bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review of the Studies Using Syngeneic, Autologous, Allogeneic, and Xenogeneic Cells
Authors: Sávio-Silva Christian , Beyerstedt Stephany , Soinski-Sousa Poliana E. , Casaro Expedito B. , Balby-Rocha Maria Theresa A. , Simplício-Filho Antônio , Alves-Silva Jamille , Rangel Érika B.
Published: November 2020

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and comprises multifactorial pathophysiologic mechanisms. Despite current treatment, around 30-40% of individuals with type 1 and type 2 DM (DM1 and DM2) have progressive DKD, which is the most common cause of end-stage chronic kidney disease worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) based therapy has important biological and therapeutic implications for curtailing DKD progression. As a chronic disease, DM may impair MSC microenvironment, but there is compelling evidence that MSC derived from DM1 individuals maintain their cardinal properties, such as potency, secretion of trophic factors, and modulation of immune cells, so that both autologous and allogeneic MSCs are safe and effective. Conversely, MSCs derived from DM2 individuals are usually dysfunctional, exhibiting higher rates of senescence and apoptosis and a decrease in clonogenicity, proliferation, and angiogenesis potential. Therefore, more studies in humans are needed to reach a conclusion if autologous MSCs from DM2 individuals are effective for treatment of DM-related complications. Importantly, the bench to bedside pathway has been constructed in the last decade for assessing the therapeutic potential of MSCs in the DM setting. Laboratory research set the basis for establishing further translation research including preclinical development and proof of concept in model systems. Phase I clinical trials have evaluated the safety profile of MSC-based therapy in humans, and phase II clinical trials (proof of concept in trial participants) still need to answer important questions for treating DKD, yet metabolic control has already been documented. Therefore, randomized and controlled trials considering the source, optimal cell number, and route of delivery in DM patients are further required to advance MSC-based therapy. Future directions include strategies to reduce MSC heterogeneity, standardized protocols for isolation and expansion of those cells, and the development of well-designed large-scale trials to show significant efficacy during a long follow-up, mainly in individuals with DKD.
Applications of Modified Sigmoid Functions to a Class of Starlike Functions
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ghaffar , Ahmad Bakhtiar , Murugusundaramoorthy Gangadharan , Chinram Ronnason , Mashwani Wali Khan
Published: November 2020

The main focus of this investigation is the applications of modified sigmoid functions. Due to its various uses in physics, engineering, and computer science, we discuss several geometric properties like necessary and sufficient conditions in the form of convolutions for functions to be in the special classSSG∗earlier introduced by Goel and Kumar and obtaining third-order Hankel determinant for this class using modified sigmoid functions. Also, the third-order Hankel determinant for 2- and 3-fold symmetric functions of this class is evaluated.
Hydraulic and Mechanical Relationship of Individual Fracture in Rock under Compression and Shearing: Theoretical Study
Authors: Zhou Zhiqiang , Zhao Yu , Wang Chaolin
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a new approach has been developed for predicting the hydraulic and mechanical relationship of individual fractures subjected to normal stress and compression-shear stress. Considering that the closure process of rough fracture subjected to normal stress can be divided into two phases (linear behavior and nonlinear behavior), a relationship between normal stress and fracture aperture is derived through the minimum potential energy principle. Then, a formulation for calculating fracture permeability during shearing and compression processes is developed. Furthermore, a formulation for determining fracture aperture during the crack growth process is obtained, which is further implanted into the permeability model to predict the hydraulic behavior of fractured rock during fracture propagation. This new model not only considers the normal deformation of the fracture but also, and more importantly, integrates the effect of fracture propagation and shear dilation. Theoretical studies demonstrate that fracture permeability increases nonlinearly during fracture propagation. At last, experimental results and analytic results are compared to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed models, and satisfactory agreements are obtained.
Association of the Differences in Average Glandular Dose with Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Ma Le , Cai Yuxing , Lin Xiaojia , He Zilong , Zeng Hui , Chen Weiguo , Qin Genggeng
Published: November 2020

