bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban redevelopment, governance and vulnerability: thirty years of ‘regeneration’ in Dublin
Authors: Moore-Cherry Niamh
Published: December 2020

Over the last three decades, state intervention through urban regeneration has focused on ‘fixing’ perceived social and spatial vulnerabilities within particular neighbourhoods, communities or city spaces but has often generated new urban crises. Previous research examining regeneration over significant periods of time in the UK and Ireland, suggests that often the same spaces and communities are subject to repeated rounds of intervention. In this paper, the thirty year trajectory of regeneration in Dublin Docklands is examined. The importance of global flows of capital and how they are mediated by local contexts, actors and institutions through roll-back, roll-out and roll-with-it forms of neoliberalisation are examined. Since the global financial crisis, neoliberal governmentalities have been more deeply embedded in place through new institutions and the formation of a new growth machine that has produced new vulnerabilities. Dublin Docklands has been successfully commodified and marketized through the sustenance, albeit changing, of a growth logic over more than 30 years. Yet significant challenges related to governance, social inclusion and spatial justice remain, and arguably have been (un-) intentionally co-produced in new forms by sustained rounds of state intervention.
Early Patellofemoral Articular Cartilage Degeneration in a Rat Model of Patellar Instability is Associated with Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lin Wei , Kang Huijun , Dai Yike , Niu Yingzhen , Yang Guangmin , Niu Jinghui , Li Ming , Wang Fei
Published: December 2020

Background: Patellar instability (PI) often increases the possibility of lateral patellar dislocation and early osteoarthritis. The molecular mechanism of early articular cartilage degeneration during patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) still requires further investigation. However, it is known that the NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in articular cartilage degeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the NF-κB signaling pathway and patellofemoral joint cartilage degeneration. Methods: We established a rat model of PI-induced PFOA. Female 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (n=120) were randomly divided into two groups: the PI (n=60) and control group (n=60). The distal femurs of the PI and control group were isolated and compared 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. The morphological structure of the trochlear cartilage and subchondral bone were evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histology. The expression of NF-κB, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, collagen X, and TNF-ɑ were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the PI group, subchondral bone loss and cartilage degeneration were found 4 weeks after surgery. Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and TNF-ɑ were significantly increased 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery in the PI group. In addition, the markers of cartilage degeneration MMP-13 and collagen X were more highly expressed in the PI group compared with the control group at different time points after surgery.Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that early patellofemoral joint cartilage degeneration can be caused by PI in growing rats, accompanied by significant subchondral bone loss and cartilage degeneration. In addition, the degeneration of articular cartilage may be associated with the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and can deteriorate with time as a result of PI.
Parental drinking according to parental composition and adolescent binge drinking: Findings from a nationwide high school survey in Japan
Authors: Inoura Satoshi , Shimane Takuya , Kitagaki Kunihiko , Wada Kiyoshi , Matsumoto Toshihiko
Published: December 2020

Background: Alcohol problems in parents have been revealed to affect adolescent alcohol misuse. However, few studies examine the effects of parental drinking on adolescent risky drinking (including binge drinking) in the general population. In particular, previous study findings are inconsistent regarding the influence of parental drinking according to parental composition. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between parental drinking, according to parental composition, and binge drinking among high school students in Japan.Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the Nationwide High School Survey on Drug Use and Lifestyle 2018, Japan. A total of 46,848 valid surveys from high school students of 78 schools were included for analysis. Logistic regression analysis with a generalized linear mixed model was conducted with binge drinking as the dependent variable and “parental drinking according to parental composition” (e.g., father’s drinking, mother’s drinking, father’s absence, mother’s absence, both parents drinking, and neither parent at home) as the independent variable, after adjusting with covariates. Binge drinking was defined as five or more alcoholic drinks for male adolescents or four or more alcoholic drinks for females on the same occasion within two hours. Results: In the fully adjusted models, adolescents whose mothers drink (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–2.12) were significantly associated with adolescent binge drinking. This risk was significantly higher among students with neither parent living at home (AOR: 4.35, 95% CI: 2.10–9.02). Conclusion: Parental drinking and absence do affect adolescent binge drinking; our findings show that adolescents are more likely to engage in binge drinking if their mothers drink or if they are not living with either parent. Therefore, it is important to engage parents and non-parental family members in future programs and interventions to prevent adolescent binge drinking.
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Effectiveness of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Rosewarne Emalie , Chislett Wai-Kwan , McKenzie Briar , Reimers Jenny , Jolly Kellie-Ann , Corben Kirstan , Trieu Kathy , Webster Jacqui
Published: December 2020

