bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ‘pure apples’: Moral bordering within the Kenyan police
Authors: Diphoorn Tessa
Published: April 2020

This article analyses various police reform initiatives in Kenya as a form of ‘moral bordering’. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Nairobi between 2017 and 2018, I analyse how police officers differentiate themselves from other police officers along (moral) ideas of reform and how this occurs in two divergent, yet interconnected, directions. The first is a process of bordering in: moral bordering occurs internally within the police and reform efforts aim to break down borders among police officers. The second is a process of bordering out: reform initiatives are designed in the urban centre and are aimed at spatially pushing the border externally, away from Nairobi. My approach to reform as moral bordering shows how borders can simultaneously take on disparate dimensions: with bordering in, borders are primarily social and symbolic, and with bordering out, borders take on a more spatial nature. This duality encapsulates the inherent friction that results from reform initiatives simultaneously moving in distinctive directions and differs from much of the (anthropological) work on the state police that analyses how the police themselves either enact borders or act as borders.
Effectiveness of a Domestic Abuse Program for Australian Indigenous Offenders
Authors: Blatch Chris , O’Sullivan Kevin , Goodman-Delahunty Jane , Willis Matthew , Delaney Jordan J.
Published: April 2020

The subject of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a culture-neutral domestic abuse program (DAP) developed for offenders with domestic and family violence histories, when used for Australian Indigenous offenders, serving community-based supervised orders. The study employed a retrospective quasi-experimental research design and intention-to-treat program definition for 953 DAP-treated men and propensity score–matched controls, from diverse cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds, 19% being Indigenous Australians. Outcomes measured were program completion, time to first reconviction, and reconviction rates. Indigenous men completed the program similar to non-Indigenous men (58% vs. 63%; NS), although significantly more dropped out (22% vs. 18%); 63% of Indigenous DAP-treated men, remained reconviction free versus 49% of Indigenous controls. Significant therapeutic benefits required program completion, 73% Indigenous and 74% of non-Indigenous men remained reconviction free. Indigenous DAP participants, relative to controls, took significantly longer to first reconviction. Survival was associated with prior criminal histories, but not with rural or remote domiciles. Reconviction rates were predicted by Level of Service Inventory–Revised actuarial risk scores and by DAP completion, but not by Indigenous status. Program effect size was d = .477, mean reconvictions for Indigenous DAP enrollees being 50% lower than controls. Generic domestic violence interventions utilising evidence-based theoretical principles can be effective for Indigenous offenders, despite an absence of specific Indigenous cultural, or healing content, and delivery by Indigenous facilitators or Elders.
Healthcare waste management in Ghanaian hospitals: Associated public health and environmental challenges
Authors: Odonkor Stephen T , Mahami Tahiru
Published: April 2020

Healthcare waste generation is an integral part of healthcare operations. Improper healthcare waste management and disposal can be detrimental to humans and the environment. The objective of this paper is to investigate the healthcare waste management practices, aiming to provide needed data to inform policy decisions. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study. Quantitative data was obtained from 497 respondents who worked in 25 major healthcare facilities. Data was analyzed using (SPSS) version 23.0. Results indicated that 52.4% of respondents had knowledge about healthcare waste management. However, only 12% of the respondents were open to training in healthcare/biomedical waste management. Less than half of the respondent (47.5%) practiced waste segregation at the sources of generation. There were significantly more healthcare waste disposal materials available ( P = 0.001) in private than government and quasi-government hospitals. Based on the major findings of the study, we recommend that adequate training as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) should be provided to healthcare professionals to improve healthcare waste management. Complacence in adhering to Healthcare waste disposal guideline must be addressed.
Tariff determination for municipal waste management power projects in Pakistan
Authors: Rehmani Mahmood , Islam Tahir , Khokhar Munnawar Naz , Iftikhar Umer , Shahzad Mohsin
Published: April 2020

Waste management is an emerging focus in Pakistan. Specifically, waste-to-energy (WtE) projects are conceived to obtain benefits from municipal waste collection in metropolitan cities. This study provides a brief background of WtE potential, waste collection statistics, type of generated wastes, and current measures to build the confidence of investors in WtE projects. In addition, a brief overview of government efforts for WtE and delineation of licensing requirements for power generation are discussed. The parameters laid down for the determination of tariffs for municipal waste management power projects and the cost accounted for each parameter are analyzed in detail. Similarly, this study deliberates on observations among stakeholders and compares Pakistan tariffs with those of neighboring countries.
Ordinary, Everyday Discipleship: Banding Together for Faithful Living at Home, Work, and in the World
Authors: Grimm Tammie Marie
Published: April 2020

