) ± 0.5 years around their suicide attempt (cases)/common mental disorder diagnosis (controls). Cluster analysis was used to group suicide attempters according to their psychiatric medication. The risk of rehospitalization 0.5–3 years after the attempt was calculated with regression analysis controlling for sex, age and morbidity-related factors.

Results:

Contacts with general practitioners were lower for attempters than non-attempters (mean difference of contact probabilities over observation period, males = −0.05, 95% confidence interval = [−0.07, −0.03]; females: mean difference = −0.04, 95% confidence interval = [−0.05, −0.03]). Regarding psychiatrists, female attempters had markedly higher contact probabilities after the attempt compared to female non-attempters (mean difference = 0.02, 95% confidence interval = [0.007, 0.04]); male attempters had lower contact probabilities before the attempt compared to male non-attempters (mean difference = −0.01, 95% confidence interval = [−0.004, −0.02]). Attempters had higher dosages of psychiatric medication across the entire period. Antidepressant and antipsychotic medication peaked at the time of common mental disorder diagnosis/attempt. Benzodiazepine prescriptions were considerably higher for male attempters than their female counterparts and were constantly elevated for male attempters across the observation period. A cluster of attempters with long-term benzodiazepine prescriptions had an increased risk of rehospitalization (adjusted odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval = [1.1, 5.5]).

Conclusion:

Despite lower contact probabilities, common mental disorder patients with suicide attempt are prescribed more psychiatric medication, particularly benzodiazepines, with an elevated risk of rehospitalization. Strong sex differences were found.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Medication Use of Obese Versus Nonobese Children Admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Stephens Katy , Barker Philip , Bergeron Erica , Miller Jamie L. , Hagemann Tracy M. , Lewis Teresa V. , Neely Stephen , Johnson Peter N.
Published: December 2019

Background: Few studies have compared clinical outcomes and medication use between obese and nonobese children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Objectives: The primary objective was to compare clinical outcomes including mortality, PICU length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement between obese and nonobese children. Secondary objectives included analysis of factors associated with these outcomes and medication use between groups. Methods: This retrospective study included children 2 to 17 years old admitted to the PICU over a 1-year time frame. Patients were categorized as obese, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile, and nonobese (BMI < 95th percentile). Three binary regression models assessed the impact of obesity on clinical outcomes. Results: There were 834 admissions, with 22.1% involving obese children. There was no difference in mortality, MV requirement, or PICU LOS between groups. There were no associations with obesity and clinical outcomes found, but an association was noted for medication classes and receipt of continuous infusions on clinical outcomes. There was no difference noted in the median number (interquartile range [IQR]) of medications between obese and nonobese children, 8 (6-13) versus 9 (6-15), P = .38, but there was a difference in patients receiving a continuous infusion between obese and nonobese children, 24.4% versus 8.8%, P < .01. The 15 most used medications in both groups included analgesics, antimicrobials, corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and gastrointestinal agents. Conclusions: One-fifth of all admissions included obese children. Obesity was not associated with mortality, PICU LOS, and MV requirement, but the number of medication classes and continuous infusions were associated with these outcomes.
Government agencies and their roles in the diffusion of intellectual property policy in China: analysis based on a policy literature reference network
Authors: Xiang Jianqin , Ma Feicheng
Published: December 2019

The relationship between government agencies is an important basis for the continuous innovation and diffusion of policies. This research explores how government agencies, as policymakers and promoters, play an important role in the innovation and diffusion of intellectual property policies in China. Based on the reference relationship in the policy literature, we build a large sample of intellectual property policy diffusion networks in China and present the trends and characteristics of government agencies’ policy diffusion. The results show that intellectual property policy diffusion in China is positively related to many institutional factors, for example, network positioning, authority, economic development level, and policy timeliness, but it is not significantly correlated with geographical proximity.

