bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Efficacy of Cardiac Scintigraphy with 99mTc-Pyrophosphate for Latent Myocardial Inflammation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ilyushenkova Julia , Sazonova Svetlana , Zavadovsky Konstantin , Batalov Roman , Rogovskaya Yuliya , Anfinogenova Yana , Lishmanov Yurii
Published: February 2020

Objectives. This work aimed to study the efficacy of hybrid 99mTc-Pyrophosphate SPECT/CT for diagnosis of latent inflammatory processes in the myocardium of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods. The study comprised 34 patients aged 44 ± 9 years with AF of unknown etiology referred for radiofrequency ablation. The data were acquired using hybrid 99mTc-Pyrophosphate SPECT/CT. To evaluate and interpret the results of hybrid study and to determine localization of radiopharmaceutical accumulation, scintigraphic and CT images were fused. SPECT/CT results were compared with data of endomyocardial biopsy. Results. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 99mTc-Pyrophosphate SPECT/CT in diagnosing myocarditis were 91%, 100%, and 94%, respectively. Proposed diagnostic criteria for myocarditis comprised intensity of the radiopharmaceutical accumulation in the myocardium and the ratios of focus/lung, focus/vertebral column, and focus/LV pool. Minimum cutoff values for the histologically verified myocarditis were >1.47 for focus/lung index, >0.11 for focus/vertebral column ratio, and >1.26 for focus/lung index. Conclusions. SPECT/CT-based quantitative assessment of 99mTc-Pyrophosphate accumulation in the myocardium is a highly informative noninvasive method for diagnosis of inflammatory process in the heart in patients with AF of undefined etiology.
The Evolutionary Game Analysis of Multiple Stakeholders in the Low-Carbon Agricultural Innovation Diffusion
Authors: Liu Lixia , Zhu Yuchao , Guo Shubing
Published: February 2020

Encouraging the adoption and diffusion of low-carbon agricultural technology innovation is an important measure to cope with climate change, reduce environmental pollution, and achieve sustainable agricultural development. Based on evolutionary game theory, this paper establishes a game model among agricultural enterprises, government, and farmers and analyzes the dynamic evolutionary process and evolutionary stable strategies of the major stakeholders. The impact of innovation subsidies, carbon taxes, and adoption subsidies on low-carbon agricultural innovation diffusion is simulated using Matlab software. The results show that the government’s reasonable subsidies and carbon taxes for agricultural enterprises and farmers can increase the enthusiasm of agricultural enterprises and farmers to participate in low-carbon agriculture. This study can be used as a basis for the government to formulate more targeted policies to promote the diffusion of low-carbon agricultural innovation.
Effects of Exercise on Blood Glucose and Glycemic Variability in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Dawn Phenomenon
Authors: Zheng Xin , Qi Yanyan , Bi Lina , Shi Wenli , Zhang Yan , Zhao Dan , Hu Su , Li Meixin , Li Qin
Published: February 2020

Background. The dawn phenomenon (DP) is the primary cause of difficulty in blood glucose management in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients, and the use of oral hypoglycemic agents has shown weak efficacy in controlling DP. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise before breakfast on the blood glucose level and glycemic variability in T2D patients with DP. Methods. A total of 20 T2D patients with DP confirmed via continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) participated in the current study. After collecting baseline measurements by CGM as a control, CGM was reinstalled and 30 minutes of moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise was performed prior to breakfast. Dawn blood glucose increase, blood glucose levels, and glycemic variability were measured before and after exercise. Results. Dawn blood glucose increase (ΔGlu, 1.25 ± 0.84 vs. 2.15 ± 1.07, P = 0.005), highest blood glucose value before breakfast (Gmax, 8.01 ± 1.16 vs. 8.78 ± 1.09, P = 0.005), and mean blood glucose (MBG, 7.80 ± 0.97 vs. 8.37 ± 0.95, P = 0.001) were all lower, and time in range (TIR, 90.75 ± 12.27 vs. 83.5 ± 15.41, P = 0.015) was higher after exercise than before exercise. Among the glycemic variability indicators, blood glucose standard deviation (SD, 1.1 ± 0.5 vs. 1.48 ± 0.63, P = 0.001), coefficient of variation (CV, 14.14 ± 5.94 vs. 17.69 ± 7.46, P = 0.006), mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE, 2.71 ± 1.52 vs. 3.73 ± 1.98, P = 0.006), and largest amplitude of glucose excursion (LAGE, 4.97 ± 2.07 vs. 6.41 ± 2.36, P = 0.002) were all decreased following exercise. Conclusions. Acute moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise before breakfast reduced the morning rise of blood glucose in T2D patients, partially counteracting DP. Furthermore, exercise significantly reduced blood glucose fluctuations and improved blood glucose control throughout the day. We recommend that T2D patients with DP take moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise before breakfast to improve DP and glycemic control.
Dispersion Compensation Method for Lamb Waves Based on Measured Wavenumber
Authors: Li J. , Han Y.
Published: February 2020