Objectives. To compare the differences in normalized average glandular dose (NAGD) between the breasts of healthy subjects and those of cancer patients and to determine if the NAGD difference is associated with breast cancer risk and improves breast cancer classification. Materials and Methods. Craniocaudal view and mediolateral view full‐field digital mammography (FFDM) images were obtained from 1682 healthy subjects whose breasts were categorized as Breast Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) I or II and from 811 biopsy‐confirmed unilateral breast cancer patients whose breasts on the contralateral side were category I or II. Both populations were randomized into training and test sets. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to build the breast cancer risk assessment model, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) was used to evaluate the model. Twenty‐two breast cancer patients who were originally categorized as BI‐RADS I or II for both breasts, but were diagnosed with unilateral biopsy‐confirmed breast cancer subsequently, were included to validate the model. Results. The NAGD differences in both FFDM images between tumor‐bearing breasts and the healthy breasts of patients were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The model with NAGD differences had a higher Az value than the model without NAGD differences. While there was no NAGD differences between originally healthy breasts of breast cancer patients, significant NAGD differences between now tumor‐bearing breasts and the then previously healthy breasts were found in both FFDM images. Conclusions. NAGD differences between both breasts can be included in the breast cancer risk assessment model to evaluate breast cancer risk.
Myeloma-Modified Adipocytes Exhibit Metabolic Dysfunction and a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype
Authors: Fairfield Heather , Dudakovic Amel , Khatib Casper M. , Farrell Mariah , Costa Samantha , Falank Carolyne , Hinge Maja , Murphy Connor S. , DeMambro Victoria , Pettitt Jessica A. , Lary Christine W. , Driscoll Heather E. , McDonald Michelle M. , Kassem Moustapha , Rosen Clifford , Andersen Thomas L. , van Wijnen Andre J. , Jafari Abbas , Reagan Michaela R.
Published: November 2020

Bone marrow adipocytes (BMAd) have recently been implicated in accelerating bone metastatic cancers, such as acute myelogenous leukemia and breast cancer. Importantly, bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) expands with aging and obesity, two key risk factors in multiple myeloma disease prevalence, suggesting that BMAds may influence and be influenced by myeloma cells in the marrow. Here, we provide evidence that reciprocal interactions and cross-regulation of myeloma cells and BMAds play a role in multiple myeloma pathogenesis and treatment response. Bone marrow biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma revealed significant loss of BMAT with myeloma cell infiltration of the marrow, whereas BMAT was restored after treatment for multiple myeloma. Myeloma cells reduced BMAT in different preclinical murine models of multiple myeloma and in vitro using myeloma cell-adipocyte cocultures. In addition, multiple myeloma cells altered adipocyte gene expression and cytokine secretory profiles, which were also associated with bioenergetic changes and induction of a senescent-like phenotype. In vivo, senescence markers were also increased in the bone marrow of tumor-burdened mice. BMAds, in turn, provided resistance to dexamethasone-induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, illuminating a new possible driver of myeloma cell evolution in a drug-resistant clone. Our findings reveal that bidirectional interactions between BMAds and myeloma cells have significant implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple myeloma. Targeting senescence in the BMAd or other bone marrow cells may represent a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of multiple myeloma.

Significance:

This study changes the foundational understanding of how cancer cells hijack the bone marrow microenvironment and demonstrates that tumor cells induce senescence and metabolic changes in adipocytes, potentially driving new therapeutic directions.
Postdiagnostic Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, Dietary Insulin Index, and Insulin Load and Breast Cancer Survival
Authors: Farvid Maryam S. , Tamimi Rulla M. , Poole Elizabeth M. , Chen Wendy Y. , Rosner Bernard A. , Willett Walter C. , Holmes Michelle D. , Eliassen A. Heather
Published: November 2020

Background:

We investigated the associations of postdiagnostic dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), insulin index (II), and insulin load (IL) with breast cancer–specific and all-cause mortality.

Methods:

Among 8,932 women with stage I–III breast cancer identified in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1980–2010) and NHSII (1991–2011), we prospectively evaluated the associations between postdiagnostic GI, GL, II, and IL, and breast cancer–specific and all-cause mortality. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire every 4 years after diagnosis.

Results:

During follow-up by 2014 in the NHS and 2015 in the NHSII, 2,523 deaths, including 1,071 from breast cancer, were documented. Higher postdiagnostic GL was associated with higher risk of both breast cancer–specific mortality [HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–1.63; Ptrend = 0.008] and all-cause mortality (HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.10–1.45; Ptrend = 0.0006). Higher all-cause mortality was also observed with higher postdiagnostic GI (HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.08–1.40; Ptrend = 0.001), II (HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.04–1.38; Ptrend = 0.005), and IL (HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.07–1.42; Ptrend = 0.0003). The associations were not modified by insulin receptor or estrogen receptor status of the tumor, or body mass index.

Conclusions:

We found that higher dietary GL, reflecting postprandial glucose response, after a breast cancer diagnosis was associated with higher risk of breast cancer–specific mortality. Higher dietary GI, GL, II, and IL after a breast cancer diagnosis were associated with higher risk of death from any cause.

Impact:

These results suggest that carbohydrate quantity and quality may be important in breast cancer prognosis.