The rediscovery of the church calendar, specifically Ordinary time and the daily office in popular Christian publishing, prompts the recovery of the whole of everyday life as integral to Christian discipleship. This paper considers how intentional Christian community in the spirit of the eighteenth-century Methodists that leverages insights from transformational learning theory offers contemporary Christians an opportunity for considering the small moments of everyday as important to faithful Christian discipleship.
Rethinking Capitalism, Crisis, and Critique: An Interview With Nancy Fraser
Authors: Curty Gaël
Published: April 2020

Nancy Fraser is internationally recognized as one of the most prominent critical theorists of our time and is highly regarded for her work on feminism and capitalism. In this interview, she sets out the new conceptions of capitalism, crisis, and critique that she has been developing since her 2014 article “Behind Marx’s Hidden Abode.” She begins by presenting an original conception of capitalism as an “institutionalized social order,” which includes not only its economic features, but also its social, ecological, and political background conditions of possibility. After defining the normative foundations of capitalism and the corresponding boundary struggles to which it gives rise, she then explores the multiple crises it is currently experiencing. Inspired by Marx’s tripartite critique, she concludes by proposing a new multi-stranded critique of capitalism, which combines a functionalist critique of capitalism’s tendencies to crisis with a normative critique of domination and a political critique of unfreedom.
The static performance of the high-speed aerostatic spindles with modified discharge coefficients
Authors: Song Laiyun , Cheng Kai , Ding Hui , Chen Shijin , Gao Qiang
Published: April 2020

With the demand of the larger cutting forces and the more precise prediction of the performance of the spindle, the angular stiffness of the ultra-high-speed spindle should be taken into consideration. In this article, a 5-degree-of-freedom model of the aerostatic spindle is established by considering the one set of the thrust bearing and journal bearing together with the modified discharge coefficients in high-speed condition. Furthermore, static characteristics including angular stiffness of the high-speed aerostatic spindle are obtained in terms of different angular displacements and different operational parameters. The angular displacement effects are revealed and the optimum air film thickness for both thrust gas bearings and journal gas bearings is given for ultra-high aerostatic spindle design.
Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurial Fishermen Communities in Bangladesh: Realities from the Ground
Authors: Rahman S. K. Mashudur
Published: April 2020

In Bangladesh, there are more than 30 indigenous fishing communities who depend on fishing as their chief sources of livelihood. In the past, they faced no problems for accessing the open water bodies. During the last few decades, due to siltation of rivers, wetlands, involvement of non-indigenous fishermen in fishing, lack of appropriate entrepreneurship development policies, indigenous fishermen are shifting their traditional occupations at an alarming rate and facing a very measurable economic condition. Based on sample surveys (250 respondents), focus group discussion and case studies among the five fishermen communities, this article has been prepared.
Examining the Preliminary Effects of a Summer Social Emotional Learning Program for Young Children
Authors: McDaniel Sara C. , Albritton Kizzy , Stuckey Adrienne
Published: April 2020

This quasi-experimental pilot study examined the use of the Preschool Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum during the summer prior to kindergarten entry for preschool-age children. The purpose of the study was to examine if participation in the summer Preschool PATHS curriculum would lead to increased levels of social–emotional competence for the participating children, particularly as they prepared to transition into formal school settings. Preliminary results of pilot data indicate positive outcomes for preschool-age children participating in the intervention. These preliminary results suggest that the Preschool PATHS curriculum could potentially be delivered immediately prior to school enter with the potential for promoting competencies and strengths to put young children on a path toward a positive trajectory as they start school. Limitations of the study are discussed as well as practical implications and future research needs.
From Genetics to Genomics: Facing the Liability Implications in Clinical Care
Authors: Marchant Gary , Barnes Mark , Evans James P. , LeRoy Bonnie , Wolf Susan M. ,   for the LawSeq Liability Task Force
Published: April 2020

Health care is transitioning from genetics to genomics, in which single-gene testing for diagnosis is being replaced by multi-gene panels, genome-wide sequencing, and other multi-genic tests for disease diagnosis, prediction, prognosis, and treatment. This health care transition is spurring a new set of increased or novel liability risks for health care providers and test laboratories. This article describes this transition in both medical care and liability, and addresses 11 areas of potential increased or novel liability risk, offering recommendations to both health care and legal actors to address and manage those liability risks.
Diversity and Inclusion in Unregulated mHealth Research: Addressing the Risks
Authors: Callier Shawneequa , Fullerton Stephanie M.
Published: April 2020