Background: Interventions to reduce population salt intake are feasible and cost-effective. The Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership implemented a complex, multi-faceted salt reduction intervention between 2014 and 2020 in the Australian state of Victoria. This study aimed to understand stakeholder perspectives on the effectiveness of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Partnership and food industry stakeholders. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was adapted for the Partnership intervention and used to guide the qualitative analysis.Results: Fourteen Partnership and seven food industry stakeholders were interviewed. The Partnership was viewed as essential for intervention planning and decision-making and an enabler for intervention delivery. The goals of capacity building and collaborative action were perceived to have been achieved. The implementation team executed intended intervention activities and outputs, with some adaptations to strategy. Barriers and enablers to implementation were identified by interviewees, such as compatibility of individual, organisational and Partnership values and building positive relationships between the Partnership and food industry, respectively. Legal, political, social, environmental, technological and economic factors affecting intervention design, delivery and outcomes were identified. Conclusions: Establishing a Partnership with diverse skills and experience facilitated collaborative action, capacity building and execution of the intervention. Monitoring and evaluating implementation informed strategy adaptations, which allowed optimisation of Partnership strategy. The importance of developing strong communication networks between strategic and implementation-levels was a key lesson.
Alterations in the Histological Features of the Intestinal Mucosa in Malnourished Adults of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. Shabab , Begum S. M. Khodeza Nahar , Rahman M Masudur , Mazumder Ramendra Nath , Parvez Mashud , Gazi Md. Amran , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Das Subhasish , Mahfuz Mustafa , Sarker Shafiqul Alam , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: December 2020

There is paucity of knowledge on the histological features of the intestinal mucosa in malnourished adults of Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to explore the histological features of the intestinal mucosa in malnourished adults of Bangladesh and to compare the findings with their well-nourished counterparts. 64 adults (37 malnourished with body mass index, BMI<18.5 kg/m2 and 27 controls with BMI>18.5 kg/m2) from the Bangladesh Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (BEED) study, who underwent upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy, were selected for this study. With a view to address the association of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) with malnutrition, upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and mucosal biopsies from the distal duodenum were studied for histopathology. Villous height, crypt depth, and presence of inflammatory infiltrates in lamina propria were investigated. Bivariate analysis was performed to quantify the relation between malnutrition and the histological features. About 95% adults, irrespective of nutritional status, were diagnosed to have chronic non-specific duodenitis on histopathology. Malnourished adults suffered significantly more from chronic active duodenitis compared to their well-nourished counterparts (p=0.003). Malnourished adults also had significantly higher frequency of subtotal villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and marked cellular infiltration in the lamina propria than the healthy controls (p<0.05).
­­­­­Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Trabecular Bone Microstructure of Human Mandible Using Cone-Beam CT and Micro CT
Authors: Ibrahim Norliza , Parsa Azin , Hassan Bassam , Stelt Paul der , Ismail Siti Mazlipah , Rahmat Rabiah , Aartman Irene
Published: December 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the trabecular bone microstructures of anterior and posterior edentulous regions of human mandible using cone-beam CT (CBCT) and micro CT (µCT).Materials and methods Twenty volumes of interests consisting of six anterior and fourteen posterior edentulous regions were obtained from human mandibular cadavers. A CBCT system with a resolution of 80 µm (3D Accuitomo 170, J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan) and a µCT system with a resolution of 35 µm (SkyScan 1173, Kontich, Belgium) were used to scan the mandibles. Three structural parameters namely, trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were analysed using CTAn software (v 1.11, SkyScan, Kontich, Belgium). For each system, the measurements obtained from anterior and posterior regions were tested using independent sample t-test. Subsequently, all measurements between systems were tested using paired t-test.Results In CBCT, all parameters of the anterior and posterior mandible showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). However, µCT showed a significant different of Tb.Th (p = 0.023) between anterior and posterior region. Regardless of regions, the measurements obtained using both imaging systems were significantly different (p ≤ 0.021) for Tb.Th and Tb.N.Conclusions The current study demonstrated that only the variation of Tb.Th between anterior and posterior edentulous region of mandible can be detected using micro CT. In addition, CBCT is less feasible than micro CT in assessing trabecular bone microstructures at both regions.
Predicting Cervical Screening and HPV Vaccination Attendance of Roma Women in Hungary: Community Nurse Contribution is Key
Authors: Zrínyi Miklós , Pakai Annamária , Mihály-Vajda Réka , Horváthné Zsuzsanna Kívés , Újváriné Adrienn Siket , Gabara Krisztina Szabó , Bogdánné Eszter Basa
Published: December 2020