See related commentary by McTiernan, p. 252
Clinical and Pathological Features of Prostatic Stromal Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential: A Retrospective Study of 23 Chinese Cases
Authors: Shen Qi , Zhou Zhaohui , Liu Zhenhua , Hu Shuai , Lin Zhiyong , Li Shaobo , Li Senmao , Song Hualin , Chen Yuke , Meng Yisen , Wang Yu , Fan Yu , Li Xin , Xiao Yunxiang , He Qun , Jin Jie , Zhang Qian , Yu Wei
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare disease that may coexist with prostate stromal sarcoma (PSS). We aimed to analyze the histological and clinical features of STUMP. Methods: Twenty-three patients diagnosed with STUMP from 2008 to 2019 were included. Clinicopathological and follow-up information was collected. In the subgroup analysis, we divided the patients into a pure STUMP group (N = 18) and a mixed STUMP (STUMP coexisting with PSS) group (N = 5). Student’s t test was used to compare the 2 groups. Results: Patients had a mean age of 55.5 ± 19.4 years and an average follow-up time of 42.3 months. The mean prostate volume was 109.2 ± 73.5 cm3, and the mean prostate-specific antigen was 8.03 ± 10.5 ng/mL. In the subgroup analysis, 16.7% (2/12) of pure STUMP patients had disease progression, while 100% (3/3) of mixed STUMP patients suffered from recurrence. Compared with the pure STUMP group, the mixed STUMP group was younger (37.2 vs. 60.6 years, p = 0.013) and had lower expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: STUMP is a rare disease with a relatively good prognosis. However, there is still a possibility of disease progression or coexistence with stromal sarcoma. Timely diagnosis and regular monitoring may be helpful in improving treatment outcomes.
Clinical and Molecular Spectrum of Four Patients Diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome
Authors: Ayyildiz Emecen Durdugul , Isik Esra , Utine Gulen E. , Simsek-Kiper Pelin O. , Atik Tahir , Ozkinay Ferda
Published: November 2020

Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by distinctive facial features, congenital heart defects, Hirschsprung disease, genitourinary anomalies, various structural brain anomalies, and intellectual disability. Pathogenic mutations that result in haploinsufficiency in the ZEB2 gene cause MWS. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical features and molecular analysis results of 4 MWS patients. All patients were examined by an expert clinical geneticist. Dysmorphological abnormalities were recorded. Data including demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings were obtained from hospital records. ZEB2 gene analysis was performed using a Sanger sequencing method. All patients had typical facial features of MWS such as widely spaced eyes, broad eyebrows with a medial flare, low-hanging columella, prominent or pointed chin, open-mouth expression, and uplifted earlobes. Four different heterozygous mutations were identified; 2 mutations were frameshift (c.246_247delGGinsC, c.980_980delG), 1 was nonsense (c.2083C>T), and 1 was splice site (c.808–2A>G). Two of them (c.246_247delGGinsC, c.980_980delG) have not been previously reported in the literature. By defining 2 novel mutations, this study contributes to the molecular spectrum of MWS, while also providing a further insight for genetic counseling. It also demonstrates the importance of dysmorphological examination in clinical diagnosis.
North Korea’s Science and Technology Policy and the Development of Technology-Intensive Industries
Authors: Mah Jai S.
Published: November 2020

The North Korean government declared a pursuit of the Military-First Policy and the Ideology of Focusing on Science and Technology in the late 1990s. It thus made science and technology central to its goal of the Establishment of Strong and Prosperous State. North Korea came to perceive science and technology as engines for promoting both nuclear armament and economic development. The switch of policy attention to science and technology has facilitated the development of some selected technology-intensive industries. In 2017, North Korea declared that it had completed development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Although North Korea’s development of hi-tech arms including nuclear bombs and ICBMs appears inconsistent with its low level of economic development, it can be understood in light of the North Korean government’s emphasis on science and technology and prioritization of the allocation of resources to defense.
Compulsory Vaccination and the Turkish Constitutional Court
Authors: Yıldırım Engin
Published: November 2020

As vaccine hesitancy is on the rise around the world, apex courts in some countries have confronted the difficult task of striking a fair balance between individual rights and the common good. Against this background, the article discusses the compulsory vaccination cases heard by the Turkish Constitutional Court (TCC). The TCC’s case law illustrates that any interference with bodily integrity must first comply with the principle of lawfulness and its rulings addressed an important shortage of the current Turkish compulsory childhood vaccination policy. The article suggests that the principle of lawfulness in compulsory vaccination cases should not be taken lightly, even if it serves compelling public interests.
Micro- and Mesopores Occurring in Transitional Shales: An Examination Based on Pore Radius and Origin
Authors: Han Wenlong , Wang Yanbin , Li Yong , Liu Du , Wu Xiang
Published: November 2020