mHealth devices and applications, with their wide accessibility and ease of use, have the potential to address persistent inequities in biomedical research participation. Yet, while mHealth technologies may facilitate more inclusive research participation, negative features of some unregulated use in research — misleading enrollment practices, the promotion of secondary mHealth applications, discriminatory profiling, and poorer quality feedback due to dependencies on biased data and algorithms — may threaten the trust and engagement of underrepresented individuals and communities. To maximize the participation of currently disenfranchised groups, those involved in unregulated mHealth research must become aware of potential risks, adopt targeted education policies, audit algorithms for hidden biases, and engage citizen scientists and other community members to identify and forestall possible harms.
Disappointing long-term outcome of THA with carbon-fiber-reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (CFR-PEEK) as acetabular insert liner: a prospective study with a mean follow-up of 14.3 years
Authors: Heijnens Luc JM , Schotanus Martijn GM , Verburg Aart D , van Haaren Emil H
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Insert liner wear of the acetabular component is one of the predictive values for survival of total hip arthroplasties (THAs). This prospective single-centre study was designed to evaluate the follow-up of carbon-fiber-reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (CFR-PEEK) insert liner used as bearing in cementless THAs.

Methods:

29 healthy patients with an indication for cementless THA were selected for a CFR-PEEK insert liner and followed over time. All patients received a cementless THA with a CFR-PEEK insert liner used as bearing. At different follow-up moments patients were routinely examined and were analysed using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), the modified Merle d’Aubigne-Postel (MAP) score, and radiologically. At the follow up moments the plain radiographics where assessed for loosening, cyst formations and wear of the CFR-PEEK liners.

Results:

At a mean of 14.3 years follow-up 4 revisions of the acetabular component were performed, resulting in a survival rate of 86.5% (CI 95%, 72.4–96.6). A statistically significant difference in OHS and MAP scores between pre- and postoperative follow-up moments was observed. The acetabular components of the remaining patients showed no radiological abnormalities at 14.3 years follow-up. The overall CFR-PEEK wear was low, with a mean of 0.81 (0.2–1.4) mm wear at 14.3 years follow-up.

Conclusions:

In this series we found an aseptic loosening with unclear reasons in 4 well-positioned acetabular components, hence we do not recommend routine use of CFR-PEEK insert liners as bearing in cementless THAs. All the remaining THAs and acetabular components were in situ without abnormalities at 14.3 years follow-up.
Microbial Bioremediation of Feather Waste for Keratinase Production: An Outstanding Solution for Leather Dehairing in Tanneries
Authors: Akhter Mursheda , Wal Marzan Lolo , Akter Yasmin , Shimizu Kazuyuki
Published: April 2020

In leather industries and tanneries, large amount of wastes has been disposed; which polluting water, soil, and atmosphere and causing serious human health problems. In particular, chemical dehairing process of leather industries produces fair amount of toxic wastes. It is, thus, urgently needed to use alternative processes free from pollution. As more than 90% of keratin is contained in feather, it is desirable to develop bioremediation process using keratinolytic microorganisms. In the present investigation, therefore, we first identified Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas sp. to be able to produce keratinase. Then, the optimization was performed to maximize the keratinase activity with respect to cultivation temperature, pH, and incubation time. Moreover, the effects of metal ions and various substrates on keratinase activity were also investigated. The result indicates that keratinase activity became maximum at 50°C for both strains, whereas the optimal pH was 10.0 for B. cereus and 7.0 for Pseudomonas sp. The highest keratinase activity of 74.66 ± 1.52 U/mL was attained by B. cereus, whereas 57.66 ± 2.52 U/mL was attained by Pseudomonas sp. Enzymatic dehairing efficiency of leathers was also compared with chemical dehairing (Na2S and CaO), where complete dehairing was achieved by treating them with crude keratinase. Partial enzyme purification was performed by acetone precipitation. Batch cultivation of B. cereus using 1 L fermentor indicates a potential candidate for large-scale keratinase production. Thus, keratinase enzyme by degrading poultry wastes (feather) can be an alternative approach to chemical dehairing in leather industries, thus preventing environmental pollution through bioremediation.
Evaluation of resident's indoor green space preferences in residential complexes based on plants' characteristics
Authors: Mousavi Samimi Paniz , Shahhosseini Habib
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, people spend most of their times indoors; accordingly, plants are increasingly used in these environments, including residential areas, due to their psychological benefits and aesthetic values. However, there is little evidence on how to maximize the inhabitants' indoor greenery (IG) preferences. The present study analysed the preferences of 363 inhabitants of two residential complexes with 38% and 6% green space in Tabriz, Iran through investigating greenery quantity and physical characteristics of the plant by the use of a simulated photo questionnaire from the interior spaces of the home. Results suggest that the preferences are not the same in various parts of the home. In general, high greenery quantity and flowering plants are the most preferred and tall foliage plants with wide leaves are the least preferred. Moreover, the effect of green spaces in residential complexes on inhabitants' IG preferences was studied. Results show that there is a significant difference between inhabitants' preferences of the two complexes, in terms of ‘plant colour', ‘leaf size' and ‘plant type'. The obtained results of the research can be utilized for interior designers and landscape architects in order to increase the application of the green space in residential complexes.
Life and priorities before death: A narrative inquiry of uncertainty and end of life in people with heart failure and their family members
Authors: Molzahn Anita E , Sheilds Laurene , Bruce Anne , Schick-Makaroff Kara , Antonio Marcy , Clark Alexander M
Published: April 2020