Points for practitioners

This study helps to understand how government relationships affect policy diffusion in this particular political environment in China. The conclusions of this study on the role of government agencies in policy diffusion can provide some guidance for public administration departments to formulate and disseminate policies, and expand the study of intergovernmental relations and policy innovation from the perspective of policy text mining and quantification.
Knowing the Wrong Cadre? Networks and Promotions in the Chinese Party-State
Authors: Doyon Jérôme , Keller Franziska Barbara
Published: December 2019

When do personal ties matter? Studies of political elite’s rise to power stress the importance of personal ties, but do not consider the possibility of differential effects depending on who one is connected to in elite struggles. We examine how ties formed among Chinese party-state officials influence their career. Our research design provides a strong proxy to account for personal ties: attendance of an exclusive and intensive training program for officials. We take advantage of the exogenous assignment to cohorts in this program to establish a causal link between informal connections and promotions. We find that the effect of personal ties depends on whether the official is connected to the leader who dominates the promotion process or to the one who only influences it through information control. Connections to the latter decrease the promotion probability, likely because these officials are closely monitored by their superiors and more powerful rivals.
Seminaries and Slavery
Authors: Taylor Mark Lewis
Published: December 2019

A theological response to the three university case studies on slavery audits from William & Mary, Georgetown, and Princeton. Taylor argues that the Princeton Seminary report reflects a reconciliatory transaction paradigm and, as valuable as it is, should be consciously developed within another paradigm: the Abolition Struggle Paradigm.
Beyond the Campus
Authors: Moore Darnell
Published: December 2019

A keynote address at the “Legacy and Mission: Theological Education and the History of Slavery” conference held at Princeton Seminary, April 8–9, 2019.
Exposure to Violence and Posttreatment Substance Use Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Van Brown Bethany L. , Kopak Albert , Hoffmann Norman
Published: December 2019

Exposure to violence can lead to a dramatic increase in the likelihood of the development of a substance use disorder (SUD). Given the overlap between the two, substance use for survivors of violence, then, can be a coping mechanism to manage the traumatic effects of abuse and persistent use can evolve into a diagnosable SUD. This study was designed to examine the posttreatment substance use among adults who have a history of exposure to violence and sought treatment for opioid use disorder. Data for this study were drawn from the Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Outcome Research system. Among the 13,105 patients included in the study, 444 (3.4%) received a formal diagnosis for opioid use disorder. Female victims of violence are at a greater risk of suffering injuries related to violence, resulting in increased levels of medical care utilization , which may prompt the initiation and prolonged use of prescription pain relief medication. Related to this important finding is another indicating that exposure to violence at multiple points in the past was associated with more severe indicators of substance use. These data show that there is a relationship between exposure to violence, SUDs, and relapse among patients seeking treatment. Not only must patients and treatment providers address these past violent experiences as important psychological factors in recovery, but in the context of opioid use disorder, physical injuries contributing to chronic pain may also trigger persistent substance use.
Experimental research on the dynamic control scheme of a heating system based on integrated meteorological parameters
Authors: Yuan Shanshan , Xu Wei , Chen Yuehao , Li Mingcai , Sun Meiling , Hu Chumei
Published: December 2019

A good heating regulation should be able to maintain relatively stable indoor temperature. Hence, the dynamic control scheme of a heating system should be formulated considering outdoor temperature, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, and other meteorological factors, rather than just the outdoor temperature. A dynamic control strategy of a heating system based on an integrated meteorological parameter is proposed, which converts several parameters into one using the equivalent influence method. An analysis of the thermal dynamic characteristics of both the building envelope and the heating system established a complete feedforward control scheme. A residential community in north China was selected to conduct operation data monitoring using the aforementioned model. Results showed that the new control scheme could effectively stabilize indoor temperature. The variance of the indoor temperature was 0.48 using the traditional method, and that of the test object was 0.31 after adopting the proposed model.
Breaking the Stigma of Health Insurance
Authors: Deb Rajat , Paul Tapash , Debbarma Jaharlal , Chakraborty Kiran Sankar
Published: December 2019