The microscopic pores in shales can be characterized based on different features, including pore morphology, pore size distribution and pore origin. In this work, shale samples from the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation and Upper Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation in the Linxing Block of the Ordos Basin were examined via experiments including X-ray diffraction (XRD), total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), automatic acquisition of large-image technology (MAPS), and low-temperature gas (CO2and N2) adsorption/desorption experiments. The results show that clay minerals (average value of 53.9 wt.%) and quartz (average value of 39.0 wt.%) dominate the sample composition, with some K-feldspar, plagioclase, siderite, etc. The TOC values are between 1.15% and 8.46%, and all the shales are of middle-high maturity (the vitrinite reflectance (Ro) ranges from 1.23% to 1.75%). Based on FE-SEM images, the observed pore types include interparticle (interP) pores, intraparticle (intraP) pores, and organicmatter (OM) pores, and the pores and fractures at different scales are examined by MAPS. The distributions of micro- and mesopores and the proportions of the different pore sizes were determined from the N2and CO2adsorption results. The pore size distribution results suggest that N2mainly penetratesmesopores (2–50 nm), while CO2mainly penetrates large micropores (0.7–2 nm). Micropores are the largest contributors to the total pores. The mesopores were further classified as small, medium and large mesopores, and the proportion of mesopores decreased with increasing pore size.
Characterization of Pore Structure and Its Relationship with Methane Adsorption on Medium-High Volatile Bituminous Coal: An Experimental Study Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Zhang Baoxin , Fu Xuehai , Deng Ze , Hao Ming
Published: November 2020

A number of studies have used the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique to analyse pore characteristics and to discuss the influencing mechanisms of pore structure on methane adsorption. However, there are few studies on the dynamic characteristics of methane adsorption over time
under the same temperature and pressure conditions, especially by using the cylindrical coal samples. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury injection porosimetry (MIP), isothermal adsorption and NMR techniques were carried out on the four medium-high volatile bituminous
coal samples from Shanxi Province, China. The simulation of methane adsorption was carried out with the custom adsorption instruments. Based on the experimental results and the Hodot pore size classification standard, the pore size distribution of the samples was analysed. In addition, the
influence of nanopore structure and water content on methane adsorption was discussed. The results show that the T2 relaxation diagram of the four coal samples has a bimodal-triple peak, which reflects the complexity of the pore structure. Due to the clay minerals filling
microfractures in the sample HX, the connectivity of the nanopores is reduced, in addition there is an obvious gap between the peaks in the relaxation diagram. After calculation of the T2 relaxation diagrams of the coals, the results can be converted into the pore size distribution
map. The pores in the four samples are mainly composed of the macropores, followed by the mesopores, and the ratio of micropores and transition pores is relatively small. At Sw (saturated in 5% brine for 24 h) and Sir (dried at 333 K for 3 h) conditions,
the adsorption capacity of the four samples presented a positive correlation with the effective porosity and the ratio of micropores, and presented a negative correlation with the ratio of mesopores, while the macropores contribute less to the adsorption. Compared with samples at Sw
conditions, the adsorption capacity of the samples at Sir conditions shows an overall increasing trend, which is approximately 1.6 times that of the samples at Sw conditions on average. When a large amount of liquid water invades the nanopores and fractures,
the water occupies the adsorption space of the methane due to the wettability effects and capillary pressure, which reduces the adsorption capacity.
Pore Structure Characterization of Tailing Bed and Dewatering Mechanism at nm-µm Scales Under Shearing
Authors: Jiao Hua-Zhe , Wang Shu-Fei , Jia Tian-Rang , Ju Yi-Wen
Published: November 2020

The preparation of high-density tailings is a prerequisite for cemented paste backfill technology, and the flocculated fine tailings of sealed water leads to challenges in the slurry thickening of tailings. Shearing conditions can compact the micro floc structure to improve the underflow
concentration. The nm-μm scales of pore characteristics and connectivity are essential for the dewatering process. The computed tomography (CT) results show that the underflow concentration increases from 62.3 wt% to 68.6 wt% after undergoing rake shearing at 2 rpm, and the porosity decreases
from 42.7% to 35.54%. The shearing conditions reduces the spheres and sticks by 43.14% and 43.3%, respectively, from the pore network model (PNM). The seepage flow states were affected by the changes in the pore structure. The maximum surface velocity and the maximum internal pressure decrease
after undergoing shearing. Shearing conditions can break the micro floc structures, and the fine particles can fill in the micron-scale pores by gravity and shearing conditions, resulting in the forced drainage of water into the pores. Shearing conditions can break the thickening floc network
structures; natural fine particles can fill the micron-scale pores by gravity and shearing conditions. The upward seepage of sealed water along the μm-scale pore channel causes a higher bed concentration. However, the sealed water in the nm-scale pores cannot flow upward due to water cohesion
and particle adhesion resistance.
Characteristics of Micro/Nanopores and Their Petroleum Significance in the Eastern Segment of the Altun Piedmont, Qaidam Basin, Western China
Authors: Xie Qing-Bin , Li Xin , Li Chuan-Long , Zhang Yong-Shu
Published: November 2020