Background

Most patients with advanced heart failure are ill-prepared and poorly supported during the end of life. To date, research has focused primarily on generalized patient accounts of the management or self-care phase of the syndrome. Little research has examined the end of life in depth or from the perspectives of family members.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to describe how people diagnosed with heart failure and their family members describe uncertainty related to impending death.

Methods and results

A narrative inquiry was undertaken using a social constructionist perspective. Twenty participants took part in over 60 interviews: 12 participants with heart failure (eight male and four female; mean = 67.3 years) and eight family members (mean = 61.6 years) engaged in two in-depth interviews, approximately 3–4 months apart, followed by a telephone follow-up 2–3 months later. Six key themes/storylines were identified. These included: prognosis messages received from physicians; whenever I die, I die; loss isn’t new to me but … ; carrying on amidst the fragility of life; ultimately living not knowing; and the need to prepare.

Conclusion

The six key storylines of death and dying with advanced heart failure were consistent for both patients and family members. There was a desire for better communication with physicians. Many participants were critical of how the prognosis of advanced heart failure was communicated to them, even if they anticipated the news. Participants wanted frank, open conversations with their healthcare providers that both acknowledged that they were at end of life but did not remove all hope.
Development and psychometric testing of the self-care scale for patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF-SCS-10)
Authors: Son Youn-Jung , Baek Kyoung Hwa , Won Mi Hwa , Hong Hye Chong
Published: April 2020

Background

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) require continuous self-care due to possible complications and side effects from treatment. However, existing tools do not capture all of the critical factors of AF self-care and have limited evidence of reliability and validity.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new Atrial Fibrillation Self-Care Scale-10 (AF-SCS-10) that assesses disease-specific, multidimensional, person-centered self-care for AF patients in South Korea.

Methods

For this cross-sectional research design, 290 individuals over 20 years of age with a diagnosis of AF for at least three months were recruited. A literature review and in-depth interviews were utilized to identify the scale items. An expert panel evaluated the validity and reliability of a preliminary scale. Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis was performed to extract factors; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate fit on the factor structures. Criterion validity was supported by the correlation between AF-SCS-10 and AF quality of life.

Results

The internal consistency reliability coefficient was 0.87. Three factors, “self-care knowledge,” “self-care behavior,” and “self-care resources” were extracted from the exploratory factory analysis, explaining 79.30% of the total variance in the data. The three-factor model was also confirmed by parallel analysis; CFA met the fitness criteria.

Conclusion

There is preliminary evidence for internal consistency reliability, as well as content and construct validity, for the AF-SCS-10. Future research is needed to confirm the study results using a larger, more culturally diverse sample.
A Prospective Pilot Study on Use of Liquid Crystal Thermography to Detect Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Hodorowicz-Zaniewska Diana , Zurrida Stefano , Kotlarz Agnieszka , Kasprzak Piotr , Skupień Jan , Ćwierz Anna , Popiela Tadeusz J. , Maciejewski Adrian , Basta Paweł
Published: April 2020

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. While mammography is the standard for early detection in women older than 50 years of age, there is no standard for younger women. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to assess liquid crystal contact thermography, using the Braster device, as a means for the early detection of breast cancer. The device is intended to be used as a complementary tool to standard of care (sonography, mammography, etc). Patients and Methods: A total of 274 consecutive women presenting at Polish breast centers for prophylactic breast examination were enrolled to receive thermography; 19 were excluded for errors in thermographic image acquisition. The women were divided according to age (n = 135, <50 years; n = 120, ≥50 years). A control population was included (n = 40, <50 years; n = 23, ≥50 years). The primary endpoint, stratified by age group, was the C-statistic for discrimination between breast cancer and noncancer. Results: In women with abnormal breast ultrasound (n = 95, <50 years; n = 87, ≥50 years), the C-statistic was 0.85 and 0.75, respectively ( P = .20), for discrimination between breast cancer and noncancer. Sensitivity did not differ ( P = .79) between the younger (82%) and older women (78%), while specificity was lower in the older women (60% vs 87%, P = .025). The false-positive rate was similar in women with normal and abnormal breast ultrasound. Positive thermographic result in women with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) 4A on ultrasound increased the probability of breast cancer by over 2-fold. Conversely, a negative thermographic result decreased the probability of cancer more than 3-fold. Breast size and structure did not affect the thermography performance. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Thermography performed well in women <50 years of age, while its specificity in women ≥50 years was inadequate. These promising findings suggest that the Braster device deserves further investigation as a supporting tool for the early detection of breast cancer in women younger than 50 years of age.
Effects of an AAC App with Transition to Literacy Features on Single-Word Reading of Individuals with Complex Communication Needs
Authors: Caron Jessica , Light Janice , McNaughton David
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Transition to Literacy (T2L) software features (i.e., dynamic text and speech output upon selection of a graphic symbol) within a grid display in an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app on the single-word reading skills of five individuals with severe disabilities and complex communication needs. The study implemented a single-case multiple probe research design across one set of three participants. The same design was utilized with an additional set of two participants. During intervention, the T2L feature was activated for targeted words during a book reading activity. The dependent variable was the number of 10 target words correctly identified. With only limited exposure to the T2L feature, the five participants all demonstrated increased accuracy in identification of 10 target words. Four of the five participants generalized learning to use a text-only display for the 10 target words. This study provides preliminary evidence that redesigning AAC apps to include the provision of dynamic text combined with speech output can positively impact the single-word reading of participants. This adaptation in AAC system design could be used to support improved outcomes in both language and literacy.
Kinematics analysis of a new parallel robotics
Authors: Baoyu Shi , Hongtao Wu
Published: April 2020