In this study, a delta wavenumber dispersion compensation (∆K-DC) method was developed and applied, not only with the theoretical wavenumber but also with the measured wavenumber. Dispersion compensation can be achieved by the following steps: relative wavenumber measurement, traveling distance estimation, phase compensation, and wave correction. The feasibility of ∆K-DC with the theoretical wavenumber and measured wavenumber was validated with a high-dispersive A0 mode in a 2 mm steel plate experiment. The results showed that phase spectrum measurement was an effective method to construct the wavenumber curve, the propagation distances estimated by SAP2 were very accurate, and the dispersive signals can be compensated perfectly by applying the phase compensation and wave correction methods for each wavepacket. The present results highlight the application of ∆K-DC on dispersion compensation without any material parameters of a waveguide.
Overall Postoperative Morbidity and Pancreatic Fistula Are Relatively Higher after Central Pancreatectomy than Distal Pancreatic Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Regmi Parbatraj , Yang Qing , Hu Hai-Jie , Liu Fei , Karn Hare Ram , Ma Wen-Jie , Ran Cong-Dun , Li Fu-Yu
Published: February 2020

Objective. To compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of central pancreatectomy (CP) with distal pancreatectomy (DP). Methods. A systematic literature search was performed on electronic databases from MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed from 1998 to 2018. Statistical analysis and meta‐analysis were performed using statistics/data analysis (Stata®) software, version 12.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas 77845, USA). Dichotomous variables were analyzed by estimation of relative risk (RR) with a 95 percent (%) confidence interval (CI) and continuous variables were analyzed by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CI. Results. Twenty‐four studies with 593 CP and 1226 DP were included in the meta‐analysis. CP had significantly longer operation time (SMD: 1.03; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.44; P < 0.001) and lengthier postoperative hospital stay (SMD: 0.63; 95% CI 0.20 to 1.05; P < 0.01). Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in CP (SMD: −0.34; 95% CI −0.58 to −0.09; P = 0.007). Overall postoperative morbidity (RR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.50; P < 0.001), overall pancreatic fistula (RR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.66; P < 0.001), clinically relevant fistula (RR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.16; P < 0.001), and postoperative hemorrhage (RR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.06; P < 0.05) were all significantly higher after CP. On long‐term follow‐up, DP patients were more likely to have postoperative exocrine (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.84; P < 0.05) and endocrine (RR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.40; P < 0.001) insufficiency. There was no statistically significant difference in transfusion requirement, postoperative mortality, reoperation, and tumor recurrence. Conclusion. CP is associated with significantly higher morbidity and clinically relevant pancreatic fistula. CP should only be reserved for selected patients who require postoperative pancreatic function preservation.
Needle Tract Seeding of Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma after Fine-Needle Aspiration
Authors: Guo Yuxin , Koh Adrian Jit Hin
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies are fundamental procedures in the diagnoses of thyroid tumours. Reports of needle tract tumour seeding, however, question its practice regarding patient safety and potentially jeopardizing its widespread usage. Case Report. We describe a case of a 50-year-old lady with known multinodular goitre, and previous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of her thyroid nodules in 2010, who developed palpable right neck nodules 8 years after the initial FNA. Imaging and histological biopsies revealed suspicious right sternocleidomastoid (SCM) nodules that are likely needle tract tumour deposits. She underwent a total thyroidectomy with central compartment clearance and excision of the right SCM nodules and received radioactive iodine therapy thereafter. Discussion. Contrary to other forms of malignancies, needle tract seeding is an uncommon occurrence for thyroid cancers. Nevertheless, there is speculation regarding its potential in cutaneous spread of malignancy with studies investigating its optimal techniques and application. Conclusion. While FNA remains an indisputable tool in the management of thyroid tumours, precautions must be taken to safeguard patient safety and improve patient outcomes.
Improved Nonlinear Nishihara Shear Creep Model with Variable Parameters for Rock‐Like Materials
Authors: Lin Hang , Zhang Xing , Wang Yixian , Yong Rui , Fan Xiang , Du Shigui , Zhao Yanlin
Published: February 2020

Creep property is an important mechanical property of rocks. Given the complexity of rock masses, mechanical parameters change with time in the creep process. In this work, a nonlinear function for describing the time‐dependent change of parameters was introduced and an improved variable‐parameter nonlinear Nishihara shear creep model of rocks was established. By creating rock‐like materials, the mechanical properties of rocks under the shear creep test condition were studied, and the deformation characteristics and long‐term shear strength of rocks during creep were analyzed. The material parameters of the model were identified using the creep test results. Comparison of the model’s calculated values and experimental data indicated that the model can describe the creep characteristics of rocks well, thus proving the correctness and rationality of the improved model. During shear creep, the mechanical properties of rocks have an aging effect and show hardening characteristics under low shear stress. Furthermore, according to the fact that Gk of the nonlinear model can characterize the creep deformation resistance, a method to determine the long‐term shear strength is proposed.
Assessing the Instantaneous Stiffness of Cracked Reinforced Concrete Beams Based on a Gradual Change in Strain Distributions
Authors: Fu Chunyu , Tong Dawei , Wang Yuyang
Published: February 2020