The research has attempted to assess the effects of income tax benefits on adoptions of health insurance and on tax compliances. Following thematic literature review, four hypotheses have been set and following the cross-sectional research design through it have gathered data from 120 respondents chosen through stratified random sampling technique oscillated in four stratums. The significant inferential statistical results have indicated to nullify all the hypotheses and it has been documented that selective demographics and enhanced tax deductions are likely to motivate health insurance enrolments; and such tax deductions would increase tax compliances and reduce tax evasions.
Narrating in grey: An application to educational management information systems and accountability
Authors: Bravo Luis González , Nistor Nicolae , Ramírez Bernardo Castro
Published: December 2019

This research presents an application of a mixed narrative review, including grey literature, to broaden knowledge about the value of educational management information systems (EMIS) for accountability in higher education institutions (HEIs). The review was focused in understanding the relationships among quality management (QM), EMIS use and accountability. Analyzing 39 documents produced between 1990 and 2018, we confirm the tight QM–EMIS use–accountability relationship. A weak link between QM and EMIS use was found, resulting in a low accountability level, nevertheless e-maturity successfully describes the link between QM and EMIS use and legitimizes the HEIs in the society. Finally, the value of mixed narrative reviews, including gray literature, is demonstrated in the fields of management information systems and higher education.
Communicative actions we live by: The problem with fact-checking, tagging or flagging fake news – the case of Facebook
Authors: Andersen Jack , Søe Sille Obelitz
Published: December 2019

In this article, we question the efforts undertaken by Facebook in regard to fact-checking, tagging, and flagging instances or appearances of fake news. We argue that in a global world of communication, fake news is a form of communicative action, which we must learn to deal with rather than try to remove. The very existence of fake news is a political question inscribing itself in the history of political communication and thus in the long run a question about the democratic conversation. This conversation must and will always be a conversation where arguments (emotional or not) are discussed in a common place. In other words, there is no technical fix, such as automated flagging or tagging, to the ‘solution’ for democratic conversation. We must insist on the democratic value of listening to the other. The outcome can never be one of getting it right by algorithmic means.
Measure of Spatial Orientation Ability
Authors: Campos Alfredo , Campos-Juanatey Diego
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to design a test to measure a person’s ability to orient themselves on a “you are-here” map. The Spatial Orientation Skills Test, a test measuring spatial orientation ability, consists of 30 items, each item contains two maps, one is positioned at 0° (the model), and the other is the same map but amplified and rotated. The task participants were required to perform was to find their way around on the model map to get to a specific point by taking as a reference point the position indicated on the amplified and rotated map. A sample of 281 university undergraduates participated in the study. The test obtained a Cronbach alpha of .83. The test was significantly correlated to the test measuring image rotation. The results are discussed, and new lines of research are proposed.
NOD-like receptor protein 3 and high mobility group box-1 are associated with prognosis of patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Fan Jiajie , Qiu Yunxiang , Zheng Zhijie , Yu Luyan , Shi Shanshan , Wu Xiujing
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the association between plasma levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and their prognostic significance in neonatal patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

This study enrolled neonatal patients with CHD and collected their demographic and clinical data. Plasma concentrations of NLRP3 and HMGB1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Spearman’s analysis was used to determine the correlation between NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels. The association between NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels and 2-year survival and mortality were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curve and logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 84 neonatal patients with CHD were included in the study. Plasma NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in deceased patients compared with those that survived. There was a positive correlation between NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels in neonatal patients with CHD. Patients with elevated levels of NLRP3 and HMGB1 showed significantly lower 2-year survival and higher mortality rates compared with those with lower NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels.