Background: HPV screening/vaccination has been observed lower for ethic minorities. Understanding factors that predict and can improve attendance is therefore key. Hence, the aim was to identify causes, especially concerning the quality of the patient-provider relationship, that predict past HPV screening and vaccination turnout of Roma women in Hungary.Methods: Cross-sectional research design with self-developed, culturally sensitive questionnaire. A female Roma sample of 500 potential participants was randomly selected from census register. Community nurses contacted participants and distributed surveys. Surveys were mailed-in by participants. Bivariate logistic regression was used to predict former participation in HPV screening/vaccination.Results: Of the total sample, 17.4% of women attended at least one cervical screening and HPV vaccination in the past. Past negative screening experience was negatively correlated to community nurses and positively to physicians. The odds of past attendance were 4.5 times greater if ‘no negative earlier experience’ occurred, 3.3 times likelier if community nurse performed screening/immunization and 1.6 times more probable if respondent felt ‘no shame’. Evaluating the screening/vaccination process painful, being only financially motivated and attendance involving a lot of travel decreased the odds of ‘no show’ by 50%, 40% and 41%, respectively.Conclusions: When considering the ratio of past cervical screening attendance, we conclude that our female Roma sample did not behave differently from the general population. We saw no evidence that racial mistreatment made any contribution to explaining cervical screening participation. Past positive screening experience and the quality of patient-provider relationship increased the odds of participation the most. Cancer of friends, pain, financial motivation and travel distance decreased odds of participation to a lesser extent. In order to improve future screening and immunization, community nurses should play more central and advanced role in the organization and implementation of such services specifically targeting Roma populations.
CDDO-ME Activates NRF2 to Inhibit The Pro-Invasion Ability of TAMs
Authors: Li Ying , Jia Yaxu , Xu Yurong
Published: December 2020

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages can account for more than 50% of the cells in the tumor immune microenvironment of breast cancer patients. A high TAM density is related to a poor clinical prognosis. Targeting TAMs is a promising therapeutic strategy since TAMs promote tumor growth, development and metastasis. Results: We found that CDDO-ME significantly inhibited the tumor invasion-promoting ability of TAMs in the coculture system and further showed that CDDO-ME functioned by reducing ROS production in TAMs. The orthotopic 4T1 cell inoculation model and spontaneous MMTV-PyMT tumor model were used to evaluate the antitumor effect of CDDO-ME. The results showed that CDDO-ME significantly inhibited tumor metastasis and increased T cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, NRF2 activation was necessary for CDDO-ME to exert its function. Conclusions: Overall, CDDO-ME can play a role in breast cancer as an anticancer drug targeting TAMs.
Modeling and Analyzing the Propagation of COVID-19 in Wuhan Based On Game Theory: Quarantine or Not?
Authors: Liu Maoxing , Zhang Rongping , Xie Boli
Published: December 2020

The isolation strategy and quarantine strategy played a crucial role in the prevention of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 in China.This paper establishes a two-layer network model that couples epidemics and the behavior of individuals based on game theory.We calculated the basic reproduction number of the infectious disease, and analyzed the existence and stability of the positiveequilibrium point in the behavioral dynamic model. Through simulation, we adjusted the behavior parameters to fit the actualdata, and then analyzed the sensitivity of each parameter to the system. The contradiction between national strategy andindividual behavior was found in the simulation process. The simulation results show that increasing the awareness of peoplecan accelerate changes in behavior, and improving the efficiency of working at home can reduce the relative loss of isolation,all of which can reduce the severity of the infectious disease.
Mechanism of Pharmacological Action of Chromones in Radix Saposhnikoviae Based on Biological Significance of Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Cao Si-Si , Shi Lei , Shen Ying , Yang Jing-Ming , Meng Xiang-Cai
Published: December 2020

According to origin of species, both animals and plants come from a common ancestor, so they all possess similar/same metabolic activities. Plants adapt to stress conditions by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) partly with secondary metabolites, which are often the medicinal ingredients. With this, the mechanism of pharmacological action and biological action of secondary metabolites may be the same. Radix saposhnikoviae the root of Saposhnikovia divaricata, has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It was analyzed that the correlation between fever, analgesia and inflammation and the activities of POD, CAT, the H2O2 contents in serum before and after intravenous administration for cimicifugin, an active component. For the antipyretic, the correlation coefficient between the body temperature and the H2O2 contents was 0.9689 in the model group and 0.5221 in the treatment group, indicating that fever was closely related to the H2O2. In the presence of electron donor, POD can eliminate ROS, the correlation coefficient between POD activities and H2O2 content before and after administration were 0.8085 and -0.5070, respectively, indicating that cimicifugin can eliminate ROS through POD. At 39.5 ℃, POD activity was about 1.47 times that of normal body temperature, and the scavenging efficiency of POD was 2.94 times that of CAT, which indicated that cimicifugin enhanced the elimination of H2O2 mainly through POD. For the analgesic and anti-inflammatory, the correlation coefficients of POD activity with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were 0.6685 and 0.4466, respectively, indicating that they were closely related to the H2O2. In this paper, we found the ROS is an important factor of fever, pain and inflammation, the pharmacological actions of Radix Saposhnikoviae also is elimination of ROS through the synergistic action of chromone and POD, the mechanism of pharmacological action of Chromones being the same as the biological action of secondary metabolites.
A Common Optical Approach to Thickness Optimization in Polymer and Perovskite Solar Cells 
Authors: Iakobson Olga , Gribkova Oxana , Tameev Alexey , Nunzi Jean-Michel
Published: December 2020