Concrete cracking causes a gradual change in strain distributions along the cross section height of reinforced concrete beams, which will finally affect their instantaneous stiffness. A method for assessing the stiffness is proposed based on the gradual change, which is considered through modeling different strain distributions for key sections in cracked regions. Internal force equilibria are adopted to find a solution to top strains and neutral axes in the models, and then the inertias of the key sections are calculated to assess the beam stiffness. The proposed method has been validated using experimental results obtained from tests on five reinforced concrete beams. The predicted stiffness and displacements are shown to provide a good agreement with experimental data. The instantaneous stiffness is proven to greatly depend on the crack number and depth. This dependence can be exactly reflected by the proposed method through simulating the gradual change in concrete strain distributions.
The Usefulness of Genotyping of Celiac Disease-Specific HLA among Children with Type 1 Diabetes in Various Clinical Situations
Authors: Deja Grazyna , Sikora Dominika , Pyziak-Skupien Aleksandra , Klenczar Karolina , Deja Rafał , Jarosz-Chobot Przemysława
Published: February 2020

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotyping in children with T1D in various clinical situations: as a screening test at the diabetes onset, as a verification of the diagnosis in doubtful situations, and as a test estimating the risk of CD in the future. Materials and methods. Three groups of patients with T1D were included: newly diagnosed (n=92), with CD and villous atrophy (n=30), and with potential CD (n=23). Genetic tests were performed (commercial test, PCR, and REX), and clinical data were collected. Results. The results of genetic tests confirmed the presence of DQ2/DQ8 in 94% of children with diabetes (group I) and in 100% of children with diabetes and CD (groups II and III, respectively). Comparative analysis of the HLA DQ2/DQ8 distribution did not show any differences. Allele DRB1∗04 (linked with HLA DQ8) was significantly less common in children with diabetes and CD (group I versus groups II and III, 56.5% vs. 24.5%; p=0.001). The probability of developing CD in DRB1∗04-positive patients was 4 times lower (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.118-0.529; p=0.001). DRB1∗04 was significantly less frequent in children with villous atrophy compared to potential CD (13% vs. 39%; p=0.03). Conclusions. Genotyping HLA DQ2/DQ8 as a negative screening has limited use in assessing the risk of CD at the diabetes onset and does not allow to verify the diagnosis of CD in doubtful situations. The presence of the DRB1∗04 allele modulates the risk of CD and significantly reduces it and can predict a potential form.
Opinion Dynamics with Bayesian Learning
Authors: Fang Aili , Yuan Kehua , Geng Jinhua , Wei Xinjiang
Published: February 2020

Bayesian learning is a rational and effective strategy in the opinion dynamic process. In this paper, we theoretically prove that individual Bayesian learning can realize asymptotic learning and we test it by simulations on the Zachary network. Then, we propose a Bayesian social learning model with signal update strategy and apply the model on the Zachary network to observe opinion dynamics. Finally, we contrast the two learning strategies and find that Bayesian social learning can lead to asymptotic learning more faster than individual Bayesian learning.
Theoretical Analysis of the Mechanism of the 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Benzodiazepine with N-Aryl-C-ethoxycarbonylnitrilimine
Authors: Nabih Khadija , Maatallah Mohamed , Baouid Abdesselam , Jarid Abdellah
Published: February 2020

In this work, the mechanism and regio- and no-periselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 2,4-dimethyl-3H-1,5-benzodiazepine with N-aryl-C-ethoxycarbonylnitrilimine have been studied using the DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. IRC calculations and activation energies show that this reaction follows an asynchronous concerted mechanism. The two C=N sites of 2,4-dimethyl-3H-1,5-benzodiazepine are easily reached by the dipole, and the energy barrier between the reagents and the transition states is too weak. The secondary barriers are traversed by the heat released in the reaction medium after the crossing of the first TS, which facilitates the addition reaction and does not require high energy. The obtained results of this study are in good agreement with experimental outcomes.
Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis of the Maximum Fuel Temperature under Accident Condition of HTR-PM
Authors: Hao Chen , Li Peijun , She Ding , Zhou Xiaoyu , Yang Rongrui
Published: February 2020

The maximum fuel temperature under accident condition is the most important parameter of inherently safe characteristics of HTR-PM, and the DLOFC accident may lead to a peak accident fuel temperature. And there are a variety of uncertainty sources in the maximum fuel temperature calculations, and thus the contributions of these uncertainty sources to the final calculated maximum fuel temperature should be quantified to check whether the peak value exceed the technological limit of 1620°C or not. Eight uncertainty input parameters are selected for inclusion in this uncertainty study, and their associated 2 standard deviation uncertainties and probability density functions are specified. Then, the DLOFC thermal analyses and uncertainty analysis are performed with the home-developed ATHENA and CUSA. The numerical results indicate that the pebble-bed effective conductivity and the decay heat contribute the most of the uncertainty in the DLOFC maximum fuel temperature while this peak fuel temperature is most sensitive to the initial reactor power and the decay heat. In short, uncertainties in these selected eight parameters lead to the two standard deviation (2σ) uncertainty of ±77.6°C (or 5.2%) around the mean value of 1493°C for the maximum fuel temperature under DLOFC accident of HTR-PM. At the same time, the LHS-SVDC method of CUSA is recommended to propagate uncertainties in inputs and 100–200 model simulations seem to be sufficient to get an uncertainty prediction with full confidence.
Prevalence of Geriatric Syndromes in Elderly Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Authors: Limpawattana Panita , Phimson Kusuma , Sookprasert Aumkhae , Sirithanaphol Wichien , Chindaprasirt Jarin
Published: February 2020