Conclusion

Neonatal patients with CHD and a poor prognosis had higher NLRP3 and HMGB1 levels, which suggests that these might be potential biomarkers of CHD prognosis.
The CD14 gene –159C/T polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Meihua , Wang Linghua , Sun Lihua , Li Zhaodong , Zhang Hua
Published: December 2019

Background

To investigate the association between the CD14 –159C/T polymorphism and ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods

Relevant literature was searched by retrieving EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and PubMed databases. R version 3.33 software was applied to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Seven qualified studies with a total of 2058 IS patients and 2123 controls were included. There was no significant association between the CD14 –159C/T polymorphism and IS risk in the total population (TT vs CC: OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.58–1.20; CT vs CC: OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.82–1.12; dominant model: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.80–1.30; recessive model: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.57–1.19). Similarly, subgroup analysis according to ethnicity and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium also found no significant interrelation.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the CD14 –159C/T polymorphism does not contribute to the risk of IS. Well-designed studies with more subjects are required to further validate these results.
A bent needle tip during irrigation for enchondroma of the distal phalanx: a new curettage tool
Authors: Osaka Eiji , Kojima Toshio , Yoshida Yukihiro , Uei Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Background

We employed a novel curettage tool, a bent needle tip, during irrigation for enchondroma of the distal phalanx. This study aimed to evaluate our new curettage tool for treating enchondroma of the distal phalanx.

Methods

Seven distal phalanx enchondromas were pathologically diagnosed at our institute. We evaluated age, gender, tumor location, affected side, clinical symptoms, Takigawa classification, size, recurrence, complications, residual pain, Tordai score, and follow-up period. We bent an 18G needle tip connected to an extension tube and syringe. The bent needle was inserted through the small hole, and the cavity for bone grafting was adequately filled with injectable calcium phosphate cement through the small hole.

Results

There were five centric-type and two giant-type tumors, with a mean size of 52.7%. All patients had clinical symptoms at the initial presentation. All patients showed complete bone healing within 3 months on post-radiological examinations and were Grade 1 according to the Tordai score.

Conclusions

This tool is extremely simple, and both the incision and the cortical window can be small. We recommend a bent needle tip, easily devised in any hospital, as a curettage tool for treating enchondroma in small bones, especially of the distal phalanx.
Interference in the indirect antiglobulin test and direct antiglobulin test from rheumatoid factor
Authors: Xu Lei , Li Hao , Yang Sishi , Zeng Wenjuan , Gan Shan , Chen Xin , Duan Ling , Hu Hongbing
Published: December 2019

Background

The indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) and direct antiglobulin test (DAT) have been used as common tests for transfusion. Recently, we have found that in addition to causing false increases, rheumatoid factor (RF) can also cause false decreases in immunoassays for hepatitis B surface antigen and B-type natriuretic peptide. However, it remains unclear whether RF also interferes with the IAT and DAT.

Methods

IAT models were produced by mixing IAT-positive plasma and RF-positive plasma, then one-step and two-step IATs were adopted for detection. DAT models were produced by mixing DAT-positive red blood cells (RBCs) and RF-positive plasma, followed by detection with the DAT. The DAT models were diluted using the same RF-positive plasma, and the DAT was performed again.

Results

The rate of decrease of the two-step IAT (40.63%) was significantly higher than that of the one-step IAT (31.51%). Both the rate of decrease (76.67%) and increase (16.67%) of the results of the 60 DAT models were significantly higher than those of the IAT models after two-fold dilution.

Conclusions

The RF can lead to both false decreases and false increases in IAT and DAT. And the interference effects are related to the RF content relative to the IgG-sensitized RBCs.
Weighted gene expression profiles identify diagnostic and prognostic genes for lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xing , Wang Linlin , Feng Fan , Tian Suyan
Published: December 2019

Objective

To construct a diagnostic signature to distinguish lung adenocarcinoma from lung squamous cell carcinoma and a prognostic signature to predict the risk of death for patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer, with satisfactory predictive performances, good stabilities, small sizes and meaningful biological implications.

Methods

Pathway-based feature selection methods utilize pathway information as a priori to provide insightful clues on potential biomarkers from the biological perspective, and such incorporation may be realized by adding weights to test statistics or gene expression values. In this study, weighted gene expression profiles were generated using the GeneRank method and then the LASSO method was used to identify discriminative and prognostic genes.