With continuous improvements in nanotechnology, the development of micro/nanoscale pores and fractures in reservoirs can be more clearly identified, and great progress has been made in tight sandstone and shale. Bedrock has an ultralow porosity and is a reservoir with low permeability.
To study the characteristics of micro/nanoscale pore development and reveal their petroleum significance in the eastern segment of the Altun Piedmont, research has been conducted with the use of cathodoluminescence, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy spectrum analysis,
formation microresistivity image logging, high-pressure mercury injection and nuclear magnetic logging. The results have shown that the porosity of the bedrock reservoir in the eastern segment of the Altun Piedmont, as measured by helium injection and nuclear magnetic logging, is between 0.004%
and 9.76%, the average porosity is between 1.663% and 3.844%, and the permeability is between the maximum of 0.002 mD and 33.239 mD. The average permeability is between 0.02 mD and approximately 3.836 mD. Micro/nanopores are generally developed, with the majority being intragranular micro/nanopores,
intercrystalline micro/nanopores and microcracks, as summarized by the field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Four differently sized pores develop: micropores account for approximately 20%, transition pores account for approximately 30%, and
mesopores and macropores account for approximately 25% each. The pore throat development below 100 nm is greater than 50% according to the collation of experimental data from high-pressure mercury intrusion; therefore, micro/nanopores are the main storage space in the study area, and the gas
logging shows good results. Micro/nanopores are also one of the main reservoir spaces of bedrock reservoirs in conjunction with the conventional reservoir space, and thus, micro/nanopores have important petroleum significance.
The Chronicle of the Resurrection Regalia: Or Why Every Black Hire Is the First
Authors: Bracey Glenn E. , McIntosh David F.
Published: November 2020

This article uses Wendy Moore’s concept of White institutional space to explain why Black people experience ostracization, microaggressions, and other forms of othering in predominantly White institutions. More than five decades since the official end of Jim Crow, Black people report Whites treating them as though they do not belong in predominantly White institutions. It is as though Black people are still integrating White spaces, even when other Black people are members in those spaces. Drawing on sociology, psychology, and education literatures and our own ethnographic research, we argue that Black people feel like they are integrating White institutional spaces because they are. White people have constructed a three-part system to protect the Whiteness of spaces as people of color struggle for increased membership in historically White institutions. The first part of the system is physical segregation, accomplished primarily through residential segregation and institutional siloing. The second part is segregation via microaggressions that ensure that only a few people of color enter White institutional space, that the few who enter are unlikely to disturb White institutional space, and any people of color who no longer consent to White normativity are quickly discovered and excised. Finally, Whites use cognitive tricks like subtyping, which define colleagues of color as special exceptions to their otherwise undesirable racial groups. Through a fictional chronicle, the authors demonstrate how White colleagues use physical separation, microaggressions, and subtyping to maintain the Whiteness of their White institutional space.
Baseline Correction Based on a Search Algorithm from Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Xia
Published: November 2020

Many spectra have a polynomial-like baseline. Iterative polynomial fitting is one of the most popular methods for baseline correction of these spectra. However, the baseline estimated by iterative polynomial fitting may have a substantial error when the spectrum contains significantly strong peaks or have strong peaks located at the endpoints. First, iterative polynomial fitting uses temporary baseline estimated from the current spectrum to identify peak data points. If the current spectrum contains strong peaks, then the temporary baseline substantially deviates from the true baseline. Some good baseline data points of the spectrum might be mistakenly identified as peak data points and are artificially re-assigned with a low value. Second, if a strong peak is located at the endpoint of the spectrum, then the endpoint region of the estimated baseline might have a significant error due to overfitting. This study proposes a search algorithm-based baseline correction method (SA) that aims to compress sample the raw spectrum to a dataset with small number of data points and then convert the peak removal process into solving a search problem in artificial intelligence to minimize an objective function by deleting peak data points. First, the raw spectrum is smoothened out by the moving average method to reduce noise and then divided into dozens of unequally spaced sections on the basis of Chebyshev nodes. Finally, the minimal points of each section are collected to form a dataset for peak removal through search algorithm. SA selects the mean absolute error as the objective function because of its sensitivity to overfitting and rapid calculation. The baseline correction performance of SA is compared with those of three baseline correction methods, the Lieber and Mahadevan-Jansen method, adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares method, and improved asymmetric least squares method. Simulated and real Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra with polynomial-like baselines are employed in the experiments. Results show that for these spectra the baseline estimated by SA has fewer error than those by the three other methods.
Interband Cascade Laser Arrays for Simultaneous and Selective Analysis of C1–C5 Hydrocarbons in Petrochemical Industry
Authors: Scheuermann Julian , Kluczynski Pawel , Siembab Krzysztof , Straszewski Mateusz , Kaczmarek Jakub , Weih Robert , Fischer Marc , Koeth Johannes , Schade Anne , Höfling Sven
Published: November 2020