The number of elderly patients with cancer is growing. Our study goals were to determine the prevalence of geriatric syndromes in elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and its related factors using a basic geriatric screening tool. A cross-sectional study using the basic geriatric screening tool was conducted to survey geriatric problems in a population of elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. There were 85 participants who were ≥60 years old. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used. The prevalence of having at least one geriatric syndrome was 58.8% (50 out of 85 cases). Depression was the most common component both in male and female patients. Age ≥65 years old was significantly associated with the geriatric syndrome (AOR 4.23, p=0.018), and a factor associated with depression was underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) (AOR 13.2, p=0.003). In summary, geriatric syndromes are common in elderly cancer patients. Screening for geriatric syndrome adds substantial data on the assessment of elderly cancer patients, even those with a good performance status.
Luteolin Suppresses the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells and Acts in Synergy with Oxaliplatin
Authors: Ren Li-Qun , Li Qi , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2020

Objective. Gastric cancer, one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, arises from the gastric mucosal epithelium and severely affects patient health and quality of life. Luteolin (LUT) is a flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits with diverse functions. A large number of studies have confirmed that LUT has an antitumor effect. Therefore, this study is aimed at verifying whether LUT can exert antitumor effects in synergy with oxaliplatin (OXA). As such, we examined the effects of LUT, OXA, and their coadministration in a gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (SGC‐7901). We used the MTT assay to quantify the proliferation of SGC‐7901 cells, flow cytometry to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis, ELISA to detect the expression of cell‐cycle‐related proteins, and western blot to detect the expression of related apoptotic factors. The results of this study show that the combination of LUT and OXA inhibited SGC‐7901 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by altering cell‐cycle proportions. In addition, the combination also activated Cyt c/caspase signaling in SGC‐7901 cells. In summary, LUT synergy with OXA inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vitro. The present study also elucidated the mechanism by which LUT potentiated the sensitivity of SGC‐7901 cells to OXA through the Cyt c/caspase pathway.
Butler Matrix Frequency Diverse Retrodirective Array Beamforming: An Energy-Efficient Technique for mmWave Networks
Authors: Nusenu Shaddrack Yaw , Asare Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) networks with the frequency spectrum ranging from 30 GHz (with wavelength 10 mm) to 300 GHz (with wavelength 1 mm), can support massive wireless data in fifth-generation (5G) systems. Importantly, large colocated antenna elements can be exploited at the base station (BS) to facilitate beam-steering synthesis along the users’ directions. This paper proposes the Butler matrix (BM) frequency diverse retrodirective array (BM-FDRA) beamforming network at the BS for multiuser communications in mmWave networks. We utilize the orthogonal feature of the M×M BM with M elements of the FDRA to create directional beams for concurrent transmission towards different users in range-angle locations. The proposed scheme has the following merits: (a) there is beam-steering orthogonality without beam interferences and (b) there is automatic tracking functionality, i.e., the prior knowledge on the user location is not required by the proposed BM-FDRA at the BS. The proposed method can serve multiple users concurrently using the beam-steering orthogonality property. Furthermore, performance metrics such as the multiaccess secrecy sum rate (SSR) model, bit error rate (BER), system capacity, and energy efficiency are examined. The proposed BM-FDRA scheme achievements are highlighted via simulation results.
CO2 Utilization Process Simulation for Enhancing Production of Dimethyl Ether (DME)
Authors: Kartohardjono Sutrasno , Adji Bayu Sari , Muharam Yuswan
Published: February 2020

Increase in the world energy demand also increases the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming and ocean acidification. This study proposed the simulation process to utilize CO2 released from the acid gas removal unit in one of gas processing plants in Indonesia to enhance the production of dimethyl ether (DME) through unreacted gas recycle that can be beneficial in reducing CO2 emission to the atmosphere. Simulation was developed in Unisim R390.1 using Peng–Robinson–Stryjek–Vera (PRSV) as a fluid package. Simulation was validated by several studies conducted by many researchers and giving satisfactory results especially in terms of productivity, conversion, and selectivity as a function of reactor temperatures in the indirect and the direct DME synthesis processes. Simulation results show that the DME production was enhanced by around 49.6% and 65.1% for indirect and direct processes, respectively, at a recycling rate of 7 MMSCFD. Compressor is required to increase the unreacted gas pressure to the desired pressure in the methanol reactor or dual methanol-DME reactor in both processes. Specific power consumption (SPC) was used as a tested parameter for the effectiveness of recycling unreacted gas. Based on the simulation, the direct DME synthesis process is superior over the indirect process in terms of DME and methanol productions, SPCs, and system energy efficiencies.
Data-Driven Optimal Control for Pulp Washing Process Based on Neural Network
Authors: Shan Wenjuan , Tang Wei
Published: February 2020