Results

The five-gene diagnostic signature including keratin 5 ( KRT5), mucin 1 ( MUC1), triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 ( TREM1), complement C3 ( C3) and transmembrane serine protease 2 ( TMPRSS2) achieved a predictive error of 12.8% and a Generalized Brier Score of 0.108, while the five-gene prognostic signature including alcohol dehydrogenase 1C (class I), gamma polypeptide ( ADH1C), alpha-2-glycoprotein 1, zinc-binding ( AZGP1), clusterin ( CLU), cyclin dependent kinase 1 ( CDK1) and paternally expressed 10 ( PEG10) obtained a log-rank P-value of 0.03 and a C-index of 0.622 on the test set.

Conclusions

Besides good predictive capacity, model parsimony and stability, the identified diagnostic and prognostic genes were highly relevant to lung cancer. A large-sized prospective study to explore the utilization of these genes in a clinical setting is warranted.
Sparing the pronator quadratus for volar plating of distal radius fractures: a comparative study of two methods
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhuang Yun-Qiang , Zhou Long , Jiang Gang-Qiang , Zhang Ya-Di , Wu Ji
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the results of two methods for sparing the pronator quadratus in volar plating of distal radius fractures.

Methods

A total of 110 patients were randomized to volar plating with sparing of the pronator quadratus either by a transverse incision along the distal border of the pronator quadratus (Group A, 55 people) or by the brachioradialis splitting method (Group B, 55 people). The operative and radiation time, range of motion, grip strength, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and complications were recorded.

Results

There were no significant differences in the mean operative time, radiation time, mean bone union time, or total complication rate between the groups. We found no significant differences in range of motion, grip strength, VAS scores, and DASH scores at any of the study intervals between the groups. Although neurapraxia of the superficial branch of the radial nerve was more common in Group B than in Group A (6.7% vs. 0%), the difference was not significant.

Conclusions

Both methods were efficient approaches for sparing the pronator quadratus and had similar clinical outcomes, but they had different indications.
The Pathology of Pathogenic Theileriosis in African Wild Artiodactyls
Authors: Clift Sarah J. , Collins Nicola E. , Oosthuizen Marinda C. , Steyl Johan C. A. , Lawrence John A. , Mitchell Emily P.
Published: December 2019

The published literature on schizont-“transforming,” or pathogenic theileriosis, in African wild artiodactyls is dated and based on limited information. Here the authors review the taxonomy, diagnosis, epidemiology, hematology, pathology, and aspects of control in various species. Molecular studies based on 18S and 16S rRNA gene sequences have shown that African wild artiodactyls are commonly infected with diverse Theileria spp., as well as nontheilerial hemoprotozoa and rickettsia-like bacteria, and coinfections with pathogenic and nonpathogenic Theileria species are often recorded. Although theileriosis is still confusingly referred to as cytauxzoonosis in many species, the validity of a separate Cytauxzoon genus in artiodactyls is debated. The epidemiology of theileriosis is complex; the likelihood of fatal disease depends on the interplay of parasite, vertebrate host, tick vector, and environmental factors. Roan calves ( Hippotragus equinus) and stressed animals of all host species are more susceptible to fatal theileriosis. Even though regenerative anemia is common, peripheral blood piroplasm parasitemia does not correlate with disease severity. Other than anemia, common macroscopic lesions include icterus, hemorrhages (mucosal, serosal, and tissue), fluid effusions into body cavities, lung edema, and variably sized raised cream-colored foci of leukocyte infiltration in multiple organs. Histopathologic findings include vasocentric hyperproliferation and lysis of atypical leukocytes with associated intracellular schizonts, parenchymal necrosis, hemorrhage, thromboembolism, and edema. Immunophenotyping is required to establish the identity of the schizont-transformed leukocytes in wild ungulates. Throughout the review, we propose avenues for future research by comparing existing knowledge on selected aspects of theileriosis in domestic livestock with that in African wild artiodactyls.