The detection and measurement of hydrocarbons are of high interest for a variety of applications, for example within the oil and gas industry from extraction throughout the complete refining process, as well as for environmental monitoring and for portable safety devices. This paper presents a highly sensitive, selective, and robust tunable laser analyzer that has the capability to analyze several components in a gas sample stream. More specifically, a multi-gas system for simultaneous detection of C1 to iC5 hydrocarbons, using a room temperature distributed feedback interband cascade laser array, emitting in the 3.3 µm band has been realized. It combines all the advantages of the tunable laser spectroscopy method for a fast, sensitive, and selective in-line multicomponent tunable laser analyzer. Capable of continuous and milliseconds fast monitoring of C1-iC5 hydrocarbon compositions in a process stream, the analyzer requires no consumables (e.g., purging, carrier gas) and no in-field calibration, enabling a low cost of ownership for the analyzer. The system was built based on an industrial GasEye series platform and deployed for the first time in field at Preem refinery in Lysekil, Sweden, in autumn 2018. Results of the measurement campaign and comparison with gas chromatography instrumentation are presented.
Efficacy of Soy-Based Formulas in Alleviating Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Infants With Milk-Based Formula Intolerance: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Lasekan John B. , Baggs Geraldine E.
Published: November 2020

A randomized, blinded pilot clinical study was conducted to assess gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance in healthy, full-term infants (2-9 weeks old), whose pediatricians recommended a formula change due to perceived cow’s milk formula intolerance. Infants were randomized and exclusively fed either a commercial control soy formula (SF; n = 22), an experimental partially hydrolyzed SF (10% hydrolyzed, n = 23), or a 5% hydrolyzed SF (n = 26) for 2 weeks. Age-matched reference cohorts (n = 72) with no GI intolerance on milk-based formula were assessed in parallel. Results indicated that all SF-fed groups contributed to reduction ( P < .05) in common GI tolerance symptoms to levels not different from the non-symptomatic reference cohort at study end. The control SF group had more reduced fussiness, gas, and crying and higher formed stools versus hydrolyzed SF groups. In conclusion, the study suggests that SFs reduced GI intolerance symptoms in otherwise healthy infants with poor tolerance on milk-based formulas.
Crisis and Convergence: How the Combination of a Weak Economy and Mainstream Party Ideological De-Polarization Fuels Anti-System Support
Authors: Grant Zack P.
Published: November 2020

When do radical parties gain support? Previous studies cite the economy and mainstream party ideological convergence as important. Responding to earlier inconsistent findings, I provide evidence for an interactive approach. Anti-system parties succeed when mainstream parties are simultaneously presiding over an ailing economy and failing to provide the diversity of political opinion for the electorate to meaningfully challenge the policies associated with this malaise, through which dissatisfaction with the status quo could otherwise be channeled. Two studies support this “crisis and convergence” model. At the aggregate-level, the anti-system vote is strongest during times of negative economic growth and widespread mainstream party ideological de-polarization. At the voter-level, the link between negative economic evaluations and radical party voting is stronger during establishment convergence and, vice versa, personal perceptions of convergence are themselves more closely related to support for these parties when the macroeconomy is sickly. Mainstream party homogeneity radicalizes the economic vote and strengthens anti-system challengers.
The Impact of Moral Injury and Disclosure of Military Experiences on Veterans
Authors: La Fleur Richard , McDonald MaryCatherine , Senecal Gary , Coey Charles
Published: November 2020

While many veterans face physical, psychological, and spiritual difficulties, research suggests that the reintegration process from military service to civilian life, is a complex one. Our study focused on the role of moral injury and the disclosure of military experience in this transition, and how they might combine to affect veterans’ life satisfaction. We gave a battery of surveys to a large and diverse sample of veterans, measuring aspects of military culture and service, the moral ramifications of military experiences and attitudes and experiences with disclosing these experiences to civilians. Most important, we found that greater moral injury was associated with greater concerns about disclosure. Greater disclosure concerns were associated with lower perceptions of disclosure support, which in turn was associated with lower life satisfaction. We conclude that these findings suggest that a more nuanced account is required to fully understand the relationship between moral injury, disclosure attitudes, and life satisfaction. For promoting healthy reintegration and greater satisfaction with life, and we discuss several possibilities for future research.
Consumer Rational (In)Attention to Favorable and Unfavorable Product Information, and Firm Information Design
Authors: Jerath Kinshuk , Ren Qitian
Published: November 2020