The structure of experimentally designed solar cells was optimized in terms of the photoactive layer thickness for both organic bulk heterojunction and hybrid perovskite solar cells. The photoactive layer thickness had a totally different behavior on the performance of the organic and hybrid solar cells. Analysis of the optical parameters using transfer matrix modeling within the Maxwell–Garnett effective refractive index model shows that light absorbance and exciton generation rate in the photoactive layer can be used to optimize the thickness range of the photoactive layer. Complete agreement between experimental and simulated data for solar cells with photoactive materials that have very different natures proves the validity of the proposed modeling method.
Factors Associated with Prognostic or Treatment Outcomes in HIV/AIDS Patients with and without Hypertension in Eswatini
Authors: Dlamini Sabelo , Dahms Hans-Uwe , WU Ming-Tsang
Published: December 2020

Background: Non-communicable diseases are increasing faster in HIV/AIDS patients than in the general population. We studied the association between hypertension and other possibly confounding factors on retroviral load and CD4-cell count in hypertensive and non-hypertensive HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a large hospital in Eswatini over a 4-year period. Method: We performed a retrospective longitudinal review of the medical records of 560 ART patients divided into non-hypertension and hypertension groups (n=325 and n=235) from July 27 to September 8, 2018. Generalized Estimated Equation was used to analyze the longitudinal data.Results: Hypertensive patients were more likely to have improved CD4-cell counts than non-hypertensive patients (OR=1.83, [1.37–2.44]). ART patients with hypertension were more likely to have detectable retroviral loads, though not significant (OR=1.37 [0.77-2.43]). In non-hypertensive patients, second line ART was significantly associated with retroviral load (OR=8.61 [2.93-25.34]) and adverse side effects (OR=3.50 [1.06-11.54]), while isoniazid preventive therapy was significantly associated with CD4-cell counts (OR=1.68 [1.16 – 2.45]). In hypertensive patients, factors associated with retroviral load were HIV stage (OR=2.84 [1.03–7.85]) and adherence (OR = 8.08 [1.33–49.04]). In both groups, CD4-cell counts significantly and steadily increased over time (p-value <0.001).Conclusions: Results show a significant association between hypertension and CD4 cell counts but not retroviral load. In ART patients with and without hypertension, the factors associated with prognostic markers were different. More attention may need to be paid to ART patients with well controlled HIV statuses to monitoring and controlling of hypertension status.
Magnetic Measurement of Mechanical Stress in Iron-based Materials Using Magnetoimpedance
Authors: Alonso Maria Sonsoles Garcia , Hernando Antonio , Viñolas Jordi , Garcia Miguel Angel
Published: December 2020

We present here a non-invasive method to measure variations of internal stress in magnetic steel elements. The method consists in the measurement of the magnetic permeability on the specimen and relays on the dependence of its imaginary component with applied load. Our method does not measure absolute values and hence, results very suitable for measurements in situ, where small changes of positions or vibrations can change those absolute values.
Pupal Cannibalism byWworker Honey Bees Contributes to the Spread of Deformed Wing Virus.
Authors: Posada-Florez Francisco , Lamas Zachary , Hawthorne David , Chen Yanping , Evans Jay , Ryabov Eugene
Published: December 2020

Transmission routes impact pathogen virulence and genetics, therefore comprehensive knowledge of these routes and their contribution to pathogen circulation is essential for understanding host-pathogen interactions and designing control strategies. Deformed wing virus (DWV), a principal viral pathogen of honey bees associated with increased honey bee mortality and colony losses, became highly virulent with the spread of its vector, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Reproduction of Varroa mites occurs in capped brood cells and mite-infested pupae from these cells usually have high levels of DWV. The removal of mite-infested pupae by worker bees, Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH), leads to cannibalization of pupae with high DWV loads, thereby offering an alternative route for virus transmission. We used genetically tagged DWV to investigate virus transmission to and between worker bees following pupal cannibalisation under experimental conditions. We demonstrated that cannibalization of DWV-infected pupae resulted in high levels of this virus in worker bees and that the acquired virus was then transmitted between bees via trophallaxis, allowing circulation of Varroa-vectored DWV variants without the mites. Despite the known benefits of hygienic behaviour, it is possible that higher levels of VSH activity may result in increased transmission of DWV via cannibalism and trophallaxis.
Inhibitory Effects of Superoxide Dismutase 3 on IgE Production in B Cells
Authors: Agrahari Gaurav , Sah Shyam , Bang Chul , Kim Yeong , Kim Tae
Published: December 2020