Pulp washing process has the features of multivariate, time delay, nonlinearity. Considering the difficulties of modeling and optimal control in pulp washing process, a data-driven operational-pattern optimization method is proposed to model and optimize the pulp washing process in this paper. The most important quality indexes of pulp washing performance are residual soda in the washed pulp and Baume degree of extracted black liquor. Considering the difficulties of modeling, online measurement of these indexes, two-step neural networks, and multivariate logistic regression are used to establish the prediction models of residual soda and Baume degree. The mathematical model of the washing process can be identified, and the indexes can meet the production requirements. In the target of better product quality, low cost, and low energy consumption, a multiobjective problems is solved by ant colony optimization algorithm based on the optimized operational-pattern database. It shows that the theoretical analyses are correct and the practical applications are feasible, optimization control system has been designed for the pulp washing process, and the practical results show that pulp production increased by 20% and water consumption decreased by nearly 30%. This method is effective in the pulp washing process.
A Novel COL3A1 c.2644G>T; p.(Gly882Cys) Variant in a Turkish Family with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Authors: Aydıner Ömer , Hançer Veysel S.
Published: February 2020

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is an autosomal dominant disease, also known as EDS type IV. The estimated prevalence for all EDS varies between 1/10,000 and 1/25,000 with EDS type IV representing approximately 5-10% of the cases. The vascular complications may affect all anatomical areas, with a tendency toward arteries of large and medium diameter. vEDS diagnosis is a challenging process. Patients usually have different phenotypic features and are unaware of the diagnosis at the time of initial vascular complications. The authors report the case of a 39-year-old male patient with EDS type IV, who developed internal carotid artery dissection and was diagnosed with clinical findings, imaging modalities, and a novel pathogenic COL3A1 variant.
Representation of religion in print media in Britain and Jamaica: a comparative study
Authors: Grizzle Alton , Ortiz Felipe Chibás
Published: February 2020

This study is an investigation made in 2013 on the representation of six religions and secular groups in the mass media in three newspapers in the UK and one in Jamaica. Through content analysis, the authors attempted to ascertain, among other things, which religion was more prominent in the news, the sources used and the main discourse or subject about these religions. In conclusion, there are no major differences in the representation of religion across these media systems and countries, which have similar culture and socio-political contexts. Islam and Christianity received most “negative” representations, although Christianity and other religions also had some “positive” framing, and some religions are not represented at all. Freedom of religion and inter-religious dialogue is relatively absent from the public and journalistic discourse.
O legato de Roquette-Pinto e a produção dos podcasts com viés educativo
Authors: Chagas Luãn José Vaz , Viana Luana
Published: February 2020

Este trabalho traz uma reconstituição histórica sobre o rádio educativo no Brasil, que ganha visibilidade a partir de ações de Roquette-Pinto, e como suas produções transpassaram anos até serem encontradas em novos formatos sonoros, como nos podcasts. Com o objetivo de verificar se essas produções têm usos sociais atrelados aos do rádio massivo, realizamos um estudo de caso e uma análise de conteúdo com a proposta de categorizar os podcasts enquadrados na área educativa. Essa cartografia permite verificar os diferentes temas na área de educação do Castbox, relacionando com as ideias propagadas na fase de implantação do meio no Brasil.
Exu como trickster: tresvaloração dos juízos morais no rap de Baco Exu do Blues
Authors: Feltrin Hector Rodrigues
Published: February 2020

A partir da problematização acerca das origens dos juízos morais e suas implicações na realidade social, veremos como os paradigmas ético-políticos determinam o modus operandi da cultura hegemônica. Esta, por sua vez, subsidia certa ideologia em desfavor de outros grupos étnico-raciais por meio da subalternização e da marginalização, sobretudo no que diz respeito à identidade, à memória e às tradições afrodescendentes. Tomaremos como exemplo a figura do orixá Exu e do gênero musical rap no intuito de evidenciarmos como o artista Diogo Moncorvo compreende a cultura afro-brasileira a partir da música, utilizando-a como instrumento para tresvalorar as opressões ocidentais. A estética do rapper no disco Esú (2017) evidencia identidades bastante heterogêneas e pulsantes, tendo em vista sua articulação com a cultura midiática e sua produção de sentidos na realidade.
Mestres do saber oral: a escuta poética da fala
Authors: Santos Edison Luís dos
Published: February 2020

Este artigo aborda o tema da memória como base do desenvolvimento das coletividades e dos indivíduos, operando na fronteira entre inclusão e exclusão, entre lembrança e esquecimento. A escuta sensível da fala pode ajudar-nos a restaurar o pensamento diante do inominável. A trama conceitual contempla o jogo de forças sociais, disputa de formas, possibilidades, arranjos e ordenamento do conhecimento, por meio de abordagem que perpassa pelo reconhecimento ontológico das bibliotecas vivas (griôs); por sua contribuição pedagógica na “produção compartilhada de saberes” como solução de demandas por apropriação de memórias e circulação social de informações. Por meio da escuta e convívio com os mestres, experimenta-se uma nova relação com o saber, voluntária e coletiva, cuja materialização se dá no fazer prático (savoir-faire) por meio do qual os sujeitos do conhecimento aprendem a se informar, a conhecer o que é saber e fazer colaborativamente.
Fusões e aquisições na indústria jornalística brasileira na visão do jornalista
Authors: Vieira Leandro , Rodrigues Fabiano
Published: February 2020