A new type of parallel robot ROBO_003 is presented. Its mechanisms, kinematics, and virtual prototype technology are introduced. The research of degrees of freedom (DOF) is based on screw theory, a set of screw is separated as a branch, which named as constrain screw. The type of three DOF gained by counting constrain screw, the moving platform’s frame, and base platform’s frame is set, respectively, a complete kinematic research including closed-form solutions for direct kinematic problem. The 3-D model of ROBO_003 is established using SOLIDWORKS; position and orientation of motion platform can be gained using ADMAS, which is a type of virtual prototype technology. The resultant shows that the structure of ROBO_003 is reasonable, three DOF of motion platform can be operated in a reasonable range, the solutions to the direct kinematics are right, and robot ROBO_003 can be used in many industrial fields. The research of this article provides a basis for the practical application of parallel robotics ROBO_003.
Robotic object recognition and grasping with a natural background
Authors: Wei A Hui , Chen B Yang
Published: April 2020

In this article, a novel, efficient grasp synthesis method is introduced that can be used for closed-loop robotic grasping. Using only a single monocular camera, the proposed approach can detect contour information from an image in real time and then determine the precise position of an object to be grasped by matching its contour with a given template. This approach is much lighter than the currently prevailing methods, especially vision-based deep-learning techniques, in that it requires no prior training. With the use of the state-of-the-art techniques of edge detection, superpixel segmentation, and shape matching, our visual servoing method does not rely on accurate camera calibration or position control and is able to adapt to dynamic environments. Experiments show that the approach provides high levels of compliance, performance, and robustness under diverse experiment environments.
Galcanezumab in migraine prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gklinos Panagiotis , Mitsikostas Dimos D.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Galcanezumab, along with three other monoclonal antibodies targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway, represents the latest disease-specific and mechanism-based treatment for the prophylaxis of migraine. Galcanezumab shares data also for the prophylaxis of cluster headache.

Objective:

To provide a pooled safety and efficacy analysis of all phase III randomized controlled trials of galcanezumab in the preventive therapy of migraine.

Methods:

A computer-based literature search was conducted on MEDLINE and the US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry for phase III randomized controlled trials of galcanezumab in migraine prevention. The primary outcome was the mean change in monthly migraine days (MMDs). The proportions of patients who reported at least one adverse event (AE), at least one serious adverse event (SAE) or withdrew from the study were used as safety outcomes.

Results:

Two trials were included in the efficacy meta-analysis and three in the safety meta-analysis. Migraine preventive treatment with subcutaneous galcanezumab, at both 120 mg and 240 mg dosages, was associated with a significantly greater reduction in the mean number of MMDs versus placebo (120 mg, MD = –1.98, 95% CI = –2.33 to –1.63; p < 0.0001) or (240 mg, MD = –1.86, 95% CI = –2.20 to –1.53; p < 0.0001). Galcanezumab was found to be more efficacious in all key secondary outcomes as well. Regarding safety, most of the adverse events were mild to moderate, while drop-out rates and serious adverse events were low.