The authors study how a consumer optimally allocates attention to favorable and unfavorable product-related information before making the purchase decision, when information processing is costly. They find that attention allocation depends on, among other factors, the consumer’s prior belief about whether the product matches their needs and their unit information processing cost. A consumer processes both “confirmatory” and “disconfirmatory” information to their prior belief, but to different degrees under different conditions. In general, if the consumer has an extreme prior, or if the unit cost of processing information is high such that only a small amount of information is optimally processed, they process more confirmatory than disconfirmatory information; this offers a rational explanation for the phenomenon known as “confirmation bias.” The authors also find that a seller can benefit by influencing the consumer’s attention allocation by strategically choosing how much favorable and unfavorable information to make available for the consumer to process and by influencing the information processing cost, where the optimal strategy depends on the seller’s ability to adjust product price. Surprisingly, a seller has a lower incentive to suppress unfavorable information when the consumer has a worse prior belief about product fit. The authors illustrate their model with an application to information provision in product reviews.
Economic governance and homicide: Some theory and empirics, 1990–2017
Authors: de Soysa Indra
Published: November 2020

This article posits that free-market institutions and practices reduce economic distortions that provide rents for underground organizations, which ultimately form criminogenic environments. Rents from market distortions provide ‘lootable income’ that feeds ‘criminal organizations’, which rely on violence for enforcement of contracts. Using an index of economic freedom, this study contrasts several relevant measures of political freedoms, political discrimination of individuals and groups, and measures of equal access to state ‘goods’ as proxies for political legitimacy and discrimination on the homicide rate. Fixed effects regression results suggest robustly that economic freedom, not political legitimacy, inclusive politics, or state capacity, reduces the homicide rate, results that are stubbornly significant and substantively large. The basic results are robust to a barrage of model specifications, different sample sizes, and estimation strategies, including instrumental variables analysis. The evidence suggests that unusually high homicide rates might be based in quotidian organizational activities related to ‘illegal’ markets rather than to political grievance-based explanations relating to relative deprivation and political legitimacy. Countries wishing to encourage growth-promoting policies need not fear higher levels of interpersonal violence based on various arguments linking free-market policies to societal disarray.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Self-Acceptance Scales for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Authors: Meireles Juliana Fernandes Filgueiras , Neves Clara Mockdece , Morgado Fabiane Frota da Rocha , Muzik Maria , Ferreira Maria Elisa Caputo
Published: November 2020

Self-acceptance, that is, a person’s acceptance of their own psychological and physical attributes, is considered critical for mental wellbeing. A lack of self-acceptance may contribute to the development of psychopathology. In the peripartum period, self-acceptance has particular relevance, as major psychological and body changes are normative during this time. This research presents the development and validation of the Self-Acceptance Scale for Pregnant Women (SAS-PW) and the Self-Acceptance Scale for Postpartum Women (SAS-PPW). Participants were aged 18–52. In Study 1, we developed 77 items for the SAS-PW and 74 items the SAS-PPW, based on literature review, previous scales, and qualitative study. In Study 2, nine experts and 60 representatives of the target population evaluated the instruments’ content validity, leading some items to be excluded and others to be modified. Studies 3 and 4 analyzed the instruments’ psychometric qualities among respondents to the instruments, 1254 pregnant women and 607 postpartum women from across Brazil. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with independent samples. The final SAS-PW (10 items and two-factors) and SAS-PPW (14 items and three-factors) demonstrated adequate psychometric quality for use with Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women, respectively.
Is Populism a Political Strategy? A Critique of an Enduring Approach
Authors: Rueda Daniel
Published: November 2020

The political-strategic approach is one of the most employed frameworks within the methodologically heterogeneous subfield of populism studies. In the last two decades, it has contributed to the analysis of populism both in Latin America and the United States and, more recently, in Western and Eastern Europe. That being said, a close inspection of its axioms and its conceptualization of the phenomenon shows that it is built on ill-conceived premises. This article intends to be a comprehensive critique of the approach that can contribute to the methodological progress of the field. It criticizes the three main dysfunctions of the approach: selective rationalism, leader-centrism, and normative bias.
Member Influence and Involvement in Civil Society Organizations: A Resource Dependency Perspective on Groups and Parties
Authors: Bolleyer Nicole , Correa Patricia
Published: November 2020

Which membership-based voluntary organizations constitutive of civil society such as parties, interest groups or service-oriented organizations keep their members active and which forms of activism do they cultivate? This article addresses this important question distinguishing two forms of ‘member activism’: ‘member involvement’, defined as members working for an organization, and ‘member influence’, defined as members’ participation in intra-organizational decision-making. Building on incentive-theoretical approaches to leader–member relations and resource dependency theory, we present a theoretical framework specifying distinct drivers of each form of member activism, which is tested using new data from four organization surveys conducted in four most different European democracies. None of the theorized factors has the same robust effect on both involvement and influence. Most notably, professionalization – reliance on paid staff – has a positive effect on involvement and a negative one on influence, stressing the need to distinguish carefully the different roles members play in civil society organizations.
Using Surveillance Data to Respond to an Outbreak of Congenital Syphilis in Arizona Through Third-Trimester Screening Policies, 2017-2018
Authors: Sykes Kaitlyn J. , Scranton Rebecca A. , Villarroel Lisa , Anderson Bree V. , Salek Sara , Stall Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The number of congenital syphilis (CS) cases in Arizona quadrupled from an average of 14 cases annually before 2017 to 61 cases in 2018, and a statewide outbreak was declared. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) analyzed statewide surveillance data to identify missed opportunities for prevention and collaborated with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to inform response activities.