Este trabalho visa compreender como, na visão do jornalista, processos de fusões e aquisições na indústria jornalística podem trazer uma nova lógica de gestão positiva às empresas do setor. Para isso, foi utilizada fundamentação teórica multidisciplinar, abrangendo áreas de conhecimento como Administração, Gestão, Estratégia, Sociologia do Jornalismo, Economia da Mídia e Media Management. Dentre os principais resultados alcançados por este estudo, destaca-se a percepção de que o jornalista está aberto, em um sentido positivo, a movimentações de fusões e aquisições na indústria informativa. Lateralmente, detectou-se que os jornalistas estão dispostos a fazer jornalismo com olhar voltado à obtenção de resultados que vão além dos editoriais. Uma pesquisa respondida por aproximadamente 90 jornalistas foi utilizada para obter os resultados deste estudo.
O potencial das redes culturais: entrevista com Manuel Gama
Authors: Silva Junior João Roque , Poli Karina
Published: February 2020

Entendida como um fundamento próprio da vida coletiva ou social, a ideia de rede pode ser caracterizada, de maneira geral, como um sistema comunicativo e informacional capaz de dinamizar as ações e interações entre indivíduos, grupos, instituições, cidades e países. Apesar de ser uma tecnologia com potencial ambivalente, uma vez que qualquer agente social pode utilizá-la, é seu uso no campo da produção cultural que tem levado governos e agências internacionais a incentivarem o chamado trabalho em rede. As potencialidades de inclusão, participação democrática e benefício mútuo têm sido algumas das justificativas para o incentivo a essa prática sistêmica. Manuel Gama propõe que no trabalho em rede o indivíduo afeta e é afetado, é sujeito e é sujeitado. Nesta entrevista, essa noção de rede reflete o modo como Gama identificou seus estudos com iniciativas que ocorriam em Portugal e, depois, em outros países. A descoberta do modo de operação de uma rede cultural parece ser seu grande trunfo para compreender as oportunidades e particularidades da cultura.
Impact of Kissing Balloon in Patients Treated With Ultrathin Stents for Left Main Lesions and Bifurcations
Authors: Gaido Luca , D’Ascenzo Fabrizio , Imori Yoichi , Wojakowski Wojciech , Saglietto Andrea , Figini Filippo , Mattesini Alessio , Trabattoni Daniela , Rognoni Andrea , Tomassini Francesco , Bernardi Alessandro , Ryan Nicola , Muscoli Saverio , Helft Gerard , De Filippo Ovidio , Parma Radoslaw , De Luca Leonardo , Ugo Fabrizio , Cerrato Enrico , Montefusco Antonio , Pennacchi Mauro , Wańha Wojciech , Smolka Grzegorz , de Lio Giulia , Bruno Francesco , Huczek Zenon , Boccuzzi Giacomo , Cortese Bernardo , Capodanno Davide , Omedè Pierluigi , Mancone Massimo , Nuñez-Gil Ivan , Romeo Francesco , Varbella Ferdiando , Rinaldi Mauro , Escaned Javier , Conrotto Federico , Burzotta Francesco , Chieffo Alaide , Perl Leor , D’Amico Maurizio , di Mario Carlo , Sheiban Imad , Gagnor Andrea , Giammaria Massimo , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria
Published: February 2020

Background:

There are limited data regarding the impact of final kissing balloon (FKI) in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention using ultrathin stents in left main or bifurcations.

Methods:

All patients undergoing left main or bifurcations percutaneous coronary intervention enrolled in the RAIN registry (Very Thin Stents for Patients With MAIN or BiF in Real Life: The RAIN, a Multicenter Study) evaluating ultrathin stents were included. Major adverse cardiac event (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis) was the primary end point, while its components, along with target vessel revascularization, were the secondary end points. The main analysis was performed comparing patients with and without FKI after adjustment with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Subgroup analyses were performed according to FKI (short [<3 mm] versus long overlap), strategy (provisional versus 2-stent), routine versus bail-out FKI, and the use of imaging and proximal optimization technique.

Results:

Two thousand seven hundred forty-two patients were included. At 16 months (8–20) follow-up, inverse probability of treatment weighting adjusted rates of major adverse cardiac event were similar between FKI and no-FKI group (15.1% versus 15.5%;
P
=0.967), this result did not change with use of imaging, proximal optimization technique, or routine versus bail-out FKI. In the 2-stent subgroup, FKI was associated with lower rates of target vessel revascularization (7.8% versus 15.9%;
P
=0.030) and target lesion revascularization (7.3% versus 15.2%;
P
=0.032). Short overlap FKI was associated with a lower rate of target lesion revascularization compared with no FKI (2.6% versus 5.4%;
P
=0.034), while long overlap was not (6.8% versus 5.4%;
P
=0.567).

Conclusions:

In patients with bifurcations or unprotected left main treated with ultrathin stents, short overlap FKI is associated with less restenosis. In a 2-stent strategy, FKI was associated with less target vessel revascularization and restenosis.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03544294.
Electrophysiology Testing to Stratify Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Knecht Sven , Schaer Beat , Reichlin Tobias , Spies Florian , Madaffari Antonio , Vischer Annina , Fahrni Gregor , Jeger Raban , Kaiser Christoph , Osswald Stefan , Sticherling Christian , Kühne Michael
Published: February 2020

Background

Left bundle branch block (
LBBB
) is common after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (
TAVI
) and is an indicator of subsequent high‐grade atrioventricular block (
HAVB
). No standardized protocol is available to identify
LBBB
patients at risk for
HAVB
. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an electrophysiology study tailored strategy in patients with
LBBB
after
TAVI
.