Conclusions:

Galcanezumab is an efficacious and well-tolerated preventive treatment for migraine. Larger clinical trials with longer follow-up periods need to be conducted in order to provide more safety data of the above-mentioned drug.
Social capital, gender, and health: an ethnographic analysis of women in a Mumbai slum
Authors: Gundewar Anisha , Chin Nancy P.
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Quantitative studies have demonstrated that social capital can positively impact community health, but qualitative explorations of the factors mediating this relationship are lacking. Furthermore, while the world’s poor are becoming increasingly concentrated in the cities of lower-middle income countries, most of the existing literature on social capital and health explores these variables in Western or rural contexts. Even fewer studies consider the impact of social constructs like race, gender, or class on the creation of social capital and its operationalization in health promotion. Our study aimed to address these gaps in the literature through an ethnographic exploration of social capital among women living in Kaula Bandar (KB) – a marginalized slum on the eastern waterfront of Mumbai, India. We then sought to identify how these women leveraged their social capital to promote health within their households.

Methods:

This was a mixed-method, qualitative study involving participant observation and 20 in-depth, semi-structured, individual interviews over a nine-month period. Field notes and interview transcripts were manually analyzed for recurring content and themes.

Results:

We found that women in KB relied heavily on bonding social capital for both daily survival and survival during a health crisis, but that the local contexts of gender and poverty actively impeded the ability of women in this community to build forms of social capital – namely bridging or linking social capital – that could be leveraged for health promotion beyond immediate survival.

Conclusions:

These findings illustrate the context-specific challenges that women living in urban poverty face in their efforts to build social capital and promote health within their households and communities. Community-based qualitative studies are needed to identify the macro- and micro-level forces, like gender and class oppression, in which these challenges are rooted. Directly addressing these structural inequalities significantly increases the potential for health promotion through social capital formation.
Investigating the Effects of Shikonin, Deoxyshikonin, and (β,β-Dimethylacryl)Shikonin on Melanoma Cell Lines
Authors: Ng Jin Jie Dillon , Upton Zee , Leavesley David , Fan Chen
Published: April 2020

Melanoma is the most lethal form of various skin cancers and contributes to more than 79% of all skin cancer deaths. Although there are numerous therapies available for melanoma, the high rate of recurrence in melanoma post-therapy remains a challenging issue for both patients and clinicians. Apoptosis is one of the foundations for cancer treatment as deficient apoptosis is one of the most essential reasons for the formation of tumour tissues. Shikonin (SHI), an active component extracted from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been broadly demonstrated to possess antitumorigenic property due to its apoptosis-inducing ability in various cancer cell lines. The analogs of SHI, such as deoxyshikonin (DO-SHI) and (β,β-dimethylacryl)shikonin (β,β-SHI), have also been found to possess similar bioactivities. The apoptosis-inducing ability of SHI and its analogs enable them to be potential anticancer therapies. In this study reported herein, we investigated the effects of SHI, DO-SHI, and β,β-SHI on both human (A375) and mouse (B16-F0 and B16-F10) melanoma cell lines. Cell viability was measured using Alamar blue assay, while cell migration was detected using scratch assay. Cell apoptosis was captured using terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP nick end labeling and fluorescence activated cell sorting. Signaling pathway activation was detected using Western blotting. Our results revealed that SHI, DO-SHI, and β,β-SHI reduce cell viability, inhibit cell migration, and induce apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. These 3 molecules-induced apoptosis in A375 is regulated via mitogen-activated protein kinase/caspase 3 signaling pathway. In particular, DO-SHI and β,β-SHI induce higher apoptosis rate in A375 and B16-F0 compared to SHI. The data from this study demonstrate that DO-SHI and β,β-SHI offer potential new reagents for managing melanoma.
Impact of smoking on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Bouabdallaoui Nadia , Messas Nathan , Greenlaw Nicola , Ferrari Roberto , Ford Ian , Fox Kim M , Tendera Michal , P Naidoo Datshana , Hassager Christian , Gabriel Steg P , Tardif Jean-Claude ,   for the CLARIFY Investigators
Published: April 2020

Aims

Smoking is a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, the ‘smoker’s paradox’ suggests that it is associated with better survival after acute myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate the impact of smoking on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Methods

The international CLARIFY registry included 32,703 patients with stable coronary artery disease between 2009 and 2010. Among the 32,378 patients included in the present analysis, Cox proportional hazards models (adjusted for age, sex, geographic region, prior myocardial infarction, and revascularization status) were used to estimate associations between smoking status and outcomes. Patients were stratified as follows: 41.3% of patients never smoked, 12.5% were current smokers and 46.2% were former smokers.