Methods

ADHS developed a metric to identify missed opportunities for CS prevention during pregnancy by using medical records, vital records, and case investigation notes for all mothers of infants born with CS from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. AHCCCS conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to calculate the effect of increasing perinatal syphilis screening.

Results

Arizona had 57 cases of CS during the study period, of which 17 (29.8%) could have been prevented through third-trimester screening for women who were in prenatal care but screened late (n = 9), were infected after their first prenatal visit screen (n = 7), or were reinfected after an initial reactive syphilis test and appropriate treatment and not rescreened (n = 1). The estimated net cost of combining the additional primary (screening) and secondary (treatment) costs of a third-trimester screen for all pregnant AHCCCS members and the estimated total per-year savings of all newborn hospitalizations was $527.

Practice Implications

Third-trimester syphilis screening could prevent CS in regions where syphilis transmission is high. Partnering with health insurance agencies to evaluate the cost effectiveness of screening recommendations may improve the accuracy of the estimate of the potential cost savings by using insurance agency–specific data for the population at risk for CS.
Reminiscing Other People’s Memories: Conceptualizing and Measuring Vicarious Nostalgia Evoked by Heritage Tourism
Authors: Chi Oscar Hengxuan , Chi Christina G.
Published: November 2020

This mixed-methods study conceptualized and developed a scale to measure vicarious nostalgia in heritage tourism. Based on a comprehensive literature review, vicarious nostalgia was conceptualized with three dimensions: past-oriented cognition, evoked positive, and negative emotion. Rigorous scale development procedures were followed using six studies that involved multisample totaling 1,020 subjects. Besides content, discriminant and convergent validity, this study also assessed the scale’s nomological and external validity by testing a nomological model in different cultural contexts. It was revealed that vicarious nostalgia is driven by authenticity seeking; past-oriented cognition results in both evoked positive and negative emotion, which strongly predict tourists’ visit intentions. This study is believed to be the first to develop a scale for measuring vicarious nostalgia in tourism.
Evolutionary Aspects of Scarcity Information with Regard to Travel Options: The Role of Childhood Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Park Jooyoung , Kim Jungkeun , Kim Seongseop (Sam)
Published: November 2020

This research used three experimental studies to examine the effect of scarcity information on choosing a hotel room online. The studies also investigated the moderating role of the buyer’s childhood socioeconomic status (SES), using evolutionary perspectives and the life history theory. Our findings revealed that travelers showed a preference for a hotel room option if they were given information that the room was scarce. This preference was stronger for travelers who had low childhood SES and who were low in materialistic traits. The findings of this empirical research add academic value by adopting the roles of heretofore novel concepts, childhood SES and materialism, in understanding the effects of consumer information messaging. The findings also add to the understanding of how context in online websites substantially affects potential travelers’ decision making. Therefore, this research will provide helpful guidance for making online websites more user-friendly and effective in their promotions to potential customers.
Tourists’ Need for Uniqueness as a Representation of Differentiated Identity
Authors: Karagöz Deniz , Uysal Muzaffer
Published: November 2020

This study aims to examine the relationship between tourists’ need for uniqueness (TNFU), perceived authenticity, tourists’ emotions, and their behavioral intentions in a heritage context. A proposed conceptual model is tested using the data generated from a convenient sample of 474 tourists visiting Cappadocia Göreme National Park, a natural and cultural heritage destination in Turkey. Using the partial least squares technique, the findings confirm that tourists’ need for uniqueness influences object-based authenticity and existential authenticity. Object-based authenticity and existential authenticity affect tourists’ emotions. Also, the tourist’s emotions affect their behavioral intentions. The model is further examined from a nationality perspective through a multigroup analysis. The effect of avoidance of similarity on TNFU is greater in European tourists. Also, the effect of TNFU on object-based authenticity is greater in Asian tourists. Further, the effect of object-based authenticity on tourists’ emotions is greater in Asian tourists. Discussions and implications for destination marketers, limitations, and suggestions for future research are also provided.
How to Build an Institution
Authors: van Basshuysen Philippe
Published: November 2020

How should institutions be designed that “work” in bringing about desirable social outcomes? I study a case of successful institutional design—the redesign of the National Resident Matching Program—and argue that economists assume three roles when designing an institution, each of which complements the other two: first, the designer combines positive and normative modeling to formalize policy goals and to design possible mechanisms for bringing them about. Second, the engineer refines the design by conducting experiments and computational analyses. Third, the plumber implements the design in the real world and mends it as needed.