Methods and Results

We prospectively analyzed consecutive patients with
LBBB
after
TAVI
. An electrophysiology study was performed to measure the
HV
‐interval the day following
TAVI
. In patients with normal His‐ventricular (
HV
)‐interval ≤55 ms, a loop recorder was implanted (
ILR
‐group), whereas pacemaker implantation was performed in patients with prolonged
HV
‐interval >55 ms (
PM
‐group). The primary end point was occurrence of
HAVB
during a follow‐up of 12 months. Secondary end points were symptoms, hospitalizations, adverse events because of device implantation or electrophysiology study, and death. Of 373 patients screened after
TAVI
, 56 patients (82±6 years, 41% male) with
LBBB
were included.
HAVB
occurred in 4 of 41 patients (10%) in the
ILR
‐group and in 8 of 15 patients (53%) in the
PM
‐group (
P
<0.001). We did not identify other predictors for
HAVB
than the
HV
interval. The negative predictive value for the cut‐off of
HV
55 ms to detect
HAVB
was 90%. No
HAVB
‐related syncope occurred in the 2 groups.

Conclusions

An electrophysiology study tailored strategy to
LBBB
after
TAVI
with a cut‐off of
HV
>55 ms is a feasible and safe approach to stratify patients with regard to developing
HAVB
during a follow‐up of 12 months.
Statins and All‐Cause Mortality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Jung Jaehun , Bae Gi Hwan , Kang Minsun , Kim Soo Wan , Lee Dae Ho
Published: February 2020

Background

Recommendations have not yet been established for statin therapy in patients on maintenance dialysis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on all‐cause mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Methods and Results

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from adults, aged ≥30 years, who were on maintenance hemodialysis for end‐stage renal disease. Data on statin use, along with other clinical information between 2007 and 2017, were extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in Korea. In total, 65 404 patients were included, and 41 549 (73.2%) patients had received statin therapy for a mean duration of 3.6±2.6 years. Compared with statin nonusers before and after the initiation of hemodialysis (entry), patients who initiated statin therapy after entry and patients who continued statins from the pre–end‐stage renal disease to post–end‐stage renal disease period had a lower risk of all‐cause mortality; the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) were 0.48 (0.47–0.50;
P
<0.001) for post–end‐stage renal disease only statin users and 0.59 (0.57–0.60;
P
<0.001) for continuous statin users. However, those discontinuing statins before or at entry showed a higher risk of all‐cause mortality. Statin‐ezetimibe combinations were associated with better survival benefits than fixed patterns of statin therapy. These results were consistent across various subgroups, including elderly patients aged >75 years, and were maintained even after propensity score matching.

Conclusions

Our results showed that in adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, statin therapy, preferably combined with ezetimibe, was associated with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality.
Disastrously Creative: K-pop, Virtual Nation, and the Rebirth of Culture Technology
Authors: Kim Suk-Young
Published: February 2020

Sustained by the triangulated forces of the K-pop industry, South Korean national policy, and the ever-morphing discourse on culture and technology in the postindustrial era, industry leader SM Entertainment's “new culture technology” invites critical scrutiny of neoliberal labor practices in the K-pop industry, the South Korean inflection of the creative economy, and the unique pursuit of cyborgized celebrity culture that emerged as a collaboration between private entertainment companies and the South Korean state.
Postrevolutionary Retrojection: Azadeh Akhlaghi Stages 17 Deaths in Iran
Authors: Afshar Sareh Z
Published: February 2020

In By an Eye-Witness (2013), conceptual artist Azadeh Akhlaghi restaged the deaths of iconic 20th-century Iranian reformists and revolutionaries before a camera. With its microhistorical approach, the work masterfully offers insight into how we might bridge narrative gaps in lieu of erasing them. The series posits history as a memory always constructed as such, and shows how changing the archive amounts to changing the future.
Unhappy Performatives of Statehood: Staging Incompatible Narratives of Eritrea through Academic Conferences
Authors: Müller Tanja R.
Published: February 2020

Two conferences held on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Eritrean independence operate as Austinian “unhappy performatives.” Using a performance studies lens offers new ways of understanding the dynamics of scholarship about international politics, thereby contributing to wider debates on how performances of truths often replace truth.
Curating in the Age of Live Performance
Authors: Weiss Allen S.
Published: February 2020

When performativity pervades iconography, the result is a destabilization of aesthetic categories and a transformation of ontological boundaries.
Historical Possibility in 1878: Choosing a Different Story with The Stranger Disease
Authors: Romanik Cara
Published: February 2020

In The Stranger Disease, Goat in the Road Productions brought their distinctive, researched-based devising style to the “Madame John's Legacy” historic home in New Orleans. Their immersive show explores love across color lines, the making of white identity, and the role of privilege during the Yellow Fever epidemic of the Reconstruction Era.
Performance Art and Illiberal Democracy: Marina Abramović's The Cleaner in Belgrade
Authors: Jakovljević Branislav
Published: February 2020

In September 2019, Marina Abramović's exhibition, The Cleaner, billed as her “European retrospective,” opened in Belgrade. The funding for the exhibit was secured through a direct intervention that came from Serbian prime minister Ana Brnabić. The Cleaner quickly became the center of a vigorous political debate, which exposed hypocrisies of the regime of illiberal democracy currently in power in Serbia.
The Costs and Benefits of Early College High Schools
Authors: Atchison Drew , Zeiser Kristina L. , Mohammed Salma , Knight David S. , Levin Jesse
Published: February 2020