Results

Current smokers were younger than never-smokers and former smokers (59 vs. 66 and 64 years old, respectively, p < 0.0001). There were more men among current or former smokers compared with never-smokers. Compared with never-smokers, both current and former smokers were at higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio = 1.96 and 1.37) and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio = 1.92 and 1.38) within five years (all p < 0.05). Similarly graded and increased risks were present for myocardial infarction and the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In contrast to the ‘smoker’s paradox’, current smokers with stable coronary artery disease have a greatly increased risk of future cardiovascular events, including mortality, compared with never-smokers. In former smokers, cardiovascular risk remains elevated albeit at an intermediate level between that of current and never-smokers, reinforcing the importance of smoking cessation. (ISRCTN43070564).
Mental health care for medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Walton Matthew , Murray Esther , Christian Michael D
Published: April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for society. Supporting the mental health of medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) is a critical part of the public health response. This paper details the effects on staff and addresses some of the organisational, team and individual considerations for supporting staff (pragmatically) during this pandemic. Leaders at all levels of health care organisations will find this a valuable resource.
A consideration of polychlorinated biphenyls as a chemostratigraphic marker of the Anthropocene
Authors: Gałuszka Agnieszka , Migaszewski Zdzisław M , Rose Neil L
Published: April 2020

Polychlorinated biphenyls, organic pollutants of anthropogenic origin, were widely used in many industrial applications worldwide roughly from the 1930s to the 1970s. Both the use and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls contributed to their ubiquity in different environmental compartments, and they show extremely high persistence because of their high physical and chemical stability. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental archives located in different parts of the world usually show an initial increase in the 1940s–1950s and maxima in the 1960s–1970s followed by a sharp decline following the ban in their use. Thus, the increase in polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations would appear to be suitable as a chronostratigraphic marker in Anthropocene strata. This manuscript discusses the polychlorinated biphenyls record in different environmental archives in the context of temporal and spatial trends in production and application of these compounds as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the use of polychlorinated biphenyls in the chemostratigraphy of the Anthropocene series.
A comparative study on efficacy of fixed combination timolol/brinzolamide versus travoprost monotherapy in drug-naïve open-angle glaucoma patients
Authors: Dixit Alok , Ashish Atul , Sharma Reena
Published: April 2020

Background:

Glaucoma is most common irreversible cause of blindness in India. First line management of open-angle glaucoma is either beta blockers or prostaglandin analogs monotherapy. Monotherapy rarely achieves target intraocular pressure within 2 years and patients are shifted to combination medications, usually fixed-dose combination.

Objective:

To compare travoprost monotherapy and timolol/brinzolamide fixed-dose combination for their intraocular pressure lowering efficacy, their effects on hemodynamic parameters and cup disc ratio reversibility in newly diagnosed drug-naïve open-angle glaucoma patients.

Material and methods:

In a 12-week, prospective, randomised, single-blind study, patients were randomised to receive twice daily 0.5% timolol and 0.2% brinzolamide fixed-dose combination (n = 52) or once daily travoprost 0.004% (n = 52). Intraocular pressure, blood pressure, pulse rate and cup disc ratio were compared across treatment groups over 3 months.

Results:

Significant reduction ( p < 0.001) in intraocular pressure by 27.99% and 30.49% at 12th-week visit as compared with baseline was observed in monotherapy and fixed-dose combination group, respectively. Significant changes in pulse rate (9 beats/min) and systolic blood pressure (2.35 mmHg) was observed in fixed-dose combination group. No cup disc ratio reversibility was observed at the end of study. Conjunctival hyperaemia ( n = 14) and transient blurring of vision ( n = 16) were most commonly reported adverse drug reaction in monotherapy and fixed-dose combination, respectively.

Conclusion:

The 0.5% timolol and 0.2% brinzolamide fixed-dose combination produced greater reduction in intraocular pressure than those produced by 0.004% travoprost alone in drug-naïve open-angle glaucoma patients.
Study of the influence of models on the drilling temperature of bone measured by thermocouples
Authors: You Fangyi , Li Jin , Cui Huzi , Dai Qiulian
Published: April 2020

Bone drilling is a standard procedure in medicine mainly for internal fixation with a gripper plate. Drilling bone generates much heat, then the heat causes the temperature of bone to rise, nearby the borehole rapidly, while drilling. Studies indicated that the bone would irreversibly be damaged after being heated up to 47°C for 60 s. Hence, it is vitally important to control the drilling temperature of bone. Two different models of the tibia for drilling simulation were established with ABAQUS software based on finite element analysis in this article. The first model is an approximate ideal model of the tibia with fluid in the bone cavity. And the other one is a tubular tibia without fluid in the bone cavity, and a pair of thermocouples is embedded to match the experimental condition when measuring the drilling temperature. The distribution of heat on the bone and the highest drilling temperature were revealed by simulation, and the influences of drilling parameters on drilling temperature of bone were also explored by variance analysis. The results show that the maximum drilling temperature increases with an increase in the diameter of bit and spindle speed. The drilling temperature also increases as the feed rate increase, but the effect of feed rate on drilling temperature is not as significant as that of spindle speed. The drilling temperatures of two models were obtained by the finite element method. The maximum temperature of model 1 is taken as the benchmark. The temperature of model 2 takes as the experimental result. A formula for modifying the experimental temperature to actual value was derived. Then predicted temperature of model 1 could be achieved to obtain the optimized drilling parameters.
Refinement of waste phosphogypsum from Prahovo, Serbia: characterization and assessment of application in civil engineering
Authors: Išek Josip I. , Kaluđerović Lazar M. , Vuković Nikola S. , Milošević Maja , Vukašinović Ivana , Tomić Zorica P.
Published: April 2020