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) functions as a first-line defense against parasitic infections. However, aberrant production of IgE is known to be associated with various life-threatening allergic diseases. Superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) has been found to suppress IgE in various allergic diseases such as allergic conjunctivitis, ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma, and dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation. However, the role of SOD3 in the regulation of IgE production in B cells remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of SOD3 on LPS/IL-4 and anti-CD40/IL-4-mediated secretion of IgE in murine B cells. Our data showed that SOD3 can suppress both LPS/IL-4 and antiCD40/IL-7-induced IgE secretion in B cells isolated from both wild-type (SOD3+/+) and SOD3 knock-out (SOD3−/−) mice. Interestingly, B cells isolated from SOD3−/− mice showed higher secretion of IgE, whereas, the use of DETCA, a known inhibitor of SOD3 activity, reversed the inhibitory effect of SOD3 on IgE production. Similarly, SOD3 found to reduce the proliferation, IgE isotype switch, ROS level, and CCL17 and CCL22 productions in B cells. Furthermore, SOD3 was found to suppress both LPS/IL-4 and anti-CD40/IL-4-mediated activation of downstream signaling such as JAK1/JAK3, STAT6, NF-κB, p38, and JNK in B cells. Taken together, our data showed that SOD3 can be used as an alternative therapy to restrict IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
Comparative Chloroplast Genome Analysis of Medicinally Important Veratrum (Melanthiaceae) in China: Insights into Genomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: Zhang Ying-min , Han Li-jun , Liu Ying-Ying , Yang Cong-wei , Tian Xing , Qian Zi-gang , Li Guodong
Published: December 2020

Background: Veratrum is a genus of perennial herbs that are widely used as traditional Chinese medicine for emetic, resolving blood stasis and relieve pain. However, the species classification and the phylogenetic relationship of the genus Veratrum have long been controversial due to the complexity of morphological variations. Knowledge on the infrageneric relationships of the genus Veratrum can be obtained from their chloroplast genome sequences and increase the taxonomic and phylogenetic resolution.Methods: Total DNA was extracted from ten species of Veratrum and subjected to next-generation sequencing. The cp genome was assembled by NOVOPlasty. Genome annotation was conducted using the online tool DOGMA and subsequently corrected by Geneious Prime. Then, genomic characterization of the Veratrum plastome and genome comparison with closely related species was analyzed by corresponding software. Moreover, phylogenetical trees were reconstructed, based on the 29 plastomes by maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods.Results: The whole plastomes of Veratrum species possess a typical quadripartite structure, ranging from 151,597 bp to 153,711 bp in size and comprising 135 genes. The gene order, content, and genome structure were nearly identical with a few exceptions across the Veratrum chloroplast genomes. The total number of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) ranged from 31 to 35, and of large sequence repeats (LSRs) ranged from 65 to 71. Seven highly divergent regions (rpoB-trnC, trnT-trnL, trnS-trnG, psbC-psbZ, psbI, ycf1, and ndhF) were identified that can be used for DNA barcoding in the genus of Veratrum. Phylogenetic analyses based on 29 plastomes strongly supported the monophyly of Veratrum. The circumscription and relationships of infrageneric taxa of Veratrum were well evaluated with high resolutions. Conclusions: Our study identified and analyzed the cp genome features of ten Veratrum species, and suggested high effectivity of chloroplast complete genome in resolving generic circumscription in Veratrum. These results will facilitate the identification, taxonomy, and utilization of Veratrum plants as well as the phylogenetic study of Melanthiaceae simultaneously.
Influence of Wind Energy Utilization Potential in Urban Suburbs: A Case Study of Hohhot
Authors: Wenxin wang , Yang Bai , Kexin Chen , Jianwen Wang , Chaofan Qin
Published: December 2020

Background：Given the increasing trend of using wind energy in cities, the utilization of distributed wind energy in cities has been widely concerned by researchers. The related research on the micro-site selection of wind turbines, a sub-project of the Task27 project of the International energy agency, was continued in this paper.Methods：The wind speed data of an observation station near Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, with a range of 10-19 m were collected. The evaluation included wind direction, Weibull parameter characteristics, and turbulence intensity. The potential energy output in 10 different heights was estimated using commercial horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines of the same power.Results：The three-parameter Weibull distribution model can well describe the statistical properties of the wind speed in this site. The wind speed distribution model constructed from extrapolation parameters reflects the wind speed statistical properties out of detection positions to a certain extent.Conclusions：The wind energy density of the vertical axis wind turbine is slightly lower than that of the horizontal axis wind turbine. Furthermore, more power can be generated from March to May.
Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.
Authors: Horwood Christiane , Haskins Lyn , Hinton Rachael , Connolly Catherine , Luthuli Silondile , Rollins Nigel
Published: December 2020