Early Colleges (ECs) provide high school students access to college coursework with the goal of increasing postsecondary opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students. We examine the impact of ECs on postsecondary attainment, calculate the resulting monetary benefits, and then estimate the per-student costs of ECs compared to traditional high schools to compare costs and benefits. Our findings indicate that students enrolling in ECs in our study are more likely to attend college and graduate with an associate or bachelor's degree. Increased educational attainment from EC enrollment results in lifetime benefits of almost $58,000 per student. ECs cost approximately $950 more than traditional high schools per student per year, resulting in an overall cost of $3,800 more per student across four years of high school. Comparing benefits to cost, we estimate a net present value (NPV) of $54,000 per student and a benefit to cost ratio of 15.1. Even when using conservative estimates of costs (upper bound) and benefits (lower bound), we calculate an NPV of over $27,000 and a benefit to cost ratio of 4.6. These results indicate that investment in ECs pays off through increased earnings for EC students, increased tax revenue, and decreased government spending.
Perception as Media: Reconsidering the Arts and Neurotechnology
Authors: Rowland Jess
Published: February 2020

Recent developments in neurotechnology raise the possibility of directly reading out—or sending input into—perceptual awareness. Using Marshall McLuhan's statement “the ‘content’ of any medium is always another medium” as a starting point, the author explores the potential for neural decoding and brain-computer interfaces to support a medium of awareness. This article intends to open a set of questions that reconsider ongoing issues in phenomenology and the arts. If art addresses the human condition, then it is arguably essential for art to address our growing integration with external—and increasingly internal—technology.
Achilles and Helen and Homer’s Telling Silence
Authors: Lambrou Ioannis L.
Published: February 2020

The present study focuses on an episode attested only in Proclus’ summary of the now-lost epic poem Cypria, a suggestively erotic ‘rendezvous’ between Achilles and Helen that appears to heighten the hero’s appreciation of her as a driving force, convincing him to persist in the war for her sake. This most prominently contradicts Homer’s portrayal of an Achilles whose choices are fundamentally motivated by his quest for personal honour. As this paper argues, however, the story, though probably post-Homeric in itself, still has a traditional basis in the way it depicts Achilles’ susceptibility to eros. On the other hand, and more importantly, Homer does seem to tacitly acknowledge this less standardised aspect but at the same time agonistically suppresses it, thus achieving an advantageously idiosyncratic coalescence between tradition and individuality.
The ‘Caste’ as ‘Discrimination Based on Work and Descent’ in International Law: Convincing or Compromising?
Authors: M Bhimraj
Published: February 2020

The difficulty in categorising caste discrimination into standard categories of human rights violations has forced Dalit activists into comparing caste discrimination with racial discrimination – a highly condemned practice in international law. This strategy materialised through the word ‘descent’ in Article 1 of the icerd. Currently, caste discrimination has become important on the human rights agenda under the guise of ‘discrimination based on work and descent’ (dwd), and by extension, ‘racial discrimination’. The main theme of this article is to address the capability of the dwd mechanism to comprehensively capture the intricacies of caste discrimination. Upon analysis, it was found that dwd dilutes the religious aspect of the caste system. Hence, this article advocates a caste-specific Convention, which focuses on both religious and secular aspects of the caste system. This won’t happen soon; therefore, caste should be maintained as a unique form of dwd in the meantime.
Diplomacy as Relational Practice
Authors: Qin Yaqing
Published: February 2020

Diplomacy is defined as implementation of foreign policy through communication, and the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) is the chief implementer and communicator. This article challenges the conventional definition and argues that diplomacy is relational practice in the first place. The anchoring practice of diplomacy is to make, manage and build up relations. The MFA, therefore, is the pivotal relator who, to maintain a cooperative relationship, needs to follow two principles, both inspired by ancient Chinese philosophical thinking. The first is ‘the Confucian improvement’, meaning that improvement of self-interest is possible if and only if other-interest is simultaneously improved, and the second, ‘the Mencian optimality’, holding that self-interest is best realised if and only if a community maintains optimally harmonious relations among its members. The MFA is a good implementer and communicator only if it is able to manage well complex relations in international society.
Diplomacy in the Digital Age: Lessons from Denmark’s TechPlomacy Initiative
Authors: Klynge Casper , Ekman Mikael , Waedegaard Nikolaj Juncher
Published: February 2020

As a small, open, advanced economy, Denmark has a lot at stake in the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, the speed of emerging technologies and massive influence of multinational tech companies challenge traditional governance structures and diplomatic services around the world, creating a ‘diplomatic deficit’. That is why Denmark became the first country to appoint a Tech Ambassador and elevate technological trends to a foreign and security policy priority in mid-2017. This practitioner’s piece lays out the underlying reasoning behind engaging with the tech industry, the first-hand experiences from the initiative and some hard-won lessons before turning to the future perspectives. TechPlomacy is a political initiative with a global mandate to represent the Danish government vis-à-vis the tech industry with offices in Copenhagen, Silicon Valley and Beijing. The authors argue for new forms of coalition building engaging industry, governments and institutions in addressing the opportunities and risks of technology.