Two samples collected from the phosphogypsum deposits of the chemical products industry Elixir Prahovo (Serbia) were subjected to a recrystallization experiment performed over several repeated cycles. In these tests, phosphogypsum was separated into recrystallized (purified) gypsum, insoluble residue and supernatant. Both raw phosphogypsum and recrystallized gypsum were examined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 238U, 235U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th and 40K were investigated using γ-ray spectrometry. Based on the activity concentration results, a number of radiometric parameters were calculated for the original and recrystallized phosphogypsum (i.e. radium equivalent activity, γ indices for construction materials, α index and external and internal hazard indices). Raw phosphogypsum samples showed greater mean activity concentration levels of 238U and 226Ra than the international recommended limits, while the recrystallized gypsum demonstrated notably lower activity concentrations for these two isotopes. The activity concentration of 226Ra in recrystallized gypsum is ~6 times lower than in raw phosphogypsum. Therefore, recrystallized gypsum does not present a radiation hazard when used as a building material, while raw phosphogypsum meets the requirements only for road construction materials.
Fedratinib in myelofibrosis
Authors: Mullally Ann , Hood John , Harrison Claire , Mesa Ruben
Published: April 2020

Following the discovery of the JAK2V617F mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms in 2005, fedratinib was developed as a small molecular inhibitor of JAK2. It was optimized to yield low-nanomolar activity against JAK2 (50% inhibitory concentration = 3 nM) and was identified to be selective for JAK2 relative to other JAK family members (eg, JAK1, JAK3, and TYK2). It quickly moved into clinical development with a phase 1 clinical trial opening in 2008, where a favorable impact on spleen and myelofibrosis (MF) symptom responses was reported. A phase 3 trial in JAK2 inhibitor treatment-naive MF patients followed in 2011 (JAKARTA); a phase 2 trial in MF patients resistant or intolerant to ruxolitinib followed in 2012 (JAKARTA-2). Clinical development suffered a major setback between 2013 and 2017 when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed fedratinib on clinical hold due to the development of symptoms concerning for Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) in 8 of 608 subjects (1.3%) who had received the drug. It was ultimately concluded that there was no evidence that fedratinib directly induces WE, but clear risk factors (eg, poor nutrition, uncontrolled gastrointestinal toxicity) were identified. In August 2019, the FDA approved fedratinib for the treatment of adults with intermediate-2 or high-risk MF. Notably, approval includes a “black box warning” on the risk of serious and fatal encephalopathy, including WE. FDA approval was granted on the basis of the JAKARTA studies in which the primary end points (ie, spleen and MF symptom responses) were met in ∼35% to 40% of patients (JAKARTA) and 25% to 30% of patients (JAKARTA-2), respectively.
A cross-sectional study of prevalence, distribution, cause, and impact of blood product recalls in the United States
Authors: Alqemlas Ibrahim , Shankar Sneha , Handagama Winode , Felse P. Arthur
Published: April 2020

Defective blood products that are recalled because of safety or potency deviations can trigger adverse health events and constrict the nation’s blood supply chain. However, the underlying characteristics and impact of blood product recalls are not fully understood. In this study, we identified 4700 recall events, 7 reasons for recall, and 144 346 units affected by recalls. Using geospatial mapping of the newly defined county-level recall event density, we discovered hot spots with high prevalence and likelihood of blood product recall events. Distribution patterns and distribution distances of recalled blood products vary significantly between product types. Blood plasma is the most recalled product (87 980 units), and leukocyte-reduced products (34 230 units) are recalled in larger numbers than non-leukocyte-reduced products (8076 units). Donor-related reasons (92 382 units) and sterility deviations (22 408 units) are the major cause of blood product recalls. Monetary loss resulting from blood product recalls is estimated to be $17.9 million, and economic sensitivity tests show that donor-related reasons and sterility deviations contribute most to the overall monetary burden. A total of 2.8 million days was required to resolve recall events, and probabilistic survival time analysis shows that sterility deviations and contamination took longer to resolve because of their systemic effect on blood collection and processing. Our studies demonstrate that better donor screening procedures, rigorous sterility requirements, improved containment methods, and mitigation of recall events in high-prevalence regions will enable a more robust blood supply chain.