Background: There is a high burden of depression globally, including in South Africa. Maternal depression is associated with poverty, unstable income, food insecurity, and lack of partner support, and may lead to poor outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa one-third of working women are in informal work, which is associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: A cross sectional survey explored work setting and conditions, food security and risk of depression among informal working women with young children (0-3years). Depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) and Whooley score. Food insecurity was evaluated using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data was analysed using SPSS and Stata. Results: Interviews were conducted with 265 informal women workers. Types of work included domestic work, home-based work, informal employees and own account workers, most of whom were informal traders. Most participants (149/265; 56.2%) earned between US$70-200 per month, but some participants (79/265; 29.8%) earned less than US$70 per month, and few earned >US$200 per month (37/265; 14.0%). Many participants experienced mild (38/267; 14.3%), moderate (72/265; 27.2%) or severe (43/265; 16%) food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was significantly higher among participants with the lowest income compared to those with the highest income (p= 0.027). Women who received financial support from the baby’s father were less likely to be food insecure (p=0.03). Using EPDS scores, 22/265 (8.3%) women were designated as being at risk of depression. This was similar among postnatal women and women with older children. Household food insecurity was significantly associated with depression risk (p<0.001).Conclusions: Informal women workers were shown to be vulnerable with low incomes and high rates of food insecurity, thus increasing the risk for poor maternal health. However, levels of depression risk were low compared to previous estimates in South Africa, suggesting that informal workers may have high levels of resilience. Interventions to improve social protection, access to health services, and support for safe childcare in the workplace could improve the health and wellbeing of these mothers and support them to care for their children.
Time to first birth and its Predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: inverse Weibull gamma shared frailty model
Authors: Dewau Reta , Mekonnen Fantahun Ayenew , Seretew Wullo Sisay
Published: December 2020

Background: High maternal and child death with high fertility rate have been reported in Ethiopia. Extreme age at first birth is linked with both maternal and child morbidity and mortality. However, literatures showed there were limited studies on the timing of the first birth and its predictors in the area so far. Therefore, determining the time to first birth and its predictors will help to design strategies to improve maternal and child survival. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia using the Ethiopian demographic health survey (EDHS), 2016 data. Stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique was used for sampling. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to estimate time to first birth. Inverse Weibull gamma shared frailty model applied to model the data at 95% confidence interval (CI), adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) and median hazard ratio (MHR) were reported as effect size. Proportional hazard assumption checked using Schoenfeld residual test. Information Criteria were applied to select a parsimonious model. Stratified analysis performed for the interaction terms and statistical significance was declared at p value<0.05. Results: The overall median age at first birth was found to be 20 years (IQR, 16-24 years). The independent predictors of time to first birth were: married 15-17 years (AHR=2.33,95% CI:2.08-2.63),secondary education level (AHR=0.84,95% CI:0.78-0.96), higher education level (AHR=0.75, 95% CI:0.65-0.85), intercourse before 15 years in the married stratum (AHR=23.81, 95% CI:22.22-25.64), intercourse 15-17 years in married stratum (AHR=5.56, 95% CI:5.26-5.88),spousal age difference (AHR=1.11, 95% CI:1.05-1.16),and use of contraceptives (AHR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97). The median increase in the hazard of early childbirth in a cluster with higher early childbirth is 16% (MHR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.13-1.20) than low risk clusters adjusting for other factors.Conclusion:In this study, first birth was found to be at an early age. Early age at first marriage, at first sexual intercourse and their interaction, high spousal age difference, being Muslim were found to increase early motherhood. Conversely, living in the most urban region, secondary and higher women education were identified to delay the first birth. Investing on women education and protecting them from early marriage is required to optimize time to first birth. The contextual differences in time to first birth are an important finding which requires more study and interventions.
A preoperative mortality risk assessment model for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection
Authors: Kuang Juntao , Yang Jue , Wang Qiuji , Yu Changjiang , Li Ying , Fan Ruixin
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUNDAcute aortic dissection type A is a life-threatening disease required emergency surgery during acute phase. Different clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and imaging features of patients with acute aortic dissection type A are the risk factors of preoperative mortality. This study aims to establish a simple and effective preoperative mortality risk assessment model for patients with acute aortic dissection type A.METHODSA total of 673 Chinese patients with acute aortic dissection type A who were admitted to our hospital were retrospectively included. All patients were unable to receive surgically treatment within 3 days from the onset of disease. The patients included were divided into the survivor and deceased groups, and the endpoint event was preoperative death. Multivariable analysis was used to investigate predictors of preoperative mortality and to develop a prediction model.RESULTSAmong the 673 patients, 527 patients survived (78.31%) and 146 patients died (21.69%). The developmental dataset had 505 patients, calibration by Hosmer Lemeshow was significant (χ2 = 3.260, df = 8, P = 0.917) and discrimination by area under ROC curve was 0.8448 (95% CI, 0.8007-0.8888). The validation dataset had 168 patients, calibration was significant (χ2 = 5.500, df = 8, P = 0.703) and the area under the ROC curve was 0.8086 (95% CI, 0.7291-0.8881). The following independent variables increased preoperative mortality: age (OR = 1.008, P = 0.510), abrupt chest pain (OR = 3.534, P < 0.001), lactic in arterial blood gas ≥ 3 mmol/L (OR = 3.636, P < 0.001), inotropic support (OR = 8.615, P < 0.001), electrocardiographic myocardial ischemia (OR = 3.300, P = 0.001), innominate artery involvement (OR = 1.625, P = 0.104), right common carotid artery involvement (OR = 3.487, P = 0.001), superior mesenteric artery involvement (OR = 2.651, P = 0.001), false lumen / true lumen of ascending aorta ≥ 0.75 (OR = 2.221, P = 0.007) . Our data suggest that a simple and effective preoperative death risk assessment model has been established.CONCLUSIONSUsing a simple and effective risk assessment model can help clinicians quickly identify high-risk patients and make appropriate medical decisions.
External fixator combined with three different fixation methods of fibula for treatment of extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula: a retrospective study
Authors: Sun DongDong , Lv Dan , Zhou Kun , Chen Jian , Gao Li-Lan , Sun Ming-Lin
Published: December 2020

Background To compare the efficacy of three different fixation methods of fibula combined with external fixation of tibia for the treatment of extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula. Methods From January 2017 to July 2019, 91 cases of open fractures of distal tibia and fibula were treated with external fixator, and the fibula was fixed with non-fixation (group A, n=35), plate-screw (group B, n=30) and Kirschner wire(group C, n=26).The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical and implants costs, fracture healing time, postoperative complications, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgery (AOFAS) scores were compared among the groups. Results Four patients were lost to follow-up, and 87 patients were followed up for 5-35 months (average, 14.2 months). The operation time of group C(114.92±36.09min) was shorter than that of group A (142.27±47.05min) and group B(184.00±48.56min) (P<0.05). There was no difference in intraoperative blood loss among the three groups (P>0.05). The surgical and implants costs in group C (5.24±1.21, thousand dollars) is lower than that in group A (6.48±1.11, thousand dollars) and group B (9.37±2.16, thousand dollars) (P < 0.05).The fracture healing time of group C(5.67±1.42months) was significantly less than that of group A (6.90±1.33months) and group B(6.70±1.12months) (P<0.05). The postoperative complications such as fractures delayed union and nonunion in group C (2 cases, 8.00%) is less than that in group A (13 cases, 39.39%) and group B (11cases, 37.93%) (P<0.05). The wound infection and needle-tract infection did not differ among the three groups (P>0.05). The excellent or good rate of ankle function was 69.70% in group A, 72.41% in group B and 84.00% in group C, with no statistical difference among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with simple external fixator fixation and external fixator combined with plate-screw osteosynthesis, external fixator combined with K-wire intramedullary fixation shortens the operative time and fracture healing time, reduced costs and complications of fracture healing, while the blood loss, infection complications and ankle function recovery showed no difference with the other two groups. External fixator combined with plate-screw osteosynthesis had no advantage in treating extra-articular open fractures of distal tibia and fibula when compared with simple external fixation.Fund program: National Natural Science Foundation of China (11572222)
Exploring the Effect of Problem Based Facilitatory Teaching Approach on Motivation to Learn: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Nursing Students in Tanzania
Authors: Millanzi Walter Cleophace , Kibusi Stephen M.
Published: December 2020

Background: Academic motivation is most important as a key determinant of competent and motivated nurses who are often considered as frontline healthcare providers who devote most of their time taking care of clients and patients. However, most of them demonstrate remarkable differences in their academic performances during their schooling that might be due to the differences in their academic motivation and achievement motivation. There appears a growing concern to rethink the approaches on how nurses are prepared, explore, and test novel approaches for delivering the nursing curricula. This study tested the effect of Problem Based Facilitatory Teaching pedagogy on academic motivation among nursing students in Tanzania, higher learning institutions.Methods: A pre-post-test controlled quasi-experimental study of 401 purposively selected participants was conducted between February and June 2018. The study was not a clinical randomized controlled trial and thus it has not been identified in the title and no summary of trial design, its methods, results, and conclusion. The Auditing Inventory developed by the researcher measured the intervention and a Questionnaire titled “Academic Motivation Scale,” was adopted to measure academic motivation. Statistical Product for Service Solutions software program version 23 was used to perform descriptive analysis to establish participants’ sociodemographic profiles. Regression analysis was performed to determine the association between variables.Results: Findings revealed that 65.8% of participants were males. Post-test findings showed 70.3% of participants demonstrated the motive to learn contrary to 34.9% at baseline. The odds of an intervention to influence academic motivation among participants was higher than the control (AOR = 1.720; p<0.05; 95%CI: 1.122, 2.635). However, the intervention demonstrated little influence on the extrinsic motivation to learn (AOR = 0.676, p>0.05, 95%CI: 0.405, 1.129) and Amotivation to learn (AOR = 0.538, p>0.05; 95%CI: 0.283, 1.022) compared to the control.Conclusion: The Problem Based Facilitatory Teaching pedagogy was a predictive factor to intrinsic academic motivation among nursing students. The approach demonstrated educational potentials to change the spectrum of nursing competency and quality of care to patients or clients. This study suggests problem-based facilitatory teaching pedagogy be integrated into the nursing curriculum in Tanzania as it is feasible.
Gender differences in self-harm and drinking behaviors among high school students in Beijing, China
Authors: LI Chai-Quan , ZHANG Jing-Shu , MA Shang , Ruo-Ran LV , DUAN Jia-Li , LUO Dong-Mei , YAN Xiao-Jin , MA Ning , SONG Yi
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSelf-harm and drinking are both serious problems in adolescents and many studies presented evidence of their association. However, gender differences in this association are seldom deeply discussed. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of self-harm and explore its association with drinking behaviors by gender and investigate the extent to which the gender differences exist in the association between self-harm and drinking.MethodsA total of 32,362 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing, China were anonymously surveyed and included in our study using two-stage, stratified probability proportion sampling. Self-harm, drinking behaviors and other basic information were obtained from an anonymous questionnaire. Demographic variables, self-harm and drinking behaviors were analyzed using the Chi-square test and the Gamma test between genders and the gender differences in this association were analyzed by log-binomial regression. ResultsThe total prevalence of self-harm was 13.7% with no significant gender difference (B=0.352, P=0.553). The prevalence of self-harm in girls decreased with age (G=-0.163, P<0.001). Self-harm was associated with drinking behaviors in both boys and girls. The Log-binomial regression demonstrated that girls in the 16-19 years old category were at lower risk of self-harm than girls in the 12-15 years old group while this association was weaker in boys (1.493 vs 1.128). The higher OR for self-harm was found among girls with early drinking experiences compared with boys (2.565 vs 1.863). Girls who had previously drunk (i.e. drunk at least once) (2.211 vs 1.636), were currently drinking (3.400 vs 2.122) and performed binge drinking (6.357 vs 3.924) were at greater risk of self-harm than boys. ConclusionAmong high school students, self-harm has a significant positive association with drinking and girls with drinking behaviors are at higher risk of suffering self-harm. Identifying adolescents’ drinking behaviors is of vital importance to self-harm prevention and special attention should be focused on younger girls.
A Canadian-wide Perspective on the Essential Conditions for Taking a Comprehensive School Health Approach
Authors: Neely Kacey C , Montemurro Genevieve R. , Storey Kate E.
Published: December 2020

Background: The primary purpose of this research was to explore Comprehensive School Health (CSH) stakeholders’ perceptions of the essential conditions for taking a CSH approach in other contexts across Canada. The secondary purpose was to examine the need for and development of an evaluative tool or resource to assess the implementation of the essential conditions.Methods: Data were generated through individual semi-structured interviews (n = 38) and small group interviews (n = 3) with 45 participants across Canada involved in implementing policies or programs which take a CSH approach. Interviews were subjected to content analysis. Results: There was positive support for the essential conditions and results indicated the essential conditions are relevant across Canada. Findings revealed the necessity for a new essential condition that reflected support and leadership from the school district and/or provincial/territorial governing bodies. Modifications to the description of each of the essential conditions were also suggested to provide clarity. Results also indicated that an evaluative tool that was concise, meaningful, and provided immediate feedback would be useful to school communities to establish readiness, assess, and improve ongoing implementation of CSH approaches. Conclusions: This research contributes to the evidence-base of CSH by providing school communities across Canada with a set of refined and understandable essential conditions that support successful implementation. Further, the development of an evaluation tool will support school health champions, researchers, and policymakers in the optimization and implementation of policies or programs which take a CSH approach, ultimately supporting healthier school communities across the country.
Pattern of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever related high risk behaviors among Iranian butchers and its relation to perceived self-efficacy
Authors: Adham Davoud , Abazari Malek , Moradi-Asl Eslam , Abbasi-Ghahramanloo Abbas
Published: December 2020

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is highly fatal to humans and an acute viral disease. The CCHF disease has been reported in occupations such as butchers, slaughterhouse butchers and workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of CCHF related high risk behaviors among butchers and determine the effects of perceived self-efficacy of the participants on their membership in latent classes. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectional study were recruited from all the meat distribution centers in Ardabil Province in 2019-2020. The LCA approach was used to observe the CCFH related high risk behaviors patterns.Results: The statistical significance level was assigned at P-value ˂ 0.05 in all the analyses. Three latent classes were identified; namely, 1) low risk (16.1%), 2) high risk (53.6%), and 3) very high risk (30.2%). After adjusting for other possible confounders higher score of perceived self-efficacy significantly decrease the odds of membership in high risk class (OR=0.74) and very high risk class (OR=0.62) compared to the low risk class. Also, age (OR=1.07) and experience (OR=0.91) associate with very high risk class.Conclusions: This study revealed the co-occurrence of CCHF related high risk behaviors in the majority of workers in the livestock and meat industry. It is necessary to provide butchers and slaughterhouse workers with general education, force them to use protective equipment and investigate the rate of tick bites in risky occupations.